Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

He gave me the ick in Lake Garda

636 replies

EyeBogie · 21/05/2025 09:11

First holiday together, been dating for just under a year. We went to Garda and before hand we’d discussed the way we wanted the holiday to work.

We arrived at hotel at 3pm. He threw himself onto the bed saying “I’m knackered”. (I’ve noticed he says this a lot). I made a coffee, did some unpacking, caught up with my phone and sat on balcony for a bit. At around 5pm I said “you ready to go out?” And he laughed and said “no! We’ve only just got here!” I said “I just mean a walk?” (the lake was literally across the road from hotel). He said “oh no, can’t be arsed with that tonight, I just want food and bed”. It was 5pm!! So I said “ok, well I’m off for a walk”. He was annoyed that I was going out anyway and started sulking. I went for a walk by myself, returned at 6:30ish. He was irritable and asked where I’d been as he was starving. I said “there’s a shop just down the road.” He said “I’m on holiday, I don’t want to be doing shopping!” 🙄 we went to hotel restaurant.

Next day I woke up at 6am (always an early riser, can’t help it). I made a coffee then went out for a walk. Came back at 8amish. He’s still asleep. I got a shower, made another coffee. 10amish I woke him up and asked if he wanted a coffee. He said he did. I made him one - he fell back asleep and let it go cold. 11am - woke him to again, he asked for another coffee. I made him one - he fell asleep again. I woke him back up at 11:30 and said I wanted to head out, asked if he was coming. He asked for another coffee - I said he could make himself one as I’d made him two already that had been wasted.,he started whinging so I said “it’s almost lunch time, I’m bored and I’m going out, are you coming?” He said he just wanted to relax around the hotel today 🙄 he said he wanted to use the pool. Fine. I went out and hired a bike, spent all afternoon visiting the little towns. Got back at 5pm - he’s still in bed playing on his phone. I said “did you use the pool?” So he said “on my own? No! I was waiting for you to come back!”.

So - after this day I thought maybe a discussing was needed about tomorrow’s plans. Idea was we would get a bus to Verona. He said he was still happy to do this. Next day arrived - same scenario. Numerous cups of coffee gone cold, me sat around bored, getting on for lunch time he’s still asleep. I snapped in the end and said “are you actually going to do anything on this holiday?? I’m going to Verona at 12pm. Remember we’d said we’d set off at 10am?? Half day wasted already”. He reluctantly got up, saying it’s meant to be a holiday to relax etc etc

We got to Verona at 2pm. As soon as we got there he was nattering about food saying he’d not eaten all day 🙄 he had no interest in seeing any sights, just wanted to sit and eat.

We managed to see the museum and that was it.

The whole holiday was like this. It’s given me the ick. Lazyness. AIBU here??

OP posts:
giddyauntie123 · 21/05/2025 13:02

I think the 'ick is because you've gone into parent mode.
He's turned into a child on holiday and is acting weirdly dependent on you.
If he was 'lazy' but had gone down to the pool by himself, ordered a few drinks, was reading a book or chatting to others I don't imagine you'd feel the same level of repulsion

TheAmusedQuail · 21/05/2025 13:02

CharlotteLightandDark · 21/05/2025 12:58

Maybe if he didn’t live on McDonald’s and subway he’d have a bit more energy, he doesn’t sound ill to me just dull and a wet lettuce

Some people (probably not this BF to be fair) work 80 hour weeks (I used to, and still work 50-60 hours weekly) and desperately need our holidays as downtime.

Not dull. Exhausted. Judgemental much?

CharlotteLightandDark · 21/05/2025 12:58

Calliopespa · 21/05/2025 11:44

It’s possible he was just exhausted. Sometimes people rush finish projects etc before a holiday.

Maybe if he didn’t live on McDonald’s and subway he’d have a bit more energy, he doesn’t sound ill to me just dull and a wet lettuce

andweallloveclover · 21/05/2025 12:58

It is massively clear you are totally incompatible.

One of you gets up at 6am and wants to be out the door sightseeing all day and the other wants to relax and lay in, lounge by the pool and go out for nice food. Neither is wrong and neither is right. You are just different.

