How to say 'I love you' on Valentine's Day.(THE LAST LAUGH)

Wondering how to tell your significant other how much you love them? Hallmark, your local jeweler and your spirits salesperson want to help you, each with a financial interest in your decision. There are other things to consider in how you say "I love you."

Editing this month's issue reminded me that people use different sources of information to make decisions in their lives. You know the indicators: The Myer-Briggs test, color types, the how-to-communicate article here on pages 26-27 and many others. Just about everyone falls somewhere on a continuum for opposite types; outlayers unwittingly provide a never-ending source of amusement to those within the "normal" range.

On Valentine's Day this month, it's crucial to know that the most important personality distinction in a relationship is to identify one's significant other as a predominantly thinker or a feeler, and behave accordingly for this or another significant occasion. It doesn't matter what YOU are; the important one to please is the other person.

A thinker or a feeler?

By definition, a thinker makes decisions based on logic and an objective analysis of cause and effect. The feeler makes decisions based on values and a subjective evaluation of people-centered concerns. How do you decide?

First of all, what constitutes a "significant occasion?"

Feelers believe a great many occasions are significant: At the top of the list are birthdays, Valentine's Day, Christmas and anniversaries of just about anything in the relationship. That can include first sighting, first kiss--you get the idea. They also go for solstices, ethnic holidays and whatever else can be celebrated by card.