The Love Doctor Is In

Relationship expert Simon Marcel Badinter answers a few of your burning questions.

What are some affordable ways my husband and I can shake things up for date night?

Start improvising, but without the pressure to always make it special. Go to a concert outdoors, cook together with an exotic menu or give each other massages at home. Have a picnic in a park and gaze at the stars. Be spontaneous!

Is it OK to suggest to my boyfriend that he switches up his style?

Yes, but only in a noncritical way. Men are sensitive and therefore defensive when they feel nagged. So when he’s calm, ask him casually what he thinks of a type of shirt or jacket. Shop together so you can show him what you think fits best.

My boyfriend apologizes immediately in arguments just to end them, but I want to talk things through. How can I draw him into a real conversation?

The right timing is key. Never talk right after a big argument; wait until the next day or two, when the tension is gone. This way, he’ll be able to listen, and you guys can have a good, constructive resolution of the conflict.