"I want to take a break." = "I've decided that we should break up, but I want some time to go out and find someone else before I commit to a breakup. If I'm unsuccessful, I may take you back for awhile until I do find someone else."
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Most women that I've known like to keep their options open...sometimes indefinitely.
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I used to tell women of this ilk about their "monkey bar" syndrome.
The monkey bars on a playground...
"You don't let go of one bar until you grasp the "next". "
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Many women (unfortunately for us) are always looking to "upgrade".