You have to ask yourself: are you in a contest or a relationship?  Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?  I think most men would say "b" on one and two.  Otherwise, they wouldn't be on this site.

When you argue, do you stand strong, or do you listen and see?  I initially stand strong - which never gets us anywhere.  But it's in my nature.  However, I have been making changes.  When I see that I am wrong (which takes an open mind), that's it: end of argument - she is right - and I apologize and give her a hug.  You'd be surprised at how quickly she'll be kissing you if you can just be a man and admit when you're wrong.

Frequently, an argument boils down to a simple misunderstanding.  I said something and meant one thing - but Dawn takes it the opposite way.  And later I find out that she's mad - which makes me mad because I feel like I did nothing wrong.  "But you were acting like I'm a total ____."  "No I wasn't"  "Yes you were - you had that look on your face."  Of course what she didn't know was that I was just pissed off at my computer or something.

So we go around and around a couple of times.  Then finally I listen.  She explains her perspective.  I say "oh - that was because I had just lost an hour's worth of work."  Now she is feeling better - except for the battle we just had for no reason.  So - we agree that I will try to let her know when something else is bugging me - like: "hunny, I am really tired and irritated at ___, so if I am short with you, just know it's not you."  And she'll try and realize that I am not her enemy - that if something can be taken two ways, I honestly meant it the better way.

Now we have very short arguments - usually.  It's been 150% better.  And I love it - so does she.  And the end result: we are closer, she trusts me more, she is more relaxed with me, and her emotional libido tank is filling up.