In the spirit of fun, I thought I'd start a topic on "relationship tips".  Having dated for 15 years, and been married for 4 years, I 've managed to accumulate a few kernels of wisdom.  I will dispense these kernels now:

1. If you've been given a chore to do by your signifcant other, make sure that she actually sees you doing it ("After all, if you wash the dishes, and she doesn't see you do it, how does she know that you really cleaned them?")

2. If you've been given a chore that you REALLY don't like doing, then the best trick is to act very enthusiastic about performing the chore, and then royally botch it.  That way, you get credit for the attempt, and will most likely not be asked to do it again.

3. If your signficant other tells you not to get her anything for her birthday/Valentine's Day/anniversary/Christmas/other speical occasion, DO NOT BELIEVE HER!  You are actually being tested, so that she can tell how much you really like her.  Always give her sometihng, even if it's just some flowers from Kroger (need not be roses, any beautiful bouquet will do) or a poem you wrote in her honor (as a side note, if you're going to plagiarize someone else's poetry or song lyrics and pass them off as your own, make sure that you pick a relatively obscure writer that she will not recognize)

4. Don't only buy flowers for speical occasions.  Buy them for her at random times.  As above, you don't need to spend a lot of money, the cheap bouquets will do, so long as they look beautiful.

5. The answer to the question "What are you thinking?" should ALWAYS be, "Honey, I was just meditating on your beauty."

6. Always shower before heading out on a date.

7. The answer to the question, "Why were you staring at that girl?" should ALWAYS be, "I was just struck by how ugly that girl is compared to you."

8. Be a gentleman and open doors for her

9. Most women would rather be given a gift certificate for a spa treatment (manicure/pedicure/massage) for Valentine's Day than chocolates.

10. In the immortal words of Sting, if you love someone set them free.  You absolutely cannot manipulate someone into loving you.  The best you can do is to like and respect yourself, then treat others the way that you would like to be treated, and hope for the best.  Some people are going to like you, and some people aren't, and at the end of the day, there ain't nothing you can do to change their feelings toward you.

Anyone else want to share their tips?

When things get rough, just remember to say three simple words:


You're Right, Dear.


:D :D ;D ;D




Cat

6. Always shower before heading out on a date.



I always shower on Sunday mornings before I head out to see Robin in the afternoon.I want to smell extra good for her. ;D

When things get rough, just remember to say three simple words:

You're Right, Dear.



Words of wisdom, CatwomanofV!

Always do what she says. ;D

6. Always shower before heading out on a date.

I always shower on Sunday mornings before I head out to see Robin in the afternoon.I want to smell extra good for her. ;D


You're a wise man, Howard.  Smelling clean, and having fresh, minty breath are very important on a date!

always tell the truth....because the truth eventually always comes out!!!





Erin :)

You're a wise man, Howard.  Smelling clean, and having fresh, minty breath are very important on a date!




I drink loads of coffee so it's impossible for me to have fresh minty breath. ;D

I drink loads of coffee so it's impossible for me to have fresh minty breath. ;D


I don't claim to be an expert in any means, but I'm known for always keeping Tic Tacs on me (my friends tease me about this too, lol). ;)

I don't claim to be an expert in any means, but I'm known for always keeping Tic Tacs on me (my friends tease me about this too, lol). ;)



Or what about those Listerine Pocket packs? ;D

always tell the truth....because the truth eventually always comes out!!!


As a general rule, yes, but see tips #5 and #7 for the exceptions  ;D

I don't claim to be an expert in any means, but I'm known for always keeping Tic Tacs on me (my friends tease me about this too, lol). ;)



So you "jingle" too. I always carry Tic Tacs-in my purse, in my jacket and you can hear me coming a mile away. lol




Cat

7. The answer to the question, "Why were you staring at that girl?" should ALWAYS be, "I was just struck by how ugly that girl is compared to you."

That's right.Never compare. ;)

So you "jingle" too. I always carry Tic Tacs-in my purse, in my jacket and you can hear me coming a mile away. lol

Cat


I've been known for that too. :)

BTW, Howard - I love Listerine pocket packs! I always pop those before going out or going to work and stuff, etc.

BTW, Howard - I love Listerine pocket packs! I always pop those before going out or going to work and stuff, etc.


I'm an Altoid man myself, and try to keep a stash in my car at all times.  Mmmmm.... licorice Altoids.....

