Straight Talk from a Straight Guy's Perspective

Love means never having to say you canceled your personal ad

Yo Glenn,

The other day my girlfriend, whom I met online, and I were buying curtains for the apartment into which we were about to move. I mentioned in passing that I still hadn't canceled my Internet personal ad. She became terribly upset. Now, she doesn't want to have anything to do with me. I think I'm quite a catch. After all, how many guys would go curtain shopping with their girlfriends? Do you think she overreacted?

Curious Ken in Kansas

Dear Curious,

Here's the bigger question: At what point in a relationship is it time to cancel your personal ad? A basic rule that has always worked for me is to cancel the ad when you start shopping for small appliances. This is where a relationship can get sticky because, unlike curtains, now you're talking about warranties and rebates. As for your ex-girlfriend, her assumption that you had canceled your ad may have been justified. The question she has to ask: Will she be able to find someone else who wants to shop for curtains?

Glenn Buckout has been an assistant relationship coach for ten years under the tutelage of legendary relationship head coach Bernard "Chaw" LeTossey.