So I can say with absolute certainty that I am not an expert at relationships, but I am willing to tell you what I have learned in hopes that maybe it will help clear up some misunderstandings.

First of all, let’s talk about the telephone. Rarely do I find myself sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. Therefore, when I receive a phone call, I am generally in the middle of something. So if you call a guy and he doesn’t seem to be paying attention, it’s not always that he doesn’t want to talk to you. It’s probably that he is busy, and he will get back to you.

Telling your friends about a fight you had with your significant other does not help. All you will succeed in doing is creating friction between that person and your friends.

Since we are on the topic of fights, bringing up past mistakes to further drive home a point should be against the rules, mainly because I suck at it. I propose a statute of limitations on these kinds of things. I think that if you haven’t brought up something that has happened in two weeks, then it should be inadmissible in a fight.

As far as the public displays of affection, well, to be honest, it really is annoying when I am in the Grise Hall elevator and some couple is going at it, so put a limit on this. Since this is college and there are plenty of rooms to be found, I say if it is more than what you would want to see your parents doing, then please go find said room.

Nice guys do not mean perfect guys, and a nice guy is still a guy. If you are having a bad day and we don’t pick up on it right away, don’t jump on our case about it. A lot of guys are notorious for not being able to read women’s minds, believe it or not. If you can let us know that you are not having a good day, then we will probably be more sensitive than if the first we hear of it is when you are mid-argument with us.

For all the guys out there, I have also picked up a few tips to help us out.

First of all, a little can go a long way. Something as simple as bringing a girl a flower really does brighten up their day. I know that most of us are too busy to stop in at Kroger and buy a single rose, but find the extra five minutes. That little bit of effort really doesn’t go unrecognized.

Women do notice small things you do for them. I try to open every door for my girlfriend, and I didn’t think she ever noticed until I didn’t do it a couple times one day, and she called me on it. I know it is a pain to take that long walk around the car, and she will probably play that little annoying game with the locks with you, but once again, a little bit equals a lot. I really don’t care if I look my best everyday but a lot of women like to be on their A-game every day. Since most of us couldn’t pick out even a half-suitable outfit for a woman, the best path to go with here is assurance. Tell the woman how pretty she looks and compliment something she is wearing – her smile is worth the words.

Paying attention to a woman when she is talking is absolutely crucial. She probably has a lot to say and it probably doesn’t have anything to do with football, but it is important to her, so just stick it out.

So like I said, I am not an expert, but I give you this for whatever it’s worth. Mainly, I have learned that men and women are never going to fully understand each other. The best chance we have is to find one that makes us laugh, never fails to bring a smile to our faces, feels our heartbreaks and victories, loves us in spite of our shortcomings and is willing to stick with us through hard times, and just love them as the person they are whether we understand them or not.

Brandon Wilson is a senior news/editorial journalism major from Nashville.

The opinions expressed in this commentary do not reflect the opinions of the Herald or the university.