Are You Texting at Dinner?

Cell Phone Texting On a date Walking Into Restaurant

My husband Chuck and I went to D.O.C.G. in Las Vegas for dinner recently, arranged by a friend. Have you noticed that the best dinner experiences are those shared with close friends?

We had just ordered a salad and looked up to see an attractive couple walking in. What was curious was that the husband was texting intently while walking into the restaurant. He was not looking up except to check his steps every few seconds. His wife was several steps behind him also texting or emailing with her phone getting all of her attention --she almost ran into a table where another couple was eating dinner.

No Texting - Converse and Share with Each Other at Dinner

Be grateful if no one at your table has their cell phones in hand. Enjoy each other's company, talking and sharing stories. It will be a more satisfying and very fulfilling night of connection and enjoying the company of close friends.

Technology has made our lives very convenient. My experience is that technology adds a barrier to love, connecting, face-to-face sharing (even with the advent of social media), and communication. People are addicted to their phones, iPads, etc....including me!

Living without Cell Phone or Texting for a Day

A few weeks ago, I had a full day of scheduled client appointments. I left home to meet a couple having communication problems in their relationship and wanting some tools to help them stop reacting to each other's words.

Upon arriving at the couple's home, I noticed my phone was missing. I experienced about five seconds of sheer panic and a short-term satisfying thought of going back home to retrieve it even though that would make me late for my appointment.

Sanity set back in when the sixth second struck. I knew where and when to be that day and more importantly, the awareness that I could do without my phone for a day. I was very attached to my cell phone and decided to change that habit. Now, I only check my phone a few times a day instead of every few minutes.

Are You Addicted to Your Cell Phone?

Cell phones have ring tones, so when you are available to speak or text, your phone let you know someone has contacted you. This allows you to be free and not chained to your phone.

And if you are not available, your cell phone lets me know who called or emailed or texted - and it takes the same amount of time to respond now or later...there's no difference. Don't let technology get in the way of your human, face-to-face connection.

Are you addicted to your cell phone?

What if we felt the same way about our partners as we do about our cell phones?

What if we gave our partners the love and acceptance and attention we give our phones?

What if the time we spent tuning and customizing our cell phones to our likes could also be spent working on our relationships to find mutual solutions to make our relationships more fulfilling and loving?

If you or your partner has this habit, work out a mutual agreement when you spend time together to turn off your technology and turn on each other!

This article is brought to you by Dating Advice Blog.

Attracting The Opposite Sex Secrets

dating Secrets

One of the questions that many of us ask when talking about love is "how to attract women and men". This is one question that many would love to answer but truth is, not all of the advice would work for everyone. So to help you understand the secret on how to attract women and men, here are a few important tips.

You need to understand that there is really no answer to the question "how to attract women and men". However, there are certain things that you can do to better yourself and higher your chances on that one person you have an eye on.

One thing you can do to attract that person you like is to talk to them. Do it in a casual way and befriend them. If you are a girl, do not be make it obvious and never make him think that you are aggressive. If you are a guy, start being extra gentleman on her to express your interest. First impression does matter so remember to be nice and approachable.

Another thing that would attract many is humor, especially for men. Women love men who can make them smile and laugh. They want someone who can brighten their day and same way with the men. They like women who know how to make them feel better.

Another straightforward answer to the question how to attract women and men is to always look presentable. Others would not really want to hang out with someone who looks like he just got up from bed. Try to always look good wherever you go and you will notice how you can attract more and more friends who can potentially be your lover.

Another good thing to possess is knowledge. Being knowledgeable is a plus for everyone. A person who is very knowledgeable and fun to be with is like the perfect package. You don't need to be a genius or anything alike. All you have to learn about is the important things and what's going on around you. For example, the latest news, politics, economy and things like that.

You also want to impress others with how humility. The humble get praised and the cocky goes to waste. Never show arrogance at any time. Nobody likes self-absorbed people so if you really want to attract more friends, never be an egotistical person.

If you think you are okay with dealing with other friends but you just can't get that one girl or boy to notice you, here are a few things that you can do. First, try to spend to him or her as much as you can but never made him or her feel that you are too interested. A little mystery would make them feel like they want to hang out with you and know you more.

Also try to make a good impression when you talk. If you really like him or her, try your best to be as friendly as you can, show a little interest but leave them wanting more. That is the secret to how to attract women and men.

This article is brought to you by Dating Advice Blog.

Are You A Manstigator On Dates?

