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Expert Dating and Relationship Coach Frank Kermit is quoted in an article about a new AMC series
KevinCan F**K Himself
Image © Zach Dilgard/AMC
AMC’s “Kevin Can F**k Himself" Proves We Don’t Need Misogyny for a Laugh
While it might not be the wisest place to look, seeking out a role model in the characters we see portrayed on television and in movies happens all the time. This is typically harmless, leading us to hold the noble, honest, and exceedingly good-natured superhero like Captain America in such high regard, or applaud the actions of a kind and caring father figure like Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But for every Uncle Phil we applaud, there’s about ten Peter Griffins being the worst kind of person.
Sitcom husbands and fathers, typically serving as the central comedic forces of these particular shows, have gotten away with bad behavior for decades. And as audience members, we sat back and laughed right along with them.
What’s more, the creators of these sitcoms — The King of Queens, Still Standing and According to Jim, to name a few — have often followed what author and screenwriter Gillian Flynn once termed the “fatty-gets-a-family” formula, which she described as a working-class doof of a husband landing a mysteriously hot wife while seemingly caring much more about TV, beer, and sports than his own partner or kids. While that formula might be successful at producing some chuckles, it also leaves this question unanswered: Are these kinds of oddball pairings truly realistic? And if we were to go even further, are these really the kinds of male role models we should be taking our cues from?
Kevin Can F**k Himself, a new AMC series that premiered in June, asks viewers to consider these types of questions. The show keeps the model of a boorish, immature man paired with an attractive female partner (Annie Murphy of Schitt’s Creek fame), but turns the dynamic on its head by revealing the very unfunny behind-the-scenes reality that might exist if this husband-wife relationship played out in real life. Mixing brightly-lit sets and the ambience of audience laughter typical of sitcoms with gritty, darker-hued scenes more akin to television dramas, Kevin Can F**k Himself is a satire of family-oriented sitcoms that uncovers the emotional scars left in the wake of too many crude jokes cracked at a woman’s expense.
Right from the jump, it’s clear the writers of the show are determined to highlight the kind of over-the-top bad behavior men have been getting away with in sitcoms for years. The first episode of Kevin Can F**k Himself opens with husband Kevin playing a round of beer pong in the middle of the living room with his best friend and next-door neighbor Neil, as Kevin’s dad and Neil’s sister spectate from the couch. As soon as wife Allison enters the room from the kitchen carrying a laundry basket, she’s hit by a stray shot from Neil. Before she has the chance to say anything, Neil throws his hands up and jokingly says, “Sorry, mom!”
The sitcom-style scene continues with Allison asking her husband if, instead of throwing an “anniversa-rager” (as they’ve seemingly done for their nine previous wedding anniversaries), they could have a grown-up dinner together, seeing as they’ve both reached their mid-thirties. Kevin responds: “Yeah, but you’re ‘lady 35’ and I’m ‘boy 35’ ... I’m just hitting my prime, and you...” trailing off before course correcting, unconvincingly, in a higher-pitched voice, “are, too.”
Moments later, Allison announces that dinner’s almost ready and asks that beer pong be put on hold. The other characters groan loudly before Neil says, “Now, see, this is why I call you mom.” Kevin momentarily comes to her defense (“Someone has to be responsible,” he says) before tossing his empty beer mug at her and asking for refills.
It’s when Allison walks back into the other room that the tone of the show does a 180. Compared to the brightly-lit living room, the kitchen is overly dark and dramatic. A high-pitched sound grows louder and louder as she sets the laundry basket down that she was holding, squeezing her eyes shut tight as if fighting off a migraine, only for an empty glass mug to shatter on the countertop as an apparent representation of her feelings after what’s just transpired in the other room.
Chris Luna, head dating coach with Craft of Charisma, ascribes one word to Allison and Kevin’s relationship: toxic. However, he says this is a reflection of both of them.
“Kevin is awful,” says Luna. “I can’t imagine any man watching the show and thinking, ‘I want to be that guy’. But what type of woman would choose to stay in a relationship like that? What type of woman gets into a relationship with a guy like that?”
A fair question, sure, but it’s also exactly the point the show creators are trying to make. All those fictional sitcom marriages we’ve grown accustomed to seeing over the years — Doug and Carrie in The King of Queens, Jim and Cheryl in According to Jim, Bill and Judy in Still Standing — just aren’t that realistic. In direct violation of the so-called “matching hypothesis,” which Dr. Sean M. Horan, a social psychologist, describes as our penchant for dating “individuals with similar levels of physical attractiveness,” sitcoms often pair two people who wouldn’t generally sync with one another in the real world for comedic effect.
These made-for-television mismatches are applauded as the on-screen husband belittles his partner in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, typically by making her the butt of the joke. In Kevin Can F**k Himself, this dynamic is cranked up to 11 with nearly all of Kevin’s lines serving to demean Allison when the two are in a room together. It’s only when we observe her by herself that we see (from her unique POV) just how much of an impact Kevin’s actions have on her. In the first episode, his button-pushing antics ultimately lead to Allison fantasizing about stabbing him in the neck with a broken beer bottle.
