Mars and Venus On a Date :

When Michael Didn’t Call

In the beginning, Michael didn’t call Terressa on a regular
basis. She was understanding because they were not yet exclus-
ive and Michael had a very demanding work schedule. After
about ten dates, she began to feel he should be calling her more.
When he did call, though, she was not that excited, and when
he didn’t call enough she would even get upset with him. After
a while, Michael said, he didn’t think much about calling her
and then the thought of her expecting him to call turned him
off.
After a while he said, “Look, if you want to talk to me then
you call me.” For a while, Terressa called him, but she was
disappointed that he was distant and distracted, and didn’t
seem interested. After taking the Mars/Venus workshop, Mi-
chael realized that by calling or even surprising her with a little
card, he could let Terressa know she was important to him and
that he was thinking of her. Even if he didn’t have much time
or much to say, he could call and say hi and ask about her day.
Terressa learned to be appreciative that he was thinking of
her and to be responsive to his call. She learned to appreciate
the ways he was showing his caring and he started calling her
more, not because he had to but because he wanted to.

When Darrel Opened the Car Door

In the beginning, when Darrel took Linda on a date, she
smiled and was really delighted when he opened the car door
for her. After about six dates, she began to expect it and
stopped smiling. She responded as if it was his job. He was
the man and he should just do it. After a while, he would
sometimes forget to open the door for her.
Although it is important for a man to show his affection

STAGE THREE: EXCLUSIVITY / 85