Well, first time we were in the house that belongs to his ex wife, my midwife, and two kids were in the house with us - his middle son with the midwife and the midwife's youngest daughter with someone else, whom he parents. He was quiet and I thought that it was because of the children sleeping in the house. Sure enough, he later told me that the midwife's youngest daughter sometimes has nightmares and comes to his bedroom. So I thought "OK, that is why he was quiet, that is understandable".

But then we moved to my place and I only have cats. Is he afraid of cats???

Plus, I am very loud. So he should be able to tell that it is OK to be loud.