DEAR ABBY: When my boyfriend takes me out to dinner, he always expects sex afterward. I am OK with it because he's a nice guy. But he never says "thank you" when we're done.
Other than his manners, he's great and I'm happy we're together. Am I being petty and overly sensitive? My first husband never thanked me either or appreciated me, so I guess it's a sore spot. How should I approach this without jeopardizing everything else? -- HESITANT TO SPEAK UP
DEAR HESITANT: Sex is not supposed to be "payment" because someone picks up a dinner check. If that's what is happening with you and your boyfriend, it is being approached with the wrong attitude.
A person is not expected to thank a partner for having sex, unless the sex was unusually spectacular. Because you feel otherwise, tell your boyfriend what your needs are -- and if he agrees to thank you, return the compliment by thanking him.