Check Out Other Guys, Don't Text, Love Your Ex--NEW Love Rules That Work!

It’s anyone’s guess where they originally came from, but there are some universally accepted relationship mandates that we all think we should abide by. A few of these couple commandments are actually valid (as in: your best friend’s boyfriend is off-limits); others are totally bogus and your relationship will be better off if you break them.

“Instead of blindly adhering to a pre-fab and possibly outdated standard, it’s smart to consider how couples really function in today’s world and act accordingly,” says Los Angeles psychotherapist Lynn Ianni, PhD. The trick is figuring out which love laws help bolster your connection…and which ones should be banned. Not quite sure? Don’t worry. Cosmo has compiled five dating doctrines that you need to ditch this instant!

Rule 1: You can’t check out anyone else.

Why you should break it: You’re in a relationship; you’re not dead. So when you’re walking down the street and a delicious hunk of man-meat catches your eye, go ahead and give yourself permission to do a double take. Noticing the scenery isn’t a sign that your guy doesn’t do it for you anymore. “It’s human nature to be attracted to other people,” explains Ianni.

That’s not to say that it’s cool to blatantly ogle every XY chromosome owner that crosses your path, even when your boyfriend isn’t by your side. “It’s important to respect your significant other, so you don’t want to be too obvious or make a habit of looking,” says Marcella Bakur Weiner, PhD, coauthor of The Love Compatibility Test. Obviously, there’s a difference between staring slack-jawed and simply appreciating a nice view.

On the flip side, however, you have to understand that your guy isn’t blind either. If you see that he notices some chick, as long as he’s not outright drooling over her, don’t make a big deal out of it. You can even score points with him by joining in and saying something like “Oh, she’s cute,” advises professional counselor Roger Rhoades of Carolina Counseling in Greenville, South Carolina. “Acknowledging that another woman is attractive makes you seem confident, which only adds to your own appeal.”

Or do what Stella, 29, does with her guy. “My boyfriend and I like to play this game we call Hot or Not, where we people-watch and rate all the passersby,” she says. “It’s a fun way for both of us to ogle hotties without pissing the other person off. Plus, it gives us interesting insight into each other’s taste.”

Tags: dating,relationship,boyfriend,girlfriend,relationship rules,love laws

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15 Comments

• 
  lalabong
  15. if we can't control the situation we can control ourselves naman diba.
  March 22, 2010 at 11:07 am report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  14. some guys, ok lang sa kanila sa iba naman hindi pwede, iba iba ang ugali ng boys.
  March 22, 2010 at 11:06 am report abuse
• 
  mary_ann_lei
  13. I just accepted my ex's facebook request aba nagalit na si boyfriend ko!
  March 12, 2010 at 05:13 pm report abuse
• 
  lalabong
  12. I always know the rules and I break some!
  March 06, 2010 at 11:48 pm report abuse
• 
  len9
  11. i put these tips to good use. :D
  February 06, 2010 at 07:45 pm report abuse
• 
  loveme.hateme
  10. rule # 3 is perfect. haha. soo true. now I know whats the importance of sex. It really last the relationship.
  February 06, 2010 at 05:53 am report abuse
• 
  shirleylim26
  9. Put some spice in your relationship by Rule 3: Sex always has to be spontaneous. Correct! Maintain an exciting sex life.
  February 02, 2010 at 11:40 pm report abuse
• 
  fishbowl84
  8. kinda hard to admit it but it's true :)
  February 02, 2010 at 09:56 pm report abuse
• 
  summerinparis128
  7. very well explained.i totally agree especially Rule 3: Sex always has to be spontaneous,haha
  January 31, 2010 at 09:31 pm report abuse
• 
  handpaintedsky
  6. i second the motion.. :)
  January 30, 2010 at 10:06 am report abuse
• 
  reeya
  5. i agree...
  January 28, 2010 at 09:53 pm report abuse
• 
  fishbowl84
  4. we should break the rules because we only get to live once and lifes too short to follow them :)
  January 28, 2010 at 10:37 am report abuse
• 
  prettylass8831
  3. One thing I've learned from this article is to always speak my mind.
  January 26, 2010 at 10:24 am report abuse
• 
  len9
  2. nice love rules :)
  January 23, 2010 at 11:27 am report abuse
• 
  miss_techylicious
  1. nice article... i love breaking rules. =) thanks for the tips! =)
  January 22, 2010 at 11:16 pm report abuse

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