IS IT LOVE OR LUST ?

Love and lust are inextricably intertwined. Lust is ground zero for hormones — it's nature's way of bringing the opposite sexes together. In fact, without lust, it's doubtful that love between a man and a woman would have a chance to prosper at all; which is also the reason why sexless marriages fail.

However, love is the most ennobling of human emotions — transcendental, exalted and capable of engendering emotional states.

But how can you tell the difference between lust and love? Read on to find out.

Is it love or lust?

It's lust if:

• You're totally focussed on looks and body
Even before you know your crush's name, you're already fantasising about them and drooling over their looks.

• You don't care about anything they have to say
It wouldn't make a difference to you if you never had a conversation with your crush. Furthermore, you don't bother to return calls promptly and you can easily go for days without talking to this person.

You don't mind checking out other hotties, or looking at other people, like friends, to satisfy your emotional needs.

• You spend most of your together time in 'action'
You make excuses not to spend time, unless it's in the confines of a room. And if they ask you for a favour, you say you're too busy. But if you have to be together and not have sex, you find them boring and look forward to doing something else like going shopping by yourself.

• You leave after sex
After having sex, you look for the easiest way to leave. No cuddling, no breakfast the next morning, just "I gotta go".