When we go by the literal sense of the word, "Marriage" is nothing more than a piece of paper and a waste of money.
If we go by what it really means, it should be called "bonding".
My advice to those who want to marry is this:
To the ladies (Please be aware that my brain is "wired" as a male's for the most part - around 90%, proved by psychological tests, so I may/will sound male):
- Stop being so anal about the damn toilet lid.
- The bathroom isn't your sanctuary. Having to hold it in for an hour while you plaster all that crap makeup on your faces is NOT fun.
- Don't throw "I have a headache". Just say "I'm not in the mood". Yes, we'll sulk but we're more prone to understand if you say the truth instead of some garbage.
- FFS, don't leave your damn used tampons rolled up in paper and your pads (panty liners for the UK peeps) all over the place in the bathroom. It's disgusting! :angry:
- Don't go around saying "I want A" when you really want to say "I want J".
- Please understand one thing: I have as much fun being dragged to a mall as you have fun being dragged to a warehouse.
- Your talks about makeup are as interesting to me as my talks about the latest drill-hammer from Bosch are interesting to you.
- Yes, there's clothes on the floor... so what? Don't I help clean the house and cook too?
To the guys (here's my female side speaking):
- Being a couch potato won't help you gain any points. Perhaps a trip to your parents' house...
- Being a slob is disgusting. Wash, bathe, clean, ffs. What are you? Pigs?
- Farts jokes are NOT funny.
- Same with belching jokes.
- Bragging about the smell of your shit or how big it was is something nice to make someone gag.
- Get some manners while eating or maybe you'd prefer having your food served on a bowl on the floor?
- Can't aim the toilet? Pee sitting or lick your own pee off. And ffs, use some paper to clean your junk after you pee. Do you even realize the smell?
- This isn't your mommy's house. If you want a maid, hire and pay for one.
- WASH YOUR JUNK!!
In general:
- Get to compromises. Both sides will have to give in a little without having to completely give up on their habits.
- Talk things out. Letting things to fester is horrid. When it explodes, it can be very nasty.
- Live together before you go to the paperwork. However, be aware that I know couples that lived happily together for over 10 years and broke apart after marrying.
- "Please" and "Thanks" are nice words. Use them.
- Don't throw tantrums over girls/boys nights out
- Remember that living together/marrying is something on which you have to work constantly.
- Try to surprise, improvise... routine is a terrible enemy.
- Take some time out when needed. Forcing yourselves to be together when you need to be alone is one of the worst things you can do. Take a walk, drive around, lock yourself up in the room...
There's so much more that I could add to this born from my own experience of living together but it would make this post so huge... I think I hit the generals though.