Tips on keeping a girlfriend happy?

Outta curiosity, what would you guys suggest to keep your girlfriend happy? I'm 18, so I'm still in the learning process. My girlfriend and I have been dating 9 months, and we're doing pretty well. She's at summer camp now til' Monday, and I'd like to study up on being a better boyfriend (and study more chess too!). I feel I could do better.

So, to those older than I am out there, what are some basic guidelines to follow while in a relationship? I have a bit of a problem with jealousy you could say. Like I said, she's at camp now, and I trust her, but there are still some wandering thoughts. What can I do about that?

(After typing my post, I think my main question is in the second paragraph, cleverly disguised by a less personal question )

Thanks very much all.

You're 18?  You should probrably date somemore.  Especially if you are about to start college if you two aren't going to the same university.  Experience life, if it's meant to be, she will be back. 

Thanks guys. I think there may be a bit of confusion. We're happy with each other and we're not arguing right now at all. It's just that I can be paranoid at times, and when she's an hour away at a summer camp, my mind wanders. She can't txt very often due to the camp rules. (By the way, it's a church camp, so that should help put my thoughts at ease). She has a couple guy friends there whom I've met and they're nice people. My girlfriend says she doesn't see the guys much there due to different gender scheduling - stuff like that. Still, as you can imagine, in the back of my mind, the question of faithfullness still lingers.

Just be calm my friend, one of the most important things of a relationship is trust. And I learned that the hard way. be confident of the respect that you two have for each other. Never disappoint her in any way, because this will reduce the trust you have for each other. Just think this way "I would not like her to distrust me so I will not distrust her". Communication is essential for trust, the more you two know each other the better you'll be at understanding her, and trusting her.

Sincerely: Percyval         (hope it helped)

Thanks Percy  She'll be home in a couple of days (although then she leaves again for Wyoming, but just to visit with family, so I won't be too paranoid about that).

I'm making it through, slowly but surely :P

Be a way better lover than other 18 year old guys.  Be attentive but not overbearing.  Be very confident but don't take her for granted.  Make her feel special but push her to become a better person also.

No two women are the same so I can't give you much more general advice without knowing both you & her.  Good luck!

lol I'm not 18 just two years off that mark, but well...................... don't date until your in college, cause for one thing, high school sweet hearts..................... yea one in every MILLION maybe, and secondly dating is honestly bs in high school, because your never sure of your own maturity nor the maturity of the person

I am with you Check. I've been down that road. It's a dead end.

You asked for opinions, so here is mine. I'm older, been married many years and been through hard times with her too....

Jealousy is a killer. It will kill a relationship as quick as anything. It is also an emotion which means it can't really be eliminated. It (usually) stems from a lack of security either in yourself or in your relationship. While it can't be eliminated, it MUST be stifled. By that I mean when your feelings come up your intellect and will must 'shout down' the negative emotion. Rely on the trust you've built up for her and behave as though you are not jealous. Show her you can conquer the demons within you. (that is a mark of manhood). This will work for most negative emotions like anger.

Thanks Red. I like to think I'm one of those people who reasons from the brain more than anything else. I don't rely as much on intuition of what my "heart tells me to do." Yet this situation doesn't seem to allow to much rational thinking in it for me. Yet, anyway. She's coming home Monday, and I would like to talk to her about this. I told her yesterday (through txt, I'd like to have called her, but that's not allowed there) that I'm jealous, and I'm trying not to be. She says she forgives me, but that it kind of hurts her that I would think she'd "throw herself at guys."

My last relationship ended about the same way - I had made the girl feel guilty about spending time with her own friends and all. And I'm determined not to make that same mistake again.

Respect her decisions. She doesn't belong to you, or anyone else.

Remember she is always right

I hate that rule!

I told her mainly because I thought it was a good idea (remember I am 18, so I still make silly decisions!). I felt if I told her about what was bugging me, then she and I could talk about it and I could be more reassured.

I don't really know what to say when I talk to her about it in person tomorrow or Tuesday, whenever it may be that I see her next. I'll apologize of course, but I don't know good steps of action to take to get rid of this insecurity.

I'm 14 so I must say i know nothing about this but according to my sisters, you should

1. always remind her that you love her in different kinda way (be creative!)

2. 50% heart , 40% mind and 10% controlling your behaviour!

3. Don't be overprotective or too close cuz girls like privacy you know...

4. it's good to have arguments but not serious arguments and not too many arguments though...

5. to make thing interesting, bet on silly stuff ,.......

6. don't go anywhere without cash...

LOL funny tips I know...

if she a girl that enjoys chess, play lots of chess with her