I often struggle with this. Ever since the age of around 16, I've stopped showing much emotion that I would consider "feminine". I haven't cried in front of anybody since then, not even in sad scenarios or movies. Nor do I whine about anything to people, or even show that I'm affected by unfortunate circumstances. I really just hold my composure and say something along the lines of "That's really unfortunate.". I've been asked by girls before how certain sad things don't affect me, and I don't really know how to answer it. I think this intimidates some people. Even relationships gone bad. After my first one, I let all my emotions out in private and then told myself I'd never let myself get that down bad again.

So when a chick threatens to leave, I act completely unbothered. When a girl I liked starts acting out of place, I act completely unbothered and leave my feelings detached. Some of my friends tell me that it's not normal what I'm doing, but I suppose I developed it as a defense mechanism to not get hurt? For example, when it comes to women, I know that I will be studying intensely for dental school in the next 5 years, so I can't afford to be so down that I don't feel like working, so I ensure that I never get attached to any female I interact with no matter how much I like her.

Is what I'm doing normal? If not, how do I show more "vulnerability" and "empathy" in such situations?