Ask Dr. Tseday: June 2, 2008

R.D. from Fort Lauderdale, Florida asks: Whenever we go out with friends, my husband is always making jokes at my expense. He doesn’t say anything terrible, but it still bothers me. I’ve mentioned it to him before and he says i should just lighten up and he’s just teasing. But it makes me uncomfortable. How can I get him to understand that and stop?

Dr. Tseday responds: It’s sad that the one person who’s there to make you happy has not lived up to that expectation. I think your husband has personal issues he needs to address on his own. His behavior is a reflection of his inadequacy and deficiency not only as a husband, but as a man. Your husband has to decide to stop this behavior on his own. Sit your husband down and tell him this behavior does not make for a happy marriage and that you will not be a part of this anymore. Then the ball is in his court, but you need to be prepared to leave the game if necessary.