| Hax: Don't beat around the relationship bush
Carolyn: My very good male friend was retelling some troubling stories to me about his fiancee's behavior toward his family. My friend says she's become increasingly paranoid and resentful toward them for no logical reason (swearing that they "hate" her and refusing contact), and the episodes he was recounting reflected that.This isn't the first red flag I've seen in the years they've been together. I (timidly) asked my friend whether they were considering premarital counseling, adding that it's not a big deal, and that even my husband and I did it.He reacted, uh, pretty defensively and tried to bring my marriage into it. Was I wrong to suggest they get counseling?AnonymousIrrationality and in-laws have a causal connection both long and glorious, but this sounds like more than just one side getting a head start.
6 ways to beat the breakup blues
Being alone after a breakup is a challenge, especially at holiday time. Divorce or separation after a long relationship is one of life's major stresses and can plunge you into depression and health problems. But this awareness can motivate you to find ways to make the net effect of the breakup positive. You can make this painful time into a whole new rebirth for yourself in 2008! Spend time with close friends
A UCLA study showed that being rejected activates one of the same areas of the brain as physical pain. The more ignored the people felt, the more activity they had in the anterior cingulate, which also registers physical distress. Spending time with close friends offsets the pain by causing the brain to release natural opioids, which are like the painkillers found in opium.
Online dating 'sad and frustrating'
Susan Frohlick, an anthropology professor at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, says the women she surveyed gained a sense of empowerment from their online dating experiences. But they still wanted the man to make the first move and expected him pick up the tab. "Women are finding it as a useful tool to enter into the dating world, they find that it's safe, they find that they can be a little more bold than they would in face-to-face relationships," Ms Frohlick said of her survey, which looks at how women over 30 view online dating. "But, at the same time, they are experiencing frustration because it does seem that the internet in many ways is just the same old bar scene." .
Dating 2.0 Picks Up Speed
It's Friday night, and your date for the evening just appeared on your computer screen. He's shifting awkwardly in his chair as he adjusts his webcam, and a comment about American Idol makes it immediately clear you haven't found your soul mate. You promptly click "End date" and -- after a few moments -- your next date appears, and you're ready to begin again. .
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