I'm in the doghouse (惹祸，受冷落) again, Carol. Sometimes it feels like my wife and I are speaking different languages.
Maybe you are! Have you ever heard of the book called "The Five Love Languages?"
Can't say that I have. What's the basic premise (前提 假定)?
People have different primary love languages they use to express and receive love.
Those being?
Words of affirmation (肯定), quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
And what have you gleaned (缓慢艰难地收集信息) from it?
My husband needs words of affirmation, which I need to practice giving him because I was brought up so differently.
I shower my wife with compliments all the time though!
Maybe for her, actions speak louder than words.
Well, I'm tired of all the bickering (斗嘴 口角). We're both running on empty.
The book says we need to be attuned (心领神会的 熟悉的) to when our partner's "love tank" is running low, and then help them fill it up.
Just by speaking their love language?
It's not the be-all and end-all. But it's a starting point for exploring more meaningful ways to communicate.