Marriage experts typically recommend that couples take some time to cool off before discussing an issue if they find that they’re too angry to constructively handle the situation in the moment. In those particular situations, temporary silence is probably the best option for the relationship. However, there are those who take this advice to extremes.
A concerned wife, who we’ll call “Tasha,” asked Reddit members for advice Thursday because she has found herself on the receiving end of the silent treatment for the last three months. Apparently, she and her husband, Rick, got into an argument of sorts, and he has been pretty much ignoring her ever since. The couple, both 28 years of age, met at work and maintained a long distance dating relationship for two years before they got married last December. After tying the knot last year, the couple continued to maintain a long distance relationship, but that is about to change because Tasha is set to move in with Rick next month. Tasha explains:
My husband, Rick and I work for the same company in different countries. We met through work, dated for about two years and got married December last year. Yes, we are still long distance but I will be moving to his country next month.
Rick sulks every time we argue. He stops talking to me for days, and our latest count is three months yesterday and I am this close to giving up. I keep asking him to talk, and he alternates between sending me one-word replies or completely ignoring me. Phone calls have completely stopped. I have told him multiple times that I have no intention of putting up with such childish behavior, but he continues and uses the excuse that he needs time to calm down after an argument.
While Tasha admits to having a short fuse, she feels that Rick’s behavior is totally unacceptable.
I am the explosive type. I yell and then calm down immediately. I get that he needs space. But weeks and months are too long for me. I can’t and don’t want to put up with that sh-t.
Interestingly enough, when Tasha mentions divorce, Rick doesn’t seem to be fazed at all.
I have told him that I want to leave if he continues this, and his only response was that he doesn’t want to get a divorce but if that’s what I want, then we can go through with it. NO, that’s not what I want. I want to talk to my husband, but I can’t get through to him.
Do you have advice for Tasha?
