what NOT to do in a relationship.......

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Nat

I actually heard this one on a podcast about successful and happy long-term marriages -

Don't forget to create opportunities to laugh together.

According to the interviewee, regular laughter alleviates tensions and strengthens the bond. The guy claimed laughter produces oxytocin (the "bonding" or "trust" hormone also involved in labor/birth) but I haven't verified that.

Anyway, it's good advice for me because I get so very serious so very often.

That's why you don't get involved with someone you don't like a lot. You have to have things in common like the same sense of humor and adventure. This is a big one for me. I need to have fun and laugh a lot. I can't deal with passive aggressive negativity that stifles the fun.

Don't throw out sexual innuendos in our first couple of conversations. Show me your sense of humor and what kind of human you are. If we gel, laugh and can connect in a playful way then we'll move forward. If it's too much work going in then no doubt there will be a struggle later.