Yes, we know that you would never intentionally be passive-aggressive to your partner, but sometimes you are without even realizing it. Here are 5 tell-tale signs that you’re being passive-aggressive:
1. Giving backhanded compliments
Statements like ‘I like you clean-shaven’ or ‘Wow, you cleaned the kitchen’ may sound nice, but they hurt your partner. They denote that your husband looks unattractive with a beard and is a messy person. In this way, you might send a wrong signal to him.
So, to avoid any confusion, say what exactly you want to say. For example, say ‘Your beard hurts my face’ Or ‘I need your help in cleaning the kitchen.’
2. Keeping score
When he cancelled that date night last week because of work, you told him, ‘It’s perfectly fine.’ However, you still brought it up at your next dinner date, just to guilt trip him.
Here is the trick: whenever you feel upset about anything, talk about it then and there. In short, always resolve issues immediately.
3. Saying ‘yes’ when you don’t actually mean it
If you’ve been in a relationship for a long time, this habit can become quite common: You agree to things even when you don’t really want to do them.
Nevertheless, if you don’t want to do something to avoid confrontation, don’t just agree to do it.
4. Procrastinating
Just like unwillingly to say ‘yes,’ forgetting to do things your spouse asked you to do makes you look careless. So, discuss whether or not something is bothering you, and set deadlines.
5. Giving the silent treatment
Keeping things to yourself just to avoid a big fight doesn’t always work. Instead of silently sulking and making your partner worried, just speak up if you are upset about something.
