Like so many things in life, relationship issues are often firmly lodged in the "gray area." It can be hard to come down definitively on one side or another of a complex dating debate. Gray areas can make giving relationship advice as difficult as seeing the horizon on a foggy day.
There are some things, however, that are cut and dry. The following relationship dos and don'ts are guidelines we find indubitable.
Do: dial him up to ask him out for a drink.
Don't: dial him up after you've had five. Give yourself a chance to put your best face forward, which for most of us is not when we're face down in a drink.
Do: buy her flowers.
Don't: pick them from the bush outside her sorority house. No excuses -- the Teet is open 24 hours a day with an excellent floral selection.
Do: say "I love you."
Don't: say, "I love you ... I mean, I don't love you ... I l-u-v love you." Spell it right or don't spell it at all.
Do: tell him there's something in his teeth.
Don't: tell him there's something missing from his hairline. He already knows, and he doesn't want to talk about it.
Do: place your hand in her hand.
Don't: place your hand in her back pocket. Public groping is never acceptable.
Don't: get angry if he happens to glance up at a woman walking by.
Do: draw the line if he happens to glance up, then down and then back up a woman walking by. There's a difference between observing and undressing.
Do: insist she understands that you won't answer your phone during the Skins' game.
Don't: insist she understands that you won't answer your phone during the entire NFL season. Seriously, nobody will be convinced that you're that into a Cardinals game now that Emmitt Smith has retired.
Do: let it slide when he forgets the anniversary of your first study session together at Clemons.
Don't: let it slide if he forgets your birthday. He even gets a reminder about that one from the facebook.
Do: buy a girl her drink of choice and ask her for her number.
Don't: buy a girl a shot of Jager and ask her for her bra size. When hitting on girls: Keep It Subtle Stupid.
Do: confide some relationship problems in close friends.
Don't: banter openly about bedroom issues. Some things are best left behind closed doors.
Do: ask him what his hopes are for the future.
Don't: ask him what his hopes are for your future children's names. That's just creepy.
Do: feel free to use silly nicknames for your boyfriend.
Don't: ever use them in public. If somebody hears you call him "Pookie," they're gonna have to pukie.
Do: read Maxim.
Don't: read Maxim by the pool while on vacation with her family. It's a great magazine, but her mom may not understand.
So, our list ends. We admit, it was more for laughs than length. And, it is not comprehensive. Everyone has their own dos or don'ts to add -- whether they are as trivial as a personal pet peeve, or as serious as issues of respect or violence. We each have the right to make our own list of non-negotiables. Because, even in a world full of gray issues, some things should be laid out in black and white.
Megan and Meghan's column runs bi-weekly on Tuesdays. They can be reached at fanale@cavalierdaily.com and moran@cavalierdaily.com.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 3 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 4 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
