Berkeley International

 Dating within our age range is, when you think about it, quite a logical thing to do.  It means that our journey in life can perhaps sync more easily.  When we’re young we can share each other’s motivations and limitations in life, and in adulthood we’re able to experience joint milestones like marriage and our first children, or our first homes as independent people.  This logical viewpoint however portrays life as a very linear process, whilst actual living it tells us that there are many variants that can occur.   People who are unable to think ‘outside the box’ of convention will always regard large age gaps in relationships with amazement and suspicion.  Whether you’re dating older or younger, it’s helpful to be aware of what you’ll come up against and that is why private matchmakers too support such relations. The assumption from strangers If you’re a man and your partner is younger, you’re probably well aware of the different assumptions you’...

 These days our requirements for a partner can be extensive. As we become more confident in asking for the things we want in life and as we witness the ever-growing possibilities of love and luxury, our expectations slowly begin to creep up.  Whilst there’s nothing wrong with wanting the best from lovers, if we’re prepared to be the best ourselves, it’s important to be mindful of what really matters. If you’re single and looking for a fulfilling relationship through a high-end matchmaker , you may want to consider what you’d do if your special person arrives and they look the part, talk your love language, appreciate the same things as you, but hold different values or beliefs. What’s the actual issue? Occasionally, what looks like a hugely different set of beliefs and motivations between two people can, on closer inspection, be a lot less significant than once thought.  When presented with a partner who seems to have differing opinions to ones that are important to you, ...

 You may be familiar with hearing phrases such as, ‘I just want a real man’ or ‘I just want someone decent’ when women are asked what they want from a partner.  At Berkeley International we know how unhelpful this sort of vague and generic description can be, so in this blog we’re going to break it down a little.  Most women, when you drill down a little deeper, do have a clear idea of their perfect match and here are the biggest similarities. Security  One of the qualities that women look for in men is security.  Now, when most people think about this word they immediately assume it refers to financial security.  Not true.  Whilst this is a consideration and an extremely important one to some, what’s usually valued more is emotional and physical security. Emotional security means that you hear and listen when she is speaking.  It means that you make her feelings a priority in your life and do your best to express how much you value, love and resp...

 Ghosting appears, ironically, to be something that has sprung up out of nowhere these past few years. It’s likely been around for decades, but as the ways in which we connect with each other increases, so too do the ways we can disconnect – seemingly without trace. More and more people are releasing the shame and anxiety involved in being so unceremoniously rejected. There are countless tales of people going on multiple dates and then suddenly having their messages ignored and once active dating profiles replaced by broken links. If you haven’t experienced it, count yourself lucky. If you have, there are three possibilities we want you to remember and consider.   Plain old-fashioned rudeness It’s impossible to deny that quite simply, some people lack an appropriate amount of care for others and are extremely rude.  There are many reasons why people perpetrate the act of ghosting and this has to be one of the least acceptable.  Believe it or not, we’ve spoken to thes...

 So you may not be a couple who fight in the heated sense, with arms thrashing and raised voices, but this doesn’t mean you don’t argue. Interestingly, there’s a large divide between couples that believe not arguing with a spouse is a badge of honour and those who think it’s a totally healthy way to interact, sometimes. Having said this, the type of arguing we hear less about is bickering and this is unfortunate, as it can inadvertently normalise the behaviour within relationships.  Bickering, when happening to extremes, is a slow burning and pervasive form of communication. If left unchecked and not taken seriously, there’s a chance that eventually all those minuscule issues will become a mountain, one that overwhelms individuals to near breaking point.  What’s the difference, really? Bickering is defined as arguing over small matters that on the surface are trivial. It could be something as tiny as who should drive or clothes left on the bathroom floor. The problem is t...

 Unfortunately, for some women in today’s society, one of the most frustrating elements of life is deciding when, if and how you choose to become a mother. The minute you hit 30 not only does your body clock begin chiming louder than ever, but relatives, friends and seemingly the whole medical profession appear to grow impatient for your child rearing years to commence. It’s a lot of pressure when you’re not ready or have already been unsuccessful in trying to conceive. So imagine what happens if for whatever reason you’re now in your forties, childless and suddenly wanting that family? What do you do now that everyone else has completely given up on you? It’s not over The first thing you need to know is that it’s not over, by any stretch of the imagination.  If you’re fit and healthy, you’ll do well to remember this.  Without question, you will be told repeatedly how dangerous it is to have a baby at your age, how badly it could effect the child, how difficult and resour...

 In the early days of dating most of our manners are impeccable and there’s not one word or action we miss when assessing how potential partners treat us. As time goes on however, our levels of appreciation can slip to woeful levels, sometimes bordering on downright rude and ungrateful. Sure, your partner knows you like it when he cooks your favourite meal, and sure she gets that you’re preoccupied occasionally, but the words ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ don’t take very long to say.  Our advice here is not to succumb to the easy pitfall of ingratitude, as it can be one of the most pervasive and damaging in a relationship.  Instead, demonstrate the manners and respect you would want someone else to have for your partner. Being Supportive Simply put, have your partner’s back.  When we’re trying to get close to someone it’s not unheard of to become a little biased by siding with them, or sharing their opinions. If we really don’t feel the same, we at least attempt to see it...