Women need to talk about problems, men need to fix problems. That combination usually starts many arguements in relationships if both parties aren't aware of it before hand. A couple ways to go about this. If you have an issue and you want to discuss it with your husband know he wants to fix it as soon as possible. He's not programmed to want the drawn out details or the millions different side stories around the one issue. You are his partner, you have a problem and now his brain is in action mode. Be up front from the beginning of the conversation "I have this issue and I need to talk it out first and then we can solve it together" and the husband should at this point have a clear verbal que that this is the time to listen (however hard it might be to not talk and solve immediately). After the wife has presented the problem and is open to help she needs to fully embrace the help her partner can provide. You cannot bring a problem to a man and not expect him to have the desire to fix it and women sometimes have problems that don't need fixing just listening. Another key: Manage your urge to "gossip" through the conversation. Save those details for your female friendships. Your husband is not wired to be your verbal BFF so don't set him up for failure from the very beginning. Edit: I just noticed that this is a post from traditional husbands and not traditional wives. My comment is more geared towards the wives sub, I'll look more closely at the subs full name before posting.