The Top 40

I read that post earlier today. How utterly depressing; if he's right, and most American women really are that way, then we may as well just let the whole nation burn. If he's wrong, he and all the rest of the jaded, man and woman both, may well be discouraging a great many people from doing one of the few things which, done right, can make of one man and one woman something far more wonderful than the sum of the parts.

As a mother of both a son and a daughter, I hope and pray that they will both grow up to marry well, to love their spouses until death forces them apart, and within that framework to become parents. Being a wife and a mother is the greatest gift I know of, and I want to pass it on.

Marriage is more than just two people coming together expecting the other to satisfy a list of demands. It is, first and foremost, an ongoing act of self-giving. When both partners understand this and act accordingly, it is sublime, even in the worst moments. When one or both do not, then of course it is an ongoing battle, even at the best moments.

Choose your partner wisely. With the right person, you might find that the sex does indeed get better, as does the food. Your troubles may not disappear, but you'll have a partner to help you see them through. Your kids may be disappointing, but then again maybe not. Raise them right, and maybe they'll even take care of you when you're old, sick and cranky.

What's love got to do with it?
Ab-so-loot-ly nuthing.

One more thing this rotten assed gov't has destroyed.

They take a union based on feelings and convert it to dollar signs, then burn the whole place down.

Negotiating with an American wife can be like negotiating with the Iranians. A male concession is viewed by the wife as a sign of weakness to be exploited, and a "concession" by the wife is never meant to be honored by her. And that applies to many otherwise perfectly fine and decent women.

Women need to be loved, and therefore, should endeavor to be lovable. Men need to be respected, and therefore need to be respectable. Aye, there is the rub. The left has ruined women, for the most part, and men let them do it. There is a whole lot of blame to go around. I just try to be good company.
~Leslie

What's notable about this thread to date is that the experience of the men mirrors mine exactly, and the apparent belief of the women just breaks my heart that I've never met anyone like them.

And God help me, I've looked.

It is better to love a woman and be disappointed
than to eat your soup alone.

Take it from a fool who knows. I have done both.

Uncle Letsgo told me: "Never lay down with a woman that has more troubles than you."

Yep, did that too.

Juliecork: My wife and I agree with you. "... can make of one man and one woman something far more wonderful than the sum of the parts ..." It, ahem, took us each several failed relationships to get it right.

The only really happy folk are married women and single men. ~ H.L. Mencken

How many times have you seen or talked to guys who are looking to get rid of tons of their old stuff - hobbies, collections, things they had when single - because of a move or because the wife wants to redecorate?

How many women have you ever talked to or heard about who had to do anything of the kind? Ever?

There are good women out there, but most demand everything from men and offer little in return. Lisa is exactly right: women need love, men need respect. Men can learn to give love, but modern women don't even seem to comprehend what the term respect even means.

Women are nothing more than one huge seething pot of emotions. Very little logic goes into any thought. As with any emotional driven position, it is centered on ME! Which is why at times they can even kill their kids.

My ol gray haired pappy once said, "When people are in love they ain't in their right mind and that alone should invalidate the legal contract of marriage."

Charlie Anderson: Do you like her?

Lt. Sam: Well, I just said I...

Charlie Anderson: No, no. You just said you loved her. There's some difference between lovin' and likin'. When I married Jennie's mother, I-I didn't love her - I liked her... I liked her a lot. I liked Martha for at least three years after we were married and then one day it just dawned on me I loved her. I still do... still do. You see, Sam, when you love a woman without likin' her, the night can be long and cold, and contempt comes up with the sun.

Shenandoah, 1965
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059711/

One of the Greek philosophers (can't recall which) was asked by one of his students
whether a young man should choose to marry. After a moment the sage famously replied:
"Whichever you decide, you will regret it."