img @ activerain

There are some things we all like to keep private, from past relationships to family issues… just things we’d rather not talk about, even with someone we love. That’s okay, because certain things that aren’t anyone’s business but your own.  However, there are other things, that although uncomfortable to talk about, must be approached honestly if you ever want your relationship to work, and here are three.

1. You do/don’t want kids

Whether or not you want children in your life is a big deal for some people. And although discussing the subject is often awkward, as one party might think it’s moving too fast, it could be a dealbreaker for other people. So mentioning, casually, that you’re very much intending to have children (or not), is extremely important.

2. You’re not satisfied in bed

The fake orgasm is something almost 100% of women have had, and although you may think of it as “not a big deal,” men are very offended by it. Be open about your satisfaction and men will be more than happy to oblige. Similarly, gents, if your lady isn’t being as adventurous in bed, she’d appreciate hearing what you want!

3. You’re unhappy

If you’re feeling down, whether it be because of your significant other or not, they would want to know. Keeping feelings to yourself is just bottling them in, which will inevitably lead to an outburst. Being honest about your feelings, no matter how crazy you might think they are, is important to keeping your relationship healthy and happy.

img @ amazonaws

Guys always seem to believe that buying a gift for a woman is difficult. Sure, every woman is different, but if there is a trait we all have, it’s the art of dropping hints. Prior to a birthday or anniversary, we will often subtly  (or not so subtly) mention little things we’d sure like to own. Perhaps it’s a necklace we’ve been scoping out for months or a fancy dinner that we’d feel bad asking for on any other occasion. So when guys say it’s “hard to shop for a woman,” what they’re really saying is “I am oblivious to anything she says or points at while in the 4 walls of a department store.”

Men on the other hand, are impossible to shop for. Ask a boyfriend what they might like and you’ll get a nonchalant “whatever,” or, “anything.” Which isn’t anywhere close to the truth, because if you’ve ever gotten a guy something he didn’t like, you’ll know he will stash it in a closet and never look at it again, even if you spent hundreds of dollars on it. DatePro has decided to make it a little easier on you by providing some no-fail gift ideas for the guy who has everything.

1. Massage

Although a guy will never intentionally set foot into a spa, if you purchase him a massage, he will love you forever. No matter how many 5 minute half-assed massages you give him, nothing will compare to getting one from a 60 year old Russian woman with the pain of the Cold War behind her hands.

2. Electronics

Always a great gift, but make sure you bring along someone who is tech-savvy, or you might excitedly hand something to him that has been obsolete since 2004.

3. Decor

Okay, I don’t mean to pick up a knock off Vermeer or lots of candles, but by framing some of his beloved posters or getting him a couch cover to hide the beer stains is a good way to show him you care while also improving y our own standard of living. Double points!

4. Porn

No man has ever been unhappy receiving porn. A few videos that you two can watch together or a subscription to a site is a fun way to show you like to keep things spicy. If you’re really open, a membership to AdultFriendFinder could be fun for you two as well ;).

5. Sports tickets

This is quite a splurge sometimes, but buying decent tickets for his favorite sports team will make his day better than probably most of these other suggestions. The best part of this gift is when you don’t force him to bring you, and buy them for him and a buddy. Although he might offer to take you, he would really rather go with someone who didn’t call it “foot game.”

img @ yourtango

Blind dates are the dating world’s equivalent to sky diving or bungee jumping. You have no idea what you’re getting into, you’re nervous and afraid that one screw up could ruin the whole experience (although I suppose you probably wouldn’t die).

Just as with jumping out of a plane or off a platform, there are certain steps you should take to mentally and physically prepare yourself for the excitement that is blind dating… here are a few tips to get your nerves under control, whether you’re meeting a family friend or someone a pal met on Match.com.

1) Get dressed up

Feeling good about the way you look is the first step to enjoying yourself. When you feel attractive, you’re more likely to be confident and self-assured on your date.

2) Drop your expectations

Decide to have fun no matter what the night brings. If anything, your date could be a complete psychopath with no common decency. But hey- imagine the great stories you’ll have for your friends!

3) Laugh

There is always something funny to find in a situation, even if it’s awkward. By letting your serious face go and just enjoying the moment, you’ll find times to laugh and have fun, even if it’s because they’ve had broccoli in their teeth for 30 minutes.

4) Drop the insecurity

Even if you feel uncomfortable with your new haircut or think you won’t be attractive enough for them, keep your head up and don’t bother feeling insecure. On a blind date, it’s your one time to realize that you’ve got NOTHING to lose.

5) Watch the alcohol

A few glasses of wine will loosen you up. 6 of them will make you sloppy and unattractive. Sip slowly and don’t lose your cool, you’ll have a great night!

img @ telegraph.uk

There are certain problems in a relationship that can be healed with time, a fancy dinner, and lots of sex. On the other hand, there are problems in a relationship that mean certain death to a couple, and ignoring those could lead to a very disastrous break up. If you notice one or more of these occurring in your relationship, you should get out now and save yourself the hassle.

