Awkward situations in a relationship can make you shut up, but sometimes you really have to say something. Your dangerous silence brings you even more trouble. Then you have to act responsibly.

During an argument

Why you are silent: You are trying not to provoke her, which can cause even more anger and deepen the conflict.

What she thinks: It will feel like you don’t respect her opinion, which is even worse than not caring about her.

Solution: Tell her you care about your relationship and that you don’t want to say something stupid that you would later regret. Ask her to continue the conversation later and let her know you are not trying to escape.

After sex

Why are you silent: You want to relax, not talk.

What she thinks: Think of something else. Or you fell asleep. She now wants you to feel close to each other, and the right way to express that is through conversation.

Solution: Forget general praise and mention something special that you appreciate about her. Mention how this and that are worth remembering.

When she’s upset about work

Why are you silent: Men like solving things. When they are unable to do that, they shut themselves in.

What she thinks: You are completely uninterested in what is happening to her. You’d rather keep quiet until he stops talking about it.

Solution: Don’t offer her instant solutions. She knows you don’t have an ace up your sleeve, she doesn’t even ask for it. She needs someone to listen to her, and you react with disgust to her boss’s vile action or show compassion.

When he asks you what he looks like

Why are you silent: You are afraid of saying something wrong, so praise her briefly and succinctly.

What she thinks: You are not pleasant to her at all. When women propose something like this, men take them literally, and they actually think – what do you think about them and how do you feel about them.

Solution: Quick: What do you like most about it? Inform her that her toilet emphasizes that perfection. She does not always ask for a compliment, but the speed and sincerity of your answer are important.

When you meet her friends

Why are you silent: You are uncomfortable because you do not know them and you are ashamed and wonder what they have heard about you.

What she thinks: You are careless, maybe even hostile to her friends. If you are talkative, you are more likely to leave a favourable impression.

Solution: Ask her to tell you something about them. Therefore you will have a topic to talk about in the beginning. And you will let your friends know you two mention them in a cheerful light.