Relationship Tip: Treat those around you as well as you do strangers

I've noticed people have a tendency to treat people outside their immediate circle -- whether it be the mailman, the guy who mows the lawn every Friday, or their child's science teacher -- better than they do their spouses, friends or relatives.

The reason for this is that people are always making an effort to put their best foot forward when interacting with people they don't know that well. On the other hand, you are accustomed to seeing your spouse and parents much more frequently, so there's no reason to be unusually nice. For example, your family may know you as the messy procrastinator - you've been that way your whole life -- so even if you tried, it'd be next to impossible to break that image of you they have seared in their minds.

When we meet someone new, we are often more polite and reserved. Once we become comfortable enough, after a few years at least, we're more likely to receive them at the door in slippers.

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