After six solid years of practice in long-term “serious” relationships, I was interested in reading Giuliana Rancics book, Think Like a Guy, How to Get a Guy by Thinking Like One. As brilliant and successful as the beautiful Mrs. Rancic is I knew this would be a quality read, and surprise, surprise, it absolutely was! 165 pages of laughable as well as noteworthy material, I definitely recommend this short and sweet book to every female. Although Giuliana offers 66 in her book, I chose the top ten tips, and added commentary, that I felt could make every dating woman’s life much, much easier. You’re welcome darlings!
1. Have aspirations and career goals
Don’t bore him with your desires of marriage and motherhood. Don’t get me wrong these are beautiful things- that every woman wants this and he is well aware. Instead, impress him by having a mind of your own. Ambition is one of the sexiest traits to possess. Be confident in your career goals, be passionate about your dreams, and show him that you aren’t letting anything get in the way of your fabulous future. Men appreciate a gal who knows what she wants.
2. Talk like a lady, not a trucker
Who doesn’t love a cuss word here and there? They make stupid jokes funny and they express emotion in ways other words do zero justice. But the truth of the matter is- Fluffing every sentence with profanity isn’t attractive, it’s trashy. A quality guy isn’t going to be interested in a girl that he can’t take to see a movie or a meal without offending several bystanders. Luckily the answer is simple ladies, practice moderation. Swear words should be the exception, not the norm. Keep it classy!
3. Have a sense of humor
Need I say much more? I think we all know by now that men thrive off of laughter- even when the material is hardly joke worthy. Do yourself a favor and learn to accept his offensive sense of humor early on in the relationship. Unless you want to be known as the nagging girlfriend, then you must comply with the fact that men will be men. Even the man that is holier than thou is going to find the most disturbing things to be hilarious, trust me. If you want to avoid pointless arguments and be considered as bring-around-his-friends worthy, learn to take a joke.
4. Be a good cook or a great faker
This is pretty literal. We’ve all heard the expression, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Well, that’s that. Don’t let your relationship hit a dead end because of your lack of skills in the kitchen. Unfortunately, we don’t have much of an excuse these days as far as not knowing how to cook. Thanks to a dear friend by the name of Google, we have all the information we need at the tap of our fingers. Now if you’re like me and direction impaired, fear not my loves- for there is such a thing as fake-and-bake! Nothing wrong with purchasing a few pre-prepared essentials for the meal, after all- you did heat up the green beans. Keep in mind this will only work in the honey-moon phase of the relationship, pre-lockdown, which is all you need anyways.
5. Don’t nag him to validate the relationship
“Facebook Official” is so overrated. Every dispute the two of you encounter will be public record because of his hidden relationship status. The world will also know you made up when “Kelly and Josh are in a relationship” pops up on their news feed after you have already been together for a year and a half. When you constantly test a guy on the status of the relationship you not only annoy him, but you remind him that you’re insecure and needy. Like all great things, relationships take time. Remain the self-confident girl that attracted him in the first place.
6. Learn to accept football
This one pains me to write, yet the truth is overbearing. Believe me, I know it’s hard to sit around for four hours while your man completely tunes you out to watch Sundays game. I know that Sunday is your day to spend time together, and I know that those feel like the longest four hours of your life. I have been there. But realistically, football is not going anywhere nor is his love for it. This leaves you with two options: Leave him be and get your errands done for the day that he didn’t want to be dragged along on anyways, or simply learn the game and be a happy camper for four hours.
7. Don’t always leave him with the bill
It’s sweet, common, and often expected for the man to pick up the check on dates. This is an old-fashioned custom that has managed to dwindle its way into the 21st century. But we are not living in the sixties, and women have gained a significant amount of independence in the past forty years. Let’s be honest, that Michael Kors bag did not appear out of thin air, nor did those Tory Burch flats. You are not broke, and what better way to display your independence through a selfless gesture like picking up the bill on occasion? He’ll respect you for it!
8. Don’t try to break his bad habits
Save your sanity—and the relationship—by choosing your battles wisely. Adjust only the things that are absolutely intolerable as well as realistic. If you pick at him for every little thing he does that annoys you (I know there are many,) he will eventually tire of your ceaseless nagging and be quick to peace out. Instead, remind yourself of all the reasons you fell for him in the first place, and how it could be terribly worse.
9. Stop comparing him to your ex
This is bad, so bad- also known as relationship poison. He may tolerate your sneer comments the first few times, if you’re lucky, but any more than that and your relationship is deader than deer in a hunters ground. This tactic does not influence a man want to change his ways, instead it makes him despise you. Appreciate him for who he is or find another bachelor that is more tailored to your standards.
10. Let him go to Vegas- yes, let him go
There will be more significant damage done by trying to stop him. Trust is essential in a relationship, and the chances of him running off with a stripper or meeting the woman of his dreams in Vegas are slimmer than him hitting the million-dollar jackpot. And if that turns out to be the case- Well then thank God you didn’t marry him! Let him be a child with his friends for a night and wake up feeling terrible and missing you. If anything, it will show him how much better life is in the safe comfort of your presence.