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Greetings from the LivePerson Team! Didn't get what you wanted this Valentine's Day? Check out our article on the best romantic gifts - and show it to your loved one to give them a clue!
And, if you're still in search of some romantic advice, take a look at our fabulous “Questions for Couples” feature.
Then, read our Expert Q&A and see what our advisors recommend for improving your relationships.
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Written by Expert Azzrian Visions
The most popular romantic gifts are not always the best ones! Flowers jewelry are wonderful to give and receive but thinking outside the box can get you much more of a wow factor! Here are some ideas that are not gender specific and will really wow your love!
- Slave for a Day - Do everything for your love. Do not allow them to lift a finger! Draw them a nice warm bubble bath, get them their favorite snacks, have the television tuned or their favorite station or rent their favorite movies! Put a pillow under their feet as they put them up on the coffee table and just be right there for any small thing they may want need or desire!
- Shower the home with rose petals - trust me the men like this too because they know WHY there are petals all over the bed! Drop petals leading from the front door all the way through the home leading right to the bedroom! Once they get to the bedroom have your favorite music playing, the lights down low, candles, and the best sheets and blankets on the bed! Pay attention to details and have anything your love may need right there including their favorite drink!
- Make a mixed CD - yes it is 80's and a bit cliché but its fun and your loved one will enjoy hearing what songs you have selected for them! Include with it a list of every song and why you picked that song for this CD! Have fun it need not all be sappy and romantic! Some funny songs are enjoyable too if there is a reason for them! Tell them what makes that song make you think of them!
- A photo album! Start with a photo of each of you as a child and then some of when you first began to date, up to the moment you are in now. Have the camera ready and snap a shot of that very moment so you can add it to the album!
- A love note or poem. An obvious choice and maybe you cannot write at all but that's okay! Its part of the gift when your lover knows you were nervous to do something like this but did it anyway just for them!
- Join them in a hobby they like. Ladies if you hate sports but know your man loves them then show them you want to be a part of their fun and take them to an event! Men if you hate the opera and your mate knows it there is no better way to woo them. Anything that shows you are willing to do something they love just for them is key!
- Do something they KNOW you had to work at! If you have no rhythm but they would love to dance with you then take a few lessons and go out dancing. If you cannot cook learn to make just ONE dish and cook for them. Do something they never thought you would want to do and show them you did this just for them!
- Wash their car inside and out! Put special air fresheners in it, reorganize their glove box, and put in some special snacks, a new CD and any little touches you can think of!
- Make a gift box. Their favorite snacks, magazines, sudoku or crossword books, be that candles, lip balms, hand creams, body lotions, energy drinks, anything you know they love - this will show them you pay attention!
- The Gift of YOU! Wrap a huge bow around yourself and wear their favorite outfit or nothing at all when you meet them at the door at the end of the day! It is so simple but its romantic and fun! They may laugh but laughter keeps love alive!
Love is grand. And being part of a couple is one of the best feelings in the world, hands down. But not all couples enjoy equal happiness. So, how do you
ensure long-term harmony with your sweetie? It turns out it starts with getting some answers. Check out these important questions you and your loved one
should settle between you. (Hint: before you get started, pick a mutually agreeable time and set up a soothing environment in which to have this discussion.)
Then take a deep breath and dive in!
- What Are Our Goals?
Eek, that's a biggie. But there's no more important question in a relationship. If one of you wants to retire to an alpaca farm and knit sweaters, and the
other envisions traveling to Timbuktu, you might have a problem. It's important to know what each of you desires for yourself before you can determine if you
have a future as a team.
- Can We Compromise?
So, it turns out you do want the alpaca farm, and he does want to hare off to parts unknown. What now? Good news: It may not be as important to know your
ideal lifestyle as to establish to what degree you're willing to bend. Perhaps you'll wind up farming furry animals in Timbuktu; perhaps the compromise will
see you both settled somewhere else neither of you at first imagined. The important thing is to establish what's flexible, and what is simply not
optional.
- Are Kids in the Mix?
One of the biggest mistakes couples make is not coming right out and confessing how they really feel about having children. Later on, this can cause a great
deal of heartache and disappointment. Just as importantly, you need to know your partner's conception of parenthood. Do you envision one person being the
primary caretaker? Does he do diapers? Daycare or home school? Remember, both of you have to be certain you can live with the other's position. And, if
you're not sure you know how you feel yet…talk it through. Admitting mixed feelings and discussing your hopes and fears can only bring you closer.
