Relationship Consultant, Mr George Asah, has cautioned married couples to prioritise effective communication, warning that its neglect is a major cause of breakdown in modern marriages rather than a lack of love.
Speaking at a marital seminar organised by the Church of Christ Lebanon on the theme “Effective Communication in Marriage,” he said marriage is a partnership where differences and friction are inevitable, but can be managed through proper communication.
He explained that many relationships collapse not because love is absent, but because couples fail to maintain open dialogue and ignore basic communication skills needed to sustain marital harmony.
According to him, successful communication requires both partners to take responsibility for how messages are sent and received, stressing that misunderstandings often arise when this balance is ignored.
Mr Asah highlighted what he described as “listening bloopers” that damage relationships, including interrupting a partner while speaking, poor eye contact, and mentally preparing responses instead of listening attentively.
He cautioned that behaviours such as pacing during conversations, finishing a spouse’s sentences, or deliberately avoiding eye contact during serious discussions signal disinterest and can deepen emotional distance.
“Refusing to maintain eye contact with your spouse during critical discussions is, quite frankly, cruel,” he stated.
He urged couples to reflect on their communication habits and eliminate behaviours that undermine understanding, warning that such patterns often lead to resentment and emotional disconnection in marriage.