For all you know he may have got the ick also. And see you as bossy, controlling and annoying getting up at 6am and not allowing him to relax on his holiday. That is not a dig by the way, just trying to see how he may have interpreted things.

I think a first holiday together is a big test on compatibility. Imagine if you lived together and what your weekends would be like. Would you be up early wanting to make the most of your weekend and he lie in wanting to relax and spend the weekend doing nothing much?

I think its good that you have had this eye opener into your relationship and what things could be like further down the line.

Now you get to decide if there is a compromise to made here, could you make this work? Or is it time to admit you are too different and call it a day and waste no more time on this.

Fluffypotatoe123987 · 21/05/2025 12:57

Oooo let me know how it is. I go Tuesday with my mum and 15 year old on a wowcher trip. I'm flying to another airport though and have had to hire a car which I'm petrified off but I'm only going for 2 nights 3 days. Let me know how much the bikes are please so I can budget accordingly. Have a fab time. It sounds like he just wants alot of sex and sleep he sees it as rest and you want to explore

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 21/05/2025 12:57

Just sounds like you have very different expectations from a holiday. His is lazing around / sleeping, you sound like me and want to make the most of being there.

MaggieBsBoat · 21/05/2025 12:55

Goodness @EyeBogie and pps there’s no need to eat unless one has hunger. OP is spot on with this. Maybe that’s why there’s an obesity epidemic.

Anyway, all this would be ok from him if he didn’t sulk about you going and doing things. But even with that in mind, a relationship should be about sharing things including experiences. Methinks this holiday is the line in the sand. Unless he’s great the rest of the time and then you just go on holidays without him.

WearyAuldWumman · 21/05/2025 12:54

Latterly, my late husband slept a lot on holiday and I'd go off by myself (with his agreement). The difference is that my husband was in his 70s and had had a stroke.

You're incompatible, OP. Dump him.

Bloozie · 21/05/2025 12:53

This is exactly what my other is like on holiday. It drives me to pure rage. But I don't think either of us is right, we just have mismatched energy. My husband is always tired. I have ADHD and can go and go and go. I genuinely don't enjoy holidays with him and don't see the point of spending thousands of pounds to lie in bed. I can do that at home.

He doesn't see the point in running around on holiday when he wants to relax.

Anyway - it's not going to get better. Unless he's amazing in all other regards, I'd cut my losses in this relationship. I promise you, sitting in a hotel room staring daggers at someone hoping they'll wake up gets OLD really fast.

ChopstickNovice · 21/05/2025 12:52

You're not compatible. Great that you have found this out now and not further down the line!
I am a morning person, and a "let's do stuff!" person and my DH is too, although lesser, so we manage a balance of lie-ins and sightseeing when away.

beAsensible1 · 21/05/2025 12:52

giddyauntie123 · 21/05/2025 12:48

The lying on the bed waiting for 'you to come home' before he could even go in the pool is weird. Did you organise the holiday? I bet you did.

i think of course she did as he doesn't seem to grasp the type of trip lake garda is.

lots of looking at the water and waking about then looking at the water. then eating and looking at the water. then visiting some stones and looking at the water.

beAsensible1 · 21/05/2025 12:50

i assume he liked mcdonald's before he came on holiday.

this all seems unnecessarily harsh and bad faith for someone you are in a relationship who does things different to you.

inspecting different mcdonald's in different countries is a thing as lot of them have country specific menus and often people when on the move want something they can rely on.

italy doesn't lend itself to quick snack in certain parts so maybe he just wanted something familiar. the lakes are lovely and gorgeous but it will be there everyday you are there.

I think because you have lost your appetite maybe you've forgotten how often people get hungry.

Cynic17 · 21/05/2025 12:50

What a waste of money, and in such a gorgeous place!
If he wants to spend his holiday sleeping, he could just have stayed at home.

I'd be ditching him back in the UK.

giddyauntie123 · 21/05/2025 12:48

The lying on the bed waiting for 'you to come home' before he could even go in the pool is weird. Did you organise the holiday? I bet you did.

