Lately, the concept of "friends" seems to have become incredibly diluted by the casual use of the term by Facebook, MySpace et al. But in "the real world" what do you consider to be important when you are making and becoming friends? Is it how long you've known someone? How frequently you meet up? What you have in common? Something more intangible? Also, I'd love recommendations of any books looking at the psychology of how people become friends.
posted on May 14, 2008 - 21 answers

What would you say to someone who doesn't want anything more than just casual sex with you when you are looking for a full on relationship with them? [more inside]
posted on May 6, 2008 - 32 answers

Here’s one of those how-do-I-play-this? relationship questions. At the very beginning of a possible relationship (with a touring musician) that I'd really like to give a chance to, but he may be too scared. (explanation inside) [more inside]
posted on May 6, 2008 - 25 answers

I'm going home for a visit. I don't like my brother's wife but I should probably keep my mouth shut. How do I keep my visit peaceful? More inside. [more inside]
posted on May 5, 2008 - 18 answers

The type of guy I like to spend time with isn't the type I like to have sex with. What now? Probably NSFW! [more inside]
posted on May 5, 2008 - 31 answers

RelationshipFilter - I love her. Life is good. Should I leave? [more inside]
posted on May 3, 2008 - 24 answers

I am in a fairly satisfactory relationship with a guy except for the fact that I think I could find a better looking person. Is that a reason to break-up? [more inside]
posted on May 1, 2008 - 43 answers

How can I make my home a welcoming place for a significant other who is moving in? [more inside]
posted on Apr 27, 2008 - 20 answers

When do you ask the person you are dating if they are seeing anyone else, and how or when do you talk about or bring up the subject of being exclusive?
posted on Apr 25, 2008 - 13 answers

I've come to the realization that I'm head-over-heels crazy about a co-worker. [more inside]
posted on Apr 24, 2008 - 55 answers

RelationshipFilter: I told my boyfriend I was fine with him traveling in Europe for a couple of weeks with his ex-girlfriend. Now I'm having second thoughts. Help me figure out how best to handle this and get my confidence back? [more inside]
posted on Apr 22, 2008 - 66 answers

I've gone on two dates with a guy I met online. Our second date, last Friday, ended with some groping and making out. He wanted me to sleep over his place, but I decided not to. The next day we chatted online, he said he had a great time and I did too. He called me on Monday the day after we had a flirty/ close to booty call text session. I let him know I wanted to see him again. I was hoping he would ask me out again, because i don't want to go straight to his place to see him again. I'd like to go on another date or two before we hit the sheets. How should I let him know in better words? Should I go ahead an ask him out on a date, if he doesn't?
posted on Apr 18, 2008 - 26 answers

Is it possible for a relationship between one neuro-typical partner and one partner with asperger's to be in a genuinely fulfilling relationship? [more inside]
posted on Apr 17, 2008 - 16 answers

I have a bit of a dilemma. I dated this guy last year, and he introduced me to a friend in order to get him hired at my company. Flash forward to now, and he's finally been hired, and a referral bonus is coming my way. More deets inside, natch. [more inside]
posted on Apr 15, 2008 - 69 answers

Suggestions for fun/romantic nights at home? [more inside]
posted on Apr 12, 2008 - 7 answers

Badly in need of advice. Long, complicated story spanning 3 countries and 5 people. [more inside]
posted on Apr 11, 2008 - 32 answers

Is timing really so important in dating and relationships? [more inside]
posted on Apr 11, 2008 - 25 answers

should i date other people? [more inside]
posted on Apr 11, 2008 - 22 answers

My boyfriend has developed some tics that are driving me up the wall. What can I do? [more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2008 - 14 answers

Existential crisis: was I born to be alone? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 21 answers

Netiquette and/or legal requirements for posting stories and pictures of other people?... [more inside]
posted on Apr 6, 2008 - 7 answers

How do I say 'Thanks, no really!' after an unsuccessful job interview, without looking like the needy girl whose long-time crush has blown her out after one date? [more inside]
posted on Apr 3, 2008 - 14 answers

My SO has told me he loves me countless times. He told me, and I didn't say it back, and he said he's okay with saying it even though I haven't said "I love you" to him yet. This scares me because sometimes I'm afraid I will never be. And he is a wonderful guy and will do just about anything for me. I just feel guilty now that he is in love and I'm not, and I feel uncomfortable having sex with him now because it's as if I'm using him because he is in another level of our relationship that I am not in. How do I make this better for myself and for our relationship? I want to be with him because he cares about me, and I do for him, and I do not want to lose him or give up on our relationship. I would like to know your thoughts and experiences. Thanks in advance.
posted on Apr 3, 2008 - 21 answers

Whenever my bf and I have a fight, we always break up, packing things, threats of leaving. Then, we kiss and make up. I feel empty sometimes, thinking this relationship is not stable. There is no certainty in this kind of relationship. But sti,, I always stay, I always forgive him, I tell myself that things will get better and it does for a few weeks and then we fight again. [more inside]
posted on Apr 2, 2008 - 31 answers

Is non-stop chatter a necessity in the early stages of dating? [more inside]
posted on Apr 1, 2008 - 24 answers

Looking for a stellar marriage counselor in Durham/Chapel Hill, NC [more inside]
posted on Apr 1, 2008 - 5 answers

