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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you've ever known someone like this?

55 replies

FGSholdthedoor · 08/11/2017 11:43

Have you ever known someone who makes you question everything?

In a way that you know they're in the wrong but they will bring forward lots of convincing arguments and make sense and it will begin to make you question your stance?
Even if you know you are right but in their presence you just can't bring yourself to argue the point or your mind goes blank and you can't counter anything they say?

Sorry if this is vague but I'm currently questioning my sanity Confused

OP posts:
bingolittle · 08/11/2017 16:28

I was wondering what happened when one of these people meets another one.

Wouldn't it be great to stick them all in a room together and set fire to the building see what happened?

HelenUrth · 08/11/2017 16:29

I think the advice (from Mark Twain?) about dealing with idiots also applies here -

“Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.”

liz70 · 08/11/2017 16:30

Mind, my DH tried to claim that the photos of a property in an EA website/window "didn't necessarily have to be of that exact same property, so long as it was architecturally similar. " Yeah, right. Hmm Honestly, he talks out of his arse sometimes. Hmm

NotAgainYoda · 08/11/2017 16:35

Helen

Or I like (George Bernard Shaw) :

'I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides; the pig likes it'

  • could be applied to many a debate on AIBU
Tara336 · 08/11/2017 16:37

I had a huge row with my parents a couple months ago my DF is an absolute expert at changing facts to suit his argument. However, I am no longer scared of them and fought back for the first time ever! Shot his argument down in flames, pointed out facts and questioned how he could blatantly lie? He stopped rowing instantly and hasn't spoken to me since. Hence no way I can't be bothered and just nod and smile as DM tries to justify why he said the things he said

Allergictoironing · 08/11/2017 16:41

I find occasional use of the word "whatever", said in a dismissive tone of voice, either shuts them up or gets them angry enough to make a mess of their argument Smile. But I'm an evil bitch who enjoys doing that to people Grin

SmartPhoneNovice · 08/11/2017 16:41

I've known irritating, constantly argumentative people where I know they're wrong but can't coherently explain why as I just feel so annoyed! But it definitely doesn't make me think they might be right.

If their arguments genuinely seemed convincing I'd go away and think about it and potentially change my mind.

But in you later post it seems you are pretty sure, and can reason through, why you think she is wrong.

BertieBotts · 08/11/2017 16:42

Yes. Energy vampire types with possible NPD.

liz70 · 08/11/2017 16:42

Once, long ago, I had a pal who was coming to visit, taking the train. Jesus wept, trying to convince him that, no, the West Kirby line did not stop at Birkenhead Central, and no, all Wirral line trains do not stop at Birkenhead Central, that'd be Hamilton Square, in fact the only line that stops at Birkenhead Central is the Hooton (as was) line. But what would I know, it had only been my local railway line my entire fucking life, that I'd travelled on countless fucking times. Silly me. Hmm

troodiedoo · 08/11/2017 16:48

My father. Talks but doesn't listen. Manipulates people's behaviours to suit his own narrative. Gah.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 08/11/2017 16:50

Omg, YES. I work with him...both same level of management. ..but....he's always right, his way is the best way, and his attitude implies that I know nothing about the industry I've been in 20 years longer than him

The80sweregreat · 08/11/2017 17:00

oh yes, various relatives, loads of colleagues ( ex ones and current ones!) i always go blank too - just nod and smile. works for me!

TheSmallClangerWhistlesAgain · 08/11/2017 17:01

Yes, my friend's XH, who is currently in jail.

He would argue about the most pointless things as well, like someone's opinion on a film. I think it might have been deliberate, to wear everyone around him down ready for when he needed to argue about something that was actually important.

problembottom · 08/11/2017 17:03

Yes a close friend of mine is like this. She's very talented at her profession but has either been sacked/given a compromise agreement/resigned from all her jobs. If you heard her talking about leaving any of these posts in isolation you'd be sympathetic - she'd give you a harrowing account of a psycho boss treating her terribly. In reality she can't handle authority and is massively hot headed. She will argue black is white and there is zero point disagreeing with her.

We actually get on well as I'm very laid back. I'm about the only friend she hasn't fallen out with (never her fault obvs) as she can't argue with someone who won't argue back with her. She's got loads of good qualities too so I put up with her being bonkers.

AcrossthePond55 · 08/11/2017 17:10

I think everyone has. For me, I ignore them for the most part and refuse to engage with or correct them. Oh, I used to argue and argue until I was blue in the face, but I finally realized that I may as well try to stop the tide with my finger. Now, if they want to think that X is Y, who really cares? Their ignorance doesn't affect what I know to be true. I'll only deal with them if what they are saying will affect me or my loved ones.

You think the train stops at a particular station? Fine, take that train and end up 50 miles away. You want to put my child (or me) on that train? Nope. I'll argue with you there.

FGSholdthedoor · 08/11/2017 17:44

I'm glad I'm not the only one judging by the replies!

Mind you my DM doesn't have to be right about everything and won't argue petty things like opinions on films etc
But she does have a habit of "people having it out for her" usually for being too good at her job.

The crazy thing is she's actually really good at anything she sets her mind to - I'm not joking.
She was once promoted to head of cleaning staff for a large shop within a couple of months of being there, however very soon she started treating any mistakes that were pointed out/any bits missed as personal attacks on her because "X or Y didn't like her" or didn't like she was not English etc

She's recently started a new career path and surprise surprise is doing fantastic (she really is one of those good at most things people). She's been put up for a potential promotion but has been unsure wether to take it as she's not 100% confident in her role yet. And now apparently the manager has it out for her as she's been there longer and she was hoping for that promotion and has pushed for DM to be relocated to different store, gave her unfavourable shifts etc

But yesterday's rant was very close to heart for me and I still can't shake it off.
I'm finding it hard to be able to stand up for myself and face up to certain things as I'm concerned about the fallout and repercussions...

