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Coupleswho laugh together stay together.
But if one person is laughing at the other, is it really love?
Read the full story below.
But not all humor lands the same way.
Those who enjoyed laughing at their partners rather than with them had more conflicts and disagreements.
Wheres the line between teasing and being mean?
But where exactly is the line between playful teasing and being mean?
And how can someone tell when theyve crossed it?
Advanced Imago couples therapistShan Merchantexplains that for some couples, gentle teasing can be a form of connection.
It creates a sense of fun, lightheartedness, and even flirtation.
The secret sauce to this is attunement, she tellsBored Panda.
Dismissing chips away at emotional safety, which is crucial to the health of all relationships.
It ultimately comes down to how the joke lands.
If youre unsure whether youve crossed the line, Merchant suggests paying attention to your partners reaction.
Loving your partner isnt pushing past their vulnerability, its holding it with care and respect.
When these things are missing, you start to feel unseen, unheard, and unimportant, Merchant notes.
So how should couples communicate when something bothers them?
I feel like my feelings dont matter to you.
And that hurts me because I want to feel loved and cared for by you.
That shift, from a complaint to vulnerability, can really change how the other person hears you.
At the end of the day, its not about being too sensitive or overreacting.
Its about whether you both feel safe and valued in the relationship.
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