Inside the Mind of a Man: What Is He Thinking?

Comedian and author Steve Harvey deciphers what's really going on in there.

ByABC News via logo
October 6, 2009, 8:12 PM

Oct. 7, 2009— -- That women are hard to understand is a common complaint from men. But to be fair, men can be just as mysterious.

From addressing the issue of men saying one thing when they mean another to lying because it's simply easier, comedian and author Steve Harvey stopped by "Good Morning America" today to answer questions and bring insight from inside the mind of a man.

Men sometimes go to great lengths, from ditching work to playing fantasy football to giving befuddled looks when women ask how those jeans really look, in an effort at self-preservation.

"Women actually think men are afraid of them," Harvey said. "We're not afraid of you. We're afraid of your reaction."

Duane, 34 and single, told Harvey he was frustrated over a conundrum men have faced for decades: Why do women say they want men to tell them the truth but then get mad when the truth comes out?

Harvey said the main cause of this debate is that men and women think differently.

"They're actually asking you for the truth as they see it," Harvey said, adding that it's up to the man to figure out what her truth might be.

"If there wasn't such a rage behind the truth, we'd tell you all the time," he said.

While Harvey didn't advise dishonesty, he counseled men to consider thinking carefully to avoid the inevitable argument that may come from telling women something they don't really want to hear.

"It's not really that the guy's lying or that he's a liar," he said. "He's trying to keep peace in the house."