What constitutes "normal" behavior among happy couples? What steps you should take if that "normal" is one you want to strive for? To help answer those questions, wellness entrepreneur Chrisanna Northrup teamed with two of America's top sociologists, Yale Ph.D. Pepper Schwartz and Harvard Ph.D. James Witte, to design a unique interactive survey that would draw feedback from around the world. What has resulted is the clearest picture yet of how well couples are communicating, romancing each other, satisfying each other in the bedroom, sharing financial responsibilities, and staying faithful - or not. Since the Normal Bar survey methodology sorts for age and gender, racial and geographic differences and sexual preferences, the authors are able to reveal , for example, what happens to passion as we grow older, which gender wants what when it comes to sex, the factors that spur marital combat, how kids figure in, how being gay or bisexual turns out to be both different and the same, and - regardless of background -- the tiny habits that drive partners absolutely batty. The book is dense with revelations, from the unexpected popularity of certain sexual positions, to the average number of times happy - and unhappy -- couples kiss, to the prevalence of lying, to the surprising loyalty most men and women feel for their partner (even when in a deteriorating relationship), to the vivid and idiosyncratic ways individuals of different ages, genders and nationalities describe their "ideal romantic evening" . Much more than a peek behind the relationship curtain, The Normal Bar offers readers an array of prescriptive tools that will help them establish a "new normal." Mindful of what keeps couples stuck in ruts, the book's authors suggest practical and life-changing ways to break cycles of disappointment and frustration.
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“A fascinating
international compendium on women, men, sex, and love that—thank goodness—busts
some entrenched myths about men. In the book you’ll
learn whether simple things such as reading to your partner can build deep
intimacy and whether date nights, compliments, and laughter can truly keep love
alive. You’ll also learn about ‘pet names’ and public displays of affection and
whether they spark romance. This
book is scholarly, humorous, and wise; above all, it gives superb advice.
Indeed, after reading The Normal Bar, you’ll have no excuse if your partnership isn’t a dream
come true.”
—
Helen Fisher, professor of anthropology at Rutgers University and author of Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love