Huh?

Just after we wiggled out of the womb we were communicating. Maybe it was through a shooing wave as we signaled to our mom: No more of this Gerber shit! Or, perhaps, we waved an erect middle finger to someone who cut us off during our driver's test. Who knew – in some form or another – that these conversing skills would come in handy when we settled down with our own baby? Neil Kaminsky, a licensed social worker, did. In "ManTalk: The Gay Couple's Communication Guide" he teaches gay men to recognize and resolve communication problems – without sticking up the middle digit.
Minus mumbo jumbo, Kaminsky presents techniques to guide gay couples' communication skills that will (hopefully) help build a relationship. It helps break down blah-blah barriers with straight-forward strategies for understanding feelings, resolving arguments, expressing anger, understanding nonverbal cues, improving listening skills and dealing with issues specific to interracial and intercultural relationships. Vignettes and quotes from two psychotherapists and from gay men in relationships illustrate Kaminsky's tid-bits on keeping relationships sailing; however, anyone looking for pictures or pop-ups will be sorely sad.
But!
Kaminsky feeds us "communication minefields," those topics that are oh-so not gonna be brought up – ever. Does the sex suck worse than a trip to the car mechanic? Are you imagining throwing the neighbor hunk on the kitchen counter and eating him for dessert? Is it time to add a third to the mix? Do you wish your beau were a lawyer instead of a bus boy? Those relationship talk-taboos can be brought to the surface with a few pointers from Kaminsky and his quest to get us to talk – not lift the finger.