I'm getting my accounts together to give to my accountant. There are a lot of bits of paper and I'm running short of paperclips, staples and folders to sort everything into.
My DP of 23 years is going into town to pick up something for himself and will be within 100m of a stationery shop, so I asked if he'd nip in there for me. I gave him a list of items I need: large and medium silver paperclips (examples clipped to the list), staples (sample stapled to the list), a pack of 25 transparent L-shaped plastic folders (I've shown him an example), a box of large rubber bands and a large roll of Sellotape.
Instead of doing it willingly I've just had to endure 15 minutes of 'You don't need any of this, it's ridiculous, I've got everything you need in my study.' He stomped off with a huge sigh and returned several minutes later with a dozen multi-coloured plastic paperclips, some of them twisted and broken, some brown cardboard folders and a near-empty stapler. I explained calmly that I probably need at least 50 staples and 50 paperclips and that anything left over can be used next year or the year after. I also explain that I like to use transparent folders so that I and the accountant can see which file is my self-employed earnings, my bank statements, my PAYE and pension info or interest statements... I've been doing this for 30 years, I know what works.
Instead of giving in gracefully he kept up the argument that I didn't need any stationery. So eventually I said 'Okay, don't worry, I'll go into town later and pick up what I need.' At which point he started the 'Oh, don't do that martyr act on me, you're always getting at me, whatever I do is wrong.' Which really isn't true at all. He's finally gone off with a 'I'll see what I can find, but I'm not spending hours in there looking for your stuff.'
Is this familiar behaviour to anyone? He doesn't do it often but this has happened before. I pick up stuff for him all the time without any fuss but this has clearly thrown him.He's going to the bike shop to buy himself a Christmas present: a bike pannier that costs the best part of £200. Why is he making such a fuss about walking 100m up the road to buy £20 of stationery for me?