For those of you who don't know what a manstigator is, allow me to deconstruct the essential elements.

A manstigator is someone who thinks he is so perfect in every way, that he will spend an entire conversation talking about how great he is, how much everyone likes him, and how the world would be such a boring place without him. So what about the "stigator" part of manstigator?

Not only does this man think he is perfect, he will also get on the phone with you and start asking you questions. He'll describe how the woman he selects needs to be perfect in every way. Then he'll ask you questions about how you would act and what you would do in certain situations to see whether you match up with this criteria.

The manstigator that The Sultry Brunette met grilled her for hours about her religious beliefs, how she handled stress, her organizational skills, her temperament, her diet, her exercise habits, her measurements, her feelings on gender roles and... many more things that would take up way too much room in this blog.

Another manstigation tactic is to try and make you think you would be lucky to be selected by him by asking you questions that use versions of negs. He may ask you things like "Are you always so nervous around good-looking men?" and "Do you always repeat yourself so much like that?" By the time you are finished talking to this manstigator, not only are you completely turned off by him but you also wonder how many women have been subject to the manstigation.

Taken aback by his caveman-like behavior, you decide to do a little research. You type in "manstigator anonymous" into the search engine where you find other women who have been tortured by manstigators.

If you are a manstigator, I guarantee you are alone 90% of the time... until you find someone who is so insecure that they are willing to put up with your manstigation every day. If you are a manstigator, you really need to learn how to be a man, i.e., someone who has embraced himself and is accepting of other people for who they are.

Now as for you women of the blog, you're not off the hook quite yet. By now, you're probably LOLing. By the way, what is an "LOL?" I know it stands for "laugh out loud," but is there is a BOL (belch out loud), an SOL (smile out loud), or a COL (crying out loud)? This blog, however, is not about the LOLers, the SOLers or the BOLers.

What about the female manstigator, aka the femstigator? She is usually the woman who comes at you with equally annoying questions like "Will you still love me after I have kids and put on 100 lbs?" and "What happens if I'm in a car crash and I lose my limbs? Will you still love me then??"

I'm not making this stuff up. I have had women say things like this on a first date. Pretty fun for a first date, huh?!

I've even had a femstigator ask me this: "If I was on vacation for a month without you, would you be able to refrain from having sex?" I've never even had sex with her. I told her "I don't even know what sex will be like with you, but I've certainly had a month with out sex before and survived." Stupid question from a femstigator!

Bottom line: Don't interrogate somebody. Just talk with them and get to know who they are.

All these ridiculous scenarios are just a waste of time. You are not perfect, and you have no right to interrogate someone either on the phone whom you've never met nor on a first date.

This article is brought to you by Relationships Advice Blog.

Some Good Flirting Tips For Guys

You can't possibly show a girl that you are interested in her, without flirting a little. The ability to flirt right is not always easy. Probably this is the main reason why guys find it so hard to get the girl of their dreams, even though they possess all the qualities that an ideal girl looks for.

Use indirect language as far as possible. Here beating around the bush will work. Being too straight forward will come across as too predictable and boring. Hence, you got to play smart here. Use body language to communicate. Girls like boys who have a warm smile that reaches their eyes. However, if you don't just want to come across as the sweet boy next door, this is not enough.

Try to make your smile as inviting as possible. Now use your eyes to your advantage. Look in her eyes in the right way and you can make her fall in love with you. Maintain eye contact when she is talking to you. Make her laugh and you can make her do anything. Girls love guys who can crack them up. Good sense of humor is always a turn on. Compliment her often, but not always. Come across as a romantic at heart. Girls will never be able to resist this. If you are a good dancer, use your talent. Ask her to dance sometime. If you are a great singer, you can sing a song to her.

It's never too bad to show off your talents once in a while. Use witty charming funny lines to crack her up and compliment her once in a while. Something like, 'You have got such beautiful eyes, I could stare at them all day long. But hey I'm not exactly checking you out, it's your eyes that I'm interested in.' Whatever you say or do, make sure you do it confidently. Confidence is your best friend. Always keep it right close to you.

The best tip that one could ever give you is, be genuine. No matter what you do or say, never seem fake. Girls can see right through a guy who's not acting himself. A dishonest guy is an instant turn off. So say something like you mean it and do something wholeheartedly. Practice is the best key. You obviously wouldn't get it right the first time. However as you try and keep trying, you just keep getting better and better with time.

Need to pracite what you'd just learned? Find your match on a free dating site.

This article is brought to you by Relationships Advice Blog.

