Love At First Sight; or, The Truth About Lies

Dear Duana,Mick claims he fell in love with me at first sight, which he revealed a whole two weeks into our relationship. Why would a guy say he’s in love that soon? Does love at first sight really exist? It’s very awkward saying nothing when we hang up the phone and he says “I love you.” Will it scare him off that I don’t love him back (yet)? How do I handle this? Yes, Virginia, there is love at first sight. But there are lies at first sight, too. How to tell the difference?

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Q&A from "The Guy's Guide To Giving Great Gifts"

Wise Readers, Last week’s column about gift-giving really hit a nerve on Ye Olde Provider/Protector turf. What’s a sneaky way to figure out what your man or woman wants? What if you’re a guy who really hates the calendar telling you when to buy? What should you do if you receive a Bad Gift? Under what circumstances *don’t* women care so much about Gifts? When men give grudgingly, are they truly showing a lack of willingness that can add up to neglect in a marriage? And are some women just impossible to please? Read on!

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How Not To Suck At Dating (special double issue)

That huge sucking sound you heard last weekend might have been my friend’s date. Having recently lost her home to fire, she was then invited to a movie about…the inescapable and fiery End Of The World. Worse? The guy knew both the movie plot and her personal circumstances. What does science say about successful-versus-sucky dates? To put the dating world in your hands, or at least avoid imitating a Hoover, read on.

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Staying Together For The Kids? When casual sex might trump true love

Dear Duana, Stuart and I parent well together…and that’s it. Our kids, adopted from abusive backgrounds, are doing well, but I’d like to find a way to conquer my loneliness while maintaining their stable homelife. Would an open relationship work, where we each pursue real love elsewhere but stay together for the kids? Dear Jeffrey, many might say you’ve hit on the perfect compromise~but I wish you’d just asked if casual sex would work out okay. Here’s why…

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Q&A from "Stepmarriages: Keeping love alive when they're somebody else's kids"

Wise Readers, Bioparents and biokids need alone-time—but why might stepdad/stepkid alone-time be dangerous? What if you know you don’t like the kid—should you get married anyway? Is there an evolved psychology behind Evil Stepmothering? How long does it take to make Steps feel like Family? And how many baggages can you carry? Read on!

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