“In TV relationships, the dysfunctional husband has turned into a comedic trope,” explains Luna. “Husbands are often portrayed as incapable idiots, while wives are portrayed as smart and capable and good and living with an ongoing male burden. In the first episode of Kevin Can F**k Himself, it’s clear that the show is building upon this idea, and then expanding into and exploring the wife’s anger.”
He goes on, saying that with his career, he sees and hears the problems people struggle with on a regular basis.
“Although it’s true that on some level people are the source for the problems in their life, it’s often more complicated,” notes Luna. “The types of problems we see in modern sitcoms are not accurately reflective of the types of problems or the relationship dynamics that I see in real life with clients — and the men and women I meet in real life aren’t anything like the people I see on these shows.”
Some would argue, however, that the relationships and situations that we see play out in these sitcoms aren’t really meant to translate to real life.
“The entertainment industry is not concerned with educating audiences about relationships,” notes dating coach Frank Kermit. “The entertainment industry is only interested in one thing: entertaining you in a way that turns a profit.”
To be clear, Kermit does not say this as an indictment of the entertainment industry; he’s not looking for anything to be censored or altered to be more educational. Rather, he argues that we need to resist the urge to take our relationship cues from what we see on our TV screens.
“The key is not modifying our entertainment, but bringing in better education,” he says. “As long as people are educated about how to think critically and rationally about anything in their environment that can and will influence them, then people can make sure to only take actions that are in their best long-term interests.”
It’s a solid, reasonable case — don’t think of entertainment as dating education — but when you really boil it down, there is something to be taken from a show like Kevin Can F**k Himself. As for what that is? Looking at everything wrong with the way sitcom marriages have been portrayed over the last three or four decades, they’re finally telling us not to aspire to be these people.
And if you’ve reached a place where you’d rather slit your partner’s throat with broken glass than spend another second with them? It’s probably time for a divorce.
Written by Logan Hansen. Published on askmen.com
Sitcom husbands and fathers, typically serving as the central comedic forces of these particular shows, have gotten away with bad behavior for decades. And as audience members, we sat back and laughed right along with them.
What’s more, the creators of these sitcoms — The King of Queens, Still Standing and According to Jim, to name a few — have often followed what author and screenwriter Gillian Flynn once termed the “fatty-gets-a-family” formula, which she described as a working-class doof of a husband landing a mysteriously hot wife while seemingly caring much more about TV, beer, and sports than his own partner or kids. While that formula might be successful at producing some chuckles, it also leaves this question unanswered: Are these kinds of oddball pairings truly realistic? And if we were to go even further, are these really the kinds of male role models we should be taking our cues from?
Kevin Can F**k Himself, a new AMC series that premiered in June, asks viewers to consider these types of questions. The show keeps the model of a boorish, immature man paired with an attractive female partner (Annie Murphy of Schitt’s Creek fame), but turns the dynamic on its head by revealing the very unfunny behind-the-scenes reality that might exist if this husband-wife relationship played out in real life. Mixing brightly-lit sets and the ambience of audience laughter typical of sitcoms with gritty, darker-hued scenes more akin to television dramas, Kevin Can F**k Himself is a satire of family-oriented sitcoms that uncovers the emotional scars left in the wake of too many crude jokes cracked at a woman’s expense.
Right from the jump, it’s clear the writers of the show are determined to highlight the kind of over-the-top bad behavior men have been getting away with in sitcoms for years. The first episode of Kevin Can F**k Himself opens with husband Kevin playing a round of beer pong in the middle of the living room with his best friend and next-door neighbor Neil, as Kevin’s dad and Neil’s sister spectate from the couch. As soon as wife Allison enters the room from the kitchen carrying a laundry basket, she’s hit by a stray shot from Neil. Before she has the chance to say anything, Neil throws his hands up and jokingly says, “Sorry, mom!”
The sitcom-style scene continues with Allison asking her husband if, instead of throwing an “anniversa-rager” (as they’ve seemingly done for their nine previous wedding anniversaries), they could have a grown-up dinner together, seeing as they’ve both reached their mid-thirties. Kevin responds: “Yeah, but you’re ‘lady 35’ and I’m ‘boy 35’ ... I’m just hitting my prime, and you...” trailing off before course correcting, unconvincingly, in a higher-pitched voice, “are, too.”
Moments later, Allison announces that dinner’s almost ready and asks that beer pong be put on hold. The other characters groan loudly before Neil says, “Now, see, this is why I call you mom.” Kevin momentarily comes to her defense (“Someone has to be responsible,” he says) before tossing his empty beer mug at her and asking for refills.
