Dear Massi, I recently got married and things were okay at first.

But when we went shopping last week he insisted that I sit in the back seat of the car even though there were only two of us in the vehicle.

I refused and he said he would rather stay at home.

He explained that all the women in his family were seated in the back and this was out of respect from him to them.

His mum always sits in the back and this was how he had been brought up. When I spoke to his mum she agreed that I should sit in the back and she chooses to as do her other daughter-in-law's.

I decided to do as he said to avoid a silly argument but then when I got to some traffic lights one of my friends saw me and texted ‘lol.’

It was so embarrassing. How can I explain to him that I do not want to sit in the back?

When we went out before getting married a few times he had no issue with me sitting at the front.

Massi please help.

Massi Says, I understand your predicament and I can see it may be embarrassing for you.

Rather than involving yourself in a petty dispute, try to reason with your new husband about his ‘rules.' In this instance he may well be simply trying to appease his own mother and family.

If you feel so strongly about this, explain clearly to your husband that you won’t travel anywhere unless you are seated in the passenger seat at the front.

Some women may well choose to sit at the back but tell him that you will not.

You did not say that you could drive yourself. If not, it might be a good idea for you to learn to drive which may help alleviate the problem.