Why Men Marry Bitches - Sherry Argov

From the manipulative mastermind behind Why Men Love Bitches comes this equally manipulative sequel, Why Men Marry Bitches. In the book's defense, the goal is noble: be a woman a man can respect. Their methods...not so much.

Let's say your boyfriend, who normally calls at 5:44 when he gets on the train after work, doesn't call you one day. Logical conclusion: he had to work late, his phone battery died, he ran into an old friend on the train, etc... The book's conclusion: he's losing interest! Sound the alarms! You need to take drastic action and NOW. Don't answer the phone or call him back next time he tries to call you. According to the book, "this keeps the relationship reciprocal and balanced." Really? I'm no expert but if you're feeling that insecure about his interest in you, your relationship has bigger problems.

Another gem from the book: feel free to invite him over for dinner, but just reheat the leftover chinese food from your date the night before. According to the book, this shows you don't feel the need to "overcompensate"and will earn a man's respect. Next time you invite a friend over for dinner why don't you try serving them your leftover takeout and see what they say. Your date might not say anything out of politeness, but your friend will. That's just gross.

And finally, if he brings up marriage, don't act like it's something you want, he's only testing you. Be sure to brush it off with a "no thanks, not on my radar." Again, really? Maybe it's the men I've been meeting lately, but they all have 5 year plans that involve getting married. They're not asking to see how desperate I am (as the book assumes), they're asking because they don't want to waste their time either.

Am I living in a fantasy land where people are actually honest about their feelings? Or is this book just assuming that all men are deceitful players who are only interested in trying to get us into bed, and it's up to us to outsmart them with our bitchy trickery that will make them want to marry us?

Not to be too harsh, there's some good advice in here too. But if it's an honest, equal partnership you're after, skip the games and stick to The Rules.