I've had quite a lovely time being married for 10 months, and I highly recommend it. However, like all couples, we have had our "disagreements". Men's Health had a nice article that I just came upon that would have allowed me to at least REALIZE what I was doing wrong at the time. Listed for your enjoyment:
- Build Capital - Flowers, foot rubs, and any other gestures of goodwill are best extended when they're least expected. Just crashed her car? Call Maaco, not 1-800-flowers - digging yourself out of a hole gains you zero emotional capital. [...]
- Flirt Like She's Watching - [...] Never say anything to yanother woman that you wouldn't want your significant other to hear. [...]
- Be Angry, Not Apathetic - [...] Conflict sucks, but it's actually a sign of an engaged relationship. [...]
- Don't Coach Her - [...] How can you teach her [anything] without causing her to hate you? You can't. [...]
- Clean To Her Peeves - [...] News flash: You don't have to keep everything clean all the time. You just have to keep the mess out of her hot zones. Collect intel: Figure out what she cleans first -- and make sure you're never the source of messes.
- Help Her Assess Her Dress - [...] [For any event she'll be attending with people she hasn't met means you need to tell her:] Who will be there, what they will be wearing, and what everyone will be doing? [...]
- Don't Force Your Friends On Her - [...] She hates Joe. [...] You can go out with Joe; just don't bring him home. And meet Joe out with her once in a while. But agree in advance that when she's had it with him, she can give you a signal [...] and you'll acquiesce. She'll love that you let her take the social reins.
- Choose Jealousy Wisely - [...] Suck it up if you're inventing the cause of jealousy; stand your ground if you're not. [...]
Some of these are remarkably boring, but #3, #4 and #5 are really spot on.
Updated: Erm, "Assess" not "Asses". What an odd typo.
