He Tells Her To 'Come Up With Alternatives'

Dear Patti,

My boyfriend and I live together, and we've been having a ridiculous argument. He does certain repetitive things. Sometimes I'll ask him to stop doing something if it's annoying me. Instead of stopping, he tells me I need to come up with an alternative for him to do instead. Otherwise he'll keep on doing it. I think this is petty and defensive. I basically told him there's nothing wrong with me asking him to stop doing something without having some pre-made solution for what he should do instead. Can you help before I lose my mind?

Am I The Crazy One?

Dear Not Crazy,

See, I gave the answer away already! You're definitely NOT the crazy one. It should be enough for you to say, "Would you mind not doing X? It's getting on my nerves."

But if he INSISTS on an alternative, then go with: "Okay, how about doing the dishes and mopping the floor instead?"

I mean, really. I'd keep giving him household chores until he begged for mercy.