It’s when Allison walks back into the other room that the tone of the show does a 180. Compared to the brightly-lit living room, the kitchen is overly dark and dramatic. A high-pitched sound grows louder and louder as she sets the laundry basket down that she was holding, squeezing her eyes shut tight as if fighting off a migraine, only for an empty glass mug to shatter on the countertop as an apparent representation of her feelings after what’s just transpired in the other room.
Chris Luna, head dating coach with Craft of Charisma, ascribes one word to Allison and Kevin’s relationship: toxic. However, he says this is a reflection of both of them.
“Kevin is awful,” says Luna. “I can’t imagine any man watching the show and thinking, ‘I want to be that guy’. But what type of woman would choose to stay in a relationship like that? What type of woman gets into a relationship with a guy like that?”
A fair question, sure, but it’s also exactly the point the show creators are trying to make. All those fictional sitcom marriages we’ve grown accustomed to seeing over the years — Doug and Carrie in The King of Queens, Jim and Cheryl in According to Jim, Bill and Judy in Still Standing — just aren’t that realistic. In direct violation of the so-called “matching hypothesis,” which Dr. Sean M. Horan, a social psychologist, describes as our penchant for dating “individuals with similar levels of physical attractiveness,” sitcoms often pair two people who wouldn’t generally sync with one another in the real world for comedic effect.
These made-for-television mismatches are applauded as the on-screen husband belittles his partner in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, typically by making her the butt of the joke. In Kevin Can F**k Himself, this dynamic is cranked up to 11 with nearly all of Kevin’s lines serving to demean Allison when the two are in a room together. It’s only when we observe her by herself that we see (from her unique POV) just how much of an impact Kevin’s actions have on her. In the first episode, his button-pushing antics ultimately lead to Allison fantasizing about stabbing him in the neck with a broken beer bottle.
“In TV relationships, the dysfunctional husband has turned into a comedic trope,” explains Luna. “Husbands are often portrayed as incapable idiots, while wives are portrayed as smart and capable and good and living with an ongoing male burden. In the first episode of Kevin Can F**k Himself, it’s clear that the show is building upon this idea, and then expanding into and exploring the wife’s anger.”
He goes on, saying that with his career, he sees and hears the problems people struggle with on a regular basis.
“Although it’s true that on some level people are the source for the problems in their life, it’s often more complicated,” notes Luna. “The types of problems we see in modern sitcoms are not accurately reflective of the types of problems or the relationship dynamics that I see in real life with clients — and the men and women I meet in real life aren’t anything like the people I see on these shows.”
Some would argue, however, that the relationships and situations that we see play out in these sitcoms aren’t really meant to translate to real life.
“The entertainment industry is not concerned with educating audiences about relationships,” notes dating coach Frank Kermit. “The entertainment industry is only interested in one thing: entertaining you in a way that turns a profit.”
To be clear, Kermit does not say this as an indictment of the entertainment industry; he’s not looking for anything to be censored or altered to be more educational. Rather, he argues that we need to resist the urge to take our relationship cues from what we see on our TV screens.
“The key is not modifying our entertainment, but bringing in better education,” he says. “As long as people are educated about how to think critically and rationally about anything in their environment that can and will influence them, then people can make sure to only take actions that are in their best long-term interests.”
It’s a solid, reasonable case — don’t think of entertainment as dating education — but when you really boil it down, there is something to be taken from a show like Kevin Can F**k Himself. As for what that is? Looking at everything wrong with the way sitcom marriages have been portrayed over the last three or four decades, they’re finally telling us not to aspire to be these people.
And if you’ve reached a place where you’d rather slit your partner’s throat with broken glass than spend another second with them? It’s probably time for a divorce.
Written by Logan Hansen. Published on askmen.com
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When it comes to the dating world, it’s important to know when you’re ready for it. Being ready for it is going to help in creating a long-lasting relationship with the right person. These are some signs that you may be ready for that.
Happiness Begins With You
You’re confident
Being confident in yourself and your abilities is a surefire sign that you’re ready to go into the dating world again. Many people who lack confidence expect to find someone to be the confidence booster for them. This is a very unhealthy approach. Only you can boost your confidence, nobody else can do that job. There are plenty of ways to begin boosting your confidence such as finding the best type of surgeon for your rhinoplasty. Dressing differently, getting a haircut, grooming, and exercise are also ways to get the self-belief going.
Happiness begins with where you are, not who you want to be with
Before going back out in the dating world, make sure that you’re currently happy. Are you happy with where you’re at in life? Are you happy with the relationships surrounding you? Are you happy with yourself? Are you happy with your job? Finances? Your home? Love is not going to solve your problems if you’re unhappy. Finding love is not going to magically flip your life right side up, no matter what the movies, songs, and books may say. Love is about bringing additional happiness to your life. You need to already be happy before bringing in any more happiness through love. So ask yourself whether you’re truly ready for that yet and how you can improve?
