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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:
Onetiredbeing · 30/04/2024 19:38

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”

Omg I would dump you in a second. You sound so exhausting and extremely hard work. Just because he didn't use the words that make you feel better, rather than the actual truth about his frustration that's an issue too?
You can't expect him for apologising about something that you goaded him into.

BMW6 · 30/04/2024 19:38

But OP as I understand it YOU responded to his (justified) criticism by saying "Well you say/do wrong things too"?

That's infuriating. A Strawman response.

Why are you so defensive? Why are you so needy?

Take some time to reflect on this.

GentlemanJay · 30/04/2024 19:37

You sound very needy. I couldn't cope with that on a weekly basis. Carry on like that and you will push him away.

MartinsSpareCalculator · 30/04/2024 19:34

Holy fuck, this whole thing is batshit. Why is he supposed to be overcome with excitement because you're finishing work early?
How often do you pick apart very inoccuous things he says? Because him saying don't start with the word thing implies it's a regular occurrence.
It's your issue and you need to work on it, not expect everyone around you to dance to the beat of your drum.

Merryoldgoat · 30/04/2024 19:32

Sweet fucking Jesus.

I honestly wonder how some people actually exist.

DoreenonTill8 · 30/04/2024 19:31

Yep!!

Treacletoots · 30/04/2024 19:30

This isn't working OP. Save yourself a lot of time and heartache by moving on. Trust me.

nameshame24 · 30/04/2024 19:30

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:49

Yeah that’s not my complaint!!
ifs the fact he thinks if I mention anything he did wrong, he thinks I’m deflecting and being defensive. He can’t accept he does anything wrong and I feel a bit like a doormat

I don't really understand what he did wrong tbh? I can see where he is coming from and don't think he needs to apologise.

Createausername1970 · 30/04/2024 19:29

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”

Bluntly, you are doing his head in! If he has said "don't start with the word thing again" it sounds like he feels he is constantly being criticised by you. And when someone feels this way, they are not going to engage.

If you genuinely love this guy and want it to work, you need to address this as it will only go one way.

Notimeforaname · 30/04/2024 19:28

The title of your OP, that’s just nasty,

Yes op, can't you take your own advice and word things in a nicer way? 🤣
The hypocrisy.

CadyEastman · 30/04/2024 19:28

Revelatio · 30/04/2024 19:21

This would drive me bonkers. If you’re having these arguments at under 2yrs then it might be time to evaluate if you are suited. I can’t see what he’s done wrong apart from having to constantly worry about his wording all the time. You knew what he meant, you were being a bit of a brat, you’re not his teacher, just let it go.

I totally agree. I don't think you're suited at all. I don't think we'd barely had a niggle at 2 years.

Dearg · 30/04/2024 19:27

Op, this is not a sustainable relationship. Your neediness is overwhelming him.
You seem to be looking to find fault/ evidence of his cooling off in every conversation.
This is definitely on you.

Notimeforaname · 30/04/2024 19:26

He said he did nothing wrong and that I’m trying to flip everything into him,

He didn't do anything wrong. Stop trying to police this man's language. You are overly sensitive to it. The issue is you, not him.

You wont be able to control him into speaking exactly how you like. Let it go.

lotsofpeoplenametheirswords · 30/04/2024 19:26

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”

But..... with this comment you're still picking apart his wording. You're hard work. He's done nothing wrong.

MoonCircles · 30/04/2024 19:22

What a lot of drama over nothing. It sounds like he can’t do right for doing wrong, no wonder he’s defensive, and sick of it. The title of your OP, that’s just nasty, if you think he’s a prick then why are you with him? It’s childish to call people names, and shitty towards someone you allegedly love. I’d do him a favour and walk away, and hopefully he can find someone who isn’t as hard work as you.

Revelatio · 30/04/2024 19:21

This would drive me bonkers. If you’re having these arguments at under 2yrs then it might be time to evaluate if you are suited. I can’t see what he’s done wrong apart from having to constantly worry about his wording all the time. You knew what he meant, you were being a bit of a brat, you’re not his teacher, just let it go.

pictoosh · 30/04/2024 19:20

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”

Then DON'T start with the word thing AGAIN.

If the example you gave is typical of an exchange between you, he's going to snap eventually. Anyone would.

I was with someone who wanted to be fawned over. He was exhausting. I was never allowed to be tired, quiet, grumpy or distracted because he was so needful.
I got told off for normal casual responses too...proof of my lack of love apparently.
I completely lost the rag with him and more than once.

BobbyBiscuits · 30/04/2024 19:16

There's a chance he was busy when you were talking, or he was planning on watching or doing something alone he was looking forward to.
Having to sound 'super exited' every time my partner tells me their movements would be exhausting. Unless they're travelling back from a long hospital stay or trip abroad I'd say his response sounds pretty proportional.
You really do need to stop focussing on the minutae of language people use when speaking to you. Otherwise he'll just feel like he has to watch every word he says and that's not nice.

DoreenonTill8 · 30/04/2024 19:15

DoreenonTill8 · 30/04/2024 18:55

But did you 'joke' really, or be annoyed/upset really?

Ah just saw your op mentions your upset at his not being excited re your early finish.
What does your being upset mean? Shouting/crying/stropping?

ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat · 30/04/2024 19:10

@MissSqueak does he apologise and admit he's wrong at other times?

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 19:08

You're 1.5 years in

I must admit I glanced at that and thought it said “you’re 15” and was thinking Aaah that explains it 😂

sunflowerlover282 · 30/04/2024 19:08

You sound like hard work, I'm not surprised he's not jumping up and down in delight when you're coming home...

Shiningout · 30/04/2024 19:06

You're 1.5 years in, it's quite normal to not have butterflies at the thought of them coming home from work

QuietLifeNoDrama · 30/04/2024 19:06

Your joking sounds very passive aggressive to be honest. It sounds like you have brought up this issue in lots of other situations. So it probably wasn't taken as a joke. Maybe he could of been a bit nicer but in all fairness having the same conversation in a relationship is exhausting so I don't blame him.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 19:05

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 30/04/2024 18:41

I get really excited when dh says he is working late!

😂

Ive been known to reply to dh “I’m finishing up early “ with a small sigh 🤣