I actually got this out of the way last night. I sort of played victim… I acted like something was bothering me a lot and he kept prodding to find out what it was, and I asked how comfortable he was with me and he said very, and then I asked how sure he was that I loved him and that it would take a lot to change that… and he said very. So I stumbled over it a lot, and I said “I noticed something that you do, and it’s silly really, but it’s pretty socially unacceptable and I feel like I’m responsible for telling you so you know to be mindful but I don’t want you to change for me” and the more I stumbled with spitting the actual words out, he thought it was funny… so I played on it, and when I’d decided he’d laughed at me enough, I said it with my face buried in a pillow. He’d gotten such a kick at how hard it was to say it that by the time I said it, he said something like “THAT’S what had you worried? Telling me that??” as he laughed. Then he said he doesn’t even notice it half the time and it’s a nervous thing and he’ll try to be conscious about it and stop doing it. I added again that I didn’t want him to change because of me and he agreed but that it’d be a good idea to nix the habit anyway.
Thanks for your help guys.
@SeventhSense: Not to you. Obviously, I was torn over it. Your insensitivity makes me wonder how much time you would have before you were kicked to the curb for a bad habit you have. Or are you perfect?