Let's Talk Relationships (Page 37)

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...

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...

Kids are noisy, messy, expensive and require a lot of upkeep. They’re also hilarious, unconditionally loving and cuddly little rascals. If you’re one of those women who has never liked kids and never planned on having any of your own, why should a man change that? It’s OK to admit that you’re just not the maternal type. In fact, a lot of women end up having babies because they think that’s their role in society....

If you’re young and living at home, you should introduce a new girl to your parents right away. If you are older and your parents live two time zones away, you should wait until you’re in a committed relationship or living together. Let’s suppose that you are either living with your parents or they live in the same town as you. There are probably a lot of times that you swing by for some reason — to borrow dad’s...

Sex is like rain. When you’re in a drought, it’s hard to think of anything else, and when a gentle rain falls every night, we don’t give it a second thought. When everything is in balance, we can attack all of the aspects of work and life with vibrancy and vigor. The importance of a good sexual relationship should not be under estimated. Great sexual chemistry has the capacity to satisfy us on a physical,...

The new HBO show “Girls” has created a lot of buzz with its frank dialogue, realistic sex scenes and candid portrayal of male and female dynamics. While some criticize the show’s lack of diversity and others applaud its accurate depiction of young women, it’s hard to argue that there isn’t something both men and women can learn from watching. The show centers around the lives of four 24-year-old women, detailing...

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...

Typically, monogamy is the end goal most women have when it comes to dating. Although there are plenty of women out there who engage in alternative lifestyles, generally speaking, most of us want to be with one man and we want him to be with only us. I, like most, consider myself a one-man woman and expect the same in return. I may be a rare breed, but I have never cheated because being in a committed relationship is...

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...

We will never know if Yoko Ono really caused the breakup of the Beatles. However, there can be no denying that a new girlfriend will change the whole dynamic of our lives and our relationships with our friends. For better or worse, love causes things to change. So, how should we handle it when Monica, Chandler, Ross and Rachel are not simpatico with the love of our lives? Do we have to choose between our friends and...

Guys, when it comes to sex and a new relationship, sex should be the furthest thing from your mind. Talking, listening, spending time together with your clothes on, and getting to know her as a person should be priority. Too often men get together with a new woman and rush the sex. This complicates things tremendously and can even be dangerous. Good sex clouds good judgment, and men are incredibly susceptible to...

Making a good impression on your guy’s friends is a must if you want to keep the relationship going. What his friends think of you will ultimately impact how he feels about you and your relationship, so try these ideas to help you make a good impression when meeting his friends. Take it easy. Coming off as too eager, too involved or too overbearing will send immediate red flags to his friends, who will see you as...

First dates. We love ‘em. We hate ‘em. We love them because they can be a thrilling experience. The first date has the potential to be the last time we will ever have to cast out our dating net, seeking the spoils of the saying, “There are plenty of fish in the sea.” Some well-meaning friend has said this to you at some point, usually when you’re suffering through a breakup. On the other hand, we hate first dates...

There’s a little thing we often forget about in dating called “compromise.” When you’re in the throes of new love, it’s a given you’ll spend all of your time together and jump at the chance to see each other as often as humanly possible. What inevitably happens is one of you wakes up one day and realizes much of your life revolves around theirs, while the stuff you love to do has been shoved to the back burner,...

No one has yet found a perfect answer to the question of what women want. Throughout centuries of examination, romance, poetry and real life, the ultimate answer continues to elude us. Nevertheless, let’s see if we cannot at least glean a little insight into what today’s women want and how to give it to them without compromising your own needs. Of course, every woman still has a bit of “girl” in her. She wants to...

One of my favorite phrases is “pick your battles.” I have literally seen relationships fall apart because one or both partners are sweatin’ the small stuff. Sure, there are a lot of things that your significant other will do that will annoy you: habitually leave crumbs on the counter, borrow your car and return it on empty, leave dirty clothes on the bedroom floor, never clean out the coffee maker. But you need to...

As far as I am concerned, true love is blind. It knows no color, age or affliction. There is nothing taboo about falling in love with someone much older than you. Age is but a number, and if you and your man are OK with your age difference, that is all that matters. Compatibility, mutual respect, and an ability to communicate and laugh together, in my opinion, have far more bearing on attraction than physical...

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...

You’ve won her heart, and your private time together is amazing. But there is still one more hurdle you need to clear before you can really become a fixture in her life. Even more than winning over her parents or her dog, it is imperative you are accepted by her friends. Here are some of the do's and don'ts that can help you make a good impression. Do be attentive. Her friends care about this girl in a way you...

There comes a time in most relationships when your boyfriend turns to you and asks if he can bring another woman into the mix. No, he’s not talking about your hot friend or the sexy waitress at the cafe. He’s talking about his mother. We all love when the guy we are seeing finally introduces us to his mother. It shows a sign of trust, stability and commitment in the relationship. But what happens when your...

Proper dinner party etiquette states that guests should never discuss politics or religion. But when you’re dating and trying to find that perfect lifelong partner, there are certain topics that need to be addressed, especially religion. Christianity, Judaism, Shinto, Buddhism and Hinduism are just a few of the dozens of religions around the world. Some have millions of followers, while others just a small...

Tarzan and Jane had little in common on a lifestyle level, but they still found a way to build a pretty darn good life together. More and more often in this age of the modern, empowered woman, we find ourselves attracted to fabulous ladies with whom we seem to share no common interests. Is it worth the effort to try to make it work? Well, if she is the sweetheart that rings your bell, then damn the torpedoes! Full...

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...

So you’re a little bit country and your boyfriend’s a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, and your differences have gotten to the point that if you hear another Metallica song, you’re going to lose it. How do you overcome this? How can you spend more time together and actually enjoy that time. Find balance. If your boyfriend spends every Saturday watching sports, make an effort to enjoy it, too. Ask him to teach you the ins...

Long-distance relationships are a challenge but they can be done. In many ways, a long-distance relationship is much more enjoyable than the one that affords a couple the opportunities to see each other every day. It’s like the old saying, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” When two people are only able to see each other on occasion, it makes those occasions that much more special and intimate. Long-distance...

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...

When a new romantic relationship forms, relationships also tend to form between the two families. But not everyone is going to get along. If your boyfriend and sister are fighting over insignificant things like who gets the remote or where to eat for dinner, then they have formed their own brother and sister relationship. This should not be a big deal if they don't mean it. However, if they take personal jabs at...

It's never OK to let someone else dictate when you get to spend time with friends, even if that someone is your significant other. In order to have satisfying lives, we need to balance quality time between friends, family and significant others. You need to try varying up your routine so you can maintain the relationships you still have with your friends. Have a talk with your significant other to let them know...

There's nothing quite as exciting as the first few months of a relationship. From the first time they catch your eye to the realization they feel the same way, it can all seem like a dream. Even the most dysfunctional dater can get through the 90-day honeymoon (read: lust) period of a relationship. It's what you do once the dust has settled that determines whether or not you're a keeper. 1. Embrace the new phase in...