Having tough talks with your partner can be a hard nut to crack. Chances are you might stumble upon a favourable path or be caught off guard by an unpredictable response. When 23-year-old Kausar Hameed (name anonymised) attempted to broach the topic of finances with his girlfriend, he recalls how he was met with erratic tantrums.

In a conversation with Midday, he opens up about this conundrum: “I feel like I have to navigate a maze just to have basic conversations with her. It worries me when we have to talk about children and other important aspects of life. We just don't seem to be a team and I neuter anything I have to say that may be controversial or problematic. Honestly, this has begun to bog me down.”