Dating and relationships are touchy issues. Everyone has advice for the single person. Some is good. . . .

Men and women communicate differently. Men tend to say what they mean more directly than women. Women tend to put the message into code, which men do not understand.

A couple of years ago I read the book He's Just Not That Into You, co-authored by Greg Behrendt. It seems he was on Oprah recently, helping women in the studio audience better understand and apply his principles.

One woman was still looking for closure when her fiance bailed out the day of the wedding. Greg said the guy gave hee closure.

If the guy wants to have a secret relationship, He's Just Not That Into You. Greg used his new car as an illustration. He loves that car and tells everyone about it. He was (and is) the same about his wife.

Should a girl keep going back to a guy who dumps her? Greg says NO. He's looking for someone better and is using you when he has nothing to do.

A man says he does not want to be married, but he lives with his girlfriend. When he needs to look good in a business situation, he calls he girl his wife. Greg tells her she needs to find someone who wants to marry if she wants to marry.

When a boyfriend has a never-ending list of things the girl needs to change before he will marry her, he is avoiding a close relationship. If a serious talk does not provoke change, she might as well get on with her life.

As I said, I read Greg's book. I agree with most of what he says. He and I have one major difference of opinion. I am convinced women sell themselves short if they have sex before marriage.

If you have questions about your dating relationship or if you want to avoid pitfalls, I recommend He's Just Not That Into You. You may not like what you read, because Greg is straightforward. Chances are the truth will hurt. But if you want to find a guy with whom you can build a good marriage, you need to believe what this man says about men.

And you don't need to spend money. Get the book from your local library. That's what I did.