3 Hot Dating Tips for Women That Want to Find and Date More Attractive Men and Have Fun Doing So

Are you frustrated with not being able to find the right guy? Are you tired of not getting asked out on any dates, and if you do get asked it's by some creepy guy? dating for women can be extremely difficult. No one ever talks about it. There isn't a lot of information on it. And it's a subject that most women would rather never hear about. As hard as it may be, there is a way to find the right guy in your life. Even if you don't want a relationship, I'd like to teach what you need to do start dating more and having more fun in your life.

Dating Tip #1-

The first thing you need to do is go where the fish are. You need to get an understanding of what guys like to do and go where they hang out. This doesn't mean that you need to go to an "All Guys Club" but it does mean that you need to get yourself out there. It's also important that you go somewhere that the types of guys you like are going to be. If you're active, then going to a gym or participating in intramural sports would be a good thing to do. If you like reading and prefer a slower, more intellectual lifestyle than a bookstore or a library would be a good place for you. The point is that if you're just sitting at home you're never going find anyone to access you out.

Dating Tip #2-

The next thing to do is ask him out. In this day and age we no longer play by the traditional rules. Even if you're a traditional girl it's important that you take initiative even if the guy won't. Some guys are shy and scared of rejection so they'll never ask you out. If a guy is showing you the obvious signs that there is attraction you can go ahead and make the first move. Remember, it doesn't have to big a date. You can just ask him to meet you somewhere, such as a coffee shop or a local event. I know it can be frustrating and it's easier to get asked out, but by flipping the roles you insure that you're going out with who you want.

Dating Tip #3-

The last tip is to make sure you're doing the necessary things to keep yourself attractive. As you've learned by now, guys are shallow. They all want an arm piece and they feel like they're settling if they don't get it. This doesn't mean you have to look like the latest supermodel. It means that most guys want a woman that takes care of herself and at least attempts to live a healthy lifestyle by exercising more eating healthier. I hope these tips will give you a start and help you start to date more of the guys you want.

This article is brought to you by Dating Advice Blog.

How Do Men Fall in Love? - The Mystery Revealed

By what means do men fall in love? Do they fall in love at first sight? Will they make a move straight away? Becoming aware of the procedure generally followed by a man when he meets a girl he is interested in will assist you in working out what you should and shouldn't do to make sure he falls in love with you. Here are some clues to help you solve the mystery of how men fall in love.

How do men fall in love? Do they experience love at first sight?

Something does happen to men when they meet at first sight the girl they are supposed to be with. It may not be true love straight away or even just lust, but there's always a special feeling that informs them that they have found a girl that they would like to be with.

How do men fall in love? Will they talk about their love right from the start?

It's not straight up and down when it comes to the 'I love you' issue. Many relationship myths state that men are incapable of saying the 3 little words. Men's ability to verbalise these words will depend on lots of different factors, like their heritage and culture, the type of family they grew up in, and previous relationships.

Some cultural backgrounds, for example, make it simple for men to say "I love you", because they learned during their childhood to verbalise their emotions. But for other men, they consider it un-masculine to talk about their feelings and love.

When you find the man you want to be with, it's your role to work out what kind of guy he is, and then take things from there.

How do men fall in love? Once they are sure of their emotion, will they make a move?

There are 3 simple things you need to know about men. Number 1, they are possessive - it's in their genetic material. Number 2, ego is very important to them. Number 3, the first 2 factors dictate their actions once they move past the stage of denial and actually accept that they have feelings and emotions for you.

As mentioned, men are possessive. They want to possess you, and even though they don't want to reveal that they are in love, their behavior will show their true emotions.

But there's a bit of a catch - their ego. If they think that you might reject them, they will resist making a move. They'll act sneakily or will take things very slowly. Or they might just hope for the best. They will only risk damaging their ego as a last resort, and will only very rarely say "I love you" without being sure of your reaction.

How do men fall in love? Will they cheat?

Studies confirm that men are more likely to be unfaithful that women, and this is probably an issue you worry about a lot. Most men who cheat had a male role model in their past who acted in the same way, and this has had an effect on them. Other men who cheat may be undergoing a mid-life crisis. Apart from asking yourself the question: "How do men fall in love?" there is another question you should also ask. What makes men fall out of love? If you can answer this question, then this will help stop your partner from being unfaithful.

Need to pracite what you'd just learned? Find your match on a free dating site.

This article is brought to you by Dating Advice Blog.

