Matchmaker in the know: Bad breath foods that kill a date

Have you ever wondered what foods and things are the biggest bad breath offenders??

Here’ s what I know…

-Red wine is the biggest offender. A lot of people prefer red wine, a lot of people say that red wine is good for your health and a lot of people think red wine is more sophisticated. However, red wine makes your breath smell bad and its stains a lot of people’s teeth. Translation- you breathe smells bad AND you are talking to someone you like with purple teeth. Choose vodka instead. Its odorless

-Not eating gives you bad breath. If you didn’t eat all day, then you have that I am hungry breath and that is very hard to get rid of. Make sure you pop several mints when you leave you office and grab something like a banana that should take the smell away.

-Peanuts give you bad breath and the smell lingers on you. I know its tempting to eat those peanuts on the table at the bar but choose the cashews or the pistachios instead.

-Olives give you bad breath. Don’t eat a bowl of them at the bar and on a date, don’t ask for extras in your martini so you can chow down on them, they are bad for your breath.

-Garlic- everyone knows garlic is a breath killer but these days a lot of people don’t care because they love these Pasta Puttanesca. Keep in mind that not only does garlic kill your breath but a lot of people sweat garlic out of their pours so you wind up with body odor as well as bad breath! If you want a good night kiss, save you pasta craving for football night with the guys!

Here's what I know... Men like women who act like women.

Have you ever wondered what type of women, men really like??

Here's what I know...

1. Men like women who act like women. This does not mean that you need to act like a frail woman or a Stepford wife, but it means that you should act in such a way so that he feel like he is the man and you are the woman.

2. Men like women who let a man help them. Men need to feel needed whether it's in a small way- changing a light bulb or answering a question for you or whether it's in a larger way- coming to your rescue in a bad situation or calming you down when you are freaking out. If you make him feel like you don't need him at all, he will leave you.

3. Men like women who act flirty. Flirting is the most important thing about male/female interaction- it's the best part of the "game." If you don't know how to flirt, it's important that you learn.

4. Men like women who giggle. This does not mean that you need to act like a "ditz," but keep in mind that the definition of a giggle is "a flirty laugh" and giggling tells the guy two things--that you think he's funny and that you like him because you are flirting with him through your laugh.

5. Men like women who dress like a woman. Men like women in dresses- they just do. You can make any excuse you want about thinking you look better in pants, but a guy will always appreciate and admire a woman in a dress.

6. Men like women who allow a man act like a man, women who let him watch football with the guys, have a guys night out once in awhile, even belch inappropriately from time to time. If you emasculate your guy, he will either turn into a guy who you won't respect or he will leave you because he will wind up not respecting himself.

Here's what I know... Women notice the little things you do or don't do.

Did you ever wonder what are the things upon which women judge you?

Here's what I know...

1. She notices if you suggest she come to a place right near you for the date, a place that is nowhere near her and then you don't offer to go pick her up. And on top of that, you make no apology for this lack of consideration.

2. She notices if you tip under 20 percent because the norm is 20 percent.

3. She notices if you don't tip on liquor because everyone tips on liquor.

4. She notices if you get out of the taxi first, don't offer to escort her home and then don't offer to pay to get her home.

5. She notices if you talk about yourself all night long and never even remember to ask her one question about her.

6. She notices if you check out every girl who walks in the door, even the ugly ones; she's not blind you know!

Here's what I know... Staying w someone you know isn't for you can make a relationship very mediocre.

Have you ever wondered why you stay in something you know isn't for you?

Here's what I know...

(1) Often times its easy to stay w someone who your used to but is that really making you happy.

(2) Often times its easy to stay with someone where the sex is decent but don't you want the sex to be excellent?

(3) Often times its easy to stay with someone who doesn't question your social moves, but wouldn't you like her more if she did?

(4) Often times its easy to stay with someone who doesn't give you a hard time about your level of interest in her but wouldn't you respect her more if she did?

(5) Often times its easy to stay in a relationship with someone who isn't smart enough to really know what is going on in your business but wouldn't you be more impressed w her if she the time to find out?

(6) Often times it easy to stay in a relationship where the girl just blends in at the table but wouldn't you have a better time if she was fascinating and funny?

