5 Questions to Test Your Marriage!

1) The family saloon acquires a deep scrape down one side while you're out driving on your own for the day. which of the following phrases is your partner most likely to utter when you get home?
a) "What the hell were you playing at?"
b) "Oh my god, are you okay?"
c) "That's going to prove expensive!"

2) You inadvertently let slip that your hairdresser charges 14 times as much as your husband's barber. Does he:
a) Say that the money would be better spent on the garden?
b) Tell you you're worth every penny?
c) Joke that you should switch to his barber?

3) Your ageing mother needs residential care because you're no longer able to lift her. Does your husband:
a) Start looking up numbers for homes?
b) Propose that she comes to live in your house?
c) Suggest back-strengthening exercise, but offer to help?

4) A special wedding anniversary clashes with yet another national sporting contest against Australia. Does your husband:
a) Explain that he won't personally be available for the celebration?
b) Suggest you fly to Bermuda to renew your vows?
c) Propose you hold the party somewhere with live coverage and a giant screen?

5) Your 30-year-old son announces that his girlfriend is expecting triplets. Does your husband:
a) Say it's high time the two of you retired to Florida?
b) Open the Champagne and take out extra life insurance?
c) Make it clear that his side of the family is not to blame?

SCORING :

MOSTLY 'A's : GRUMPY OLD MAN!
This result almost suggests that the original wedding may have been a bit of a mistake and you probably wouldn't want to compound it with a repeat performance. However, the passage of time accounts for many of the traits in "grumpy old man" syndrome. Some of his cynicism is a defence against feeling out of date and left behind by those now apparently in charge of the world. Consider whether past virtues and shared history make a case in his defence. Only you can decide.

MOSTLY 'B's: TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
Be careful of this paragon because every other reader would like a piece of him. Of course, he's a bit unreal. I'd be suspicious of anyone who posed as a saint - because we've all got our difficult and self-interested sides. Fine words are cheap and can be uttered by any performer; elements of passive aggression are also common (saying you love someone when your behavior suggests you don't). So look beyond the packaging and judge only by his actions.

MOSTLY 'C's: HIDDEN DEPTHS
Not to be underestimated. He has hidden reserves of sincerity and you could do a whole lot worse. Your man is guilty of having a bark worse than his bite, but needs to grumble as the price he pays for fitting in with your plans. His heart is in the marriage. But he also recognizes that much of making a good partnership means accepting you don't get everything you want from life. My query for you is simple - would he be the one to stand by you in a crisis? Then you should certainly say yes all over again.