Beta ji, being a boyfriend is a privilege, not a right. Pehle toh yeh samajh lo. The minute you understand this, life will be much more pleasant for you. Because you will then automatically treat your partner with respect instead of trying to copy your papa’s misogyny because papa aise karte hain toh theek hi hoga. Also, I am giving these tips assuming you’re dating a woman. I will give tips for my LGBTQ+ bachchas also. The research is ongoing. Till then, for all you bachchas, here’s how to be a good boyfriend.

Listen to her instead of giving advice

I know, beta ji, that you feel this undying urge to correct everybody and set them on the right path. But I assure you when your girlfriend is ranting to you about something, she wants you to listen to her, not interrupt her with advice. If she wants advice, she will ask for it. Till then, just listen and apne andar ke uncle ko shaant rakho.

Hate the people she hates

So what if you don’t know them? She hates them, that should be enough for you. Don’t go looking for logical reasons. And don’t try to be shaitaan ka vakeel. Why would you take the side of someone you don’t even know over the woman who has given you the opportunity of being her boyfriend? This is one of the best tips on how to be a good boyfriend. Don’t ignore it.

Use her as a friend filter

One of the best ways to test the quality of your friendships is by making your girlfriend meet your friends. By the way they behave during and after the meeting with her, you will know if they’re worth being your friends or not. Dekho, bachche. You chose to be with your girlfriend for a reason, your friends should respect that. If they start bitching about her, you know that they’re not really friends. True pals will support you and talk to you very gently if they notice something is off with your partner.

Don’t make your problems her problems

If your parents just cannot live without your presence in the same house, that’s your problem. Not hers. If you have an anger management issue, it’s your problem. Not hers. Don’t try to change her to suit your life, beta ji. What if she did that to you? Would you be happy living with your in-laws or bearing the brunt of your girlfriend’s gussa for no fault of yours?

Let her put makeup on you

If you want to learn how to be a good boyfriend, you need to get rid of some typical notions of mardaangi, bachche. Agar mazaak mazaak mein, usne nail polish lagaa di or if she wants to try her new makeup palette on you, embrace it and enjoy something new. Save your faaltu ki masculinity for the sports field. Enjoy pookie time, bachche.

Full marks to you for reading this far, beta ji. You’re already on the right track to be a good boyfriend.

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