10 RULES OF FACEBOOK ETIQUETTE

Trying to navigate the murky waters of relationships was hard enough without the internet. If you're getting into, or getting back into, the dating scene these days, you should check out these tips for charting a course through the world of online social networking.

Here are the top 10 rules of etiquette for using Facebook responsibly in (and around) relationships (from yourtango.com):

10. Relationship status is a mutual decision. Do not dump your partner via status change, for example ...

9. It's OK to look at a friend's friends for interesting people, but use the middle man (your friend). Don't "friend request" outta the blue. Also, be mindful of friend-poaching -- it's not cool.

8. Ask first before friending a close friend's ex. It's common courtesy and part of any friend code.

7. It's OK to remain facebook friends with someone you used to date. Just prepare yourself to see some status updates that you might not want to see.

6. Skip posting tons of pics, vids, and comments regarding a recent, failed relationship. Talk to friends; don't retaliate in a public forum.

5. Avoid TMI --  Keep photos safe for work and don't air your dirty laundry online (it won't dry). If you wouldn't announce it in a restaurant, it's best to keep it relatively private.

4. Avoid inappropriate-friending -- specifically, don't friend people you don't actually know, like an ex's new squeeze...

3. Know the difference between the Wall and a message. Yes, facebook is complicated by pokes, superpokes, walls, notes, vids, likes, etc etc (!) ... But knowing what is public and what is private is essential.

2. Don't drink and book. It can get you in trouble just like any impaired situation ... for example, there is no need to tell someone you were in love with them in high school, especially on their wall. (See tip #3)

1. Above all other rules (and this actually is in the Facebook rules) do not create a fake page. You may think creating a fake page for your ex is hilarious -- writing "money grubbing" or "poop" under "likes" but it's a good way to get sued for about $40,000. (Wouldn't we call that backfired?)

NEWSFLASH: HOT CARS SCORE CHICKS

According to a new British survey people are more attracted to others who drive nice cars.

By the Numbers ...

• 36% of respondents admitted that they judge someone's attractiveness based on the car he or she drives.
• 10% admitted they would date someone with a nice car -- even if they found the driver unattractive.
• 20% said that the more expensive the car, the better looking the driver.

More Survey Results ...

• Men were actually twice as likely to date an "ugly" woman because of her car.
• 50% of respondents admitted the car's price makes the driver more attractive.

Phone Topic: Is anyone in your audience living way beyond their means with their car? Living in their parents' basement, flipping burgers -- but leasing a hot BMW? Is it working? Are they scoring early and often?

FEELING INSECURE IN RELATIONSHIPS DRAINS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

According to Italian researchers, feeling insecure in close relationships with others may take a toll on the immune system.

Women were studied and those who had a tough time trusting their men had weaker immune systems than those who were in solid relationships.

The scientists looked at the trait known as "attachment insecurity." People with attachment insecurity can't trust and depend on others, feel uncomfortable with emotional intimacy or worry about being abandoned by loved ones.

KISSING CAUSES CHANGES IN BRAIN

If you've ever kissed someone and felt completely overwhelmed with passion and an irresistible urge to kiss more, you're not alone. Researchers at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania have discovered that we're hard-wired to get a blast of chemicals to the brain when we kiss.

The study showed that couples who share a passionate kiss experience chemical changes in the brain that makes them excited and relaxed at the same time.

"This study shows kissing is much more complex and causes hormonal changes and things we never thought occurred," said study author Wendy Hill. "We tend to think more about who we are kissing and how it feels, yet there are a lot of other things happening."

MARRIAGE ADVICE ... FROM KIDS

Looking for some real relationship advice? Here's some insight from an un-jaded source: kids.

A writer at divinecaroline.com asked a bunch of kids about love and marriage. Here are their answers:

How would you make your marriage work?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
Ricky, age 10

How can a stranger tell if two people are married?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
Derrick, age 8

What do you think your mom and dad have in common?
Both don't want any more kids.
Lori, age 8

What do most people do on a date?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
Lynnette, age 8

On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
Martin, age 10

What would you do on a first date that was turning sour?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
Craig, age 9

When is it okay to kiss someone?
When they're rich.
Pam, age 7

The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
Curt, age 7

The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
Howard, age 8

What is the right age to get married?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
Camille, age 10

No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married.
Freddie, age 6

Is it better to be single or married?
I don't know which is better, but I'll tell you one thing. I'm never going to have sex with my wife. I don't want to be all grossed out.
Theodore, age 8

It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
Anita, age 9

How do you decide whom to marry?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
Alan, age 10

No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
Kristen, age 10