You love yourself
To love someone else you have to experience self-love and worth first. Nobody in the world can make you love yourself, except for you. Your problems of self-doubt or self-hatred don’t immediately end just because someone wants to date you. Choosing to love yourself first is going to be the first step in the right direction when searching and being ready for a new relationship.
You understand the importance of communication
When it comes to relationships, you have to communicate. If you’ve ever had trouble in the past with communicating then the first step is to learn to improve this. No dating app or texting is going to fix a communication problem that you have. Once you discover the importance of effective and healthy communication then it’s a sign that you may be ready for the dating world. It’s important to know how to appropriately and healthily communicate your thoughts and feelings. This means not being aggressive, not being manipulative, and not aiming to hurt the other person. Doing so will lead to a faulty relationship where even couples counseling may not be able to help out.
You don’t compare people
If you’ve ever experienced a bad relationship in the past, then there is e a very high chance that you’ve compared people that you’re talking to and dating to the person that’s hurt you. It’s not good and it’s very unhealthy. You’ll eventually let go of that bad relationship. Once you do, you can only move forward. Once you stop comparing people, especially to those that have wronged you. You’ll be able to break away and will have a better mentality when dating again.
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Your wedding day is one of the most important occasions and events of your life. It’s not only about having fun but marrying the love of your life. It’s wise to take your time planning it and make sure you attend to all the most vital details.
Learn four steps to having a memorable and beautiful wedding so you can ensure your guests enjoy themselves and you’re happy with the end results. It’ll require patience, time, and dedication on your part but know that your efforts will pay off and you’ll look back on your wedding day in the future and have no regrets.
Learn four steps to having a memorable and beautiful wedding so you can ensure your guests enjoy themselves and you’re happy with the end results. It’ll require patience, time, and dedication on your part but know that your efforts will pay off and you’ll look back on your wedding day in the future and have no regrets.
Take Your Time Planning Your Wedding
1. Choose the Right Venue
Your first step to having a memorable and beautiful wedding is to choose the right venue for the event and your theme. What this means is that it’s not only within your budget but a place that will impress your guests and set the right tone for the day. It’s also about choosing a wedding venue that’s suitable and appropriate for you, your finance, and your taste and style. It’s your chance to set yourself apart from the rest and have your big event stand out in a positive way.
2. Focus on the Décor
Another step to having a memorable and beautiful wedding is to focus on the décor and creating an unforgettable environment and ambiance. For example, you should choose a wedding florist that can help you bring your vision to life and ensure your wedding looks classy, elegant, and reflects all the right colors and feelings. You’ll need a lot of flowers and in multiple places throughout the day and night to ensure your wedding day is both memorable and beautiful. Be thoughtful as you choose your linens, the lighting, and table décor as well.
3. Pick Out A Fabulous Dress
The highlight and focus of the entire wedding day will be you, the bride. Therefore, you must commit to picking out a fabulous wedding dress that will help you look even more stunning than you already are. Go shopping ahead of time and try on different styles to see which look you like best and which is most flattering. Have a budget in mind that will help you narrow down your choices. You want your dress to be appropriate for you, the theme, and one that helps you truly have the most memorable and beautiful wedding day possible.
4. Be Picky About the Guest List
Your wedding should be filled with people who love and care about you and want to see you two happy. It’s important that you’re picky about the guest list and who you invite to attend your big day. Your wedding day will be more memorable and beautiful when you’re surrounded by people who have your best interest at heart and are in your corner. You want to avoid including people who may create drama or who you’re not very close to. Stick to a guest list that’s full of people who love you two and want to celebrate your wedding day and happiness with you.
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Dating online is something that some people can fear, especially if they’re not used to it. It might be that they’ve just come out of a long-term relationship or simply because they’ve never tried online dating before. With that being said, here are four tips for dating online.
Complete Your Online Profile Fully To Increase Your Chances Of Matching With Someone
Take Your Time
The first thing you want to remember is that it’s important to take your time. The last thing you want to do is to rush into anything that you’re not sure of. There’s going to be a lot of people out there looking for love, whilst others may not be looking to settle down and simply want to date and explore the waters!
There are going to be people who engage with you regularly and others who may only speak to you on the occasion that they want something from you. With that being said, take your time. Think about what you want and consider what’s out there before you commit yourself to anything, whether it’s a date, a hookup or a relationship.
Set Up Your Profiles Properly
The next thing you want to do is to set up your profile properly from the beginning. There are those that will set up their profiles on a dating site but they won’t really bother with filling in everything properly or fully. It’s important to do this in order to get matched up with the right people and so that the site or app can make you readily available to everyone that you may be compatible with.
Make sure that you’ve filled in all the relevant information that has been requested and do remember to upload photos too. It’s always good to have your main photo as a picture of you, rather than you with a group of friends. That will only make it confusing for those that are perhaps interested in your profile but can’t decipher who you are from your profile picture.
