“Nice guys finish last” is one of the most widely believed maxims of dating. Fleshed out, the idea goes something like this: heterosexual women might say they want nice characteristics in a partner, but in reality what they want is the challenge that comes with dating a “bad boy”. This idea is so widespread that some people are even making money off the back of it, selling self-help books and teaching men how to pick up women by insulting them – a practice known as “negging”.

Recently, an article published by Broadly claimed, “Everyone knows … are desirable. Thanks to a recent study, this is now scientifically verifiable.”

Breakups are hard and some can hurt more than others. Even after a long time the pain from a breakup can still feel raw and sting the soul. Whether it was your high school crush or long distance partner relationships can end up pretty messy. Just how and when the break up occurs though can have a lasting effect.

Video: Nearly everyone has had run-ins with infidelity at some point, whether you were the guilt-ridden cheater, the devastated cheat-ee, or the unwitting (hopefully) third party in someone else's affair. (And if none of these things has ever happened to you, well, must be nice!)

Though most of us don’t go so far as to hire an actual matchmaker in our quest for love, it should come as no surprise that if you’re looking for real, concrete advice on turning your luck around in the dating game, some of the best tips will come from the professionals.

Why do people in happy relationships sometimes wind up cheating? According to relationship expert Esther Perel, the answer lies in self-exploration and has very little to do with the partner who is being cheated on.

This week we have a guy who keeps jumping from relationship to relationship, but he's been dying to see what the single life is like. Will he figure out how to live it up solo? Or will he realise there isn't always a right way to do everything?

Most people will experience feelings of deep loss and distress after a long-term relationship breakup. Despite populist writings that love lasts forever, the divorce statistics across various countries tell us that up to two in three marriages end. If these statistics were to take into account the number of nonmarital long-term relationships that end, then the statistics would be much higher.

Nobody enjoys being with someone who is always passive aggressive. If you're not sure what that looks like, here's an excellent, and funny, demonstration.

There's no magic bullet or divine secret to maintaining a romantic relationship - every couple is different. But if there's one thing that's almost always guaranteed to help, it's more communication. And yes, even the silly, superfluous kind will do.

As a society, we tend to look at breakups and divorce as a failure. But a relationship ending doesn't mean it wasn't successful in some way. Sometimes a fling is ideal for both parties, sometimes a long marriage ending is the only chance for a new beginning, and every relationship teaches you something you didn't know before.

A wedding proposal deserves a little spectacle. Not an obnoxious viral-video stunt, but something to make your partner feel special. Putting some planning into it is an act of love. I talked to January of Engaged by January, a proposal planning service, about what to do - and what not to do - when you propose. And it's all advice you can use on your own.

This week we have a man that met the girl of his dreams, but work got in the way before romance could blossom. Is there a good way to contact the one that got away and rekindle the magic?

James J. Sexton is a divorce lawyer who has spent his career working with couples whose marriages are dissolving. He's learned a lot throughout the years about what sours a good marriage (or ends a relationship that's already in trouble), and now he's using that knowledge to help the rest of us. His new book is If You're In My Office It's Already Too Late: A Divorce Lawyer's Guide to Staying Together.

This week we have a man with a female best friend, but his girlfriend is getting jealous.

Some people have problems that require delicate advice from a qualified professional. Others just need a random a guy on the internet to kick 'em in the teeth (with honesty, that is). I'm the latter. Welcome back to Tough Love.

Some people have problems that require delicate advice from a qualified professional. Others just need a random a guy on the internet to kick 'em in the teeth (with honesty, that is). I'm the latter. Welcome back to Tough Love.

What is love (baby don't hurt me)? It's a tough question to answer and people have been asking it since the dawn of civilisation. Perhaps the best way to identify love is to learn what it's not. This beyond-hokey instructional video from 1950 actually helps draw a clearer line between love and infatuation.

You have problems, I have advice. This advice isn't sugar-coated - in fact, it's sugar-free, and may even be a little bitter. Welcome to Tough Love.

Love is a complex and powerful force, one that plays out in a number of emotional, cognitive and social ways. According to the late psychologist John Alan Lee, there are six broad styles of love: Agape, Ludus, Storge, Eros, Mania and Pragma. We look at each in turn to help you determine the type of lover you are and the type of lover you need.