Dave, I agree with Shelley that we don't generally treat our lovely men like idiots because they aren't idiots.
I just finished a great book by Terrence Real - The New Rules of Marriage (or something close to that). This guy really knows something on a level I haven't really seen elsewhere.
In our 21st century relationships we have to go beyond what we used to do. In a lot of cases I think women used to (and many I'm sure still do) "manage" their men. Using all manner of indirect means, some positive, many negative to get things done. Backseat driving, nagging, "hinting", etc.
It's refreshing to try again with a new relationship to get things more balanced. To just continuously approach the other person with tenderness and respect.
I think it's funny though that Shelley's SO knows her well enough to know that she'd be sweating that pick-up!