Be More Open To New Experiences
There are a lot more experiences that may be new to you when it comes to online dating. Many unique characters like those with a feet fetish or a kink that you may have not even heard about before. It’s good to be open to new experiences because who knows, you might find someone who you really connect with well.
Be Careful
And finally - be careful. It’s important to remember that anyone can be anyone when it comes to the online world, particularly when it comes to dating. Be sure to meet anyone new in a public scenario and that you get to see them from afar before actually going over to introduce yourself.
The online world is a dangerous place, so caution is definitely necessary. These tips should help you get the most out of your online dating experience. Use these tips to start your online dating journey this year and hopefully, who knows, you might find your future partner. Or alternatively, a dating life that’s worth boasting about to friends!
The first thing you want to remember is that it’s important to take your time. The last thing you want to do is to rush into anything that you’re not sure of. There’s going to be a lot of people out there looking for love, whilst others may not be looking to settle down and simply want to date and explore the waters!
There are going to be people who engage with you regularly and others who may only speak to you on the occasion that they want something from you. With that being said, take your time. Think about what you want and consider what’s out there before you commit yourself to anything, whether it’s a date, a hookup or a relationship.
Set Up Your Profiles Properly
The next thing you want to do is to set up your profile properly from the beginning. There are those that will set up their profiles on a dating site but they won’t really bother with filling in everything properly or fully. It’s important to do this in order to get matched up with the right people and so that the site or app can make you readily available to everyone that you may be compatible with.
Make sure that you’ve filled in all the relevant information that has been requested and do remember to upload photos too. It’s always good to have your main photo as a picture of you, rather than you with a group of friends. That will only make it confusing for those that are perhaps interested in your profile but can’t decipher who you are from your profile picture.
Be More Open To New Experiences
There are a lot more experiences that may be new to you when it comes to online dating. Many unique characters like those with a feet fetish or a kink that you may have not even heard about before. It’s good to be open to new experiences because who knows, you might find someone who you really connect with well.
Be Careful
And finally - be careful. It’s important to remember that anyone can be anyone when it comes to the online world, particularly when it comes to dating. Be sure to meet anyone new in a public scenario and that you get to see them from afar before actually going over to introduce yourself.
The online world is a dangerous place, so caution is definitely necessary. These tips should help you get the most out of your online dating experience. Use these tips to start your online dating journey this year and hopefully, who knows, you might find your future partner. Or alternatively, a dating life that’s worth boasting about to friends!
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There is one absolute must for every wedding, and that is where it will take place. You may well be able to swap a dress for a suit or saying no to a cake, but you have to physically be somewhere.
Finding the perfect wedding venue for you and your needs is not always the easiest task. First, you may well be inundated with choice. Or unsure if the theme of your wedding matches the location. One thing is for sure, you want somewhere that will be as magical as you always wished it would be, and somewhere that will leave you with a lifetime of happy memories.
Finding the perfect wedding venue for you and your needs is not always the easiest task. First, you may well be inundated with choice. Or unsure if the theme of your wedding matches the location. One thing is for sure, you want somewhere that will be as magical as you always wished it would be, and somewhere that will leave you with a lifetime of happy memories.
Decide Your Theme Or Style First
What is Your Style?
Due to the abundance of beautiful venues, you will want to decide on your theme and style first. There is no point in having a elegant ballroom venue when you want that rustic feel. If you can decide on an overarching theme that is not going to change, you will find it easier you find the perfect location.
Budget
Before you even start thinking about venues, you should have an overall budget and limit how much you can spend on a venue. Again this will help narrow the search and avoid you looking at something totally beautiful but way out of your budget. So. budget first is a must.
Your Guest List
Creating a guest list and having a rough idea of numbers will help you search too. If you have very elderly or disabled people attending you may need to give extra consideration to wheelchair access and toilet facilities for a start. Some venues may well be perfect but are actually way too small for your needs, and vice versa. You hardly want a huge and extravagant venue and only fill one corner of it.
Think About The Experience of Your Guests
If you are going to be expecting people to travel quite some distance like to a Top Mountain Wedding Venue, it helps if you choose somewhere with enough parking spaces and some excellent stay-over facilities. Again you want to ensure you can not cramming people into a space that is far too small. You also want to make sure there are good food options, and how about a bar, or a free bar, whatever your budget allows.
Never Forget Yourself
When it comes to a wedding, yes you want your guest to come and have an excellent time, but you must not forget yourself in all the planning chaos. If you have a strict budget and can only afford X number of people, you are going to have to make some hard choices. Get somewhere you feel comfortable with and fits into your major criteria as a couple. It is your day, and it is most important that you feel special and not stressed out. This will ruin the experience for you. After all, it is supposed to be the best day of your life, not everyone else’s. So always bear that in mind when you start planning a wedding.
