If she comes in with her hair in flying cornrows that remind you of Medusa, you swallow your fear of being turned to stone and tell her it accents her face perfectly.
About a week of eating sardines out of a can and hugging the couch pillows will convince any man that discretion is the better part of valor.
Maybe after fifteen or twenty years while you're looking through an old photo album a man can subtly suggest that she looked so young in that photo, and maybe it was due to the fact that her hair made her look human.
I knew an old feller like you would have words of guidance to offer. I am sure this is from personal experience. Correct?
I have printed your words and taped them into the back of my address book so they'll be handy when the storm clouds come.
Ah, such is the benefits of marrying an older man. They've already learned that in life, some sacrifices are necessary, even if you really like sardines and sleeping on the couch.
I've been married for twenty one years, and practiced that nonsense, until I realized that I got "sardines and couch pillows" for almost any offense, almost as a matter of course.
Giving in for so many years gave her absolute power, and earned me contempt. Learn to cook. If she doesn't want you in her bed, show her the couch. Earn some respect, like she has.