Issues With Male and Female Communication - How to Communicate Properly

Do you ever have problems communicating with your boyfriend or husband? Do you ever feel as though you are talking to a brick wall? Do you want to know how you can communicate in a more effective manner?

Communication is the key to any marriage or relationship. However, it cannot be just any type of communication, but rather clear communication. Unfortunately, men are sometimes just not very good at communication and women then have to step up to the plate and be the leader. The reason why is that male and female communication tends to be different because we go about talking to each other in different ways. The good news is that there are plenty of ways where male and female communication can come together to some common ground.

Make Time

It is important in male and female communication to make time to sit down and really talk to each other. Couples will make time for everything else, so why not set aside some time each day in order to see how the other one is doing. In addition, make sure this time is a priority between the two of you and don't let anything interrupt it. In other words, don't talk while sitting in front of the TV, but maybe while relaxing outside or over a nice dinner. Make sure to discuss what is going on with friends, family, work or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Be a Good Listener

Listening is more important than talking and a key when it comes to male and female communication. It is always a good idea to practice active listening and it may require some getting used to. The key is to allow the other person plenty of time to make their point. In addition to listening, also pay attention to body language and concentrate on the eyes to find any deeper meaning in what the other person is saying. This is important because nonverbal communication can be just as important as verbal communication. Often, other meanings are hidden in the way that we use our hands and our bodies when talking.

Show Your Partner that You Care

When males and females communicate, show respect for the other person. This can be especially important if you are talking about a problem with your relationship. Speak clearly and only after carefully considering your words and how they will affect your partner. No matter how tough a talk is, always show that you care and that you do love each other.

It Takes Time and Patience

It can take a lot of time to figure out how males and females communicate. Remember that while you might be good at expressing your feelings, you need to be just as good at listening to your partner. You should always strive to give your partner the attention they deserve while in a conversation and don't try to dominate it or just pretend that you are listening. With a little practice and patience you will soon be an expert.

Need to pracite what you'd just learned? Find your match on a free dating site.

This article is brought to you by Dating Advice Blog.

Jealousy in a Relationship - Avoid the Destructive Power of Mistrust

Is jealously in a relationship threatening your happiness? Do you get anxious when your significant other goes out with friends? Does it upset you when your significant other is getting attention from the opposite sex? If you have jealousy in your relationship it can be an unwanted companion that can threaten to break up an otherwise healthy relationship. To prevent jealousy from ruining your relationship you need to address it head on and remove it.

What are the Causes of Jealousy?

Jealousy can take many forms. Sometimes it is warranted and at other times it is the product of insecurities and an overactive imagination. Most relationships will experience some degree of jealousy by one or both parties. However, when it becomes a nagging third party in your everyday life it needs to be addressed or it will tear a couple apart. The underlying cause of most feelings of jealousy stems from the insecurity one might feel in a relationship. We tend to guard things closely that are near and dear to our hearts and for most people their relationship may be the most important thing in their life. It is only natural to want to protect our significant other from the competition whether it is another person, a hobby they have, their job or something else that interferes with enjoying time with the other person. However, jealously leads to arguments, accusations and unreasonable demands and inevitably discord and broken relationships. It is important to identify the causes of jealous feelings and deal with them before they become relationship threatening.

Jealousy Can Create Resentments

Accusing your partner of behavior you label as unfaithful because you are jealous will often cause them to form resentments. Resentments can quickly replace feelings of affection and love and cause a person to want out of a relationship. If you are guilty of jealous feelings because your partner is simply nice to members of the opposite sex then you need to put a lid on those feelings because they will drive the other person away from you. On the other hand, if you are with someone who is a shameless flirt and doesn't care that it hurts your feelings, you are probably not with the right person and you need to move on because this behavior goes to a personality trait they have that will probably never go away no matter how much you complain or nag. If you are dating a narcissist then they won't care anyway since they believe the world revolves around them. However, if your significant other is simply being civil, polite or conversational then you need to examine your own motives for feeling jealous and learn to deal with them if you expect to have a healthy relationship.

When to Talk it Over

If you and your partner experience unhealthy jealous feelings that threaten your relationship you have to get the issues out in the open. The best time to do that is not when some action on their part triggers jealous emotions on your part, but after the fact when you are alone and in an environment where you can talk openly about your feelings. However, it is best to bring up your concerns as soon as possible after then event so your feelings don't accumulate. You need to be able to discuss specifics because just labeling general behavior is not useful is finding solutions to specific behaviors that you find upsetting.