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The first time you met your fiance, it was love at first sight. You knew this person was the one for you. But as years pass and life gets busy, it's easy to forget about that feeling of excitement when you think about spending time with them. It might seem like they don't understand what is important to you or that they are not invested in your relationship anymore. But, the truth is, sometimes relationships need work just like anything else does. So, here are tips on how to build healthy relationships with your fiance.
Continue To Show Your Appreciation
Show Appreciation
You can show your fiance appreciation in several ways. Consider these:
- Complimenting their cooking or other housekeeping skills.
- Offering to help with chores around the home, such as getting the mail or doing dishes.
- Gifting them a meaningful present such as a claddagh ring - the meaning of a claddagh ring symbolizes love and loyalty, which is integral in all relationships.
- Standing up for your partner when others criticize them. People who have strong relationships stand by each other's side no matter what anyone says about them, good or bad!
- Offering to do something they like or are good at. There are many things your partner might enjoy that they could use help with, such as fixing a computer problem, practicing guitar chords or tackling the garden together.
Invest in Trust
Trust is the glue that holds relationships together. Whether it's a romantic relationship, friendships or with your family - trust becomes the foundation of everything else you do in life and can make even difficult situations more manageable. But how does one build this necessary element?
The first step to building trust in any relationship is to have shared values. This includes having similar beliefs about marriage, children and money, taking care of each other, always being honest and understanding what each partner needs.
The second step is to establish a level of comfort, which you can do by taking small steps together, such as: creating an environment where you can express yourselves, learning how each other's triggers work and being open about personal struggles.
Communicate
Communication is an integral part of any healthy relationship. There are many ways to communicate, and you should choose the method that best fits your personality or lifestyle. It needs to be a two-way conversation with active listening on both parties.
The goal in communication is not just sharing information but building mutual understanding, so try to avoid becoming defensive when discussing problems.
For love and commitment between couples to grow stronger over time, communication needs to remain open at all times—not just in good times but even more importantly, through struggles or difficulties.
Spend Quality Time Together
Spending time together is an essential ingredient for a healthy relationship. So take time to have fun together and not just when it's convenient or necessary. For example, try to schedule regular date nights, even if you can't make them every week.
Use your creativity! The point of dating is figuring out who someone is and seeing what they like outside of their comfortable environs. So get creative with new and exciting dates that allow you to learn more about each other.
One example that you won’t need to leave the house for is gaming. You can play online games together. This is just about finding a genre that you both enjoy whether that’s shooting games, racing or perhaps problem solving games. Right now, couples are having fun playing on Wordle together in friendly rivalries so there are countless options here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building healthy relationships is about more than just following the steps above - it's also about finding what works best for each person to feel happy, safe and respected.
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Deciding what to give as a wedding gift to the happy couple can be very challenging. Continue reading to learn some great gift ideas that might help make that decision easier.
Some People Prefer To Give A Beautifully Wrapped Gift
Getting a couple the perfect wedding gift can be a little challenging today, unlike 50 years ago when people married younger, and therefore had less material goods. Many young couples would register with their local large department store, and guests could simply purchase items off of their registry. Even if the young couple didn’t have a registry with a store, because they were young and just starting out, they were very appreciative of any basic kitchenwares, appliances, bed linens, towels, and other things that people need in their everyday lives.
Modern Day Couples Are Different
Today people are getting married later in life, often pushing off marriage while they finish school or start their career. Most people have left the family home and are already living on their own, often times with their partner. This means they usually own many of the household items that were traditionally put on the wedding registry. Sometimes upon moving in together find they own duplicates or triplicates of the same thing! Once the wedding date is set, the traditional registry process for gifts may not be needed, or be very different that what was expected in the past.
Gift Cards Or Cash
A gift of cash or gift cards to the couples favorite stores or restaurants can be an excellent gift idea that would be very useful. However, some people tend to find gifts of money or gift cards impersonal. The prefer to give something that they can wrap beautifully and present it to the happy couple. This makes them feel good about the present they are giving.
Ask The Couple
The purpose of wedding gifts is to give the newly married couple a boost as they start their new life together. Traditionally housewares were given to save the couple the added expense as they were often new home owners. For the modern bride and groom, being asked specifically what they want, means they do not have to return unwanted items or be stuck with an undesired colour or style. Many couples now live in condos not large homes like in the past, so space saving appliances such as the compact Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine are what people want. While you as a guest may really want to give them the biggest and best like the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine they may not have the counter space for it!
Basic Model or Deluxe Model?
It is generally best to purchase exactly what the couple have asked for, because that is the appliance that they can actually use in the space they have to work with. However, if you speak to them and find out that they would really love the deluxe model, but felt awkward asking for the more expensive appliance, then they may really appreciate you contacting them to find out that information! This is why asking the couple is so important.