Here’s what I know…Vacationing without your beau will tell you a lot.

Have you ever wondered if "absence makes the heart grow fonder" or "out of sight, out of mind" is the best adage to describe your feelings for your significant other?

Here’s what I know…

1. When you are traveling, if you keep thinking that you wish your beau could share thing after thing with you, you are into your beau.

2. However, when you are traveling, if you find yourself relieved to have the time apart and away from your beau, this should tell you something.

3. And, if you find that you have and are excited to have a wandering eye, this should tell you something.

4. And, if your phone calls and your emails to your beau are out of obligation not desire, this should tell you something.

5. And, if you find yourself wanting to stay away longer just to be away from the responsibilities of your relationship, this should tell you something.

6. And, if you find yourself having more fun with your flirtatious vacation fling than you have with your beau at home, this should tell you something.

Here’s what I know… If you get caught in an awkward dating snafu, tell the truth

Have you ever been caught with your “hand in the cookie jar” in dating and you just don’t know how to handle it?

Here’s what I know…

1. The truth is usually the least messy way to go.

2. Be apologetic not defensive

3. Pay compliments, lots of them

4. Explain yourself right away; the longer you hedge, the more her imagination can run wild.

5. Explain why you did what you did, calmer and simply.

6. Send flowers or chocolates afterwards, even if she accepted your apology. Remember you were in the dog house bigtime.

Here's what I know... This is chemistry

Have you ever wondered what chemistry is and whether or not you are experiencing it with the person you are dating?

Here's what i know...

1. Chemistry is when you feel this involuntary need to touch or kiss the other person and you feel like you can't stop yourself from doing it.

2. Chemistry is when 4 hours passes and it feels like 15 minutes

3. Chemistry is when you eat food at a restaurant but you don't really remember if it was good or bad because you were more focused on the connection.

4. Chemistry is when you go home after seeing someone feeling like you took a drug because you are having a dopamine rush .

5. Chemistry is when you know deep down that this person might drive you crazy once in awhile, but will keep you interested for a lifetime.

6. Chemistry is when you just feel a pull to someone- a crazy feeling that you can't explain even when you don't think that person is right for you or even when you don't want to feel it.

7. Chemistry is not when you are not forcing conversation and trying to figure out activities to do with someone because you are fearful for that one on one time where you will have to admit that there is no real chemistry.

Check out the movie- Mr and Mrs Smith with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie- the chemistry there was crystal clear, so much so that he left his wife for it!

Here's what I know... Music is a good indicator of connection

Have you ever wondered if it matters that you and your beau have radically different music tastes?

Here's what I know...

(1) Connection can come from anything, but the more things you have in common, the more intense the relationship is going to be.

(2) Music can provide a really fun connection between two people, especially when you both feel comfortable enough to sing the words to the tunes outloud and off-key to each other!

(3) A good old-fashioned music concert with a band you both love is great foreplay!

(4) Even if he likes Led Zeppelin and you like Barry Manilow, but you both love Earth Wind and Fire and Fleetwood Mac, you have it made!

(5) If your music taste is not exactly the same, when you going on a trip in the car, you need to agree upfront that you will alternate music choices.

(6) Music is a hobby so it is not critical that you have the same taste in it, but it is important that you are open to exploring each other's taste.

Here's what I know... your beau needs to pass the "deserted island test" if she is going to go the distance.

Have you ever wondered if you are dating someone who can grab and keep your interest such that you won't stray or leave?


Here's what I know...


(1) If a person can't keep your mental interest in the beginning when you first start dating, how will you stay interested in 1 yr, 5 yr 10yrs, or a lifetime?

(2) If you are a hot blooded person, face the facts, you need to have a relationship that has highs and lows, and runs hot and very hot; a vanilla, ordinary relationship is only going to make you want to cheat or leave.


(3) It is much easier to be with someone who just "gets it" and "gets you" than to be with someone who might be a "head-turner" for a moment, but with whom you just can't have an intense relationship.

(4) If you find someone who you personally think is hot,who actually gets you and grabs and holds your mental interest, this one is a keeper because this is very rare.

(5) Many times the very thing that draws you to a person initially like how "hot" she is or how much money he makes, will not sustain a relationship in the long haul.