OP posts:
stargazer2030 · 08/11/2017 18:08

My adult stepson is like this with everyone. I have come to realise that he believes what he says too and will argue the toss about everything.
Recent examples. He wanted a shelf for his tv. I suggested moving stuff round to make better use of space and create a place for thd tv. After much arguing he did it, looks loads better but he says it was all his idea I had never suggested it.
Another corker - despite struggling to help him through uni and give him a monthly allowance he insists we didn't and that it was his savings? Have no idea what savings he means but he insists it's true.
We all know he does it and his dad just ignores it but it winds me up.
The best thing really is to ignore if you can.

FGSholdthedoor · 08/11/2017 19:30

The best thing I just remembered from yesterday when I gave her an example/expressed a certain view of mine she said that they were "not my words" hinting that it was the other persons influence on me Confused

OP posts:
RottenTomatoes959 · 09/11/2017 10:41

Yes my ex and ds dad. He is slowly killing me.

Ellybellyboo · 09/11/2017 10:52

Yes. A colleague a work.

He's one of those 'my cat is blacker than your cat' types of people.

Dominates every conversation about how he's done something before, he's tired-er, his cold is worse than yours, etc, etc.

A complete know it all, but talks utter bullshit. We're currently on the look out for a loan horse or pony for my DD - obviously he knows everything there is to know about horses, ever.

He's racist, sexist and homophobic and just talks over everyone until they give up trying to get their point across, giving him more ammunition that he's right.

He's a massive hypocrite. Complains merry hell about how many fag breaks colleagues go on, while going on more than the rest of them put together.

I sit there and his mouth is going yap yap yap, and I just can't even begin to articulate what I want to say. I don't know where to begin

I actually hate him

AcrossthePond55 · 10/11/2017 14:27

she said that they were "not my words" hinting that it was the other persons influence on me

Well, wait. So she doesn't argue 'silly things' because she has to be right, it's more that if someone does/says something she doesn't like that they're 'out to get her'? Is she saying that a person you don't know (?) is 'influencing' you against her?

Because that doesn't sound like bullheadedness, that sounds like a bit of paranoia.

FGSholdthedoor · 10/11/2017 20:48

@AcrossthePond55 it's someone I know and I'm quite close to.
But since I've moved out the general consensus is that I've "changed" and I'm not the same girl I used to be etc etc
It almost seems that my own thoughts and opinions are not my own or are manipulated if they don't match up with Hers/theirs.

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 10/11/2017 21:28

But you HAVE changed. You AREN'T the same girl! And that's a GOOD THING!!! None of us are the same once we've been out on our own, experiencing the world and making our own decisions, as we were when we were living with our parents and/or in our hometowns.

Your mother obviously believes that the only correct opinion is hers. And she expects everyone to recognize that and fall in line. If you disagree with her, it stands to reason that you are being 'influenced' by someone else. Because it's not possible that she is wrong and you are right. Or that you would possibly be 'independent' enough to stand up for yourself. No, it's someone else's evil influence.

The best thing to do is to go 'grey rock'. Not saying your mum is a narc, grey rock works with people who are merely opinionated, too. Best thing to do is just not offer an opinion, not respond to provocative statements, and do that noncommittal 'um-hmm' when she says anything. Only put your foot down if what she says is actually harmful to another person, affects your children (like racist comments in their hearing), or would require distasteful or unreasonable action or expenditure on your part. It may sound a bit cowardly, but sometimes discretion IS the better part of valor. You cannot change her. All you can do is 'minimize her'. Don't let her get your goat.

I had an aunt like this, but obvs her effect on me would be much less that if it had been my mother. Auntie was just bossy and that everyone must do as she advised because she was always right. I mean who to date, what job to take, car to buy, vote, etc. I just ignored her or said 'um-hmm' and then went on and did what I wanted.

www.thriveafterabuse.com/going-gray-rock/

FGSholdthedoor · 10/11/2017 22:42

Thank you for the link.
To be quite honest I suspect she is a low level narcissist.

Just by the way she makes it all about her feelings and emotions and how it impacts her if someone wrongs her. Her initial thought is about how it affects her rather than making any attempt to see both sides.
She has once thrown all my "flaws" at me in a rant and a bit of a rage over something silly, it lasted for about 20mins, she was trying to hit where it hurt, I said one thing back, one sentence, she went berserk, my DF held her back, my face was completely blank. About a min later she was crying in a heap saying how I've basically made her out to be this awful abusive mother, (I said one sentence). Then another 5 mins later it was about how much she loved me (after my DFs push for us to make up).
Not had anything like that since. But she still makes me question my own views and beliefs at times....

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 11/11/2017 00:21

Don't question yourself. You have a right to your views and beliefs, I don't care what they are. If you believe you have purple fairies living in your underwear drawer, well, it's your right to believe it and she can go to the devil!

Her reaction is typical. It's meant to put you on an emotional roller coaster and keep you off balance. Whoops! UP we go (rage) then DOWN we fall (crying) then UP we go again (maternal love). And in the midst of it all you have no idea how to react or feel because she doesn't give you the time to sort it out before she changes her tactic. That's where you just have to remain calm, know it is HER not you, and refuse to react or pander. "Sorry you feel that way, Mum. It certainly wasn't my intention" rather than "But I.....", "But you.....", etc.

It's up to you of course, but do you think it might be wise to minimize your contact with her?

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