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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anyone actually knows how to deal with men?

33 replies

FluentCyanExpert · 29/10/2025 19:02

Sometimes I wonder… is it about patience, boundaries, humour, strategy, understanding or luck? Do you feel like you’ve figured men out or are we all just learning (and re-learning) with every new relationship? Serious answers, funny answers… I’m curious!

OP posts:
ChikinLikin · 29/10/2025 19:17

I am old and I know how to deal with men and boys. I understand what makes them tick and I know, for example, that most of them need a lot of praise and recognition for the work they do and the stories and jokes they tell. So I can bring out the best in them if I need to, but mostly I no longer bother.

missmollygreen · 29/10/2025 19:16

Echobelly · 29/10/2025 19:03

Keep them locked in a room with food and water, let them out for exercise for one hour a day. Works for me.

I imagine a man making a joke about keeping a woman hostage would be branded a pig.

DoYouReally · 29/10/2025 19:14

I work with a lot of men.

Sweeping generalisation but the only thing I do differently with men than women is that I only ask one question at a time.

If I ask 2 together, I will only get a response to the one that's easiest to answer.

Cannot think of any other difference.

If you actually post the problem and examples, you will get better responses.

CoffeeCantata · 29/10/2025 19:13

Men? They’re all individuals like women. I think it’s unhelpful to put half of humanity into a category as if they’re homogeneous.

Original poster
FluentCyanExpert · 29/10/2025 19:10

Borethefuckoff · 29/10/2025 19:04

Such a sexist post. All men are different like all women are. How do you handle women?
My DH is amazing. I don’t need to ‘deal with him!’
Maybe you’ve had some bad luck or maybe it’s you?!

Show quote history

I didn’t mean it as a dig at men at all, more just an honest question about how people navigate relationships. I completely agree, everyone’s different. I think it’s more that certain patterns or misunderstandings come up a lot, so I was curious how others approach them. Sounds like you and your DH have a great rhythm, which is lovely to hear.

OP posts:
Borethefuckoff · 29/10/2025 19:04

FluentCyanExpert · 29/10/2025 19:02

Sometimes I wonder… is it about patience, boundaries, humour, strategy, understanding or luck? Do you feel like you’ve figured men out or are we all just learning (and re-learning) with every new relationship? Serious answers, funny answers… I’m curious!

Such a sexist post. All men are different like all women are. How do you handle women?
My DH is amazing. I don’t need to ‘deal with him!’
Maybe you’ve had some bad luck or maybe it’s you?!

Echobelly · 29/10/2025 19:03

Keep them locked in a room with food and water, let them out for exercise for one hour a day. Works for me.

TomatoSandwiches · 29/10/2025 19:02

Best bet is to ignore them imo.