Bigger isn’t always better. I think it might be related to the peculiar tendency we have to needlessly complicate our lives, which becomes self- and collectively destructive over time.

Big houses and big cars eat up fuel; thereby eating up savings and adding to the energy crisis and so on and so forth. Both sexes have become “greedy,” entitled, and set unrealistic expectations for themselves, each other and life.

You can have it all. By “all,” I mean that which you need to be truly happy from within, rather than dependent upon external factors that place demands and requirements on others and the accumulation of material possessions. If your happiness is contingent upon the actions of another and material goods, you will ever be disappointed.

Materialism is just another mass opiate that helps distract people from an inner bankruptcy. Society is complicit in the grossly inflated demands of women who expect their partners buy to expensive jewelry and the schlubby men who expect to be able to date super models with genius IQ’s. (by the way, I realize the last half of this statement is an oxymoron).

When did the nausea-inducing “I’m a Princess” phenomenon begin? This attitude epitomizes the problem of which you write. What hath the self-esteem movement wrought? A sub-culture who believes they’re entitled to the world and all its contents just because they’re “special” with no basis in meritorious deeds and contributions to society. Heaven deliver me from “self-esteemers.”

Let’s clear something up. Hey you, Her Serene Simperingness, Cindy Suburbia, the mid-30-something "events coordinator" (and you know who you are); you were not born a “princess.” You were born in Euclid, Ohio. Get over yourself.

The most famous princess in the world ended up Parisian roadkill. Even Princess Di wasn’t born a “true princess;” she married “up.” Enough with the “princess” nonsense already. I steer clear of women who refer to themselves as princesses and men who claim they want to “treat me like a princess.”

Why, you may ask? Because they’re not living in reality; that’s why. Women with a princess complex are generally selfish, self-centered, demanding, grasping, entitled creatures. Enough said. Men who want to treat you like a princess are placing you upon a pedestal that no mortal woman can sustain. The view from a pedestal can be wonderfully intoxicating (especially when you begin to believe the malarkey), but when you come crashing down (and you will), it hurts. It’s simple physics: What goes up, must come down.

Instead of being a "princess," we should strive for reciprocal relationships. Respect for respect; kindness for kindness; warmth for warmth; sacrifice for sacrifice; compromise for compromise.

Additionally, you’ll never have all your needs met by one person. It’s unrealistic and quite a burden for any one individual to bear. Your life partner ought to be able to meet most of your intimacy needs (emotional and physical). It’s a constantly changing continuum; some days are better than others.

The healthiest relationships are those in which each partner has their own interests and friends (platonic) outside their primary relationship and the freedom to enjoy these other outlets. It enriches the primary relationship. Smotherf- -kers and Cling-ons are individuals whose sole identity is based upon being in relationship with another. They become whomever they think their partner du jour wants them to be out of fear of losing the relationship. What they really fear is the loss of identity that comes from NOT being in a relationship. These relationships rarely work in the long-term for many of the above reasons. You can’t have a real relationship with a person who doesn’t have a core sense of Self.

Don’t settle for less than you’re worth on the substantive things. If big houses and big cars are what really matter to a particular man or woman, well, there’s a sucker born every minute. They’ll have plenty of prospects. Meanwhile, try to focus on what makes you smile from the inside out. Sparkling jewelry is nice and I’m always flattered a man thinks enough of me to spend that kind of money, but it doesn’t compare in value to heartfelt words and considerate, affectionate gestures from the right man. I neither expect nor demand tennis bracelets and I don’t settle for behaviors that are disrespectful, discourteous, unkind, thoughtless, and cold because I’m worth more, deserve better and offer the same in return.

Tara, will you marry me?

For some reason, all the women I have met agree with you in principle but when it comes to expectations, they still want to be treated as princesses. God help the man that even hints that they are not perfect.