The most important thing to understanding people, really underSTANDING them, (especially the opposite sex) is realizing that everything, EVERYTHING, contains meta-messages. More meaning than the simple words or actions. Every action, every word, carries with it obvious or subtle undertones- body language, context, tone of voice, expression, etc. These messages behind the overt meaning of the actions and words are as important as those actions and words themselves, because oftentimes they contain just as much of the message. Any husband or wife can tell you this, and if they can't, their spouse can probably tell you that they are missing a LOT. Any married person can tell you that there is heavy meaning behind simple comments such as "well you're home late" or "its okay I'll do it" or "sure its okay" or even "I'm sorry". A whole host of thoughts can be going through your mind, and you may be attempting to convey those thoughts without overtly saying them, in an attempt to let the other figure it out for themselves and act as they should in the situation. Lack of acknowledgement or understanding of these undertone messages can be relationship threatening, and saying "if thats what you think why dont you just say so" is not going to get you the response youd hoped for...