Let's Talk Communication (Page 11)

Reader Question: I've been dating someone from an online dating site for two months. He pursued me for a couple of years to meet him. We hit it off from the first date. Because we live in different cities, it's hard to see each other more than once or twice a week. He calls me every night, and we talk a lot but not a lot about "us." I still see him on the dating site and want to know if it would be OK for me to ask...

Everybody has a few annoying habits, mannerisms or expressions. You have them, too. The fact is, most of them become invisible within a few weeks. Still, there are many kinds of habits that will continue to annoy you, so first you have to decide if you can live with them or not. You have to consider if it’s just “you,” or if the habit is really annoying to a lot of people. If it’s something gross, you will have...

If you’re in a relationship that seems to be falling apart at the seams, fear not. No matter how hopeless it may seem, no matter how deep the suffering, you can save a relationship. Whatever harm has been inflicted, whatever hurtful words spoken, whatever dirty deeds that can’t go undone, forgiveness is always an option. Couples who already have within their relationship the very things needed to overcome life’s...

Texting is a very popular way to communicate, and it has certainly changed the landscape of the dating scene. Instant messages are often very convenient and take a lot of pressure off the communication process. For instance, sending a text that says, “I think you’re handsome” or “I like you,” is a lot easier than saying it on the phone or in person. Plus, texts consist of very short sentences that require little...

“Pick up some chewing gum and a pregnancy test on your way over,” might be the last thing a guy wants to hear from his girlfriend. But there are plenty of other one-liners women toss out that drive men right up a wall. Ladies, please avoid saying these five things, and have a little mercy on the man who loves you. 1. "Are you mad?" He’s driving along and the conversation hits a lull as his mind goes about its normal,...

Unless you’re one of those people who thrive on drama, fighting with your partner is no fun. It’s loud, angry and uncomfortable. And it downright sucks. But say it happens and you’re feeling terrible about it. When the fight is finally over and everyone is calming down, how do you make it right? How do you make up with your girlfriend? Guys, here are a few tips to make the transition from fighting to loving a whole...

Few women like to get into fights with their boyfriend, but even fewer women like to lose a fight with him. With the right mindset, you can dramatically increase the chances of coming out on top of any argument you and your man share, but before you aim to dominate, there’s a question you need to honestly ask yourself first. Are you really right? In the heat of an argument, everyone thinks they are right. When...

I still don’t understand why men struggle with how long to wait before calling and texting a girl back. It’s not rocket science, fellas! If you are attracted to a woman and you want to forge a real relationship with her, don’t start out playing games. Always do what you say you’re going to, when you say you’re gonna do it. If we call or text you, call back when you can and when you’re able to carry on a decent...

One of the most uncomfortable things to talk about with a new boyfriend is an old boyfriend. Unfortunately, the ex-factor is a topic of conversation that has to happen sooner or later. Even though we dread talking about previous relationships and sexual partners, we’re going to have to listen to stories about them at some point and share a few of our own. Women are far more interested in getting details about her...

Jealousy comes in a broad variety of shapes and sizes. It can be an indication of deep devotion or pathological paranoia. It can be no big deal, or it can be dangerous and creepy. First, figure out which brand you’re dealing with. If your girlfriend’s jealousy manifests itself in anger and destructive behavior, your relationship might be on shaky ground. If she slashes the tires of a girl from your office because...

Have you ever seen the movie “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”? In this classic rom-com, a magazine writer takes on the titular assignment of roping in a new man and does her best to quickly drive him away by purposefully acting out all of those feminine behaviors that tell men to run, run, run away ASAP! As entertaining as this movie is, it contains some very basic truths, such as the fact that men and women can...

I’m not sure if I really believe all the people who say they don’t like to talk on the phone. I think it’s just a little more intimidating than sending a text and takes a little more courage to dial a number than to click out a few words, especially when you’re just getting to know somebody. That’s also when personal conversations are the most important. If you don’t like long phone conversations, just have a few...

What she wants to be true and what really is true can sometimes be different. Persistent exes can be hard to shake sometimes, too. And feelings that she thought were gone might resurface later on. If her breakup with her ex is relatively recent, she is going to spend time thinking about the relationship. She still has issues to resolve. Why did they breakup? What did she do wrong? That sort of thing. If she walked...

In the area of romance, communication plays a vital role in the natural progression of a relationship, but it’s no wonder men are confused about how to approach women in today’s fast-paced world of communication technology. While created to help us do more faster and with smaller equipment, men and women can agree the ever-changing communication products flooding today’s market are frustrating, to say the least....

The most integral aspect of any relationship is communication. We meet someone and talk with them so we can get to know them. We realize we like them and communicate our attraction through body language and conversation. There is no other way to become enamored with someone, and they with you, than to exchange thoughts, ideas and signals. The tricky part, however, is communication can be confusing. Sending and...

What she wants to be true and what really is true can sometimes be different. Persistent exes can be hard to shake sometimes, too. And feelings she thought were gone might resurface later on. If her breakup with her ex is relatively recent, she is going to spend time thinking about the relationship. She still has issues to resolve. Why did they breakup? What did she do wrong? That sort of thing. If she walked out...

Your dating history is important. Your past relationships with women say a lot about who you were, who you now are, and how your future relationships will likely proceed. Not only is it wise for men and women to have a clear picture of their own dating history, it’s also wise for men and women to develop an understanding of their partner’s dating history. If you are going to date a woman seriously, you not only...

A friend told me the other night that lawyers win arguments because they never ask a question they don’t already know the answer to. That makes a lot of sense, but these are people who spent years learning how to argue professionally. For us regular people, how do you win an argument? More specifically, how do men win arguments with their wife or girlfriend? In war, soldiers use weapons. In arguments, partners use...

If you’re asking the question, that means you’ve already waited too long. It bothers you, so you have to let her know before it causes tension or irreparable damage in the budding relationship. If it’s bad for you, then it’s bad for the relationship, which means it’s not in her best interest to let it continue either. There are a lot of good ways to help her get the idea. The key is to make the message fun, light...

Guys, it’s time you heard the truth. As much as your girlfriend says she loves you, there are still a million things you do that she can’t stand. If you really want to drive your woman crazy, here are three surefire ways to do it. However, if you want to improve your relationship, there are some tips and solutions for those annoying habits. 1. Don’t communicate. Most men prefer to avoid having long, meaningful...

Whether it's college, a job or just life's circumstances that are keeping you apart, having a long-distance relationship isn't nearly as rare as it used to be. And with today’s readily available technology, there are a number of ways to keep the spark burning. 1. Make dates. Absence can make the heart grow fonder, but it can also really suck. If you're away from your sweetie for long lengths of time, set aside...