How to Offend Women in Five Syllables or Less

So I’ve been giving some thought to guys and gals and relationships. I don’t always consider myself that experienced when it comes to dating and all that jazz, but I have learned some things that I thought should be shared. Some of these things I thought were common sense, and maybe you will too, but people make mistakes. So while you may think some of these rules or concepts are obvious, there’s a reason why I’m including them. I’d like to hear what you would add to the list as well, so if you have anything to add, leave a comment, and we will make an edited list. Mostly, this is a list to help those poor men out there trying to understand what women are thinking. I’m giving you an opportunity of a lifetime! Here are some of my suggestions based on my own experience or observation. I hope they are helpful!

· Walk her to the door. If you walked somewhere instead of drove or if she walked to your apartment, walk her back home.

· Open doors for her. All kinds of doors!

· If you pay her a compliment or tell her that you love her, don’t do it because you feel it’s what’s expected of you. Be sincere. We like compliments, sure, but we don’t want empty compliments.

· Speaking of empty compliments, don’t give empty promises either.

· Don’t bail out on her all the time. Sometimes things come up and so you have to rearrange plans, but if you make rearranging plans a habit, she may start to lost faith in you. Plus, if she’s really into you that’s like a constant building up of hope and crushing them when you continuously tell her at the last minute that things aren’t going to work out after all.

· If she says your relationship is done, it’s done. You can give it one more go after a few days. You know, tell her “you want to talk.” But if she still says the answer is no, it’s time to move on. You aren’t doing either of you a favor by becoming her personal stalker.

· Don’t kiss a girl for the first time one day then not even talk to her the next day. If you feel nothing’s going to come from it, at least confess that to her. Girl’s have a tendency to overanalyze and jump to conclusions, more often than not the wrong conclusions. Most of the time, even if it will hurt, they’d rather know the truth than sit around wondering what is going through your head. Like compliments and saying I love you, don’t kiss unless you mean it.

· If you’re on a date, offer to pay for her. Some girls prefer to pay for themselves, but they’ll appreciate the gesture. If you want to go Dutch, make sure she knows that’s the plan.

· Treat her family with respect. I didn’t say you have to like them, but at least treat them with respect.

· Clean up after yourself or offer to help around the house (help with dishes, offer to take out the garbage, etc.).

· Watch your tone.

· Even after marriage, continue to treat her with respect. If you can treat her well while you are in public, you are perfectly capable of treating her well at home.

· Don’t have serious conversations via text message or facebook. No technological romance. If you are going to break up with her or propose or something, don’t do it electronically. That’s a cop out, my friend, and it’s just lame.

· Don’t spend your entire date texting. This goes for you too girls. When you’re on a date, you’re meant to spend time with each other, not with your texting buddies. It’s best to not even take out that phone. Trust me, you can live without your phone for a couple hours.

· If you have a problem or don’t understand why she’s upset, talk to her about it. Don’t talk to everyone besides her.

· If you’ve made a commitment to each other, don’t go after other girls. And girls, don’t go after other guys.

A lot of these things are about respect, and you don’t have to be “in a relationship” with a girl to do some of them. I love it when my guy friends walk me to the door, for example, and we’re nothing more than friends. Girls like to feel special or respected, and it doesn’t take a whole lot to do that. You don’t have to shower us with gifts and compliments all the time. No girl wants to feel like she’s second best, but that doesn’t mean you have to work your butt off all the time to make us happy. If you have to try too hard, then there’s a good possibility that she’s not the one for you. You do have to make an effort. Relationships aren’t easy. But you don’t need to break the bank or think of elaborate things for us all the time.

Now it’s your turn. What are some things you wish or like guys to do for you? Also, for all you guys out there, feel free to contribute to a list of things you wish or like girls to do. Because, let’s face it, a lot of the time we wonder what’s going through your head just as much as you wonder what’s going through ours.

In the meantime, ladies, if you would like some tips right now, taking a look at Bringing Lady Back. The blog, managed by Bethany Simmons, gives some great advice.