Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Did DH have a thing for this woman & why won't he admit it?

133 replies

mrsembarassed69 · 12/08/2025 19:11

I have no reason to be worried about him cheating (or trying to, she'd have to reciprocate), but I suspect DH has a thing for a younger woman who's an acquaintance. She's a woman who lives locally, goes to our gym and occasionally one of our local pubs. We see her once every month or so, sometimes he's seen her own (he'll briefly mention it).

We've been married since we were 20 (now 50).

Although DH doesn't say much about this woman, I've seen how he looks at her. He literally stares a hole through her like he's transfixed. She must notice. Others might have noticed. He is always fascinated by what she's saying as has lots of questions. And ridiculous jokes or stories. Although he can be talkative with anyone, he doesn't act that interested.

You can't miss it, and I had a go at him about last time, and said, "anyone would think you fancy her....she's young enough to be your daughter! You've embarrassed me but yourself more". DH just said, "no I don't she's so young....she's so young she doesn't know what X is and who Y is, etc".

The next time we saw her in the gym, DH starts peppering every other sentence with, "aww, you're so young you don't know what Seinfield is", or something like that. He also made a point of mentioning, "we live in London now, and I love it, and so does [my name], which is lucky."

It just seems so conspicuous. Do you think it's embarrassing? Why doesn't he just admit he has a thing for her (I think he probably does)?

OP posts:
HenDoNot · 12/08/2025 19:34

He literally stares a hole through her like he's transfixed. She must notice. Others might have noticed.

Yes she probably has noticed him staring a hole through her, transfixed, and so have other people.

Sadly, young women do (unfortunately almost have to) become used to letchy older men like your husband, behaving as he is. And are conditioned to ignore it, be polite, pretend you haven’t noticed, don’t upset him, etc.

I see men like your husband all the time, at the gym, eyes on stalks, sitting at the traffic lights outside my house practically drooling, perving at the sixth form (and younger girls) waiting to cross the road. Sad bastards.

Sorry you’re married to a creep. Choose better if you ever marry again.

Lmnop22 · 12/08/2025 19:31

Given how you’re reacting to your suspicion that he fancies her, I don’t think he’s likely to admit it if he does!

ClaredeBear · 12/08/2025 19:22

I hope she doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Perhaps you’ve picked up on it as you know him very well and she’s not - hopefully.

Dillydollydingdong · 12/08/2025 19:19

Yes it sounds as though he fancies her, but don't we all fancy someone sometimes? As long as he doesn't make a fool of himself, there's no problem.

AlloaintheMiddle · 12/08/2025 19:17

Yes, it’s very embarrassing.

Just remember how uncomfortable it felt when you were young and some old man stared at you… 🤢

Tell him to stop it.

TheRealGoose · 12/08/2025 19:17

Does it matter, he didn’t die from the waist down When he met you, so what if he finds other women attractive, it’s normal. As long as he doesn’t act on it or cheat; you can’t stop him finding other women attractive, he’s clearly trying to hide it and you’re obviously jealous, what good would admitting it do?

Louiestopit · 12/08/2025 19:17

I fancy loads of men. I wouldn’t tell dh. It wouldn’t be nice, would it? I’d never act on it.

35965a · 12/08/2025 19:14

He obviously does fancy her. As for why he won’t admit it? If he admits it he knows, or thinks, it’ll hurt you I suppose. Nothing to be gained by saying it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread