Marriage Advice for the Layperson
When your spouse tells you that she (or he) wrote a story today (or accomplished something important in whatever vocation or hobby is her/his personal passion) you should say "Great, babe!" - without having to be prompted - as opposed to - saying nothing.
Bonus points if you act interested, ask questions, or (dare I say it) ask to read! (see, taste, etc.) it.
When your spouse later tells you that she (or he) wrote TWO stories today* (or accomplished A LOT of something important in whatever vocation or hobby is her/his personal passion) and proceeds to tell you about them, you should act interested, etc, etc, - rather than nod during the first part and then comment that the second story (etc etc) is flawed by design without ever having even read it (seen it, tasted it, etc.)
When your spouse brings up her story (etc etc) the following day, mentioning in detail the problems/challenges she faces in making it everything she wants it to be, you should act interested (etc etc) and then say something encouraging so she doesn't lose heart and feel like she should give up writing (or whatever vocation etc etc) - as opposed to opening the mail while she speaks to you and then immediately launching into a new topic when she's done speaking.
Please note that if you do NOT follow the above advice, your spouse is under no obligation to look with interest at the items you find amusing in the catalog or on the television and will likely (probably - ha) NOT consent to give you any modicum of physical affection later.
P.S. If your spouse does all this in one day AND takes care of your house and your offspring AND makes you baked ziti, and then pound cake with strawberry sauce for dessert and you do not follow the above advice, well then you're just an asshole.
This has been a public service announcement. We now return you to your regularly scheduled silent treatment.
Bonus points if you act interested, ask questions, or (dare I say it) ask to read! (see, taste, etc.) it.
When your spouse later tells you that she (or he) wrote TWO stories today* (or accomplished A LOT of something important in whatever vocation or hobby is her/his personal passion) and proceeds to tell you about them, you should act interested, etc, etc, - rather than nod during the first part and then comment that the second story (etc etc) is flawed by design without ever having even read it (seen it, tasted it, etc.)
When your spouse brings up her story (etc etc) the following day, mentioning in detail the problems/challenges she faces in making it everything she wants it to be, you should act interested (etc etc) and then say something encouraging so she doesn't lose heart and feel like she should give up writing (or whatever vocation etc etc) - as opposed to opening the mail while she speaks to you and then immediately launching into a new topic when she's done speaking.
Please note that if you do NOT follow the above advice, your spouse is under no obligation to look with interest at the items you find amusing in the catalog or on the television and will likely (probably - ha) NOT consent to give you any modicum of physical affection later.
P.S. If your spouse does all this in one day AND takes care of your house and your offspring AND makes you baked ziti, and then pound cake with strawberry sauce for dessert and you do not follow the above advice, well then you're just an asshole.
This has been a public service announcement. We now return you to your regularly scheduled silent treatment.