Let's face the fact that sometimes things are wrong with us. We might have terrible breath, or food in our teeth, or a tag stuck to our clothes that we forgot to remove, or something else that a loved on points out. So, why does it make us frustrated when it happens, or why do we react negatively to the messenger? The answer is that usually we are embarrassed. That is the common reason we react poorly when someone mentions food in our teeth, or an unsightly zit, etc. So, if you want to be able to tell a significant other that there is something wrong with them, then make sure you take into account the embarrassment factor.

For starters, never tell them in front of other people, make it a private conversation. If you walk up to your significant other in a crowded party and say, "hey you have food in your teeth" it is going to really embarrass them. It is also going to make them wonder if you are trying to one up yourself, or make them look bad to make yourself look better. It can often feel like a competition in relationships, and telling them something is wrong with them in front of other people will NEVER turn out well. So, don't. Whisper it in their ear, pull them aside, send them a text. Do something that is not intrusive, and that will help them feel like you care about them, not that you are trying to embarrass them.

Secondly, do not make it sound critical. Your goal is to let them know what is wrong so that they can correct it, not make them feel inferior, or like you do not care about them. So, do not say it in a way that will make them fell subconscious or like it is personal.

Lastly, ask for their evaluation of you in return. In way this helps even the playing field, but more than anything else, it shows them that you know it could happen to anyone, and you do not see it as a personal character flaw. So, if you tell them that they have bad breath, then say, "How's mine? Do I need mouth wash?"