I'm not bitter, because I don't have this issue in my marriage. I tend to get amused at the viewpoints of the "women's advice" types, though.
In my own marriage, I try to deliver what she wants, and I have an expectation that she deliver what I want in fair exchange. She keeps me happy, I keep her happy. If she is not interested in keeping me happy, then she should have no expectation that I will continue any effort to keep her happy. If she walks into a store to get something, she's not allowed to walk out with it without paying what's on the price tag. Same deal at home.
A woman who does not respect and admire a man, will find herself unable to love him. If she can get away with walking all over him, then she will lose respect. I've seen it happen with three of my friends: all of them were extreme "nice guys", faithful, gave the wife what she wanted. All three wives left for the "better deal", with two of the three acquiring their new boyfriends before dumping hubby.
My approach is simple: you do your part, and I'll do mine. If I notice you playing "Cosmopolitan" head games on me, I'll be annoyed. Getting me annoyed is not a stepping-stone on your path to a happy time.
Something wrong with faithful? I wouldn't respect my husband if he wasn't.
All three wives left for the "better deal", with two of the three acquiring their new boyfriends before dumping hubby.
It's not just the men in those relationships that are the problem--it's the spoiled women who think everything must go their way. You have to pick your battles. I don't understand these women who tell their husbands what to eat, what to wear, etc.