I'm getting married in one month and have lived with my 'future husband' for over 2 years--so even though 'technically' I don't qualify--I still want to answer.
I've never read the book. So I really can't base my opinions on that--but from reading the rules you posted, I think 'The Rules' are a load of bull-s h i t for the most part.
1.Be a Creature Unlike Any Other
BS!!! Be yourself! If being YOU isn't good enough, than you don't want him/her. If you're someone else up until you get married, you're going to have MUCH more serious problems than who squeezes the toothpaste wrong.
2. Show up to parties, dances and social events even if you don't feel like it
I feel this is VERY wrong. If you don't feel like going--than DON'T! If showing up to his company benifit is going to make or break your relationship--it DESERVES to die in the dust!
3. It's a fantasy relationship unless a man asks you out.
I don't know if this even deserves an answer.
4. In an office realtionship, do not email him back every time he emails you unless it is business related.
There's always the urge not to seem 'too eager', but e-mail and phone calls are very specific thing--most of the time requiring you to answer a question or two. I know I would feel hurt if I emailed a FRIEND and they didn't answer back--I'd be even MORE hurt if it was a boyfriend or my husband. You wouldn't just ignore someone if they were talking to your face--why would you do it in an e-mail?
5. If you are in a long distance relationship, he must visit you at least 3 times before you visit him.
This one is just assinine. When my 'future husband' and I started dating, it was long distance. I had my weekends free, and he worked shift work at all different times and days. Had we followed this rule, we'd have never gotten off the ground! It's rediculous! Today's relationships are 50/50 and SHOULD be 50/50--why must we keep up with this arcaic notion that the man must give the most or sacrifice the most? It's rediculous.
6. When considering whether to use personal ads or other dating services, you should place the ad and let me respond to you.
I have to agree with this one. How else would you do it. If you're placing a personal ad--you don't want to try to FIND people to reply to you!
7. If he does not call, he is not that interested. Period.
WRONG! His house burned to the ground, his mother died, his phone got disconnected, he was up against a deadline and didn't have time, he lost your number, he's shy, he didn't think you like him, his car broke down, his cell phone broke, his cat blew up . . .
8. Close the deal - Rules women do not date men for more than 2 years.
I feel sorry for any man caught up in this rule. This ultimatly tells you to give the man an ultimatum "we either get married, or you hit the road". How much you wanna bet they usually say "see ya!" and the one's who don't and crack under the pressure--how long do you think it is till they get divorced? Nobody can deal with that kind of pressure--and why would you want to try to force someone to marry you?
9. Buyer Beware - Observe his behavior so you do not end up with Mr. Wrong.
I agree with this one. You don't want to be oblivious to what a person is like, because if you DO get hitched--you don't want to find out they are a totally different person than you thought they were.
10. Keep doing the RULES even when things are slow.
READ: Continue to buy my stupid books, even if you aren't dating or marrying anyone.
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