The not-so-simple key to a happy and long-lasting relationship

GUESS what, according to a nationwide survey of 2,000 couples, are the biggest contributions to a happy relationship over many years.

Some of the answers that couples gave were surprising, at least to me.

Like “Knowing each other’s PIN numbers”. I mean, come on. I’m all for committing to a relationship – but there have to be limits!

Many ladies said that regular kisses and cuddles – or cwtshes as we say around these parts – play an important part. As long as they don’t involve the milkman, I’m all for that.

Many couples stick to the old adage, “Never go to sleep on an argument”. So have I... since the night we had a tiff. She went to sleep on an argument – and I went to sleep on a sofa.

It’s also important to be calmly discuss potential disagreements before they eventually explode into a full-blown argument that ends up with crockery being thrown, your favourite shirt attacked by scissors and the front door slamming as she goes off to her mother’s, vowing never to return “even if you got down on your one good knee and begged me to come back!” (Am I speaking from experience? Certainly not! That was all hypothetical. Besides which, my knee’s much better now.)

One fifth of the couples surveyed said it’s important to have two TVS in separate rooms.

I disagree. In our house there’s just one TV and one person in charge of the remote control. Always. Although, if I ask her nicely, she’ll hand it over occasionally….