Ask The Couple
The purpose of wedding gifts is to give the newly married couple a boost as they start their new life together. Traditionally housewares were given to save the couple the added expense as they were often new home owners. For the modern bride and groom, being asked specifically what they want, means they do not have to return unwanted items or be stuck with an undesired colour or style. Many couples now live in condos not large homes like in the past, so space saving appliances such as the compact Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine are what people want. While you as a guest may really want to give them the biggest and best like the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine they may not have the counter space for it!
Basic Model or Deluxe Model?
It is generally best to purchase exactly what the couple have asked for, because that is the appliance that they can actually use in the space they have to work with. However, if you speak to them and find out that they would really love the deluxe model, but felt awkward asking for the more expensive appliance, then they may really appreciate you contacting them to find out that information! This is why asking the couple is so important.
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Weddings are always stressful but you can overcome obstacles. Continue reading to learn 6 ways you can reduce your wedding day stress even if disaster strikes.
Make Sure Your First Dance Is A Song You Want
Any bride and groom hope for an amazing day once they get the chance to tie the knot. For the most part, the day will go off without any issues, no matter how nervous you might have been before. However, not everyone is so lucky, and there will be some disaster that you need to deal with.
What disasters can you expect? Everything from bad music to terrible weather and even things like a strange, confrontational venue manager has the potential to ruin your big day. While it has this potential, it doesn’t need to send you spiraling, so here are six ways you can overcome disaster on your wedding day.
A Dodgy DJ
Music is one of the most important parts of a wedding. Once the romantic and legal stuff is out of the way, and once everyone is thoroughly stuffed with the finest catered food, it’s time to let loose and party.
But, what if the DJ is not what you assumed? What if their choice of tunes drives people away from the dancefloor? A bare dancefloor at a wedding is never a good sight, but you can mitigate this by providing a playlist before the wedding. This can keep them on the script, so to speak, and ensure everyone gets something they want to dance to during the night.
Rain Rain, Go Away
Someone in the 90s said something about rain on your wedding day being ironic. This isn’t the proper use of the word, but it’s still something that can severely impact your wedding day, especially if you’re hosting an outdoor event.
No matter what you do, you should always plan for the worst, even if the forecast tells you there are sunny skies throughout the week and beyond. You can never truly trust the weather, so bring extra umbrellas (and encourage guests to do the same). You can also pick up a marquee or gazebo for guests to stand under, while secure flooring will prevent any slips and falls.
Last-Minute Cancellations
Hopefully, it never happens to you, but last-minute cancellations are a thing. No matter who cancels, it can throw your entire day into disarray, so it’s important to have a plan.
Being friends with someone talented with a camera, even on a smartphone, can still provide you with some excellent wedding photography, and you can pay them if you feel it’s necessary. This shouldn’t fall to just one person, though, and if your photographer cancels, get everyone involved so you have shots from all angles.
Venue Issues
Most venues are equipped to handle plenty of guests, loud music, and a party that lasts into the night. However, some venues may not be as straightforward as this.
You may encounter some pushback from the venue manager following too much noise or other issues they perceive. You don't want to be disrespectful to the venue, but there should be a compromise. Some venues that began taking bookings during the pandemic have encountered these problems and were as-such not equipped to handle post-pandemic weddings. If you encounter issues with the venue manager, it’s important to remain calm to prevent making things worse, as this will put you in a poor position.
Family Drama
Family drama is often the most dreaded element of wedding issues, so you must understand the best tips to avoid it. You don’t want to deal with an aggressive parent or a relative you can't trust, so find ways to look out for them from afar.
The best man or maid of honor usually takes these roles, but it isn’t fair to them to expect them to control a total stranger. Speak with your family members who understand the situation better and hope for the best.
Missing Guests
Missing guests happen at every wedding. Sometimes life gets in the way, and it is not as much of a disaster as other problems. However, there are some occasions when this can cause issues.
You don’t want the wedding to look empty or even have some food go to waste. So, speak to the venue and caterers beforehand (or get someone else to do it), and they will be able to change the seating arrangements to suit how many people show up without anyone else being the wiser.
Happily Ever After
At the time, it feels these disasters are insurmountable like you won’t ever recover from this. However, if you have the right people in charge of overcoming such issues, everything will be much easier to manage. You may not want to laugh about it right now, but maybe one day you’ll see it as something that made your day even more memorable.
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Planning a wedding can be hard and everyone wants something unique. Here are some ideas to help mix things up and give you a day to remember.
Consider Sharing Some Fun Facts About You Both With Your Guests
Fun Facts
A lot of the people at your wedding probably haven’t been privileged to know all of the details of your relationship, this is the perfect time to share them. We don’t mean the embarrassing details of the best man's speech, but you can share some details on napkins. It is easy to get custom napkins printed with little facts about the happy couple which can share some more of their journey together than the best man ever can.