(6) You should really think about whether you would want to be with this person on a deserted island because there will be many times during the course of your relationship that it will really be just the two of you. Will this person hold your interest? Keep you laughing? Will the time pass quickly, interestingly?

Here's what I know... Actions speak louder than words

Have you ever wondered if someone who gushes "sweet nothings" to you is genuine or just full of "you know what?"

Here's what I know....

(1) Actions speak louder than words. You know that, I know that, trust it.

(2) Talk is cheap and easy and takes no effort. Actions takes effort, actions means something.

(3) You need to pay attention to whether or not those words he is saying to you are unique to you or whether he gushes them to everyone. Does he say "Hi Beautiful!" to everyone he talks to on the phone or is that just to you?

(4) You need to think whether or not his expression of strong emotions for you came before or after he knew you well enough to gush.

(5) You need to think about whether his lines are just "hooking you" and making you stick around rather than making you feel good about the situation at hand.

(6) You need to think about whether you are making excuses for his lack of actions because he gushes sweet nothings at you. Yes, it feels good to hear you are "sexy" 10 times a day but when was the last time he actually asked you out on a proper date?

Here's what I know... Sometimes it good to have no plans and see what can happen.

Have you ever noticed that the most fun you have is when you don't have any plans and things just happen?

Here's what I know...

(1) People in big cities are super busy so sometimes having plans on the fly works better.

(2) In today's day and age, playing "hard to get" is not necessarily a good thing if it stops you from doing something you might enjoy.

(3) Sometimes, being open to possibilities, can bring you a world of possibilities that you were not expecting.

(4) Sometimes when you are locked into too many plans, you will miss the forest between the trees.

(5) Sometimes it is better to be open for something new, rather than just planning the same old thing again and again.

(6) If you find yourself with a no plan night, take a chance and go somewhere you would never go and see what might unfold.

Here's what I know... Secrets about men

Do you ever wonder if men speak a secret language that we woman are just not privy to?

Here's what I know...

(1) Men and women think differently, they just do. You can't change this, you need to accept it.

(2) Men won't answer an email where you ask them a question until they have the answer to that question. This means that they won't even think to say, "checking on it, will get back to you." They simply assume you know this!

(3) Men don't need little flirty chitchat during the work day. This doesn't mean that they don't like it sometimes, but they don't need it, the way women do.

(4) Men have very short attention spans for your lonnnnggggg stories. You can count on maybe 6o seconds before their mind wonders to baseball stats or to check out the hot blond in the corner. Don't' be offended by this, just try to make your stories shorter.

(5) Men remember things in generalities. They remember that you are getting together on Saturday night, but they may not remember when they said they would call you to confirm the plan. All they know is that the plan is there and they expect you to know that as well.

(6) Men don't obsess about relationshipy things to 10 of their friends like you do. Hence, chances are, they have analyzed the situation from quite as many angles as you have. You can't be mad at them for this since they didn't have a team of advisors on the case!

Here's what I know... Summer is the perfect time for romance

Do you ever wonder what time of year is the best time for finding romance?

Here's what I know...

(1) Summer is the most optimal time to find romance.

(2) In the summertime, women are wearing sexy dresses that will lure the men.

(3) People are tan so they feel good about themselves.

(4) There are tons of outdoor activities that people can do to meet other people.

(5) People work out and focus more on their physique which lures the opposite sex.

(6) Everywhere you look, people are strolling hand in hand, laughing and kissing; this makes single people want to couple up.

Remember the movie Grease! Summer lovin'....

Here's what I know... Men like girls in dresses

Do you ever wonder what men really like girls to wear?

Here's what I know...

(1)Men like girls to look feminine and girly. A woman in a work pants suit is NOT going to get a guy's juices flowing as readily as a woman in a little spring dress.

(2) If you have time to go home after the office and before a date, do it. What you wear matters.

(3) Guys like color. This does not mean that you have to dress like Bozo the clown, but a little infusion of color makes you seem brighter and more carefree.

(4) Men don't really like black. Black from time to time is fine, but all the time is too Morticia -like and men don't care for it. Trust me, they tell me this ALL the time.

