You know, in the last few years I've had a lot of lessons in how men and women, in general, think differently.
My wife is a psychologist/PSR worker and she's had a good bit of training in how to communicate and how people express themselves.
I, however, have not. And, believe me, there is nothing that will make you feel more juvenile and useless than having your partner be educated in how to communicate while you fumble your words and try desperately to explain yourself.
After being together for 3 1/2 years and having known each other for 5 years I am JUST beginning to understand that she thinks in a completely different way from me. To grasp why certain fights happen or why either one of us reacts in a given way.

Of course women are hard for men to understand and vice versa. I mean, the brain chemistry is completely different. Heck, part of a man's brain pretty much dissolves during puberty and women get to keep theirs!
The fact is, though, it doesn't mean that either side is irrational or difficult.

So yes, you hit the nail on the head. Seek to understand. Take a minute and try to shift your viewpoint.
It's never easy, but I'm starting to see that it works.