Cook for Them: which types it suits

Cook for them means making the other person something they love and putting it on the table. It doesn't need to be impressive. Their favourite omelette, the pasta you always used to make, a recipe you've never tried but looked up for them: if it says 'I made this thinking of you', it's done its job. Cooking skill isn't the point; a slightly lopsided plate still carries all the time spent thinking about what they'd like. Taking on the washing-up afterwards is a nice finish.

For people who find spoken apologies awkward, cooking is an apology made of time and effort. Choosing ingredients, chopping and plating are all time spent thinking about the other person. It suits people who prefer to show rather than tell, and couples who soften when they feel looked after. Once the food's on the table, a quiet 'I'm sorry about earlier' lets the dish and the words arrive together.