(5) Men like dresses. A man will notice the one girl in a dress who isn't as pretty as some of the other girls, just because she is in a dress and seems more feminine. Guys like this.

(6) Guys like sexy not sleazy. A hint of cleavage is good, the whole boob is not!

Here's what I know... Men need different things than a woman in a relationship

Do you ever wonder how it is possible that your guy needs something so different from what you need in your relationship?

Here's what I know...

(1) Men think big picture. They know you are having dinner together and that they are getting to see you, but they usually spend much time thinking about where.

(2) Men know when they like you and they don't need like sweet nothings and cute exchanges to be sure of their feelings the way women do.

(3) Men have about a 90 second attention span of a story. Keep the long ones for your girlfriends.

(4) Men focus more on what happens when you are together and they don't spend a lot of time thinking about the relationship when you are not together.

(5) Men don't spend time during the week, recounting cute stories about your date to their friends. The most they usually say is, "it was cool, she's hot, I like her, I am seeing her again"- the basics and that's all he needs.

(6) Men can be thinking positively about a woman without being in touch with her. It's like he has the comfort of knowing her likes you without the need to be in touch with you every second. This is a hard one to get used to.

Here's what I know... Signs he is into you

Do you ever wonder what are the real signs he is into you?

Here's what I know...

(1) If he ask you for plans at the end of a date with you, he is into you.

(2) If he wants you to meet his friends, he is into you.

(3) If he seeks your approval about things he could clearly decide upon on his own, he is into you.

(4) If he remembers little things you tell him when he so many things on his mind, he is into you.

(5) If he tries to please you at the expense of what is pleasing to himself, he is into you.

(6) If he makes time for you when he is clearly over-extended, he is into you.

Here's what I know... Sometimes it's better to stay home and recharge!

Have you ever just had the blahhs and just didn't feel like going out, even though you knew that you should make the effort??

Here's what I know...

(1) My grandmother always told me that if you get invited you go because you never know who you are going to meet, but she also told me that if you are in a bad mood, don't subject anybody else to it. As a single girl, you need to reconcile my grandmother's words of wisdom

(2) Sometimes you need a old fashioned night in where you take a bubble bath, watch a chick flick and polish your toenails.

(3) It's okay to pass on an invite that might just put you in a worse mood.

(4) Often times after you recharge your batteries, you might just find a revitalized interest in going out.

(5) If you push yourself to go out even when you really don't want to, make certain that you check your negative attitude at the door or at least have a glass of vino before you leave the house or what's the point of going out?

(6) People can tell when you are somewhere you don't want to be and this is unappealing.

And if you are looking for a great chick flick, don't forget, One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney!

Here's what I know... What men like on a first date.

Do you ever wonder what you should and shouldn't do on a first date?

Here's what I know...

(1) Men like happy, smiling women. If you can't smile, don't go.

(2) Men like you to ask questions about them but nothing too probing, just light and fun.

(3) Men like girls who laugh at their jokes, so even if your guy isn't really funny, throw in a giggle every now and again.

(4) Guys like girls to flirt with their eyes. Try giving him a long stare eye to eye, it will captivate him.

(5) Guys don't like a girl who have 11 changes to her food order. It's okay to order dressing on the side, but other than that, suck it up. If you don't, he might give you a draconian kick to the curb!

(6) Guys like girls who say thank you after they pay the bill or as they are walking out of the restaurant; they want to feel appreciated.



Don't forget to check out the movie, How to Lose a Guy in 1o Days where Kate Hudson makes a lot of dating blunders!

Here's what I know... What men notice on a date.

Do you ever wonder what a guy notices on a date and what just goes over his head?

Here's what I know...

(1) He notices if you are nice to the waiter and he will like it if you are.

(2) He notices if you check your blackberry a half dozen times and/or takes unimportant calls during your time with him.

(3) He notices your energy- if you seem happy and if you have good, confident posture.

(4) He notices if you talk about yourself non-stop and never come up for air to ask about him.

(5) He notices if you are defensive about things in your life. If you feel particularly vulnerable or badly about the fact you lost your job, need to lose 15 pounds or have never been married, you need to come up with comfortable answers to those questions.

(6) He notices if you are fidgetting with your hair, looking around the room or picking your nails: these are all signs that you aren't really interested in him.



