So the summer is here and so far the weather has been bad.
Actually that's an understatement - it's been terrible.
So with the rain lashing down no doubt the girlfriend will drag you off to the cinema to see another plot-by-numbers chick flick.
You can't say no, but you can make the experience a bit more enjoyable with the help of the 'Guide to Surviving a Chick Flick': Chick Flick Bingo - do this in your head or on your phone.
Think of some of the classic chick-flick clichés - you know, the two friends falling out over the same guy, or a group of girls dancing around to some girly music using hairbrushes as microphones - there are hundreds.
Check off each one as they crop up in the film.
Just don't shout "house!" if you get them all.
Count the number of ceiling tiles in the cinema.
Look for every plot hole or grammatical error that crops up - this way you can undermine the film on the way home while looking like your paid attention.
Work out what you would do if the cinema suddenly caught fire.
Make repeated trips to buy drinks and then go to the loo.
If none of this works just sit it out safe in the knowledge that next time you go to the cinema you can choose some macho gun totting war film starring Bruce Willis or some similar actor.
However, you may have to bribe her with some delicate swimwear or lingerie.
You can't say fairer than that...
ok yes you can!