You May Need Counseling

Sometimes you and your partner simply can't agree on the issues that cause jealous emotions. If all you do is argue about it and you want to improve or save your relationship you should consider seeking out counseling since jealous feelings often provoke some of the harshest emotional reactions between people. Jealousy in a relationship is often one of the most difficult relationship problems to cure because people simply don't see themselves the same way their partner may see them. However, if you want a long term happy relationship without resentment, jealously will need to be addressed and eliminated.

This article is brought to you by Relationships Advice Blog.

Aquarius Man in Love - What Makes Him Tick and Is He Right For You?

Are you curious about what the signs are of an Aquarius man in love? Are you attracted to an Aquarius man but want to know if he's right for you? Do you want to know how to attract an Aquarius man? Depending on what works for you, and Aquarius man may either be the perfect fit or a complete misfit for you. Here are some things you should know about Aquarius men.

What Makes an Aquarius Man Tick?

If you want an Aquarian man, you need to be ready to take on a challenge. Independent and not overly romantic, Aquarian men tend to be hard to pin down in a relationship. Although friendly, Aquarians tend to be introverted and a bit on the intellectual and creative side. However, they also tend to be extremely loyal and are the type who will remember their first love. If they fall in love with you, you can expect it to be forever.

It is said that Aquarian men don't usually make the first move. So, if you have your sights on one you may need to be the one to initiate the relationship. When it comes to the first kiss or tough go ahead and reach out. If he is attracted to you he won't object and will probably respond back with passion.

Thoughtful and Loyal

Aquarians tend to be intellectual more than mercurial. They make friends easily and tend to be loyal to those they become friends with. They enjoy challenges and don't like to fail. However, even though they make friends easily they also like their space because they can often be found in thought working out a problem of creating a solution to one.

If you are someone who needs to be around your man all of the time, then Aquarians are probably not for you. Although reliable, dependable and in a relationship for the long term, and Aquarian will not tolerate clingy women and prefers that they stand on their own. An Aquarius man in love likes women who are independent and appreciates women who have their lives together including their own career. Aquarian men are not looking for women to have around for show; they want a life partner who complements their quest for answers and can hold her own in a discussion about philosophy, politics and current events.

An Aquarian man will lose interest in a woman who does not have a life of her own. Although he can be a warm and loving friend and partner you will need to keep his interest for your relationship to stay strong.

Horoscope Compatibility

Aquarians tend to be a good love match with Gemini and Libra women. An Aquarius man in love can be a challenge, but if you do match up well with an Aquarius man, you will find a lifetime partner who is interesting, intelligent and a loyal friend and lover.

This article is brought to you by Dating Advice Blog.

Do You Have The Skills To Get A Boyfriend - Tips For Acquiring Them

Many women have a craving to find the perfect man but only some have the luck to get a boyfriend of their choice? Some girls discover to their dismay that the guys are just not in them. Nothing can be more frustrating to a young girl. More so, if others in their group have picked up their men? If you have been looking for a boyfriend, you need some skills to get a date. Don't worry, you can easily acquire these skills.

1) Change your thinking: It is usual for a girl to think that it is the fault of the boys that she has not been able to pick up a boyfriend. As long as you are stuck with this kind of thinking, you will not be able to find out your own shortcomings. So, dare to think that you could be at fault too. Once you start thinking this way, you will be able to quickly identify your weaknesses. Perhaps you are too shy or too proud. You may be good looking but may not appear to be a friendly person to the guys. On the other hand a girl who looks friendly will be accepted easily even if she doesn't have great looks. So, look at yourself from the perspective of a third person and find out what the qualities you lack are. This will be the first step towards acquiring the skills needed to get a boyfriend.

2) Are you aware of your body language?: Your body language probably influences others' judgment of you. But the pity is that you will not be aware of what your body tells about you. You may be polite but your body language may show your politeness as conceit. Your calm nature may be mistaken for coldness or sternness. You don't have to change your character traits but you should definitely not allow your nature to be mistaken. By making a few changes in your behavior like flashing a smile at a stranger or taking the initiative to greet a person you meet for the first time, you will be able to change the image your body language conveys about you into something positive and powerful.

3) Use your past experiences: You can use the past to empower your future. Recall the past situations when you were complemented, admired or loved. What did you do at that time? Recalling the past can confer two advantages on you. You can shape your behavior using the favorable examples from the past. More importantly, recalling successful experiences in the past will make you more confident and empowered to deal with your problems.

This article is brought to you by Dating Advice Blog.