What can Men and Women do to improve their understanding of each other?

Both in general and within personal associations, how would you go about making what you are clear to someone else of the opposite sex? What would you want him or her to do to achieve the same? Is mutual understanding important, or are you content that game-playing and ego roles are the best we can expect?

Public Comments

1. One thing people can do is read Dr. Deborah Tannen's book on psycholinguistics and cross-cultural communication; "You Just Don't Understand." This book explains the differences in cultures between the genders, and the resultant differences in communicatiuon style. If you take the book to heart, you will understand that communication between men and women is cross-cultural. It gives you thorough explanations of the differences in thinking that lead to the differences in communication. This helps you to avoid taking things personally when they do not gibe with your own expression style, and to analyze communication from the opposite sex more logically.
2. I don't wanna fully understand women - the mystery is an irreducible part of their charm! Guys, on the other hand, are easy: either he's a jerk or he's not.
3. They can speak to each other with "Respect", they can carefully "think and listen before they speak", and above all, never "assume but ASK" when being curious about something ! Patience, is also, very important !!!!!!!!
4. the women should realize its getting harder to recognize them from the men. huge macho attitude.
5. Nothing at all. Can't be done. We weren't meant to understand each other. Appreciate the mystery of the opposite sex. No games, no nothing, just be what you are, man or woman. One of the answers mentioned respect. I think men and women don't have the same understanding of that word. Men will always respect the moral authority of women, and women will make damned sure that it stays this way, because a major method of controlling piggy behavior is to shame men into behaving. A man respects someone because they have character. Does a woman think that having her @ss kissed is the equivalent of respect? I don't know because I'm a man :)
6. after reading barry long books and listening to his speeches, a lot of things got clear. in the end it is the impersonal self that takes form and expresses as a male or female body. only the mental setup of "boy" and "girl" bring those differences. on a higher plane they are the same...
7. Empathise.
8. approach one another in humility, respect, tolerance, and yes... empathy is really important. i agree with mos† the answers here... but if i disagree... it is not cause for barriers to be placed upon our understanding of one another. all are special in their own way. truly we are mirrors to one another and when we can truly see another... we see ourself. those who irritate us hold a lesson for us that we can learn from. this is a wonderful forum for self-learning. may all be happy... and may God bless you and all hoo participate in this game called life. best wishes and warm regards... i am pleased to meet you. Job 36:22 edit: this song is dedicated to all who read these words... The Beatles - Here Comes the Sun http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuUhZxkr194