We’re all human and we all have conflict.  Some say the character of a man is judged based on how he handles conflict.  Conflict could be with a husband, wife, co-worker, girlfriend, boyfriend, manager, subordinates, pet, neighbor or parent.  Yes, your parents.  In the last couple months, I have seen several stories or articles about grand kids beating or killing grandparents.  Kids abusing or stealing from parents.  All types of outlandish ish.  And in those cases you would clearly say the younger is in the wrong and should be punished.

Well vice versa, what if the parent was in the wrong.  Would it be “OK” to put parents in their place.  I mean after the age of 21 (or 18), you are an adult and society treats you and your parents as equal adults.  So one would wonder if it was ok to put their parent in their place or respond to them accordingly.  In many cultures and religions, it is not only disrespectful and dishonorable, but deemed as the worst thing you can do as a human – which is disrespect your parents.  In many cases, even the Bible preaches of honor of parents beyond all else.

But can you muster up the energy to do it.  Are you ADULT enough to put your parents in their place if need be.  Or would you merely roll with the punches because that is mom and dad.

Mr. Marcus_SM recently posted an interesting link to a story, All the Single Ladies, about an author who had a great relationship, but dismissed her boyfriend at age 28 just because.  Long story short – he, according to her, was Mr. Right.  She described him as smart, good  looking, loyal, and kind.  However, she chose to part ways because “something was missing”, and she “wasn’t ready to settle down”.

She then fast forwards 10 years and finds herself with too many ex-boyfriends to count, and also comes to the realization that she will either need to buckle down for the single life ride, or settle for a man that is “good enough”.  Interestingly enough, I heard a radio discussion around this last week.  Women felt as if the single “good men” were few and far in between.  This led them to focus on single lives and independent lifestyles, or some said that’s why they settled for the guy who sits on your couch while you leave for work, or the guy who you have to drive to x, y, and z or even buy his beer.  Some even said as long as he pleases them at home, they are content with that.

This leads us right into today’s poll.  Ladies, don’t be shy.

I’m sure today’s title made you scratch your head.  I was inspired on today’s post from a friend of mine.  This friend is in or has been in a relationship and always finds himself in the thick of things.  He’s that guy that although in a relationship, he finds himself taking advantage of other easily accessible women.  Whenever I question him about it, he states that the opposite sex means trouble.

I asked him to explain.  He went on to say that women prey on “good guys” that have a woman.  He said that’s not his fault and he’s only being a man.  He also suggested to me that if I want to be in a happy relationship that I should steer clear of the opposite sex.  I suggested just being a man.  He said that’s what had him in the situations he was in so far.  I was so engulfed in laughter that told him I had to pass this to the surveymagnet group.  So here you go…

One of the most public marriages and divorce precedings that we have ever seen played out for us in the last few months.  Yes, the Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries show.  For simplicity, I’ll call it KKK gate.

Kim and Kris had a 11-month relationship hiatus that began in fun and led up to the current possible divorce.  Oh yeah, there was a $2 million dollar ring in the middle and a $10 million dollar wedding at the end.  Many couples deal with the woes of break-up daily.  Reasons vary, but results are the same.  Below are a few reasons people seem to dismiss their partner:

• Desire to be independent
• Getting attracted to another person
• Cheater
• Less attracted sexually
• Lack of body maintenance (got fat or skinny)
• Incurable disease
• Physical or mental abuse

I personally believe it is normally a combination of the above leading to break-up.  But at what point do you call it quits.  Kim dismissed Kris in 72 days.  Vows say for better and for worse, yet some of you continue to tell your spouses to get the hell on.

As a youth, I’ve sought to get approval or advice on most “important” things from my parents.  Whether buying my first car or selecting my first home for purchase.  But today, I would like to poll the masses on something a little closer to home – marriage.

Marriage is the unity of a man and woman into holy matrimony.  However, many believe that the parents should consent and approve this bonding.  I know you’re thinking like me, that if two people love and want one another, then how does it concern others?  Well, here are few reasons for the consent:

• Marriage brings two families together.  At the end of the day, you’re joining to families, not just two people.
• This maintains the family bond.  Traditionally, the mothers, fathers, and others would develop a friendship or bond.
• Children may come of this.  If kids are born one day, it’s easier to share the love with both families if there was an approval.

