The Rules: Time-tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right by
Ellen Fein and
Sherrie Schneider The book is made up of 35 rules to follow for "
catching a husband."
- Be a "Creature Unlike Any Other"
- Don't talk to a man first (and don't ask him to dance)
- Don't stare at men or talk too much
- Don't meet him halfway or go dutch on a date
- Don't call him and rarely return his calls
- Always end phone calls first
- Don't accept a Saturday night date after Wednesday
- Fill up your time before the date
- How to act on dates 1, 2, and 3
- How to act on dates 4 through Commitment Time
- Always end the date first
- Stop dating him if he doesn't buy you a romantic gift for your birthday or valentine's day
- don't see him more than once or twice a week
- No more than casual kissing on the first date
- Don't rush into sex and other rules for intimacy
- Don't tell him what to do
- Let him take the lead
- Don't expect a man to change or try to change him
- Don't open up too fast
- Be honest, but mysterious
- Accentuate the positive and other rules for personal ads
- Don't live with a man (or leave your things in his apartment)
- Don't date a married man
- Slowly involve him in your family and other rules for women with children
- Practice, practice, practice! (or, getting good at the rules)
- Even if you're engaged or married, you still need the rules
- Do the rules, even when your friends and parents think it's nuts
- Be smart and other rules for dating in high school
- Take care of yourself and other rules for dating in college
- Next! and other rules for dealing with rejection
- Don't discuss the rules with your therapist
- Don't break the rules
- Do the rules and you'll live happily ever after!
- Love only those who love you
- Be easy to live with
This book
is terrifying. Why? Cause it threatens to change the reader's entire way of dealing with people--friends, lovers, everyone. Although most of these rules are ridiculous, there are a few that, I think, are good. I would say that Rule 18: "Don't expect a man to change or try to change him" is actually really good, as well as Rule 16: "Don't tell him what to do" and Rule 35: "Be easy to live with". Other than these rules, however, I would say there could be little gleanings of good hidden in others--but is it really worth looking? An interesting book if only because it forces you to admit how
superficial relationships can be. A quote that really sums up the kind of women who use this book:
"It's natural to want to fly off the handle every time something goes wrong in the love kingdom--we all have fantasies of marital bliss. But you must try to be serene and unselfish, or you won't be a happy princess."
enough said