IMO, not asking for something but expecting your partner to read your mind and somehow know to do it is just cowardice. Having to ask means making yourself vulnerable because the other person now has the option of invalidating your request or the very fact that you have the audacity to make such a request. So not asking is a defensive ploy. Then, becoming upset that your partner did not read your mind is to turn the blame that should be on you and placing it on your partner. Not fair at all.
BUT…with the Jennifer Aniston example, what she wants is the validation of knowing that Vince is thinking of her while she is gone. Nothing wrong with that IMO. The thing is that she should make it known up front that such actions by him are what she wants. Once she makes this “contract” with him (and thus has made herself vulnerable) and he agrees with that “contract,” then I think it is reasonable for her to get upset if he doesn’t clean up. But still, there is no mind reading.
