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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my boyfriend is being a prick?

184 replies

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:12

Today I got upset because I told him I was coming home, rather than staying at work late like I usually do on a Tuesday. He said “okay that’s fine”. He used to get super excited when I wasn’t working late, and I sometimes get really sensitive about wording. As in, my boyfriend thinks saying “that’s fine” is interchangeable with and the same as “that’s great, can’t wait”.

I know it’s something I’m very sensitive about and I’m trying to change.

He flipped and shouted at me, saying “oh don’t start this word thing again”. I thought the way he said this was really rude and nasty. I tried to explain to him that yes, I didn’t realise what I was doing and I didn’t mean to, but I was sorry.

He then wouldn’t apologise for saying something mean without ending it with a “but”. He denied this and said I was doing the same thing.

I tried to explain that I acknowledge what I did wrong, but it’s the way he said it that upsets me. That he comes to me so overly critical rather than telling me kindly what I did wrong.

He just doesn’t get this at all??? He said he did nothing wrong and that I’m trying to flip everything into him, that I can’t just take accountability without letting him know what he did wrong. He doesn’t seem to understand that actually he does stuff wrong too. He said he does, but he genuinely thinks I’m just “flipping it on him as a defence mechanism”. That I can’t accept that I did something wrong without us both doing something wrong.

He then hung up on me and said he “can’t talk to me when I’m like this” and “maybe I should’ve stayed at work”

im so hurt but I can get very sensitive and clouded sometimes so maybe I am in the wrong. Help???

OP posts:
sandyhappypeople · 30/04/2024 23:20

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:52

I thought it was really insensitive and rude to say “don’t start with the word thing again” rather than just something like “would you mind not picking apart my wording please”

You skipped what you said though..

How did he go from “okay that’s fine” to “oh don’t start this word thing again”

Without knowing what you actually said it's hard for anyone to judge if he was being rude? So what did you say in reply to his 'okay that's fine'?

CommentNow · 30/04/2024 23:19

If you're being fussy about words now, how will you cope with serious stuff? The baby up for the zillions time when you're both tired and snappy? When a parent dies and you get snappy? When you're in love but going through the "why can't you just piss off for 6 months" phase? Tired? Hormonal? Ill? Stressed?

And if you aren't thinking that seriously then why even get wound up?

WaverleyOwl · 30/04/2024 23:14

First off - are you 13? If you are, my message would be kinder.

If you are an adult - OMG, you sound like hard work. I desperately hate needy people (thanks, mother), so I would be out of there like a shot.

You aren't in a position to have an adult relationship if you can't communicate like one.

Just break up so he can go find someone that doesn't scrutinise his every word.

hopscotcher · 30/04/2024 23:13

I can understand why he'd be irritated by being picked up on word choices - it sounds draining - but it sounds as if there are bigger issues with him being critical of you and calling you defensive when you challenge him.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 23:05

Maybe people on this thread are used to their partner not giving a shit

Im finishing work a bit early
Ok that’s fine

..does not translate as “I don’t give a shit” in any language? Wtf

WestSussexWitch · 30/04/2024 23:05

I don’t think this is the right relationship for you, if he was meeting your emotional needs you wouldn’t feel like this.
I can understand where you’re coming from though, I’ve been with DP for years and I still get excited if he texts or calls to say he’s coming home early and he’s just as happy to get home to see me.

Littlefish · 30/04/2024 23:02

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:52

I thought it was really insensitive and rude to say “don’t start with the word thing again” rather than just something like “would you mind not picking apart my wording please”

Again, you're over reacting to something. He is obviously frustrated with your overly emotional behaviour.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/04/2024 22:55

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:44

The thing is.. I actually acknowledged the neediness. I apologised and said I didn’t realise I was doing it, but I’m really sorry. That’s NOT what I’m disputing.

The reason I’m calling him a prick is because he thinks he can be really critical of me, and doesn’t understand how he could word things kinder. And he genuinely thinks he never does anything wrong…

So you're saying 'yeah, I was wrong - BUT YOU'RE A PRICK because of.. <rattles off long list of imagined slights>'?

Surprised you still have a boyfriend if he's frequently on the receiving end of that treatment.

WildBear · 30/04/2024 22:46

I think people are being overly critical of you OP.

If my partner (of 14 years) usually works late on a given day and let me know they'd be home early, I'd definitely message something along the lines of 'ah that's great, see you soon!' no wonder you felt pretty worthless when he basically replied that he couldn't care less.

