Dear Mary | 4 April 2009

Q. I love my husband but, when we go out together to parties, I often hear him saying things which both of us know are not true and which he is clearly saying just for effect or to keep the conversation moving along with no thought to the consequences of his talking such nonsense. I do not want us to turn into one of those couples who constantly contradict each other’s stories — that would be so boring. Whenever I upbraid him on the way home he always says, ‘Oh don’t worry about it. No one listens to what anyone else says at parties. Even if they did they wouldn’t have taken me seriously.’ I find it very frustrating. Any suggestions, Mary?

C.B., London SW11

A. You are not the only woman to suffer from this annoyance. Next time you hear your husband talk nonsense, sigh humorously as you say to his interlocutor ‘TOIT’.