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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:
PonyPatter44 · 30/04/2024 18:49

If you are aware that you are needy and rather highly-strung, I think the onus is on you to adapt your behaviour and dial it all down a bit.

I could not be arsed with having to run everything I said through a "kind enough for MissSqueak" filter. I say again, if you KNOW you have a tendency to overreact to words not being kind enough, you are the one who needs to adjust your thinking.

Wishimaywishimight · 30/04/2024 18:46

You can't dictate to someone what words to use, that would really irritate me especially if I was expected to reply "can't wait" or something equally enthusiastic if DH announced he would be home earlier than expected! I love him but my response would be more like "grand so"!

DoesNotPlayWellWithIdiots · 30/04/2024 18:46

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 30/04/2024 18:41

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

My DH got home early the other day (he doesn't usually get back until after I've gone to bed) and was greeted with "oh god, does this mean I've got to feed you?" 😂😂😂

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…

OP posts:
Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 30/04/2024 18:41

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

Littlefish · 30/04/2024 18:38

This sounds like a massive over-reaction on your part.

Could you afford some sessions with a therapist to explore why you feel so rejected by something so seemingly insignificant? Your reaction seems out of proportion with the event.

MyRobotFriend · 30/04/2024 18:37

I don't understand. Does he need to be super excited about you coming home early?

I love my DH but sometimes I'm annoyed when he gets home earlier than intended because I like some time and space alone.

EveryOtherNameTaken · 30/04/2024 18:35

You sound hard work. He's probably always saying the 'wrong thing'.

Imagine if he hadn't answered 🙄

Stripeysocks1981 · 30/04/2024 18:35

DoesNotPlayWellWithIdiots · 30/04/2024 18:34

You haven't said what your response to "okay that's fine" was that made him so exasperated.
It does sound as though you do this quite a lot and I'd find it exasperating too. Neediness is draining.

Draining!! Yes this is exactly how I would find this

DoesNotPlayWellWithIdiots · 30/04/2024 18:34

You haven't said what your response to "okay that's fine" was that made him so exasperated.
It does sound as though you do this quite a lot and I'd find it exasperating too. Neediness is draining.

NeverHeardOfSuchTosh · 30/04/2024 18:33

CadyEastman · 30/04/2024 18:26

I think I would have gone out at that point and let you come home to an empty house. I can see why he's not overly thrilled.

Exactly. OP has got a lot of growing up to do.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 18:32

Pick your battles. Anything that’s trivial like this is really not worth the angst.
If you feel like your feelings are a tiny bit hurt then take a breath and think Is it really worth a long conversation explaining to my boyfriend HOW IM FEELING AT EVERY GIVEN MOMENT

Taking your emotional temperature all the time and making a partner responsible for your moods is extremely wearing and I think your bf is losing patience now.

Forget the “row” and don’t drag it up again and I’m sure you’ll not spoil your nice evening off work x

If you are very insecure and sensitive then that’s your issue to deal with I’m afraid!

A partner shouldn’t have to walk on egg shells being careful how they word innocuous comments.

Stripeysocks1981 · 30/04/2024 18:31

YABU and hard work. What does he have to apologise for? You genuinely seem to think this is 50/50 when actually, it looks like you’ve created an argument over nothing (not for the first time), got upset when he has snapped at you then blaming him for his reaction. Honestly being with someone this needy would drive me mad, I could deal with it long term.

MrsElsa · 30/04/2024 18:30

Could he not just send a heart emoji in future?

I disagree with pp saying to get over it, life is shitty and hard enough. Your partner should be a positive oasis not more shittiness. But equally you shouldn't demand complex performative crap off him either.

So yeah.

Heart emojis

Marblessolveeverything · 30/04/2024 18:29

Honestly you sound really hard work. Stop examining peoples responses forensically.

Coshei · 30/04/2024 18:29

Get a grip of yourself

StormingNorman · 30/04/2024 18:29

You sound like a nightmare. Your neediness is causing problems in your relationship. Just relax.

Spirallingdownwards · 30/04/2024 18:27

So at the moment 97% say its you not him. Perhaps take that on board.

IamII · 30/04/2024 18:27

I can understand him being annoyed; it's something like a form of manipulation to 'expect' him to throw a party for you coming home from work, and have a go if you don't seem him celebratory enough.

How many years do you think that can last?

CadyEastman · 30/04/2024 18:26

I think I would have gone out at that point and let you come home to an empty house. I can see why he's not overly thrilled.

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 30/04/2024 18:26

I couldn't deal with this at all. It's too much drama over absolute nonsense.

If he is anything like me, you will be absolutely wrecking his head.

NeverHeardOfSuchTosh · 30/04/2024 18:25

You sound like hard work, OP. Needy.

DottieMoon · 30/04/2024 18:25

YABU. I understand why your BF would be frustrated. You need to work on your over sensitivity.

DrJoanAllenby · 30/04/2024 18:24

He's getting bad tempered with your neediness.

BrendaSmall · 30/04/2024 18:24

You sound really needy!
I don’t tell my partner if I’m going to be home early or later that I usually do!
How old are you both?