IberianBlackout · 21/05/2025 12:45

I can’t go through all 11 pages but has anyone asked you if there’s any chance he’s doing drugs behind your back?

The only time my DP was this miserable as a holiday buddy and always tired/knackered/sleeping way beyond what’s reasonable was when he was in active addiction and obviously his sleep and comedowns were horrendous.

Taytoface · 21/05/2025 12:44

You two aren't compatible. Cut your losses and move on.

daisychain01 · 21/05/2025 12:44

Food, sleep, can't be arsed to do anything, gosh he sounds like a panda without the cuteness.

Raise your bar @EyeBogie he sounds unpleasant and selfish. You can do better.

Theroadt · 21/05/2025 12:41

I think a whole week for a first holiday is a big task anywsy, tbh. But hey at least you know now 🤷🏻‍♀️

TheMimsy · 21/05/2025 12:36

@EyeBogie sounds awful. Does he have any get up and go at weekends or for planning dates? Have you dumped him?

My partners the early bird and I have chronic illness so can’t go all out like he wants but we compromise. He scouts and wanders from early morning (7/8am) on his own, we are ready to go together by 10am and find brunch and begin the day.

beAsensible1 · 21/05/2025 12:36

clanging about at 6am in the hotel room is a bit cheeky tbh.

it all depends on how long you are there for, but its not unreasonable to get in for three after spending all morning travelling to just chill and get dinner drink some wine and maybe take an after dinner stroll.

I think holidays are for relaxing and playing it by ear, did he choose the destination and actually know what is what like. or just say yeah italy seems nice.

I mean clearly it pissing you off so its not going to work and she obviously be able to do things without needing you glued to his side.

I think with this sort of place its good to do half and half the first few days resting and then the first few days exploring.

FloriMummy · 21/05/2025 12:35

Oh dear 😁he sounds insufferable. Have you dumped him yet? He sounds extremely low on energy. Is he otherwise fit and healthy? How old are you both? I love the fact that you did what you wanted on your holiday irrespective of his boring behaviour. Now you just need to find a partner who matches your carpe diem approach.

Imisscoffee2021 · 21/05/2025 12:34

I've had holidays like this with pals where there's a disparity in what people regard as a holiday. I'm in your camp and unlike with friends where you can still come friends even if you differ in that way, you just don't go on holiday again with them, in a relationship it sounds like you've not got enough in common there and this will be your future holidays going forward. If you don't want that then the relationship has run its course.

What's he like day to day at home, do you differ on how to spend free time?

JJMama · 21/05/2025 12:30

Blackcountrychik83 · 21/05/2025 09:16

This would annoy the hell out of me . I am not one of those people who goes on holiday to just sit around the pool never mind sleeping in the room . What’s the point ? You could’ve stayed at home to do that . I would be dumping him at the airport on the return home. You both have different ideas of holidays.

Exactly this! Fair enough some people are home bodies and don’t like holidays - fine but stay home if that’s what you like!

Can’t imagine going to such a beautiful place and waste it sleeping?! Unless he’s 80+ there’s no need for that day after day!

Definitely get rid, what a bore he must be!

Crikeyalmighty · 21/05/2025 12:30

I Like an absolute mix of both and hence pick resorts accordingly - we once took our son at 15 to Istanbul and he was exactly like your partner - now Istanbul is not a city to slob about in a room and there was no pool as was an apartment - in the end we just left him to it , showed him how to lock up and told him to call us when he was out and about and needing food etc - I would say OP if you stay with him choose holidays carefully where there’s plenty for you to see and do on your own and a good pool and beach too and accept that it may be you just reconvene in an evening for a meal and drink etc . It’s not ideal but may be the only way you get to actually enjoy it - make zero plans involving him above meal and evening drinks!! If that’s not going to work for you I suggest you part ways now as he’s revealed his hand

SL2924 · 21/05/2025 12:26

He sounds like a teenager. Imagine this was every holiday for the rest of your life. Definitely dump.