Sammi, 14, from LA, asks:

I have a boyfriend and he's 15. He can be a pain sometimes. Every time on msn I say something meaningful to him, he'll just say ok. Sometimes he says stuff about my picture like "you scared me" and that I look scary, he doesn't compliment me much. I care for him, and whenever he feels bad I'll try to make him happy. He admits that he's a bad boyfriend but I always tell him not to think like that. I don't know what to do with him, sometimes I think he'll never get it. Sometimes I want to break up with him, but I can't because I love him too much. Any advice?
Thanks Victor.

VictorM's advice:

Far too many adult men are the way you describe. More so when they are teenagers. Some of it is a reflection of how things are at home. If they aren't used to getting complimented at home, they don't know how to handle a compliment, hence just the "ok" answer. If they are made fun off, that's all they know to do, so he does it to you.

It won't be easy, but you can try to train him a little bit. For example, when he says "you're scary" (he's just acting on learned behavior, it's not really what he thinks of you) patiently say something like "I know you're just joking but I would prefer you didn't say that. If you have nothing good to say about my picture, say nothing, but if you like it, I would love it if you said so." Don't say it in an angry tone of voice, but if you are this direct, he might, just might, start changing a bit. But don't go getting your hopes too high. It won't be easy for him.

Don't be too pushy, but you can try to train him that it's OK to express his feelings, to express his pleasure, to compliment you, not by yelling at him or telling him off, but by giving him positive encouragement. Don't over do it either. Guys are happiest with simple compliments. For example, if he does say "you look nice in that picture", just give him a smile, a kiss, and a blowjob say thanks. That's all. Keep the encouragement simple because you don't want to embarrass him.