Maybe people on this thread don't have the kind of relationship I do and they are used to their partner not really giving a shit what time they come home🤷‍♂️

I also see what your saying about his attitude. You can't discuss anything with him without him making a big song and dance and blaming you. In all honesty, you aren't suited and it's best you cut your losses.

TheFormidableMrsC · 30/04/2024 22:45

This is far too needy and hard work. I'd be off.

QueenBitch666 · 30/04/2024 22:36

You sound like a piece of work. I'd run a mile if I was him. And your post title is just nasty 🙄

betterangels · 30/04/2024 22:35

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Nah, I expect he's sick of walking on eggshells and being told which reactions and words are acceptable,

sugarbyebye · 30/04/2024 22:34

I think I work with you. You are Evie, the emotional vampire from What We Do In The Shadows. Such hard work and everything is twisted to be about you.

IamII · 30/04/2024 22:34

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Going to assume that if your partner gets home early on a random Tuesday, you'll have balloons, medals, and a marching band at the ready.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 22:32

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Come on, everyone is “mean” if you’re a precious princess.

Its fairly normal to snip at each other occasionally. Blowing this up into a huge drama and recounting it word for word on social media , angrily calling him a prick is all just quite ridiculous.

If you’re both snipping at each other over minor differences in opinion all the time then it’s not going to work.

Spudthespanner · 30/04/2024 22:29

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Absolute bollocks. The OP is a walking red flag 🚩

He should leave you OP. I couldn't live with your nitpicking behaviour. Fuck that.

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Voodoohoodoyoudo · 30/04/2024 22:00

Maybe he is just being direct and a bit frank? Not the same as nasty at all. He will feel like he has to walk on eggshells all the time because he is not saying things 'nice' enough.
YABU

MichaelFlatulence · 30/04/2024 22:00

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:53

I joked like “oh just fine? Thought it would be great news haha”
and weve only been together 1.5 years

Except it’s not ‘ha ha’ is it? You’re telling him his response is not enough, you don’t like it.

Perhaps reflect on whether the person he is, is enough, or it’s the person you want him to be…

Kelly51 · 30/04/2024 21:59

This sounds like a teenager expecting some insta perfect responses, I'd not worry too much, you'll soon be single.

gamerchick · 30/04/2024 21:55

Thing is OP it's pretty obvious this relationship isn't meeting your needs. It'll end at some point and maybe that's for the best for you both. We only ever get insecure like this when it's wrong in general. Trying to control his words and make him fit into your anxiety box will just push him away.

There will be someone out there who this won't happen with.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 21:55

I used to work with someone like this- always defensive, taking offence at the tiniest things when none was intended, very chippy in response to requests and a bizarre inability to let minor things go. Confused

For example- have you got a new car?
Response- Why shouldn’t I have a new car? I don’t know why you’re so interested! . ..yes it is new if you must know (adopts offended face)..

It must be a character flaw or some sort of personality disorder so people were patient to a degree but it’s incredibly difficult to live with this level of intensity and you end up tip toeing around conversations and feeling a bit exasperated!

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 30/04/2024 21:55

ElaineMBenes · 30/04/2024 20:55

I used the phrase 'it's fine' interchangeably with 'it's great' etc. My DH mentioned it couple of times and I explained that it wasn't anything personal, it's just how I respond.
Now he just laughs and jokes about it rather than get offended.
Sounds like you could do with taking that approach Op🤷🏼‍♀️

My partner also has a very 'nonchalant' (my words) communication style that I used to interpret as indifference. A "fine or ok" is generally as excited as he gets.
A one off conversation about it allowed him to tell me that it's his way of communicating and not to get offended.
Looking past a scenario like the one in your OP has enabled us to share some great experiences that wouldnt have come about if I questioned or 'joked' about his level of enthusiasm.

If he's otherwise a great bf and you work past this then maybe in future just send a thumbs up or "cool, see you soon" type of reply.
You're always better gauging if something is actually off in person.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 30/04/2024 21:51

Christ you sound like hard work. I couldn't put up with this

Crowfinch · 30/04/2024 21:44

For my dh, 'that's fine' generally means he's quite happy. He might be saying it because he gets to have the house to himself a bit longer, or so that I don't need to hurry back. He has not changed in 20or so years. I've learned to accept that 'you look fine' can span.'you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen; blind me now; I'm done" to:"you don't look like a corpse" and to read his body language instead. Had I wanted a fluffier partner, it wouldn't have worked.

He does, however, get a bit miffed when he goes away for a few days with work and a. We all survive without him and b. Don't miss him.