1. You think you’re smarter than them

If one of you is living day to day thinking the other is a cute little dummy, the relationship is not going to work. You both have to have respect for each others’ intellects, even if they are in different areas. Just because your SO is better at math but not so great at spelling doesn’t mean you think they’re an idiot. But if you think their only discernible skill is oral sex, that doesn’t count.

2. You don’t care about your appearance anymore

If you start noticing they’ve been picking their nose in front of you without any shame, or if you’ve neglected to wear anything other than the frumpiest outfits around them anymore, it might be a sign that you don’t really see them as a sexual entity anymore. Perhaps you are still “best friends” but the lack of sex negates the relationship.

3. TV in the bedroom

Similar to the previous problem, preferring to watch TV or read a book in bed instead of having sex is a good sign that perhaps you two have lost your spark. Now, doing this occasionally isn’t a bad thing, we all have our “blah” days, but rolling over to watch Seinfeld reruns instead of having a romp every night isn’t healthy.

4. Spending more time apart

If you start preferring to go on vacations with your friends or even just alone, it might be evidence that you are subconsciously (or consciously) trying to distance yourself. Usually, in sync couples like going on vacations together. Perhaps not always, but shouldn’t you want to experience new things with your other half?

5. Masturbation increases

We’re not opposed to a little… er… self-service every now and then, but if you would rather take care of yourself than be naked with your mate, you obviously aren’t into them anymore. And if you find yourself taking care of business even with a fair amount of sex, it means you’re not being satisfied.

It’s time to move on, or perhaps just take a jaunt over to AshleyMadison…

Read more at the Frisky

img @ smartname

Whether your idea of fun is a relaxing beach getaway or an exciting camping trip, travelling with your significant other can do wonders for a relationship. Bring it back from the brink of death, revive a stagnant sex life, or even bring a new couple into love. On the opposite end, though, is the very true fact that a disastrous trip can ruin a great relationship.

1. Compromise

When going on a trip, it’s necessary to make sure you don’t allow small arguments to ruin the trip. By making small compromises on things like where to eat, hiking trails, or budgets, you’ll ensure that the time you spend together isn’t spent arguing over things that don’t matter.

2. Plan ahead

Spontaneity is always fun, but you should make sure you’re both on the same page about being spontaneous. If your girlfriend wants to plan out everyday and you’re more into playing it by ear, you’ve gotta discuss it beforehand.

3. Know each other

Guess what will ruin your trip faster than a broken leg? Finding out your boyfriend doesn’t like insects when all you wanted was to climb through an insect-infested rain forest. Sometimes going on a trip with your significant other reveals traits about them that you hate, leading to the world’s most expensive non-married break up.

4. Discuss your budget

No one enjoys talking money (except for really rich people) so discussing how much you are willing to spend can be awkward. But it’s incredibly important to do so before you plan the trip, or you’ll risk either you or them running out of money before you even leave the house.

5. Don’t plan too far in advance

You never know when a break up might go down. If someone cheats or you just realize you don’t like each other, you’ll have the unfortunate task of deciding whether to suffer through the trip or pay to cancel it, neither of which are fun.

img @ lifesip

Sometimes we tend to get a little crazy and far too detailed when it comes to relationship rules. Every women’s magazine and dating site like Match.com or American Singles gives thousands of tips on being a good girlfriend, finding the right guy, keeping the right guy, etc… that they sometimes even tend to contradict each other. We found, though, that getting down to basics, there are only 5 rules that matter.

1. Listen.

2. Speak.

3. Don’t cheat.

4. Don’t stay in a relationship that makes you unhappy.

5. Don’t leave a relationship that makes you happy.

Each of these rules can stand alone without any further explanation. If you follow these rules in your relationship, it will prove to be happy and healthy (or not, but then you’ll leave it, right?).

img @ sheknows

A recent study done by the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University probed the minds of the population, asking them exactly which acts meant “having sex.”

Most of the results were as expected… 73% believe receiving oral sex was “having sex,” while 95% were in favor of only penile-vaginal intercourse. Oddly, 89% did not consider it to be sex if the man did not ejaculate, and of course, no mention of female orgasm was mentioned.

The weirdest results, though, were probably those of the older males, of which only 77% believed penile/vaginal penetration to be sex. I am confused and somewhat grossed out. Until I realize that most of them probably didn’t hear/understand the question. Old people, huh? Apparently they haven’t been on SingleFriendFinder recently.

The point that’s important to grasp here is the fact that it’s important to know yourself- what you consider to be sex, how far you’re willing to go on a first date, and the same of your date. While we’re all for casual dating (and the sex that comes with it), keeping by whatever standards or morals you might have will ensure you never have to live with regret.