- What Are Our Core Values?
Every couple should have a united front. That comes from knowing what's important to you. This isn't quite the same as goals - rather, it's about what you
believe in and what you stand for. It's especially important when children are part of the equation, but even couples without kids should have a sense of
what matters most to you both as a team. It could be doing service, furthering your education, spirituality, or saving the planet. Whatever you care most
passionately about, if your partner backs you up, you're more likely to feel solidarity and experience long-term success in your relationship. If your
partner and you don't value the same things, you'll run into trouble.
- Are Our Religious Beliefs Compatible?
Menorahs or Christmas trees this December? Or both? Or neither? Will you raise the kids with one tradition, or are you open to including a bit more
diversity? How important or unimportant is worshipping on a regular basis? Is marrying outside your own faith a deal-breaker? Talking these issues through
either on your own - or with a spiritual advisor - can really clarify where you're at, and where you're going. Not discussing it, on the other hand, can lead
to major strife down the road.
- What's Our Financial Philosophy?
Money causes more couples to split up than any other single issue. It's a real make-or-break kind of thing. Spelling out your bottom line for your
significant other is key. You need to establish your patterns early on - how much do you feel comfortable spending month-to-month; what are your retirement
plans; how much or how little of a financial cushion do you require to feel secure? Who takes care of the taxes? Who'll be the primary breadwinner? Pool the
money or keep things separate? You'll need to set some ground rules, or these issues will come back to bite you when you're least ready to handle them.
And last, but not least…
- How Important Is Sex?
It may make for an awkward conversation, but hey, what's worse? Squirming through one embarrassing discussion or getting steamed night after night when your
lover won't put out? And while you're at it, don't just discuss how much you expect to have it, but what kind of sex turns you on. If your basic needs aren't
compatible, or there are lines you don't feel comfy crossing… better to know that before he breaks out the cowboy outfit and the body paint.
Need more relationship help? Chat with one of our experts and get great advice!
Q1: I started a relationship with a guy where I worked 3 years ago but it ended at Christmas. I still am in love with him and know he is still in love with me but we just can't be together for reasons I'd rather not say. My question is, how do I get over him when I see him everyday? It is really getting me down and I don't enjoy coming into work as much. I realise it is my own fault; I shouldn't have got involved with someone I work with.
A1: It sounds as if you may not be ready to get over him yet if you are still in love and know he is still in love with you! Though if you know you can't be together, then it is time to acknowledge your feelings and know they can not be acted on and it's time to really evaluate if those feelings are serving their true purpose! I feel you're ready to have the relationship you deserve! --by Expert Ask Aine
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Q2: I've been married for 23 years and for the past three years I've been very unhappy with our marriage. I don't think I can handle much more of my
husband. There is a guy I like very much and he seems to like me, but he's in a different state (FL). I would really like to know him. Is that a good idea?
A2: I know it must be so tempting to see what this new guy has to offer but you really owe it to yourself and your husband to deal with your marriage
before acting on this. If you feel that you have done all that you can and you really want to part ways, you will need to speak to your husband and act on
this in the best way--before taking up with anyone else, which you will not be free or ready for. --by Expert Mysticenchantess
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Q3: I feel trapped in a very confusing yet painful situation. I had a boyfriend before who broke up with me and because of desperation, I searched for a guy
who has higher standards than my ex. Eventually, I met that kind of guy, better than my ex. He is now my boyfriend and we're now 10 months in a relationship.
The problem is, I realized that this is not the kind of guy I want to be with. I don't like his attitude, the way he treats me. He is sometimes nice though,
but I feel that I want to escape from this kind of relationship and be with a man who will truly love me, take care of me and someone I can love in return
too. Please help me, will I stick to this toxic relationship or find the best man for me?
A3: If going into a relationship feels like this,what makes you think it is going to get better? You called it toxic and thats about right....time to move on
and find someone who does treat you with respect,honesty and love. And stop comparing types of guys too...thats not helping anything and usually folks wont
live up to expectations anyway. Blessed be! --by Expert Robin Bluedragon
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