Chapter 8
The Man's Kitchen

Women usually take pride in their kitchens, because they're the center of the homes' activity. Women's kitchens are usually fully stocked with food, just in case company comes by. They also have all those expensive kitchen gadgets, too. Gentlemen, you don't have to go overboard, but the following is a list of bare essentials if you want to keep her around your home.

Keep her favorite foods handy in the pantry and lots of bottled water in the refrigerator. Ask her what she likes to eat, then go shopping for her, or go together. You pay the grocery bill.

If she drinks coffee and you don't, buy a coffee maker and her favorite brand. (Give them what they want.)

If she is a guest in your home, either prepare or purchase meals for her. She'll cook you meals while you are at her home.

The four food groups are not beer/wine, coke, cigarettes and pretzel mix. They are fruits and vegetables, grains and breads, dairy, and chocolate.

Offer to cook dinner and have her watch while sipping her favorite wine and listening to music. And if you don't know how to cook...LEARN! A cookbook and mothers can be of great assistance.

Clear out the stacks of beer bottles and dishes in the sink. The cleaner the sink and counters are, the more impressed she will be. Make sure you have a new sponge and clean dish towels too.

If you have house mates, and are planning a special dinner, always let them know in advance, so they don't decide to watch TV in the middle of your romantic dinner. Slipping them $15 for a movie and popcorn will assure your privacy for a few hours.

Buy some CDs of her favorite music and listen to them while you're having dinner.

Have an identical matching set of glasses. Not glasses from all the bars you've visited. Old jelly or Mason jars don't qualify either.

Buy matching place mats and napkins. Buy heavy quality paper napkins or cloth napkins. Cheap paper napkins or paper towels won't impress her.

Buy a set of matching plates, and let them not be paper, please.

Have utensils that match each other. Don't use plastic utensils or odds and ends.

Purchase a good 12" non-stick frying pan and pot. Don't forget essential condiments such as salt, pepper, and olive oil.