She’s loving in private, but a flirt in public!

Illustration/Uday Mohite

This is a strange question, but I am confused about my girlfriend's behaviour towards me. She is always very caring and loving in private but turns into a casual person the minute we are with other people. She openly flirts with other guys, treats me like someone she is just hanging around with, and gives everyone the impression that we are only in a temporary relationship. I am very serious about her and have repeatedly told her this, but it doesn't seem to register. I don't know what to do. We have been together for over eight months, and this doesn't make sense. Should I end it or be patient until she starts to show me more affection in public?
If she treats you badly in public, that is unacceptable because it is a sign of disrespect. No one who loves you should disrespect you, and you have the right to call out this behaviour. If you are insecure about this relationship, and she isn't willing to change how she behaves, this is not going to end well for either of you. Tell her how you feel, why this isn't working for you, and ask her if she wants to end this. Maybe she simply hasn't come to terms with how you look at this, or isn't prepared to think about her own emotions, and needs a wakeup call. Treating a partner poorly is a form of emotional abuse and should never be part of any healthy relationship.

My friend's mother keeps asking me to stop meeting her because she thinks we are romantically involved. I have repeatedly told her that her daughter and I are just good friends, but she is constantly suspicious. My friend has told her this, too, but she doesn't believe either of us. How do we change her mind?
Not believing you is one thing, but ignoring her daughter is more serious. The three of you need to speak together.

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