[AIM]

Sorry to hear about your breakup, but this is an interesting topic. My husband and I play together and have issues primarily when he starts trying to tell me how to play or when he has been critizing other teammates with just as much talent and experience as he has behind their backs. If someone wants help, he/she will typically ask for it. When he gives unsolicited instructions or criticisim, it must be because he thinks that he is better than everyone else. He gets a big head because people are amazed by how hard he hits. They rarely realize that half of the balls he hits go out of bounds. Sometimes my anger at his arrogance will get the best of me and I will begin criticizing him so that he refocuses his attention on his own performance rather than mine. If he is positive and encouraging, we play very well together. I think the key is to treat your significant other with the same respect and encouragement as you would with another teammate. He/she will be more likely to do the same.