Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

@Jenaisle (14078)
Philippines
June 26, 2023 8:23pm CST
Have you read the book “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” by John Gray? The book focuses on the differences in how men and women think which could lead to misunderstandings. My personal experience has taught me that it’s better to be straightforward when communicating with my hubby to avoid these misunderstandings. However, there are times when my pride rears its ugly head and I say something else instead. For example, when I was younger and my hubby came late for a date and apologized, I typically said, “It’s okay,” when all I wanted was to berate him for not prioritizing me. My pride refused to acknowledge this though as I didn’t want him to think that I was solely dependent on him. What I really wanted him to do was to placate me and woo me until my mood lightened up. I know I acted like a child and a spoiled brat but this happened sometimes. Now that we’re older and the smoke in my eyes has settled down, I express what I want without any frills. He got to learn more about my personal quirks during the long years we have been together, hence, sometimes words were unnecessary. What about you? What do you think are the causes of misunderstandings between men and women, or husbands and wives? How could they be resolved? Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.
17 people like this
15 responses
@AmbiePam (93740)
• United States
27 Jun 23
I have not read the book myself. I’m not married, so all I can go by is what I saw with my parents. I think the longer they were married, the more they thought about what the other wanted and needed before they did anything. When you’re constantly considering the other person’s feelings, there seems to be more understanding and compromise. Don’t get me wrong; this didn’t happen over a couple of years. Like the example you gave, it just took time.
3 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
Your comment is on point. It does not happen overnight. When couples truly love each other they would find ways to understand their beloved. It took years for us too, to be able to read those non-verbal cues. But when both couples make the effort, it would be a worthwhile endeavor that makes the bond stronger.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (93740)
• United States
27 Jun 23
@Jenaisle Absolutely. I think it also helps to have God in your marriage too, which I know you understand.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
@AmbiePam Yes, you're right. Hubby is not pious, but he does believe in God.
2 people like this
@aninditasen (16505)
• Raurkela, India
27 Jun 23
In Indian astrology it's said if the position of venus is weak in a person's astrological chart there's sure to be marital discord in his or her life. For me the main cause of misunderstanding is when a husband or a wife tries to run the other's life without caring for his or her wishes or feelings. This happens mostly in India where we still have arranged marriage.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
May I ask if women in India are still deemed to follow their husband's wishes? I mean, even up to now, there are still arranged marriages?
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
@aninditasen Are the women today abusing the men?
2 people like this
@aninditasen (16505)
• Raurkela, India
27 Jun 23
@Jenaisle That's what is expected from the husband's family but then men today are much adjusting than the ones we had in our days but then some Indian women nowadays are turning out to be wicked.
2 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Jun 23
In dating days, we don't want to rock the boat. We will keep our feelings inside so they will accept us. However, when the ring is on the finger, then our true nature comes to the forefront. Those feelings will either make or break a marriage. If love is the true motivator in your marriage, you will work through those times and your marriage will become stronger.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
Touché! You've hit the nail right in the head. I couldn't have said it better myself. That is absolutely true! Thank you for this enlightening comment.
2 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 Jun 23
@Jenaisle You're welcome.
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
27 Jun 23
I think we should start at the beginning expressing our true feelings rather than swallowing it to avoid disagreements. Get it out in the open and talk about it.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
I realized that as I grew older. I hope our younger couples would read this.
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
28 Jun 23
@Jenaisle I think that would solve a lot of problems.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
27 Jun 23
Is that you in the picture? My problem is I don't say anything until it all builds up; and then I explode.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
28 Jun 23
That's my DIL. I think we're the same in that case. I tolerate things as much as I can.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
28 Jun 23
@LindaOHio Thank you. I don't like confrontations too, so I avoid it as much as possible. Have a wonderful day, Linda.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
28 Jun 23
@Jenaisle That's a lovely picture. I bite my tongue to avoid any confrontation.
2 people like this
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
we are all wired differently and tend to think in different ways. i'm glad that you and your husband have better communication now.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
@almostoveryou No, that's my DIL.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
Yes, we do. It would have been hell, if we haven't learn from our mistakes.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
@Jenaisle is that you in the picture? :o)
2 people like this
@allknowing (137553)
• India
27 Jun 23
I have not read the book but heard about it. It is those differences and the ability to handle them makes for a successful marriage. If there were no differences it would be pretty boring
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
I think so too.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471992)
• Switzerland
27 Jun 23
I have not read the book. Men and women are different. Men have other "priorities", we cannot be the same, we must learn to accept the differences if we want a peaceful life.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
Wisely said. You're right.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50591)
• United States
27 Jun 23
I think there are problems when there is not enough communication. How long have you been married ?
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
. Almost 50 years. Yes, communication is the key.
1 person likes this
@rakski (125769)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
anything can be resolved if people talk about it. right?
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
Right, communication and candidness are needed,
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20046)
• United States
27 Jun 23
I haven't read that book. But I think mostly the misunderstandings come from that women were treated badly for so long.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
28 Jun 23
I guess that could be one of the reasons.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341752)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Jul 23
I've read this book and have written a couple of funny stories here relating to it and its advice. I don't think I'm allowed to put a link but you could search 'tagged discussions' for 'Freddo Frog' and they'd come up.
@db20747 (43440)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
27 Jun 23
You handled this well. Silence is not always the answer. When the other knows what you are thinking. That is better communication..
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
28 Jun 23
Yes, I knew that but I only applied at after some time.
2 people like this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
27 Jun 23
I have 4 brothers and what I understand from my observances of them and from my own experience with men is that men have two heads. I'll never understand them completely. I never married btw.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
27 Jun 23
Yes, I know what you mean. it's like they are from another planet, just like what the book implies. I had brothers too who were too difficult to understand. Even my hubby is sometimes tough to understand at first.
2 people like this
@innertalks (22070)
• Australia
28 Jun 23
Books such as that one do claim that there are major differences between women and men, and how they use their brains. I do not see the difference as being that important, if we look at the spiritual person behind the brain. A soul is a spark of God, and would not carry these differences, I would suspect. Especially would this be true, if we believe in reincarnation, where most souls would have had the opportunity to be both male, and female. Is there any difference between a man, and a woman? Of course, there is physically. But, the love that they can both live from is the same love, but are their minds different? Love is always love, and a heart leading you from love is what is important. Your mind is your heart's tool, and is given to you, different from every other mind, and it has a way of working, and gifts attached to it, that you can use in conjunction with your heart for best livingness for you in your life. And so, every mind is different from every other mind, and the physical body difference is just another facet of this difference in any particular instance of that difference. I do not like making generalisations about men, and women then, as each case, to me must be examined on its own merits.