We know that the children of addicts are more likely to become addicts themselves. Do you think children of cheaters are more likely to cheat? Is it genetic? Or is it environmental? (Ahhh, the old nature vs. nurture debate!)

First impressions are incredibly important and shape how we view a person for the rest of the time that we know them. So, what things on the first date will turn you off and make you not want to pursue things further.

I recently ran into an ex of mine in the book store. We had a few awkward minutes of chit chat and went our ways.

I’ve gained a lot of weight, she has lost a lot.

Is it wrong to wish they weren’t doing so well? I’m not wishing sickness or death or true unhappiness. But maybe they don’t have it so great, and maybe put on a few pounds.

First off, Happy St. Paddy’s Day to all!
2nd, How far would you be willing to GO for your relationship?
I don’t mean just sexually, but where is the cut off line? It’s been discussed before in decreasing degrees, but where do you draw the line?
You’ve decided that this relationship should last, at least for some time, so how far are you willing to go before you say, “No more!”
And just as important, what is the, “No more” where you draw the line?

My example is with my GF. She’s so uptight about anything that is not “vanilla,” that I worry that we’ll never have anything other than what is by the book.
I’m not just talking sex here. I’m talking: so straight forward that something as simple as taking a dip in the pool after hours (with clothes on) is enough to cause her to panic.
Me? I find that exciting.
But it’s not about me. I know my limits are limitless. So how do you deal with someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with that can’t share that part of yourself with?
Again, where’s the cut off line? Where does enough (or not enough) become ENOUGH?

So this one will be short and sweet (i’m normally good on the sweet part, but short is not really my thing) 🙂
Any-poodles!
I’ve got a lot of guy friends, and bathroom habits and happenings are a common topic. No problem. I make jokes about it, but never delve into MY habits or happenings.
Babe talks about it a lot as well. I cant STAND it!!! When he makes a comment regarding commode use, i turn so bright red i look like a cooked lobster! Its very, very VERY uncomfortable for me. And i’ve told him that rather often, and while it has gotten better, he still has to explain WHAT he was doing in the bathroom, instead of just saying ‘i was using the bathroom’, or use adjectives in regards to it. Peeing is not the issue, if i havent made that clear.
Any other females have this issue? Any males want to explain WHY they believe their live-in girlfriend needs to hear about their bowel movements??

Okay, because I’m chock full of ’em, here’s another conundrum for you guys to fight each other to the death over:

If two people get married and have children, but both parents have different religious beliefs, how do you think they should go about introducing their children to religion?

This could work with any combinations of religions: Christianity/Judaism, Atheism/Christianity, Shinto/Bhuddism, whatever.

My point is, won’t these children grow up constantly being taught that one of their parents is wrong if they attend services for their particular religion? And isn’t that going to cause some tension? Plus, how do the parents agree on what religion to bring the child up as?

You could say: “introduce the child to both, and let them decide,” but at the age of five or six or even ten, the child really isn’t capable of making an informed decision about something like that. (or at any age when they can still believe in Santa).

Your thoughts?

Are there any religious or political topics that you specifically avoid with your SO? I once dated a guy that was a complete and total bleeding-heart liberal, and I believe that affirmative action and welfare are the two worst programs ever conceived. So we stayed away from all political discussion.

Are there other places where a couple’s views could be so divisive that they avoid it completely for the life of the relationship?

Growing up with an older brother, and as the kid who often got picked on, I quickly developed a competitive nature as a sort of defense mechanism. In dating and relationships, however, I’ve found that it can sometimes get me in trouble.

When first meeting someone, I try to keep it in check, because competitiveness, paired with my no-bullshit attitude, can make me seem like a heartless bitch. Once I’m in a relationship, it can make for some fun nights out (or in), until I take it too far. After a breakup, like many people, I check up on my ex, hoping I’m doing just a tad bit better than he is, and am pretty sad when it turns out I’m not.

What do you guys think of competitiveness and dating? Can it be healthy? How much is too much? How do you deal with it after a breakup? (I’m aware the best way is to just ignore it and focus on your own life, but hey, no one’s perfect.)

for calling someone you’ve met that you’re interested in. Sound advice, or total hoopla?

So I’ve been in a relationship with a man since October 2010. I am 26 and he is 36. We live together as I moved into his place around the one year point. I love him dearly. He has shown to be the most gentle, patient, caring, and devoted man I could ever ask for. We’ve never been seriously angry at each other. One time we had a minor argument while out and when we got home we sat down and seriously, rationally, and calmly talked things out.

Everything is great with him except he has a very low libido. We have sex maybe two or three times a month. I know for me that’s not enough but I am too content with him to try to make it a dealbreaker.

He values hard work and works two jobs (by choice) putting in 13 hour days most of the time. When he is not working, most of the time he is sleeping. I realize this is draining on him and leaves little time for us to even have sex.

When we do have sex, it’s usually not quality sex. He doesn’t like to perform oral sex on me. It’s not me; he’s always been this way; I asked. He also has lasts a brief time in bed most of the time. I figured this was due to a lack of masturbation because he doesn’t have the time.

I have always initiated the sex in our relationship. I always get turned down a few times in favor of “more sleep please” or a nap or “I’m too tired” before I find that he will say yes. I have asked him to initiate more with me but he always says when he wants to ask, I beat him to it.

I would like to have sex more frequently and with more foreplay (he always goes right for penetration). Every time we’ve talked about this, we say we’ll make an effort to have more sex and it happens once and then things go back to the way they were.

Like I said, I love him dearly. I don’t know what to do about this. This doesn’t even get into the problem of how boring and vanilla our sex is and he is unwilling to do anything kinky. Also, he sees no point to open relationships as well.

Also, I want to add that I don’t masturbate much because I find it just makes me want sex MORE instead of being a substitute for it.