Don't forget to check out Yes, Man a funny dating movie!

Here's what I know...You need to have some basics if you are having a girl over to your home.

Do you ever wonder what are the girl staples you should have at your house if you are planning to have a girl over?

Here's what I know...

(1) You need to have something there that a woman would drink, i.e., wine or vodka, not just moonshine and Tequila!

(2) You need to have at least one morsel of food to offer. (Keep a box of crackers in your cabinet or a bag of pretzels, something you can offer her.

(3) You need to have real cutlery and real dishes. If you are out of college, eating only with paper and plastic just doesn't cut it!

(4) You need to have kneenex and napkins. A lady does not like to blow her nose with toilet paper, nor does she like to use papertowels as napkins.

(5) Women like mood music, so even if you don't, you should have some if you are trying to get her in the mood.

(6) Women like candles. Candles are easy to buy, they sell them everywhere, so its very easy for you to have a few on hand in your home. You don't want to go overboard with the stinky ones but the ones that are pretty and make her feel romantic are perfect!

Remember that Friends episode when Ross cooked for Rachel the first time??

Here's what I know... Men again.... bad topics for a date.

As a man, do you feel that you constantly say and do things on dates that you think are okay, only to realize later on that what you said or did was an absolute "no no"?

Here's what I know...

(1) Bad topic- your ex and how much you hate her. You don't want the new woman to worry that you will bad mouth her in the same way sometime in the future.

(2) Bad topic- your mother and how much you hate her. Women use how a man treats his mom as a barometer for how he will treat her.

(3) Bad date topic- your obsession with any sports team in particular. Women know men love sports and they are okay with that, but they tend to shy away from the obsessed type.

(4) Bad topic-how much money you lost in the stock market. Women want security. This does not mean they are gold diggers, they just want to believe that if they end up with you that they will have a roof over their head.

(5) Bad date topic- how anti-social you are. It's okay if you are not a social butterfly, but no girl wants to date someone with social issues.

(6) Bad date topic- how much money you have. Women like guys who are successful, but they hate braggarts.

Check out Rusty on the ABC Family drama, Greek. He could use some of this advice!

Here's what I know... The kiss is key.

Do you ever wonder just how important the kiss is when you are dating?

Here's what I know...

(1) If you have an excellent kiss together, chances are, sex will be really good as well.

(2) Kissing is the best foreplay especially if you both are very into it.

(3) Girls like to kiss more than guys do, so if he wants to kiss you and kiss you and kiss you, be confident that he is very attracted to you.

(4) Some people kiss well immediately and some people have to perfect their kiss. It's like dancing, you have to find your rhythm with each person.

(5) If you are kissing a slobber king, and you feel like you need a shower on your face after every kiss, in a nice way, show him how nice it is not to lick faces, show him other things that are just as good. Be patient with him especially if you like him.

((6) If you think that you and your guy kiss okay, but not great, or if you want your kiss to get even hotter than it already is, try kissing in a private, yet not so private place. The danger element will surely heat things up.



If you haven't seen Hitch with Will Smith, you should go rent it now! Hysterical!

Here's what I know... You need to be able to go with the flow when you are dating.

Do you ever wonder if a guy stopped seeing you because you just couldn't go with the flow?

Here's what I know...

(1) When you are dating, you need to be flexible about things.

(2) Plans change, and things come up, so you need to be able to figure out how to go with the flow without having a girl-fit.

(3) If you punish your guy for screwing up the perfect plan, you might wantt ask yourself who you are really punishing.

(4) Next time you are about to have a hissy-fit because things aren't going your way, think about an alternative plan that might work for both of you.

(5) If you indicate to your guy that you can't be flexible, ultimately he won't want to be with you because life is complicated enough without your being difficult.

(6) It might be a growing experience for you to try to just let things happen, whether or not they are part of your grand scheme plan. You might be surprised at how things turn out!

Elaine from Seinfeld had a "go with the flow" issue!

Here's what I know... When he will want to see you again...

Do you ever wonder what will make a guy want to see you again?

Here's what I know...

(1) If he goes home with a smile on his face about his evening with you, he will want to see you again.

(2) If you left him wanting more in the sexual category, he will want to see you again.

