My hubby takes advantage of my shy and silent nature

Dear Diana,
I've been married nine years and have two kids. I am quiet, shy, down-to-earth person; whereas my husband is the complete opposite. He is more verbal and loud. Initially, this made me fall in love with him; now it gets on my nerves. We were friends before we got married. He loved my shy and quiet nature and I fell in love with his talkative nature. I gel well with my in-laws. My only problem is my hubby and his rude and loud nature. The initial years were fun. Since the past four years, not so good. All our conversations end in him shouting and me

Illustration/ Sameer Pawar

not talking with him for days... sometimes, an entire month. I feel not talking to him is better option than arguing back and forth. Sometimes I feel he takes advantage of my quieter nature, but I can't seem to help it.u00a0 I usually don't like him raising his voice on me. We both work and are financially sound, but aren't happy anymore. I really don't know what our problem is at times.

Jessy

Dear Jessy,
Your incompatibility wasn't much of an issue when you were friends, even lesser so when you were wed. Something happened, of late, to make you angry enough to realise you married a guy who drives you mad (and not in the way you'd expect). That realisation should've struck you much sooner, no? In any case, tell him that he has to be understanding if he wants to stay with you. Your calmness will effectively counter his brashness.u00a0 He can't keep taking you for granted.

Can't make eye contact with women

Dear Diana,
Most of my interactions with women has me all afraid and withdrawn. Why is it so difficult for me to even make eye contact with women?