Why do guys backtrack on what they say after an argument?

[Anonymous]

Ex confessed his feelings for me but we argued and he backtracked. We argued due to me questioning if he was sincere about a drunken confession he made to me. He got defensive and back peddled. Did I wound his pride? Ego?

[karennn]

I think it has more to do with him being vulnerable at his drunken state and you not valuing his sincerity. See when a person is drunk, he says thinks that his subconscious mind would never have the courage to do when sober. And for you to be disregarding his confession and pointing out the negative (him being drunk and not being sincere) is something that he found hurtful.

[karennn]

*he says things

[Asker]

Its hard to believe what he meant by it. He hurt me when we broke up (and i hurt him as well before). Went NC for 2 months then all of a sudden he pops up and confesses this to me. I just felt skeptical. Too good to be true.

[karennn]

Trust me, I have been in your shoes too. My crush went for 3 months without us hanging out. And when we finally did over dinner he was drinking (not drunk) and looked in my eye while holding my hands telling me he appreciated me and cares about me. I was in total shock. That night when he drove me home, kept asking to hold my hand. Next day I asked him if he remembered everything, he said yes he did.

Sometimes guys need liquid courage to open up. Guys are taught never to express themselves and often need a little push to be able to do that.

[Asker]

makes sense. i suppose i'm going to have to apologize and talk about it. thanks

[AlwaysBelieving]

It's not just men, all humans seem to want to do this. It's a learned response.

Seems like it's because he confessed and you didn't believe him. It was neither pride nor ego, it's because you questioned his sincerity.