More Dumb Relationship Advice

K:

See, my biggest problem with the bad advice is that it is rarely given to truly solve anything. It reminds me of Chris Rock's statement "The money is in the medicine, not the cure". If any of this advice were functional or accurate then someone would be out of a job, huh? Some columnist would have to find something else to advise lazy, non-self reflecting folks on and frankly, advice on relationships is a total goldmine. So out spews tons of bad advice to men and women with no real regard for the outcomes. I noticed the new advice to women is that rich men like women with long hair. Are they really serious? Right now, I have to admit the most questionable advice of recent is Steve Harvey's book, Act like a Woman - Think like a Man.

Now I know there will be many a wrinkled brow at my opinion of this book as I find much of it to be hogwash. Yeah I really mean that, trust! I had to force myself to read that book and by chapter 3 I was ill. Not because I found out I was doing everything wrong with my current relationship, but because my questioning mind is always curious when anyone claims to have solved age old dilemna's. Let me tell you, the book is such a page turner because of Steve's cool guy style of advice. Like he's dispensing information so new flava I must have missed all these 30 some odd years. First, he declares that men are simple. Hmmm, well that I kinda figured that out the first time Dion pulled my pony tails in kindergarten because I declared him the daddy at playtime and fed him play-do. No new revelations exposed here!

Believe me, the only thing Steve has on me is age. I have been married almost as many times and was not left once. I always did the walking out. So the only other difference between me and Steve is gender and that fact that I don't think I've got all the answers. My main reason for experiencing a gag reflex at Steve's down home advice is ultimately he appears to put the responsibility and possible success of the relationship on women. Where is the male accountability? I mean couldn't Steve at least make his crackpot false manipulation of women seem more profound?!!

L:

LMBO...long hair?!? Here's my thing...not only do I find his advice insulting to a certain degree because I'm a woman and he does seem to put much of the burden at our doorstep, but also because I don't think men are as simple as he portrays. If I were a man being called simple by another dude, I think I'd almost be postal...that and the fact that he is providing all this sage advice based primarly on his failures...like we always say..."Don't ask a bum how to become a millionaire." It does also concern me that folks seem to hand out this advice like it is the cure and yet they have know idea how the receiver interprets or implements the advice. As an aspiring writer, I think it's great that Steve was able to develop a storyline, find a publisher willing to put it out in print and even managed to score a spot on Oprah, but other than that...I remain unphased, unimpressed and underwhelmed. I feel like he has basically found a way to capitalize on his failed relationships and exploit his less than stellar life choices.

What I really want to see are statements from his ex-wives or girlfriends to serve as a character witness for this guy. And you're right, the great thing about relationship advice is that there's never enough or too much because relationships are multi-dimensional and unique to the individuals involved. As varied and numerous as the many human combinations that make up couples, there are thrice that number in issues that they need solved...it's really like the song that never ends that we learn in preschool...it goes on and on my friend...the key to finding the right advice is the same as finding the right partner...know and love yourself first!!!