Throughout the ages, men have known that the way to a woman’s heart is little gentle flattery. Compliments, they knew, were the lubricants of successful encounters with the opposite sex.

Now, the latest research shows, women need to be complimented five times a day — minimum.

According to a survey carried out by Loire Valley White Wines, nine out of ten women say they love to be complimented. However, only 16 percent thought they received their five a day. Two-thirds thought they were being complimented less than they were five years ago, and believed gentle flattery was becoming a lost art.

Modern feminism seems to have a lot to answer for, because 21st-century men assume a compliment will cause offence. On the other side of the track, most women are highly likely to suspect the motives of anyone offering an admiring comment.

Relationship expert Christine Webber says, “In my experience, women do care a great deal about what people think about them. A compliment massively boosts self-esteem. And while it may seem frivolous, it is in fact a vital ingredient for well-being.”

She adds that many men are terrified of an innocent remark being wrongly interpreted. “I think political correctness and fear of saying the wrong thing is the main cause of men failing to compliment women who are not their partners.”

As many as 81 percent wanted to be complimented on their hair or clothing, while 79 percent longed to hear they are stylish, and 73 percent that they looked slimmer.

Webber added, “We have busy lives and people tend to assume a lot and forget to say things. And yet compliments can act like oil in an engine — they help everything to run smoother. Couples who give frequent compliments to one another tend to treat each other with courtesy and respect and that helps keep their relationships alive.”

A friend of mine returned from a short holiday with an interesting story of a couple who annually revisit their days of wine and roses - well, champagne and roses to be exact.

She wears a long gown and he is in a morning suit, his top hat sitting next to the roses upon the bench. Sitting in a tropical garden, they are in paradise.

Every woman dreams of the perfect wedding day but once it is over, it is gone forever. For this couple, their wedding day is replayed annually on their special day. Every anniversary she dons the dress she wore for her wedding, they sip champagne and smile together as they relive the day they were joined as life partners.

They celebrate their love and their marriage this way each year and have just marked their tenth re-enactment of their wedding day.

So, what are you doing for your anniversary?

Why has the practice of holding hands endured through the centuries?

Holding hands is a wonderful gesture of affection and connection that doesn’t offend anyone (the way a steamy public kiss might) and yet symbolizes an intimacy that goes beyond sexual intimacy. Holding your partner’s hand says much more about what the relationship means. It offers comfort. It offers support and promises protection. It proclaims friendship, love, affection and that you are truly partnered in life. When you walk hand-in-hand you are going forward together, bonded to each other.

Not only that but studies have shown that just the touch of a partner’s hand can reduce stress and fear, making you less anxious in stressful situations. Perhaps we learned this sense of security when we were young and a protective parent held our hands as we navigated through childhood. Humans crave touch, and non-sexual touch can create feelings of peace and happiness as well as bestowing other physical benefits.

Guys, you know she’s expecting flowers, they’re the most traditional gift on Valentine’s Day next to chocolates. You can seek the advice of your florist on the best arrangement or be a little creative in choosing a bouquet.

Long-stemmed red roses are the most traditional Valentine flower, but roses come in many gorgeous shades, each holding special meaning. Check out the meanings of roses and choose a panopoly of colors that stand for all the many facets of your relationship. You can include a card that explains the meaning of each rose and how it applies to your relationship.

Tell her that the red rose symbolizes your passion, yellow is for the underlying friendship that makes your relationship strong, pink is her elegance and grace etc.

Choosing the bouquet to represent what your relationship means to you will say much more to her than if you plunk down some cash for the standard, unimaginative gift.

For the meanings of the variety of roses:
A Rose By Any Other Color