
As far as sharing
relationship histories with each other, I tend to believe that some things are better left unsaid. But just because you're not saying it, doesn't mean you're not thinking it. Considering your past relationships in contrast to your current situation can actually help to illuminate the good things you have now or the ways you've changed.

Dear Sugar,
I have been in a relationship for about seven years, and we've lived together for nearly four. I have been trying to talk to my partner about getting married, but he just doesn't want to go that route. We each have our own children from previous relationships, as well as two that are ours together.

Dear Sugar,
My boyfriend is about to own a bar, but we have different views about what that entails. He thinks it's just a place to hang out and de-stress, and he is spending a lot of time trying to plan events. I think owning a bar is providing people with alcohol and taking their money without giving them something good in return.

I value my friends' opinions very much, and I
often turn to them when I’m feeling down. But no matter how much I respect them as individuals, I have always tried to avoid the habit of comparing my love life to theirs. Not only do I not want admiration to lead to jealousy, but I also don’t want to find myself feeling smug about an issue they're dealing with.

I’m sure we’ve all heard that opposites attract adage. It's true that I’ve seen my share of people come together who seem like polar opposites, but for the most part, people seem to be attracted to people they can talk to about similar interests and experiences. I may not find this particular dating rule of thumb true, but do you?

Dear Sugar,
I am currently dating a guy who lives a couple of states away from me. I've known him about nine months, and I really like him. He is sweet and very mature, but for the past two months he's been calling me completely drunk, and acting very hurtful on the phone.

There’s nothing like comparing yourself to someone else to completely illuminate your insecurities. Whether you’re knocking their choice of boots or feeling particularly envious of them —
most of us admit to the up-down glance — by sizing them up against yourself, you’re only serving to further your own worries and self-doubt. So check out my tips on how to free yourself from this possibly detrimental habit and .

Through the course of our lives, it’s amazing how many times our relationships with our dads will change. And somewhere along the way they can become anywhere from the person we trust most to the person we get along with least. It’s a rough road — what relationship doesn't come with its challenges?

Ever since I abandoned the
tomboy ways of my youth, I’ve always been the type of woman to be surrounded by more female friends than male. However, in recent years I’ve noticed that making new girlfriends seems close to impossible, while my circle of guy friends has continued to expand. Though my closest friends will always be women, I find it considerably easier to make male acquaintances.

Your roommate has been gushing about the new guy she’s been dating for a couple of weeks. She hasn’t said much about him except that she’s smitten so you’re really excited to meet him when she brings him to a group get-together. The moment they get there, and you see him for the first time, you’re absolutely shocked since it turns out that you already know him.