How do you ignore someone's attitude instead of letting it bring you down? How do you handle living with someone who can be really negative a lot of the time? [more inside]
posted on Apr 1, 2008 - 17 answers

How to turn bad sex good, or at least better? [more inside]
posted on Mar 30, 2008 - 18 answers

How can I deal with the fact that my boyfriend is never around? [more inside]
posted on Mar 29, 2008 - 33 answers

Help my girlfriend and me end this stupid and (I suspect) fairly common dynamic of arguing. [more inside]
posted on Mar 28, 2008 - 32 answers

Last night my girlfriend became moderately upset with me because I didn't want to meet her ex-boyfriend. So what? [more inside]
posted on Mar 28, 2008 - 30 answers

How can you tell if someone is single or taken just by looking at them? [more inside]
posted on Mar 25, 2008 - 44 answers

I am a 38-year-old man who has many good qualities (I hope so at least) but two drawbacks which understandably be dealbreakers for most women - I am impotent and I have a small penis (around 4 inches on the rare occasions it is erect), so even if my impotence got treated I am not sure I could satisfy a women. On the other hand, I have heard that it's possible to have satisfactory sex life with a 3 inch penis, but have no idea how that can be. So basically I am what would be a figure of ridicule for many other men, and not exactly a strong candidate to be a boyfriend for most women either. However I know some women while still heterosexual may not want a sexual partner e.g. they may be celibate for whatever reason. And there may even be women who will overlook a sex life without penetrative sex for the right person. I have just come out of a four-year relationship which had lots of affection and companionship but not strong feelings of passion and obviously no sex, but I eventually want another relationship again and believe I have a lot of love to give the right person. How can I find her? [more inside]
posted on Mar 23, 2008 - 38 answers

Looking for name/website of the woman who gives lectures to teachers about how to relate to students of a different social class? [more inside]
posted on Mar 21, 2008 - 10 answers

How proactive should a girl expect a guy to be about suggesting dates during the early stages of a relationship? [more inside]
posted on Mar 20, 2008 - 22 answers

...and a time to give up (filter). Please help. [more inside]
posted on Mar 20, 2008 - 55 answers

What techniques can I use to make myself less available to others? [more inside]
posted on Mar 19, 2008 - 13 answers

I have been in what I think is a co-dependant relationship for over four years, and things have been hard recently for me to recover from mental illness and start working again. I think we are simply stuck in a rut now, I also feel more like a good friend or roommate rather than a romantic partner (that's probably at least 50% my fault though as I have low libido anyway) and it's best we are apart. But this woman has become incredibly dependant on me, and since I am the wimpy "avoid confrontation at all costs" type I have kept quiet about my problems. How can I gracefully leave without totally pulling the rug from under her and without her hating me and all men forever? [more inside]
posted on Mar 17, 2008 - 5 answers

My boyfriend of almost 3 years and I have been living together for a year and a half. About a year ago he decided he wanted to start making his own music, something he never had the chance to do earlier in his life. He's also a very successful grad student in a PHD program, so he thinks that before he graduates is the only time he will be able to devote enough time to making music while still being a good student. And now he's telling me that the only way he can really give this a shot is for us to not live together for a while so he can have some "space" to really discover himself and focus on his music whenever he's not in school. He says he wants to work on it so much that he would seem neglectful if we lived together. [more inside]
posted on Mar 17, 2008 - 85 answers

Psyche is a slippery slope. Advice on dating as a thirtysomething college student? [more inside]
posted on Mar 16, 2008 - 16 answers

What are some good books/essays/articles about human sexuality, sexual and romantic relationships, and sexual or otherwise affection-entangled activity - with an emphasis on the theoretical? I'm thinking more along the lines of Judith Butler than The Joy of Sex - so suggestions should be at least vaguely academic. (Things like Leaves of Grass count as vaguely academic). [more inside]
posted on Mar 10, 2008 - 19 answers

I love doing things impulsively but quickly lose interest if things take a long time. I'll go to Jamaica with you this weekend, but if we plan on going in May I'll be over it. This is affecting my friendships. Any tips on sustaining interest in things?
posted on Mar 10, 2008 - 15 answers

Dating a divorced man. Help me rationalize this relationship mess before I gouge my eyeballs out. [more inside]
posted on Mar 9, 2008 - 76 answers

This week, a friend/mentor died after an extended battle with cancer. I felt saddened by his death, but also extremely guilty - I had not visited him in more than six months. I know, some friend. But his death has made me reexamine myself and my relationships with friends and family. [more inside]
posted on Mar 8, 2008 - 12 answers

What is the right dating etiquette after a good first date? [more inside]
posted on Mar 5, 2008 - 18 answers

What are the social norms and/or taboos regarding a single 44 year old women approaching men who are slightly more than half her age? [more inside]
posted on Mar 4, 2008 - 13 answers

I have very few close friends. Most of them I have known for a few years (on the internet) but have never even met. I've never known how to have a superficial friend. I don't keep old friends. Has there been any research on how many close friends people usually have and keep during their lifetimes? [more inside]
posted on Mar 3, 2008 - 2 answers

How do you become intimate with someone? Help me figure out on-going trouble with my girlfriend. [more inside]
posted on Mar 2, 2008 - 45 answers

help me with my psycho ex girlfriend [more inside]
posted on Mar 1, 2008 - 22 answers

How do you know when it's time to "settle down"? [more inside]
posted on Feb 29, 2008 - 18 answers