We don't have access to the feeling states of others. When they are acting in some way that seems odd or disconnected from causes we instinctively -match looking for an explanation. And it's VERY easy to assume you're either the cause or the target of the emotional state. Defensiveness and hilariousness ensue.

Women tend to be more feeling-oriented and so as a man you better get used to it and just let it be as it is. I long since gave up wondering what the women in my life want by trying to understand their moods. They don't want anything so very different than I do, they just have a different approach to it. It only seems different because it manifests in their emotional climate more.

For me at least it's basically a matter of ignoring my interpretation of their emotions and trying to tease out "what's this really about" which is almost never what I think it is.

Besides, it's not as if women don't have the same struggle in the other direction. is he so quiet? What's he thinking? is he withdrawn? And the answer to all those questions is generally, "nothing" or "he's just brooding to process his feelings about something that has nothing to do with you".

Most of us aren't as deep as we fancy we are.

No wonder he was famous ?