My wife says she is sick of my jokes – but I think she is miserable

DEAR DEIDRE: I ALWAYS fancied myself as a bit of a comedian but lately it has become undeniable that my wife can’t stand my jokes.

We’re in our 60s and have been married for 11 years.

I’ve always been a prankster and while she is more serious than me, she used to go along with the joke and would even laugh along.

But now she openly gets annoyed or upset whenever I joke around.

When I took the hint and gave up the fun, she then asked, “Have you run out of jokes?”

It seems to me that no matter what I do, I cannot get it right all of a sudden.

She seems miserable all the time and yet I don’t know what I’ve done wrong.

DEIDRE SAYS: It does sound like it’s time to talk things through.

Ask your wife how she feels when you make jokes around her, then try to clarify and understand any boundaries that she wants to discuss.

Also let her know how you’re starting to feel. My pack Looking After Your Relationship can help.