NATE: Besides product advertisements, people should advertise who they truly are. Everyone should have a sticker on their forehead that says, "This person contains: Prozac, Lipitor, Viagra, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, etc." Approach at your own risk.

JOELY: My husband and I have been happily married for 26 years. People often ask what our secret is. We don't have any secrets, but we learned some key lessons.

Number 1: Know how to handle anger. Everyone gets angry. It's OK to say, "I need time to be alone" or "I'm really upset about this." But swearing, name-calling, destroying property, etc., are not acceptable reactions. Figuring out a way to express anger and come to a respectful resolution is a big marriage-saver.

Number 2: Never criticize your partner in public or allow others to do so. Even if we don't like something the other has said or done, we wait until we're in private to discuss the issue. And, we don't let outsiders deride, mock or insult our spouse if they have a difference of opinion.

Number 3: Turn to each other in times of trouble. Make your home a refuge.

Number 4: Find things to say "thank you" for. My parents were married for 50 years. Every day — and I mean every day — my mom thanked my dad for the littlest thing, such as taking out the garbage or bringing in the newspaper, and my dad thanked my mom continuously as well, for cooking, making the house look nice and helping us with our homework so he could relax in the evening. I picked up the habit from them. I'm a compulsive thanker. My husband is, too.

Number 5: And, last but not least: Have separate bathrooms.

ELLA: I've always had issues with self-proclaimed "nice" guys. They do things they think are romantic and things that they've read women like. They don't take the time to find out what a particular woman enjoys. If you think about it, it's actually insulting for a man to think that buying flowers or candy for a woman makes him a nice guy. Getting to know a woman and finding out what she likes makes a man a nice guy. My partner doesn't buy me flowers or candy; he buys me books, especially knitting books, and even luxury yarn.

KEITH: I have advice for anyone who has a broken heart. Write about it. I'm 44, and I've never been married and don't have any kids. A few years ago I was wondering what was wrong with me because all my contemporaries were family men. I sorted out my feelings and concerns on the computer. Three years later I had a 500-page novel.

Granted, the novel is only being used as a stand to prop up the low end of my couch, but putting all my heartfelt anxieties, emotions and desires down on paper actually helped me gain perspective, and I no longer feel so isolated.

DAVID: I have three bits of advice for men:

—If she's cheating on a guy with you, she'll cheat on you, too. You're not that special.

—You don't get more attractive the more you drink.

—Yes, money is important, and if you don't have any, there are many women who will never give you the time of day. Get over it. But then again, the men who get those women will generally wish they didn't.

Do you have any advice you'd like to share?

Got a problem? Send it, along with your questions and rants to [email protected]. And check out my e-book, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."