The Square Life

    I’m sure if I told you men were from Mars and women were from Venus, you wouldn’t even blink an eye. I would not be surprised if there was not a single gasp when told that men and women think quite differently about similar things. But, the real shocker comes when you are told that they actually mesh together. They can actually have real, fulfilling relationships. Please feel free to gasp, scream, or even faint now! How in the world could that ever happen? Well my friend, it’s all about chemistry.
    For way too long people have been studying the chemistry between the male and the female. And, for way too long people have been making money by publishing books trying to teach us how to deal with the opposite sex. I am not going to say I haven’t read any of these. I have – and I probably liked them. However, I will say that I think since I have survived in the dating world, I might have picked up just as much insight as some of those so-called doctors and psychologists. Hard to believe? Maybe. But, why don’t you just see for yourself.

DEALING WITH THE MALE
    I have dated quite a few boys. I know they are not all the same. There are differences between the male cheerleader, the metrosexual, the health fanatic, the carefree, and the sweetheart. But, I have also learned they are all the same creature. The following are my tips on how to take advantage of the chemistry between males and females:
• More is not less when it comes to phone calls, text messages, emails, or MySpace mail. If he doesn’t call you back, it doesn’t mean that his missed call log is broken. If your text is not returned, it does not mean he is not a text message carrier. It means back off a little. It doesn’t mean that you are out of the running. It just means that you need to take a chill pill and cut out the 20 texts a day.
• Times have changed. Don’t be too shy to suggest you two get together. Dare to pay for him once in a while. Have an opinion, and order more than a side salad. He will appreciate all of these. On the other hand, PLEASE allow him to open your door.
• Guy time does not mean you get no time. Guys like to spend time with their buddies. Who wouldn’t when you are still BFF with all the same guys from high school? Don’t freak out when they want to relive their 2002 Madden Bowl. It’s okay. Let him have a little time with his friends and trust me, he will better appreciate his time with you.

DEALING WITH THE FEMALE
    This might be a little harder for me. In my opinion, the female is a sweetie who always is selfless and easy to get along with. However, the love interest in my life tells me otherwise. So, with much personal reflection and help from an outside source, the male, I have a few tricks in sparking up chemistry with the female. Here they are:
• Chivalry is not dead and she knows it. Although girls will fight to the death for women’s rights, there are a few things they aren’t interested in. They aren’t interested in opening their own doors, paying for a lot of dates (but please refer to “Dealing with the Male” Tip #2 if you are in an outrage), and bringing their own coat when it is cold – she wants to wear yours. Treat her like a lady, and you will be rewarded!
• Words can unlock the heart. No, she doesn’t want to hear cheesy pick-up lines you read in an email forward. She really won’t appreciate that. But, she will appreciate you complimenting her for the time she spent doing her hair, make-up and wardrobe selection for her date with you. She will love when you acknowledge her thoughtfulness when she calls to say good luck on a test. Tell her you like her. She will be really into that!
• The bad boy isn’t always the good guy. While her high school records probably indicates she falls for the bad boys, that really isn’t all girls are looking for. They like it when you call when you say you will. They like it when they see you pick up books for a girl who just tripped down the stairs, and they like it when you sometimes have to call her back after you finish studying.

    While Chemistry 101 might cause blood pressure to rise for a lot of us, the chemistry between a male and female can be quite simple. Be yourself. Enjoy the dating life, and PLEASE stick to the basics…whatever they may be.