(3) If you were an excellent kisser, he will want to see you again.

(4) If you are a tiny bit mysterious and unattainable, he will want to see you again.

(5) If you have interesting things going on that he is fascinated by, he will want to see you again.

(6) If the date was fun and easy, he will want to see you again.

Remember Michael Douglas in The American President? He was skipping down the street because he felt so good about his date with Annette Benning

Here's what I know.. If you have a crush on one of your friends, go for it!

Do you have a friend that you have a little thing for, but you are nervous about crossing the line?

Here's what I know...

(1) Most women don't let their husbands be BFFs with another girl , so if you are afraid to cross the line because the two of you are soooo close, get over it, you won't be that close forever.

(2) You might be surprised that your friend has those same feelings for you.

(3) The best relationships start as friendships, so if you are that lucky to have a friend in your life that you are romantically attracted to, go for it!

(4) If you go for it, make sure you do it over a bottle of wine, it will be easier and it will give you a built-in excuse, if its a disaster!

(5) If you go for it, keep the talking about it to a minimum; talking with just scare you both off

(6) If you do talk about it, keep it relaxed and make sure you that you are reassuring to your friend that you can handle it, whatever the outcome, so that your friend will not resist out of fear of losing a friend.

Here's what I know... Bad topics for a man to bring up on a date.

Did you ever wonder as a man what topics are off limits on a first date?

Here's what I know...

(1) Bad date topic- the specifics of what you do on your "guy's nights out". This is better left to their imagination and better left between you and your buddies.

(2) Bad date topic- how much weight your ex gained. You don't want your date to think you are a shallow jerk who will leave her when she gets pregnant, even if you are that shallow jerk.

(3) Bad date topic- how hot and sexy your ex was. You don't want your date, who might be very confident about her looks to start to second guessing her looks because thinks you are still obsessed with your ex.

(4) Bad date topic-How you think that you are going to get fired. Girls need to believe that if they end up with you, there will be a roof over her head and food on the table for the kiddies.

(5) Bad topic- how much kinky sex you are into. Most women will go with the flow in the sex category, once they are into you, however you don't want to scare them off on the first date.

(6) Bad date topic- any weird cheapnesses you have. She doesn't need to hear that you don't keep the heat on in 10 degree weather or that you go to your mom's to watch Entourage so you don't have to pay for HBO; she will find this out soon enough, no need to burst her bubble right away.

Here's what I know... Women love confident men!

Have you ever wondered how confident is too confident when you are dating?

Here's what I know...

(1) Women love confident men!

(2) Women love take charge men.

(3) Women love men who make them feel like women!

(4) Women understand that you can't do the planning ALL the time, nor do they want you to do it all. However, women love the feel of a decision-making man. (Even if you are bad at decisions or a poor restaurant picker, in the beginning, a woman would rather you plan something than show up with no ideas and throw it to her!)

(5) Being confident is not about being bossy or being cocky or arrogant; none of those traits are appealing to women. Women are simply looking for a confident personality type and this comes from "your presence", your disposition and your attitude.

(6) April is the month of confident men, those Aries! So, girls if you love confident guys, find a guy who was born this month!

Here's what I know...Sometimes you just won't know what someone's actions mean.

Do you ever just feel stumped when it comes to deciphering a person's behaviour in the dating world?

Here's what I know...

(1) There are two sides to every story.

(2) No one is mind reader, so regardless of how many interations you come up with or how many ways you look at a situation, sometimes you just won't know the real truth.

(3) It's a waste of time to obsess over every little thing someone does and try to figure out what each thing in a vacuum means.

(4) Sometimes even the person who is doing the action doesn't actually know why they are doing it; sometimes they just act first, think later.

(5) Sometimes there is, in fact, an underlying message in how someone acts and sometimes there's not, you just won't be sure, unless the person says it to you directly. Sometimes it's better just to wait and see.

(6) Your mental psyche will take healthier if you have lower expectations about a certain situation. This way you might be pleasantly surprised, instead of disappointed.

And for some comic relief, check out one of my all time favorite "mindless entertainment" movies, Clueless with Alicia Silverstone.

Here's what I know... everyone has a "foot in the mouth" moment on a date.

