Never Criticize Your Wife

When I hear someone criticizing their wife or partner in their presence, I have to wonder what is their motive. Apart from being bad manners, it serves no purpose that I can see, except that it makes you look small. (I am not perfect at this but I have worked on it a lot.)

If there is something you want your spouse to do differently, it is more likely to happen if you make a simple request. “Honey, I would appreciate it if you would do X.”

Especially offensive to me is a partner criticizing the spouse in the third person. “He always does so-and-so.“ or “ She is always late.“

Successful marriages depend on open communication and, most of all, respect for each other. If there is something you can work on this week, try this: be less critical of people in general, but of your partner in particular. If you are brave enough, have a conversation with your partner about this topic. Start with an apology for any past criticism.