Mike DomitrzPresident, Author, and Speaker on Respect, The Center for Respect, Inc. · Author & Speaker on Respect for Schools, Corporations, & the Military since 1990 (has reached

What You Say About Your Partner When They're Not Around Matters

28 Sept 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:45

In this brief YouTube monologue, speaker Mike Domitrz addresses the habit of speaking about a romantic partner behind their back—especially in social settings with friends. He highlights that exaggerating, complaining, or turning the partner into a sensational story betrays relationship integrity. Rather than feeling guilt, he urges listeners to become aware of such moments, own them, and correct the narrative by acknowledging the misstep to friends. He also challenges the social norm that gossip is acceptable, encouraging a personal standard of respect for both the partner and oneself. The video concludes with a call to action, inviting schools to book him for talks that teach students skills to reduce gossip and toxicity.

Chapters

How do you talk about intimacy with your partner when they're not around? Like when you're with your friends? Now maybe you don't, but if you do, and with your friends, you catch yourself exaggerating, complaining, or turning your partner into a story you would never tell if they were sitting right next to you, that's a lack of integrity in a relationship. I don't want you to feel guilt or shame. I just want you to catch it next time. Catch it and own it. Tell your friends, I don't know why I just said that. I would never say that if they were standing here or sitting here. And so that's not okay. And if your friends try to say, oh, it's okay, this is how we talk, this is how we gossip. Stop and go, well, that's not for me. That's not how I want to be treated. And that's not how I want them to be treated by me. If you want students to gain essential skills like this that reduces gossiping toxicity in a school, follow me here or reach out. Let's talk about bringing me to speak at your school.