Couples bicker in public for many different reasons — a common reason I see in my practice is jealousy. Some people feel insecure when their partners get positive attention from others and this leads them to feeling that their partner will abandon them. Humiliating their partner is a way of asserting dominance and ownership. *This post is one example of couples bickering and does not in any way represent all cases of couples bickering.* Disclaimer: You may want to consider your individual mental