I'm an Altoid man myself, and try to keep a stash in my car at all times. Mmmmm.... licorice Altoids.....


I remember when those were brand new around 10 years ago. They were the strongest thing I'd tasted up till that point, LOL.

Seriously though, I just read through the entire list. I find that I already do/would do pretty much everything on there naturally. :)

Seriously though, I just read through the entire list. I find that I already do/would do pretty much everything on there naturally. :)


Then you are a natural-born gentleman, Marty McFly!  I learned most of thse from the "school of hard knocks" (which probably explains why I didn't get married until later in life  :D

I've been known for that too. :)

BTW, Howard - I love Listerine pocket packs! I always pop those before going out or going to work and stuff, etc.



I need to buy some soon.My breath is really kicking

Here are a few simple tips - Coming from a girl's point of view (and from some lessons learned from the past)

1. Never assume any situation. If you haven't heard from your mate, call them. Keep communication alive and don't expect the other to always make the first move on everything.

2. Be the first to make up in a situation and apologize. Make compromises and reveal your feelings saying "I" instead of "You." Saying "You" sounds like you're blaming them, rather than taking ownership for your own feelings.

There will be more to come.. :0)

I've got a relationship tip - don't get into one.  ;D

1. Never assume any situation. If you haven't heard from your mate, call them. Keep communication alive and don't expect the other to always make the first move on everything.


So very true.  I can't count the number of times that I made assumptions based on ambiguous data, asseumptions that turned out to be completely wrong.

1. Never assume any situation. If you haven't heard from your mate, call them. Keep communication alive and don't expect the other to always make the first move on everything.


IMO, the golden rule. Without communication, the relationship is in danger.

IMO, the golden rule. Without communication, the relationship is in danger.


Very true. I have seen many simple situations get very complicated because one just decided to wait for the other to call them, and then got upset when they didn't. I always feel that if you haven't heard from that person (especailly if this is someone you love) then check in and just say you were worried or concerned you hadn't heard from them. It never hurts to go the extra mile.

Very true. I have seen many simple situations get very complicated because one just decided to wait for the other to call them, and then got upset when they didn't. I always feel that if you haven't heard from that person (especailly if this is someone you love) then check in and just say you were worried or concerned you hadn't heard from them. It never hurts to go the extra mile.


Exactly. You've got a good on your shoulders. Are you sure you're a woman?

KIDDING!!!!  ;) ;D

Here are a few simple tips - Coming from a girl's point of view (and from some lessons learned from the past)

1. Never assume any situation. If you haven't heard from your mate, call them. Keep communication alive and don't expect the other to always make the first move on everything.

2. Be the first to make up in a situation and apologize. Make compromises and reveal your feelings saying "I" instead of "You." Saying "You" sounds like you're blaming them, rather than taking ownership for your own feelings.

There will be more to come.. :0)


Couldn't agree more - especially with #1. Take the advice of someone who's been on that end of it.

I'll admit, I've often had the mindset of, "Oh, I'll wait for them to call me" (not just girls, but anyone). I've made that mistake WAYYYY too many times in the past, and consequently have lost touch with people I wish I hadn't. :(

I'm friendly and personable, but I've never been a "phoney". Just never liked making calls. But, if there's one thing I'd tell my past self (say, 10 years ago at age 13 or 14), it would be, would you rather feel awkward or unsure of what to say for a few seconds, or risk losing touch with someone for a lifetime?

As for option #2, I'll always do that too. :)

But, if there's one thing I'd tell my past self (say, 10 years ago at age 13 or 14), it would be, would you rather feel awkward or unsure of what to say for a few seconds, or risk losing touch with someone for a lifetime?


Good reasoning. I have lost touch with people because I have been awkward on the phone too.  :-\\

So very true.  I can't count the number of times that I made assumptions based on ambiguous data, asseumptions that turned out to be completely wrong.


People always assume the worst and I think we all have irrational fears we nurture because of our insecurities - So, sometimes it's best to just not jump to conclusions. I know how easy it is to think the worst. These thoughts often swim through my head, but I always beat them down with a stick - lol

"Did his ex-girlfriend contact him?" (why he hasn't called me in awhile...)

"Can I ever live up to his past girlfriends?" (when he sometimes gets a dour look on his face, lol)

"I hope he isn't comparing me to them" (any woman that looks prettier )

These are just a few I have to keep at bay and forget. It's hard sometimes, but you just got to let these things go away.. as I am sure my boyfriend has similar fears.