I have this problem.

See, my wife likes to try new things, and she has an open mind. For example, she might say something like, "You know, I think I'm going to start exercising my facial muscles. I found this website where they show you how to do it, and they say it might help prevent aging if you start doing it early." This is, in fact, something she just said about 20 minutes ago.

And me, instead of realizing that this doesn't affect me in any way whatsoever and saying something like "That's great, honey," will start pulling the skeptical routine. "But isn't it the skin of your face that loses its elasticity? Why would exercising the muscles of your face help? What if they bulked up from the exercise?" etc etc.

The beautiful little helium balloon of Rebecca's idea floats by the anti-aircraft gun of Keith's skepticism. Another one bites the dust, but it is not a victory. She just feels shitty for having her idea shot down, and I feel shitty for shooting it down and spend the next 24 trying to make her not mad at me no more.

But I do the same thing the next time she decides to make anti-weight-loss earrings using rare-earth magnets. You get the idea.

It's also not enough if I train myself to merely say "That's a great idea, honey." Because of my past skepticism and her knowledge of my nature, she will be watching my face for subtle clues of disapproval. The slightest twitch will shoot her idea down the same way a thousand questions would.

I don't know what the solution is, then. I can be polite, but I can't not be a skeptic. I think the solution is two-pronged. I should be polite, and she should stick to her guns and tell me exactly where I can shove my skepticism.