People ask me all the time how to have a great relationship, how to date successfully, or meet someone and start a healthy dating pattern. I usually ask them the same two questions: What do you want, and what are you willing to do about it? Then I direct them to my Relationship Aptitude Test, or RAT, which helps you smell a rat—or find out if you are one. It’s multiple choice. Take your time.
Question 1: When is it okay to date someone who is already in a relationship?
- Human beings are not monogamous creatures
- As long as they don’t really want to be with that person
- I’d rather wait until they are available
Question 2: How long should you wait before you get sexually intimate with someone?
- It depends on how well I know the person
- If it feels good, do it
- Two or three dates, unless it’s love at first sight
Question 3: Does it matter how someone’s relationships have ended in the past?
- Some people just bring out the worst in each other
- That was then and this is now
- I am attracted to people who keep their side of the street clean
Question 4: Does God matter in a relationship?
- Not believing in God doesn’t make you a bad person
- I think it’s key to a relationship to be spiritually compatible
- To each his own
Question 5: When you should bring up marriage or commitment?
- Be upfront about what you want; you both deserve that
- You should just go with the flow
- Not until you’re sure it won’t scare them away
Question 6: At what point do you talk about kids or birth control?
- Love me, love my kids; and know that whatever I do, I am responsible for
- If you have ‘em, wait to bring them up; if you don’t, wait until they mention it
- Have a condom and don’t say anything you’ll regret later
Question 7: When and how do you talk about STDs?
- I would assume someone would tell me if they were sick or had some disease
- ASAP and gracefully
- You can tell when people are clean and healthy—and always bring a condom
Question 8: Does it matter if someone you are with has been incarcerated?
- Everyone deserves a second chance
- As long as it wasn’t murder
- Depends on what for
Question 9: Does everyone need a purpose in life?
- I just want them to be happy
- Absolutely—or in sincere pursuit
- As long as it isn’t me
Question 10: Do you believe in Happily Ever After?
- I don’t need to anymore
- I believe in the pre-nuptial agreements
- Sure, who doesn’t want that?
Tally up your points with the key below and mail your score to info@maryannelive.com, and we’ll send you the results. Find out if you need an X-termination, need to lay off the cheese, or if you are a cheese connoisseur!
Key:
Q 1: 1) 2 points, 2) 1 point, 3) 3 points
Q 2: 1). 3 points, 2) 2 points, 3) 1 point
Q 3: 1) 1 point, 2) 2 points, 3) 3 points
Q 4: 1) 1 point, 2) 3 points, 3) 2 points
Q 5: 1) 3 points, 2) 2 points, 3) 1 point
Q 6: 1) 3 points, 2) 1 point, 3) 2 points
Q 7: 1) 1 point, 2) 3 points, 3) 2 points
Q 8: 1) 1 point, 2) 2 points, 3) 3 points
Q 9: 1) 1 point, 2) 3 points, 3) 2 points
Q 10: 1) 3 points, 2) 2 points, 1) 1 point
About the author:
Maryanne Comaroto is an internationally known relationship expert, talk show host and author. Her weekly live radio talk show reaches millions of listeners in the U.S. and around the world. Maryanneapostrophes philosophy is "Great relationships begin within!" http://www.maryannelive.com
She leads popular workshops and seminars for men and women http://www.corrcertification.com, and has had a private practice as a clinical hypnotherapist for more than 20 years. She is the author of the award-winning memoir Skinny, Tan and Rich: Unveiling the Myth. Her latest book, Hindsight: What You Need to Know Before You Drop Your Drawers, outlines the 14 critical questions to ask before you get intimate in a relationship and gives the reader six tools for their Relationship Toolbelt.
Maryanne is also the founder of a leading non-profit, The National Action Organization, a 501(c)3 organization committed to changing the way our culture values women.