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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel repulsed by sons girlfriend smoking

234 replies

Reookay · 20/11/2025 00:04

DS is 29, his gf is 25, they have been together for about 6 months and at the weekend I met her for the first time.
She hosted us for dinner, made a lovely meal and she seems nice enough personality wise. She is Franco-Italian, English is her 3rd language so conversation definitely felt a little forced which I expected.
Anyway she smokes, DS has reassured she’s not a chain smoker but will have one or two cigarettes in the evening. Her flat was lovely but she smokes out of her kitchen window which is open plan to the dining and living space, there was a faint scent of cigarette smoke and it made me feel a little unwell.
I told one of my friends about this and said it made me feel a bit repulsed, not by her as a person but by the smoking and the scent. They all said it’s cultural (I mean I’m not sure it is I have lots of French friends who don’t smoke, though I do appreciate it is maybe more common in continental Europe than here in the UK), and actually a bit sexy. I just don’t understand how it could ever be viewed as sexy or anything other than a little bit disgusting.
I like her as a person, even if I didn’t I’d still be lovely to her as it’s ultimately up to DS who he dates. However it does worry me a little as DS has really bad health anxiety, he’s had to receive therapy for it and I’m just not sure an actively unhealthy happy will be good for him mentally?
DS also joked that she can’t go to bed without having a drink, be it a negroni or a glass of wine or something similar. I pointed out to him that not being able to go a day without a drink doesn’t sound very healthy (privately) but he rebutted it’s only one drink, she’s not an alcoholic, she just likes her “personal rituals”.

AIBU to find her smoking repulsive and think her habits are quite unhealthy?
Obviously it’s none of my business but just trying to figure out if my feelings towards it are even reasonable.

OP posts:
BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 20/11/2025 00:21

She is Franco-Italian, English is her 3rd language so conversation definitely felt a little forced which I expected.

And

Im not judging her proficiency in English

Don't go together

VoltaireMittyDream · 20/11/2025 00:21

I wonder where DS got his health anxiety from…

Reookay · 20/11/2025 00:20

Are people really saying they’ve never met someone and not fallen in love immediately?

I think she’s a nice girl, she’s clearly very intelligent, very beautiful etc.
Im not judging her proficiency in English, clearly she is much more intelligent than I am since I only speak English.

I am judging the smoking and drinking every day, but maybe I’m just a judgemental person as I think I judge something about everyone I meet.

I was more wondering if others felt the same as me, even if it wouldn’t disrupt the relationship you have with that person.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 20/11/2025 00:19

there was a faint scent of cigarette smoke and it made me feel a little unwell

I suspect that was psychosomatic.

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 20/11/2025 00:18

You're worried about your son's health anxiety so you... point out things you think he should be anxious about?

Seems counter productive

GeorgeEdwardsMum · 20/11/2025 00:17

You're right about one thing... it is none of your business.

ktopfwcv · 20/11/2025 00:15

I deplore smoking but YABU and very judgemental.

What does his health anxiety have to do with her smoking? Confused

BoxesBoxesEverywhere · 20/11/2025 00:14

I can't stand smoking either, but seriously, it's nothing to do with you. You're judging her having a drink too? I'd butt out and mind your own unless you want them to distance themselves from you.

Arlanymor · 20/11/2025 00:11

If you read back your post there is judgement on judgement on judgement about her, on many levels. Not just the smoking. Seriously read it back. Her stilted language, her drinking, her smoking, she seems 'nice enough'. Faint praise.

You think it's disgusting and not sexy - you're not dating her. Your son is. Your son who is 29. A full blown adult. You're worrying about his health anxiety even though he's completely fine and enjoying the situation?

You don't like her. You don't think she's a good match. You are thinking of your son and his future family; you don't envisage how she would fit in. Be honest.

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