Happy Wife, Happy Life?

[NFLDERS]

While I'm not sure, that my understanding of this statement is accurate but, because I'm hearing it more of late, I thought I'd weigh in. So. . . Here goes.

Does this mean the wife or one partner, in the relationship will be happy only if, they are allowed to make the decisions. That the husband, or other partner realizing this makes it so.

If this is accurate, I will now describe my marriage. In the early yrs, I wanted things to be my way/choice. Then, as I got older, I realized this was not fair. We are fortunate in our likes and dislikes however, because I was a bit of a Tom boy. So DH's enjoyment of motorcycling was not an activity I would say no to.

Then, because I was raised by parents that were grew up near water. DH's desire to be on the water, (boating) was enjoyed by me as well.

We still have our differences. I enjoy little theater, he not so much, but will come with me just the same. Separate activities, one example: He likes roller coasters, I do not. So we will have a parting at amusement parks, meeting up later. Other differences like in music, foods, tv viewing.

However, we always find a way to make choices fair. This year we celebrated 43 yrs married.

If my understanding in the beginning is correct, Happy Wife ='s Happy Life, How does it work, for those whom live like this?

 

[NFLDERS]

Sorry, thought I was on Community Forum. Hopefully, moderators will move it.

 

[kapoof]

This is an unusual question for a cruise board, but yes I guess happy wife is a happy life. Men seem to be less fussy with things and more laid back overall. As dh and I get older, his main concern is for me to be happy, and that in turn makes me do things for him that make him happy.

 

[cruisecrasher]

I always figured it was more of a piece of "choose carefully and treat well" advice to men. If they pick a woman who is never content, marrying her won't fix things.
If you choose to make your wife unhappy, your life probably won't be a happy life. KWIM?

I'm happy with the mutual partnership idea. Where both of us put each other's well being before your own...it's complicated and unnatural at first to always think like that, but generally satisfying in that we both feel well regarded and loved.
Almost ten years married.
Thirteen years since our first date.

 

[the_bUg]

I always assumed it was a tongue in cheek saying that men use in a knowing fashion amongst themselves about the "sacrifices" they make for happiness. I never use it myself as it seems gauche, but that's just me.

 

[Chilly]

This is an unusual question for a cruise board, but yes I guess happy wife is a happy life. Men seem to be less fussy with things and more laid back overall. As dh and I get older, his main concern is for me to be happy, and that in turn makes me do things for him that make him happy.

I would agree with this for how DH and I are.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Are you from the Chicago area? This is a common saying of Lou on a WGN radio show.

 

[McDonald5]

I always took it to mean that if you do nice things to make your wife happy, she will do the same in return, therefore, happy life.

Sadly, after 10 yrs, my husband hasn't figured this out yet...

 

[Kendal]

U have a sign I this on my wall I bought for my wife for Christmas it's a hand painted sign I see it everyday when I wake up and walk out of my bedroom... I use it for a guide for the day lol!!!

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[NFLDERS]

Are you from the Chicago area? This is a common saying of Lou on a WGN radio show.

No, Canadian.

 

[SeattleSuz]

This statement really bothers me, but I suppose it's just cause I hear it constantly from my BIL and my brother both, and they've both completely lost any backbone they had and have left their b@ll$ in their wives purses. KWIM? I don't think that's a fair statement at all. A marriage is a mutual partnership, where both parties make decisions and run things by the other before doing certain things. The two people who I see use this phrase have VERY strained marriages. Granted, they are still rather young and have fairly young marriages, but whatever.

But different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Ha! I try to keep my honey happy... in turn, he lets me book lots of Disney vacations and even watches Disney parades with me! Haha! THIS is a Happy Wife and it's a pretty stinkin' happy life! (Did I mention he makes most of the $$ so thank you honey bunny!)

 

[ImDMous]

I don't think it means that one person runs everything. I think it's just a reminder to husbands to not do outwardly stupid things to make their wives mad.

It works both ways but "happy husband - happy life" doesn't rhyme and most wives I know don't need as much reminding as the husbands I know do.

 

[Kendal]

I don't think it means that one person runs everything. I think it's just a reminder to husbands to not do outwardly stupid things to make their wives mad.

It works both ways but "happy husband - happy life" doesn't rhyme and most wives I know don't need as much reminding as the husbands I know do.

This I exactly the way it's ment in our house more of a joke and my crazy ideas wAsnt ment that she wears the pants at all lol I couldn't do that at all

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[wiigirl]

I don't think it means that one person runs everything. I think it's just a reminder to husbands to not do outwardly stupid things to make their wives mad.

It works both ways but "happy husband - happy life" doesn't rhyme and most wives I know don't need as much reminding as the husbands I know do.

 

[NFLDERS]

Thanks, Disers for the responses. . .

 

[lilpooh108]

IMO, happy wife = happy life just means don't sweat the small stuff. If something really matters to the other person, compromising will make her/him happy. If he/she is happy, then your life together is happy. It's not unfair, so long as its reciprocal.

 

[sewmess]

This statement really bothers me, but I suppose it's just cause I hear it constantly from my BIL and my brother both, and they've both completely lost any backbone they had and have left their b@ll$ in their wives purses. KWIM? I don't think that's a fair statement at all. A marriage is a mutual partnership, where both parties make decisions and run things by the other before doing certain things. The two people who I see use this phrase have VERY strained marriages. Granted, they are still rather young and have fairly young marriages, but whatever.

But different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

The highlighted is how I (and DH) treat marriage. We both were older (30 & 35 respectively) when we got married, so we didn't have to find ourselves, as it were. But we both are happy when the other is happy, so it's a two way street for us.

 

[antmaril]

IMO, happy wife = happy life just means don't sweat the small stuff. If something really matters to the other person, compromising will make her/him happy. If he/she is happy, then your life together is happy. It's not unfair, so long as its reciprocal.

This.

 

[PizzieDuster]

Thanks, Disers for the responses. . .

I was about to come here and post

Because I thought I was going to read you booked a cruise for your wife...

That would do it for me!