Family Desserts
Having a wedding means two families are joining together and what can be a better way to celebrate than bringing the family recipe to the wedding? If your family has a signature dessert or sweet treat, ask the ladies of the families to contribute a dessert each that everyone can enjoy at the reception. Although, if you are having a small wedding and don’t want a caterer, you could ask each family member to cook up a dish and create the entire reception around the favorite family recipes.
Fun Drinks
While you are getting your photos taken, the guests are left to fend for themselves with cocktail hour. This is a great chance to do something a bit different. Rather than have just plain wine, why not try big jugs of cocktails or even some little umbrellas to make it that little bit different. You could even create a cocktail bar so that guests can create their own drinks while they wait.
Big Flowers
Some brides like to keep their flowers small, and this is ok, but this doesn’t mean that you have to. You could add anything you want to your flowers such as feathers, reeds, or even just some large flower types. As long as you can hold it, there should be no limit to the flowers in your bouquet.
Frozen
We aren’t talking about the Disney movie, but if you want to do a Frozen theme we won't judge you. What we are talking about is having an ice cream display for you guests. This is really great during the summer when everyone might be overheating in their formal wear, and it is perfect for little kids who need something to enjoy while the adults have their wine and cocktails.
Lean into Your Culture
Do you or your groom have an ethnic background, even just a tiny bit? The joining of families means the joining of cultures and history. Boho weddings are great for blending cultures and you could try this Bohemian dress guide for inspiration. So, if you have a certain heritage, why not lean into it a bit? You could have a floor display of dancers, or a musician to play some music.
Locations
Throughout your relationship, there have been plenty of places that are important to you. At your wedding is a great place to share these with people. You could include them in your fun facts or use them as something else entirely, such as a board with a timeline and your favourite places on it. This is a great idea for couples that have travelled a lot as you also get the chance to show off those travel snaps.
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Would you like to try having phone sex but don't know where to start? Continue reading to learn some tips and where you can go to connect with like minded people.
Phone Sex With Strangers Can Be Fun
There’s one thing that most people learn when they’re alone that they never thought was possible. That’s the absolute fact that phone sex with strangers is a whole lot of fun. You get to talk about all of your filthiest fantasies with someone who’s just trying to have a good time with you. You don’t have to worry about what they think of you and you don’t even have to get their name right. You just talk about whatever you want to talk about and they have fun with you. In fact, you don’t even have to be alone to learn this.
NYMag has a whole article about a woman in a sexless marriage that got herself addicted to phone sex with strangers. It doesn’t matter how odd it sounds. It’s true and it’s something that any person in the world can do. All you need is a phone and you’re off and running. You can have some fun and never have to talk to the other person again. You’ll never have to worry about the way that you’re coming off because you’re only interacting with this person for an hour or so and then you can both forget that each other even exist.
The Dirtier, The Better
The one thing to keep in your mind is that the dirtier you can get with your phone sex, the better it’s going to be. That’s just how it is and you get to benefit from it. If you can let yourself go and really let your sexuality come out to play, then you’re going to give your phone sex partners an experience that they enjoy and would gladly come back to try out again. If you want to know just how dirty you can get, just think about porn. If there’s something that’s over the line for you, it’s probably going to be going too far. Other than that, everything is on the table.
This woman talks about how dirty you have to be if you want to be a professional phone sex provider. If you take her cues, you’ll be able to get dirty without having to hold yourself back. Just ask yourself if the sex act seems like it would be fun for both of the people involved. If the answer is yes then you know that you’re on to something really good that you should try out.
How to Have Phone Sex
Don’t think that you can just get on your phone and start talking, though. That’s not going to get you very far. It’s a good idea to at least have a passing understanding of what constitutes phone sex and what’s just going to be blabbing with someone. You’ll have to pay attention to how they’re reacting to find out what they like and what’s going too far for them. You’ll also have to know when to send nude pics and when not to send them. It all depends on how deep into the phone sex you happen to be and where the other person is.
If you need a good primer, Cosmopolitan had a really good article when it comes to having phone sex. Just think about the kind of people that the article was made for. It was written for women who want to have phone sex. If you can dial into what they’re saying, you can give the women exactly what they’re looking for. It will make you the perfect stranger for them to get naughty with when they want to explore their own desires over the phone.
Find Out Where The Strangers Go
If you’re already sold on the idea of having phone sex with strangers then all you need to do is find someone to have it with. There are lots of different places that offer it, but you can cut through all of that noise and find the best place for all of your phone sex needs. If you check out Arousr then you’ll be greeted with as many different people as you could ever want to have phone sex with. The best part is that you can see what everyone looks like before you decide to spend any time on them. That’s going to give you the freedom that you really need. You won’t have to wonder what she looks like when you’re talking to her. She’s going to have a pic on her profile so you know exactly how hot she happens to be. That’s going to make the phone sex much better than it would otherwise be. On top of that, these are women who love to do it. You’ll never find a more enthusiastic stranger to have phone sex with. Once you experience it, you’ll be back over and over again.
