a successful businessman in his early sixties, trim and quite the gentleman. He had been with a woman who was in her late forties and was very much attracted to her: she was fit, active, and fun-loving all qualities he appreciated and admired. After the second or third sexual encounter, he became unavoidably aware of her bad body odor. lie felt very awkward bringing this up, as they didn't know each other that well yet, but he felt really turned off. Need I say more? I think it's a shame to go through all the emotional stages involved in becoming ready for physical intimacy only to discover, once you get down to the bare essentials, that you can't stomach the way your lover smells. And through scores of interviews, I've found that the biggest offenders are the most oblivious to it. What I suggest is that if you lead even a moderately active lifestyle, experience any level of stress, or sweat for any reason, and don't use deodorant, in spite of the fact that you shower daily, you are a candidate for body odor. Bathing is essential, of course. But if it were enough, deodorant would not have been invented.
Ambience
Don't despair, you don't have to be Michelangelo to come up with creative ideas to add sparks to your lovemaking. There is nothing more exhilarating than being creative about how to love. You and your partner must decide, based on your individual personal styles, what whets your appetites. The secret to your success is not to do what he would expect, but to step outside the box and go to a place you've never been before.
Secrets from Lou's Archive
TV is the biggest robber of intimacy because it draws your attention out of the room and away from the person you're with. If you want to keep your partner's attention available, try quieter activities, like reading or listening to music.
A sensual environment is not limited to the bedroom and can be any environment where the two of you are inspired to engage in sexual activity. Candlelight, a roaring fire, fine champagne, and soft music are lovely touches, of course. But if that's the only type of scene that inspires your libido, you may find yourself waiting an awfully long time between sexual encounters. Remember, unlike our male counterparts, the longer we women go without an orgasm, the longer we usually can go without one. And the more often we have them, the more often it seems we want them. While I haven't seen this phenomenon documented scientifically, it's no secret that the longer men go without a release, the more intense their need to have one becomes.
Power of Lights
Men are visual creatures and they will respond to visual cues. So ladies, don't think you're alone in believing that soft lighting is synonymous with romance. In the movies, rare is the love scene that doesn't take place in front of the fire, surrounded by candlelight, in the glow of a sunset, under twinkling stars, or during the innocence of daybreak. Thanks to modern technology, the association between dim lights and love is deeply ingrained in the human psyche. But let's be honest, the sensuous effects of firelight date as far back as the Stone Age. Hollywood simply knew a good thing when they heard about it and embellished on a concept that already worked.
The most obvious benefit of soft lighting is the change in mood it automatically elicits. Our voices become lower, enticing us to move nearer to each other and requiring us to listen more carefully. These small details gentle conversation, closer physical contact, and the willingness to hear what someone else is saying—are very important steps on the path to romance.
But mood isn't the only element of romance affected positively by the dimming of the lights. Let's face it, soft lighting has an aesthetic value as well. It is very kind to lines, bags, blemishes, and other pesky facial flaws that are best not displayed under fluorescent lights. Any light coming from behind you, rather than from in front or above you, is going to be more