Six things you should never, ever say to your partner
Yup… it's official. Actually, it's better than that – it's science.
Yes, it turns out that the key to a long, happy marriage is telling your partner when they are annoying you.
So now you have an excuse to let them know: it’s for the sake of your relationship!
Dr Hannah Fry, author of Mathematics Of Love, explains how mathematical research into marriage found that those who voice their annoyance with the other and have it out with an argument are less likely to divorce.
"The couples who end up doing best have a really low negativity threshold. When things bother them they speak up immediately and don’t let small things spill out of control,” she said.
"I would have thought that a really high threshold of negativity, where you let things go on and let your partner 'be themselves' would be more successful. But the exact opposite is true," Dr Fry explained.
So basically, you shouldn’t be afraid of an argument if something is getting on your nerves (like we need the encouragement). However, there are some things you should definitely steer clear of saying to your other-half and here they are…
1. My ex used to do that too!
Any ex talk at all should be strictly off limits. Like seriously, unless you want to give him the green light to bring up his old flame too (no, thanks), simply don’t make it a topic of conversation.
2. How many people have you slept with?
Queue the jealousy. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. And there is NEVER a right answer to this question anyway.
3. Is she better looking/smarter/skinnier/more athletic/funnier than me?
Trust us, you’re just asking for trouble with this one. There is no right answer – and no way the guys can weasel their way out of it without digging a gigantic hole that will leave everyone in tears.
4. Does this dress look OK?
He doesn't really care. Sure, he also thinks you look great in a bin-liner – but he also wants to get out the door sometime before 10.30pm. Asking "is this dress OK?" is like asking: "Would you like to leave in five minutes or in another hour-and-a-half?"
Alternatively, he could utter something like: “Umm, do ya have somethin’ else you could wear?”
Firstly, obviously I don’t have anything else, I have NO clothes, remember? Secondly, excuse me while I go upstairs and bawl my eyes out.
5. Can we watch the Kardashians?
Especially not before bed; instant mood-killer. Don’t expect to get any action if he has to sit through an hour of Kim taking selfies and Kris having several large glasses of wine. This is literally to men what watching a group of lads play FIFA is to us.
6. What’s THAT supposed to mean?
When men say something, they usually mean it. Unlike our highly-coded statements, such as: “Yea, I’m grand”, or alternatively: “No, I don’t mind” – both of which usually mean the exact opposite of what we are trying to say.
So if he says he doesn’t want to get busy because he’s too tired, that’s probably because he is. Not because he saw some girl in Tesco that’s WAY better looking than you and that he’s probably going to end up getting with and then marrying and having nine children and yes, they'll be perfect.
Duly noted.
