My recently retired husband absolutely has to be front and centre of anything going on, and it's driving me mad.
We've been married 28 years (today). He's always has a bit of a tendency to monopolise social situations so that everyone is laughing and joking with him, at my expense some of the time - although this part was dealt with pretty much (however, he still likes to be seen as having the upper hand one way or another). He really cannot bear what he perceives to be a lack of acknowledgement. It got a lot worse about 10 years ago, due to the influence of one particular work colleague who he observed was better than him at 'holding court', and from there on he upped his game. I thought it might eventually die down back to his normal level, but it has not. I'm finding it unmanageable and deeply annoying.
For several years, I've gradually avoided introducing him to new friends/acquaintances because I know he will want to completely take over. He massively lays on the charm, overshares sensitive information, and generally looks for ways he can gain approval with the new person. Two years ago, I regretted introducing him to a cousin I had not seen since childhood for these reasons. It was embarrassing having him trying to 'outdo' everything I said by telling more impressive (and sometimes more extreme/inappropriate) anecdotes, and generally showing off. To use an expression my kids would say, he's a bit of a 'Pick Me'.
I'm posting this today because it's our wedding anniversary, but he's been busy most of the day lapping up attention from a post he's made on at least 3 SM accounts about the fact he's retired from a long career. Everyone is being lovely about it, of course as it is a big deal, but they don't know he's barely acknowledged our anniversary today. When I've tried speaking to him about it in the past he either gets angry, defensive or is in complete denial. My issue is always shut down. Interestingly, he admits feeling jealous of my meetups with friends and/or family that he's not a part of.
Please tell me if IBU. I want to celebrate this big milestone with him, but I'm highly irritated and cannot find the good grace to do so. Every time his notification goes off i feel mad.
Should I suck it up for this one day. No one's perfect after all!