Many cultures take this a mite bit more serious than my own.  Many of Asian or Middle Eastern decent swear by parental approval.  That’s if the parents did not arrange the marriage to begin with.  And if the child were to not go along with it, then they are expunged from the family and never spoken to again.  A tad harsh I think…but what do you think?

Today’s post is fairly simple.

You have your own place.  A happy place just for you.

You have a boyfriend/girlfriend/man friend/ lady friend/boy toy/booty call/mandingo warrior and they frequent your abode.

Due to the frequency of their visits, discussion arise around the convenience of providing a key.

And the moment of truth: to give a key, or not to give a key – that is the question.

Aside from the obvious convenience factor, it’s good to give spare keys out just in case of emergencies and such.  But on the flip side, do you trust people like that.  How much piece of mind will you have knowing that someone could march right into your haven at anytime of their choosing.  I’ve given out keys before but on a temporary basis.  I don’t think I’d have a problem providing a key because if I trusted you to give you a key then you were obviously trustworthy and responsible enough to have it.

Enlighten me to your experiences.Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

I’ve talked to several women that are all gung-ho about getting married and will do just about anything to get there.  So I posed a question to them – “Why not ask him to marry you?”  I was immediately hit with evil stares and snarls and neck snapping.  I mean I’m saying….  If you REALLY want to marry this man, why not just ask him.

Responses varied from “That’s a man’s responsibility”, to “What do I look like”, to “He has to buy the ring”.  All seemingly arrogant responses for people who’s focus is to be wed.  As a man, I’m on the fence on whether I’d care to be proposed too.  On one side, my thought would be that women are more likely to be marriage-ready than men (aka me), and I tend to be more traditional in which the man would propose.  But there is something appealing about a woman willing to go after her man.

Women – are you woman enough to go after your future husband?

Men – are you ready for your lady to go down on bended knee?

Everybody is looking for love.  I can honestly say that I’ve always been a very patient man in my relationships, but there are certain things that always ruffle the feathers.  I mean even as nice of a man as I am, I can’t stand for everything.

• Cheating….IS NOT ALLOWED!
• Nasty (enough said)
• Spending unnecessary money
• Lies

I believe those to be modest request from someone who so-called cares about me.  If you’re with me, why are you cheating?  If you’re nasty, why would you want to bring that onto some other poor soul.  Stay at home by yourself with your nastiness.  Any mate that burns through money like its a heat source is bound to hurt the team.  If you’re not part of the team, you’re part of the opponent.  That’s how I see it.  And don’t lie.  Lies are the foundation for corruption, deceit, and evil (Sounds like a ponzi scheme, I know).

However, those are my enigmas.  What are yours?

Love comes in many sizes, shapes, and color.  And oh, one more – ages.  Love can beseech us at any age and open our eyes to visions that we previously would not see.  Young men have been know to date women that would have graduated with their mom, and dad’s have been known to take likings to his daughter’s friends (after age 21 of course).

On the down side, family and friends generally frown upon such gaped dating, but on the positive side, the gap provides just enough distance to force you to learn to be closer.  There’s more to discuss, different points of view, someone “should” be financially stable, and someone brings the sexual POW! to the relationship.  I’m not saying….I’m just saying.

Enough of the verbiage, let’s hear the voices…

We all have our pet peeves.  You know – something that gets under our skin and triggers displeasure quicker than most other things.  Unfortunately, sometimes our spouses/partners/BFFs are the providers of these unfortunates.

Just think back to college…

• Did your roommate ever eat your snacks that you bought?
• Maybe your roommate forgot to flush?
• Maybe your roommate’s friend sat on your bed and waste red kool-aid?

But those days are behind you.  You’re grown now and you live with that special someone.  Maybe even sharing the rest of your life together.  Guys, you will unfortunately have to put up with her because she’s “special” to you.  Ladies, sometimes ya’ll know ya’ll are just wrong.  All ladies have cut one in the bed while ya’ll were snuggling together.  Some take it step further and light up the bathroom to where it becomes a war zone for about 35/45 minutes (John Witherspoon voice).  Some just don’t have cleaning in their repertoire.  But the guys love em and put up with em anyway.

Ladies, we’re going to help you out.  Here’s the poll to tell you what guys absolutely will not tolerate.