Have you ever been on a date and something comes out of your mouth and you literally can't believe you said it?

Here's what I know...

(1) Everyone puts their foot in their mouth, a lot, when they are dating.

(2) You can always cover over a stupid comment with a giggle or a just kidding (the way you use LOL every two seconds in email) and hope for the best. If you have a killer smile or if you are a good flirter, the person sitting across the table will probably forgive your stupidity.

(3) Even if the first words out of your mouth as you greeted your blind date were " Hi, wow, you look tired", instead of what you meant to say that she looked great, you can still figure out a way to recover if you just are sweet at other parts of the night.

(4) Even if you told an ex girl friend that you are glad you dated her because it gives you "street cred" with other people, this still does not mean you are a hopeless dater, just a little insensitive at times.

(5) Even if you spent an hour talking about your ex when you swore you wouldn't even bring him up, you can recover, especially if the person sitting across the table likes you.

(6) People who are looking to meet someone great, tend NOT to judge someone on 1 lone stupid comment, they tend to take things "under advisement" and wait and see.

(7) Instead of harping on the stupid or bad thing you said, and instead of bringing it up again and again (because that only makes the person remember it all the more), more forward in the conversation confidently and let the person see the real and thoughtful you instead.

Here's what I know... These are the "right" ingredients for a long-lasting relationship.

Do you ever wonder what things are necessary things for a relationship to work?

Here's what I know...

(1) The ability to resolve conflict is key. You need to be able to discuss a circumstance with a person and work through it quickly, openly and move forward.

(2) You need to laugh at the same jokes and find the same things funny.

(3) The kiss is key. If your kiss is good, if you fell into a good kiss right away or were able to refine the kiss immediately and you can kiss for hours and send little tingles down the other person's spine with your kiss, then you are golden. Good kissing foreshadows good sex.

(4) Time needs to go by effortlessly, quickly and without noticing whenever you speak or see each other.

(5) You need to speak a silent language- this comes from having a similar sense of humor.

(6) You need to both be able to be self deprecating- give it as well as you can take it and be good-natured in that area.

(7) You need to trust each other and feel comfortable that the other one has your back and will always have your back.

Here's what I know... If you are in a bad mood, stay home.

Did you ever notice that when you go out on the town and you are in a bad mood, your night is a bust?

Here's what I know...

(1) People gravitate towards happy people, not miserable sourpusses so if you can't get rid of the sourpuss, stay home.

(2) No one wants to hear your tales of woe; everyone has their own Bernie Madoff story, no one wants to get depressed by yours.

(3) Men know that women get their period once a month, but they certainly don't want to hear about the fact that you have it now and it's put you in a bad mood. This is poor judgment on your part and just icky.

(4) If you are in a bad mood when you are out, no one will want to be around you because they can feel it. Trust me, they can.

(5) A bad mood rises to your eyes. If your eyes can't, then the smile on your face doesn't matter.

(6) It's okay to have a night of downtime; it might re-energize you for next time!

Here's what I know... If he stopped calling you over something little, then he wasn't yours anyway.

How many times have you obsessed over the littlest thing that you did in your relationship, thinking that your one small action was the reason for it's demise?

Here's what I know...

(1) Guys don't break up with girls over little things.

(2) Once a guy decides he is attracted to you, he won't break up with you over something that only you notice- that one pimple you got on a Tuesday or the fact that you wore a bra that didn't make your boobs look as big as they usually do.

(3) Guys don't pay attention to how many "xo's" you put at the end of your text message and he certainly won't break up with you over that.

(4) Guys read emails very quickly and they don't labor over every word you wrote and what you meant by them, the way girls do. Absent your writing something really awful, he is not going to break-up with you because of your LOL or because you had too many typos.

(5) It is natural to question the last little thing you did with a guy if he ends things with you and you are not sure why. However, to find out what really went wrong, you need to dig deeper and look at the full picture and the patterns of behaviour.

(6) When you are dating someone, it's more important to learn the things that would bother HIM, not obsess about the things that would bother you that don't even register on his "notice" meter. (Example: he won't notice if the smiley face in your text was a full smile or a wink, but he will notice if you need to have a "relationship conversation" by email during work hours, when he is in his office!