No wrong answer
No wrong answer is a marriage rule from So You Married a Human by Jackie Kelley. Saying it signals that the question coming is not a trap: you genuinely just need the answer, and whatever your spouse says will be accepted.
In Jackie's words
“No wrong answer” is basically the human version of a dog rolling over onto its back when approached by a larger dog, or entering a room with your hands raised, or transmitting “we come in peace” from your alien spaceship.
It translates to something like this: Even though the question I’m about to ask might sound like a trap, I genuinely just need to know the answer. I promise that whatever answer you give will be accepted with open arms. You are not under attack. You are not being set up. You are totally safe.
That was a lot wordier than I initially anticipated, but you get the idea. If you’re still a bit confused, let me give you some examples of when this rule could come in handy:
- “No wrong answer, but will you be home for dinner tonight?”
- “No wrong answer, but do you have the capacity to walk the dogs?”
- “No wrong answer, but did you remember to run the dishwasher this morning?”
- “No wrong answer, but have you had a chance to think about what you want to do for Christmas this year?”
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