Insult or Affection? – Part 2
by Dr. Coach Love
Continuing…
In Part 1, I described “his and her” patterns of behavior that can lead to long-term miscommunications involving humor, insults, and affection.
Despite your humorous or affectionate intent, the result is you offend your wife with that nickname. She has a right to her feelings. And now that you know you do not achieve your goal of expressing humor or affection, why would you continue? You are now clearly on notice.
If you use that nickname again, you can no longer honestly hide behind the humor or affection angle — – it is neither funny nor feel-good to your wife.
Here are 4 Simple Tips for you to consider following now:
1. Apologize sincerely.
2. Forget the nickname.
3. Work together with your wife to reverse any of the negative communication patterns described above, which the two of you may have established.
4. Recognize how these patterns may be present in other types of communication between you.
Remember, that communication always has two parts that must line up in order to be successful. So no matter what you intend, what you have described here is a failure to communicate.
Fix it! Any more questions?
This is my story and I’m sticking to it. Goodbye—
Regards,
Dr. Coach Love
MORE INFO LINKS: Posts- Pt1 2-17-08
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I invite your comments below.
t E-mail your relationship coaching questions to DrCoachLove@centurytel.net.
t Questions selected will be edited as needed to reflect privacy, brevity, clarity, and general interest.
t Sorry, Dr. Coach Love is unable to offer any personal advice through this blog.
t Check out relationship coaching at www.HireCoach.com.
© Copyright 2008 P.H. Pickett. All rights reserved. Reprint with permission.
Contact DrCoachLove@Centurytel.net for permissions.
