According to John Gray's bestselling self-help book, Men are from ..., and Women from ... ?

The famous phrase comes from the title of John Gray's 1992 self-help book, "Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus." The book uses a central metaphor to explain the fundamental psychological and emotional differences between the sexes, suggesting they are so distinct that they might as well have originated on separate planets. Gray chose these specific celestial bodies based on their mythological associations: Mars is named for the Roman god of war, representing traditionally masculine traits, while Venus is named for the Roman goddess of love and beauty, representing the feminine.

The book became a massive pop-culture phenomenon and a staple of the relationship advice genre. It argues that most common relationship problems stem from a failure to recognize these inherent differences in communication styles, emotional needs, and stress responses. For example, Gray posits that when stressed, men tend to retreat into their "caves" to solve problems alone, while women prefer to talk through their issues.

By framing men and women as alien species trying to understand each other, Gray provided a simple, accessible framework for couples to navigate their conflicts. While the book has been widely criticized by experts for its oversimplification and reliance on gender stereotypes, its core concept has remained an enduring part of popular culture for decades.