Okay, having stuff spelled out..not so bad, as long as you say "I need you to tell me because I s*ck at these kinds of things. It may take a while to get the message through, but when it is said with no exasperation and a self deprecating kind of manner, it is a reflection on you, rather than an inability on his part to remember you are clueless :P (just like him not telling you he wasn't feeling well) ::)
