Don’t be passive-aggressive—instead, be honest and upfront. Make open and honest communication the norm in your relationship, so you don’t feel weird about bringing things up later. Express your feelings using sentences that begin with “I. " This is more effective than accusing him or complaining about his behavior.
Pay attention to his body posture and tone of voice as well. If he seems stiff or uncommunicative, something is bothering him. It may take several patient attempts before he discusses it.
Many men are more willing to show affection in private. Ask him if there are types of affection he’d rather you didn’t show in public, at least for now.
If you are not sexually intimate, your boyfriend may not be ready for the same level of intimacy that you are. You may need to put the brakes on and let him advance the relationship at his pace. If you are sexually intimate, your boyfriend might see this as all the physical intimacy you need. Explain that non-sexual intimacy fills different needs for you.
Rushing this is a big mistake. If you push him to do something he’s not comfortable with, he may resent this and become less cooperative.
