The problems that men and women face in communicating with each other are due to some fundamental differences between the sexes, according to the author, John Gray. Gray illustrates this point by mentioning that the two are like entirely different species from different planets - Men are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. He says that, to actually understand each other, men and women have to first understand that they are different in many ways. They perceive and value relationships in different ways. They react differently to stress. They have different methods of communication, different emotional needs, and different ways of approaching a problem. For instance, the author states that when women talk about their concerns with their partners, they are not necessarily asking for a solution. They just like voicing their concerns, to relieve their stress. Men, on the other hand, do not like to talk about their problems, and get into a shell, isolating themselves. The author calls this behavior, ‘retreating to a cave’. As a result, men and women are often surprised by the other’s reaction when they try to reach out or respond. That is, a man who provides a solution when a woman is voicing out her problem, will be surprised when she reacts to the solution indifferently. Similarly, when a woman tries to reach out to a man when he has ‘retreated to his cave’, she is likely to be surprised when he reacts negatively to her gesture. Men are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, in effect, tries to give each sex a sort of dictionary, to understand the other’s language - how to read the emotional signals, how to react, when to back off and when to reach out, what each expects of the other, and ultimately, building a bridge so that the two can meet. This book can help couples understand each other better, avoid arguments, and keep their love alive. Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus was first published in 1992, and it has sold several million copies worldwide. The book was so popular that the title has now become a cliche in general communication.