Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Men Share 'Cheat Codes' About Marriage That Actually Work

Men Share 'Cheat Codes' About Marriage That Actually Work
smiling man and woman inside tipi tent

Reddit user Curious-Repair-2606 asked: "Men: What's a "cheat code" you discovered in marriage that actually works?"

The word "cheat" doesn't usually have a good connotation.

Especially when it comes to marriage.


However, cheating does sometimes have a way of paying off, at least if you're using a "cheat code".

In the video game world, "cheat codes" are pressing buttons in a sequence, or ordering a sequence of characters, to get you ahead in the game without needing to fulfill the usual obligations.

And while there are no buttons people can push to improve or strengthen their marriage, many husbands have managed to come up with "cheat codes" that can, at the very least, keep their spouses happy.

Redditor Curious-Repair-2606 was eager to hear about these successful "cheat codes" husbands have put to good use, leading them to ask:

"Men: What's a 'cheat code' you discovered in marriage that actually works?"

A Small Compliment Goes A Long Way...

"Verbally acknowledging each other’s contributions to the household."

“'Thanks for cleaning up after dinner, it looks great'.”

“'Thanks for taking the kids to soccer practice'.”

“'Thanks for grabbing groceries, this is my favorite cheese'.”

"So on and so forth."

"By acknowledging each other’s day to day (and sometimes mundane) contributions, it builds appreciation and prevents animosity."

"It also prevents certain tasks from being 'assigned' to a person with the expectation that it’s theirs forever and that’s 'just how it is'.”- Pomegranate_Calm

A Partnership, Not A Competition

"Relationships aren't a zero-sum game, the only way to win is when you win together so approach all disagreements with that approach."- smisakso

When At A Loss, Just Hug It Out...

"My husband and I start every day with a really long hug. It seemed like a big task at first, but honestly, we now go in for those hugs more than once a day, and it helped me through some really rough days."

"My son has watched it numerous times, and he tries to join."- Happyawayfrompeople

Season 8 Love GIF by One ChicagoGiphy

It Pays To Listen

"When I feel like my wife is feeling a little down or when I feel like we’re not connecting emotionally, I will ask her about something she is passionate about and just get her talking."

"And I will ask questions that cannot be answered with a yes or no."

"She will go from sitting back with her arms folded to leaning forward, talking excitedly."

"Often, people feel closer to someone simply by talking to that person and being heard."

"And everyone feels good talking about their favorite things."

"Also, if you have something difficult to talk about, wait until they are in a good mood."- mostlycareful

Some People Truly Can't Take The Hint...

"If your wife asks you if you want ice cream, she wants ice cream."

"Feel free to replace ice cream with anything."- Easywood

Take Note!

"Keep a note on your phone for gift ideas."

"When she points out something she likes or wants to do, write it down in the note or snap a pic and insert it."

"See something you think she’d like?"

"Write it down."

"Also, keep her clothing and shoe sizes in the note as well."

"Also, google 'mental load' and learn about the imbalances that tend to occur."

"Take more of it on."- vfettke

Understand The Good Doctor GIF by ABC NetworkGiphy

How Many Ways To Show Appreciation...

"Along with the obvious 'make sure you’re doing your share', of the household duties, communicating your appreciation of what your partner does."

"E.g.- whenever my wife returns from something like getting groceries, I go out to the car to help bring everything in, and make sure I verbally let her know that I appreciate what she just did for our family."- Crohwned

Have Each Other's Back, And Never Talk Behind It!

"Be each other’s biggest fan."

"No sh*t talking about the other to anyone, ever."

"When you are always looking out for and supporting each other, that creates a strong team."- xploringcpl77

Get The Unpleasantness Out Of The Way...

"Pick the right person."

"Be super critical during the courting phase."

"Ask the tough questions and make sure you’re aligned."

"But once you decided to commit, that critical switch needs to flip and you need to be their biggest cheerleader."

"So many couples do it the other way, lovey dovey during the courting phase and then start getting critical after they commit."- rvrndgonzo

Lucifer Morningstar Fox GIF by LuciferGiphy

Teamwork Makes A Dreamwork

"You and your partner are a team that is working to solve your issues together."

"It's you two vs the issue and never you vs your partner."

"Hardly a cheat code, but communication is the key."- keggerson

Every Night Is Date Night

"Never stop 'dating' your wife , kiss often."- neighborPromotion82

Volume Control

"You never get yell at while vacuuming."- darkbrokendisj

Season 10 GIF by FriendsGiphy

Just A Little Peck...

"Never leave the house without giving her a kiss."

"Even if it's just a peck on the cheek."- SinamonChallengerRT

Just For Reference

"Not marriage, but worked in LTR for me."

"I make notes in my girlfriend's contact on my phone."

"What she orders at certain restaurants, things from her past that were important, stuff she's mentioned wanting for Christmas/birthdays."- dantaviusrex

Sharing Is Caring... To A Point...

"Separate blankets."

"Been married for 13 years, together for 17."

"Sharing a blanket is an exercise in futility."- Robz_princess

Giphy

It's not usually an encouraging sign to learn your spouse has resorted to cheating.

Until you realize their "cheating" is only making your marital bond even stronger.

More from Trending

Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less