Dating Goddess reader Mark asks: How do you know if it’s time to move on when you are enamored of the other person, but that person doesn’t return those same feelings yet is still willing to stay in the relationship? My situation is that I really, really like this woman. She seems right for me….
Dating after 40
Politics, religion and sex — oh my!
Traditional advice tells you to steer clear of these three topics early in a dating relationship. But after a man asked me on a first date to briefly describe my attitude about each of these issues, I saw the wisdom of broaching them right away.
Signs of endearment — or just habits?
When we are fond of a man, we look for signs of his endearment toward us. We seek affirmation that he thinks as dearly about us as we do about him. Sometimes we mistake his natural habits for signs that he is going out of his way to show his affection toward us. For example,…
The Psychology of Romantic Love
The Psychology of Romantic Love: Romantic Love in an Anti-Romantic Age by Nathaniel Branden A friend recommended I read The Psychology of Romantic Love to help refine my perspective on relationship dynamics. The beginning section on the history of marriage is interesting, if only to understand that it’s a recent concept in human history that…
You treat yourself as you were treated
After my latest breakup, I decided to get to the bottom of why I would stay in a relationship that wasn’t meeting my needs and put up with behaviors I wouldn’t accept from a friend, let alone a beau. I’ve engaged the help of a psychologist friend, Ben, to help me root out the cause…
Dodging a bullet
I’m becoming pickier as I date longer. In the beginning I’d have coffee with nearly anyone who asked, as long as he was polite, could spell reasonably well in his profile and emails, and didn’t curse or get sexual. However, now that the thrill has worn off of meeting an avalanche of new men, I’m…
Where have all the good men gone?
Just as the song “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” mourns the disappearance of things that are important to us, my gal pal bewailed her experience not finding interesting eligible bachelors. She said, “Where are the dynamic men — like me? Where are the funny men — like me? Where are the adventurous men —…
How is your guy imprinted on you?
When you are besotted by a guy you begin to associate him with things related to him. His cologne, style of shirts, favorite musical artists or songs, car make and color, even most-liked foods are imprinted in your brain as markers for him. Which is great when things are going well. When you see something…
You never know who’ll flirt with you
One of the funnest things about the dating adventure is who you meet serendipitously. It’s part of the allure of dating — you never know when a treasure will show up in your in box flirting with you. This week I’ve had an encounter that even if it goes nowhere, is still very fun for…
When canceling is the right thing to do
You were contacted online by a man who lives 75 minutes away. You exchange a few emails; you have a nice phone conversation. You accept his coffee invitation for a few days hence, agreeing to meet half way. You think about the conversation for a few days, realizing he disclosed a few things that make…
The stealth date
I went out with a delightful man three times while King Charming and I were broken up for a few weeks some months ago. When KC and I decided to get back together, I told this man the news. Since we are in the same field and I liked his personality, I asked if we…