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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU or my DH

171 replies

BugsBunny14 · 16/05/2018 09:33

HI all, please help me make the right decision. I have been married to DH for 12 years, have 2 DC 8 & 10. I work in corporate sector and first time in 12 years I want to visit my brother who lives in middle east with my children. DH is not coming with us due to work commitments and he is ok with it.
I found tickets for a really good price, the only issue was stopover in Istanbul for 20 hours arriving there early morning and leaving at 9 pm for middle east - I was actually very happy about it as I thought it would be lovely to see the city but DH is throwing a big fit saying he's not happy about it, it is NOT safe for me to go to an unknown city with the kids, anything could happen to us and that if I still decide to go I am putting our marriage at risk! I love travelling and would love to see Istanbul and to be honest I would be really sad to give in to him when I feel he is being unreasonable.
I was shocked to hear how he reacted, I am grown woman, I feel he doesn't have faith in me that I can go and see a city by myself. Shall I carry on because I truly believe I am more than capable of going to explore a city by myself or shall I buy different tickets that take me directly to my destination.
I would really appreciate your help mumsnetters, may be there is something that I can't see from his perspective.

OP posts:
Trinity66 · 16/05/2018 11:25

I'm not sure it's about lack of faith in you. After all, you're travelling to the middle east on your own with the DCs.

The OP did say that yes it was lack of faith in her and expressed some pretty sexist opinions on it. I wonder is he OK with her going to the Middle east because a man will be looking after her once she arrives (her brother)? ugh

A4710Rider · 16/05/2018 11:25

I think you need to draw a line in the sand here OP. If you allow him to substitute his judgement for yours in this matter you will be sending a message that he knows best and you are just a little woman to be overruled

Or he could be worried about this:

On 1 January 2017, there was an attack on the Reina nightclub in Ortakoy, Istanbul; 39 people were killed and 69 injured.

On 10 December 2016, a car bomb exploded near the Besiktas football stadium in the Macka/Dolmabahce area of Istanbul. 44 people, mostly police officers, were killed, and over 150 injured.

On 24 November 2016, a bomb exploded near the Governor’s office in Adana. 2 people were killed and 21 injured.

On 14 October 2016, a rocket attack took place on the outskirts of Antalya towards Kemer; no casualties were reported. Separately on 14 October 2016, attacks also took place against the Turkish military in Hakkari, Diyarbakir, Van and Adiyaman resulting in 13 injuries to service personnel

On 6 October 2016, an explosion occurred near a police headquarters in the Yenibosna area on the European side of Istanbul

On 24 August 2016, a roadside bomb injured 2 Gendarmerie officers on the Antalya – Kemer road near Topcam.

On 20 August 2016, an attack on a wedding party in Gaziantep killed more than 50 people and injured around 100.

On 28 June 2016, Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul was attacked. More than 40 people were killed.

On 7 June 2016, a bomb attack in the Vezneciler area of Istanbul killed 7 police officers and 4 civilians. 36 people were injured.

On 1 May 2016, a bomb attack at the Central Police Station in Gaziantep killed two police officers and injured 23 others.

On 27 April 2016, there was a suspected suicide bomb attack at Bursa Ulu Mosque. The bomber was killed and 7 people slightly injured.

On 19 March 2016, there was a suicide bomb attack against tourists on Istiklal St in Istanbul, in which 4 tourists died and at least 36 people were injured.

On 13 March 2016, a bombing in Kizilay Square, central Ankara killed more than 30 people.

On 17 February 2016, a large bomb attack near a military barracks on Eskisehir Road in Ankara killed 28 people.

On 12 January 2016, a suicide bomb attack in Sultanahmet in Istanbul killed 10 tourists.

....the bastard...

adaline · 16/05/2018 11:27

Or he could be worried about this:

Or you could read the thread and realise it's not just to do with Istanbul. OP says he would have the same reaction regardless of what city she would be going to!

The fact that it's Istanbul just gives him an excuse to mask his controlling nature as "valid concern". It's bullshit.

Highhorse1981 · 16/05/2018 11:32

He has travelled on his own - his excuse is because he is man and I am a woman. Wound me up even more when he said thi

Why? He speaks sense.

Highhorse1981 · 16/05/2018 11:33

Controlling?

The man is chilled about the OP taking herself and children alone to the Far East to visit her brother.

A4710Rider · 16/05/2018 11:34

OP says he would have the same reaction regardless of what city she would be going to

But no issue with going to the ME?

JessicaJonesJacket · 16/05/2018 11:36

Trinity yy I wondered if the brother being there was making the difference to the Middle East trip.
But I don't think it's sexist to say that in certain areas/countries, women travelling alone have a very different experience from men travelling alone. In an ideal world, that wouldn't be the case but currently it is true. That doesn't mean women shouldn't travel imo. It just means you take different precautions.
But I think it is difficult when you have DCs and two parents with very different attitudes to risk.

Loonoon · 16/05/2018 11:37

It's true that Turkey does share a border with Syria but the border is over 1000km from Istanbul, roughly the equivalent of London to Norway. So there's no danger if insurgents attacking the city unexpectedly.

And A4710Rider is quite right that there have been some very bad terrorism incidents across Turkey recently. But there have also been similar incidents in many other large cities across the world including the UK.

How is being a woman going to make the OP more vulnerable in the (statistically small) chance of her being caught up in such an incident? How would being a man or with a man give her greater protection again a bomb?

I am not saying the travel is without risk - nothing is without risk. What I am saying is that once the OP has given it due consideration she should make her own choices not be dictated to by someone with a different opinion.

adaline · 16/05/2018 11:41

The man is chilled about the OP taking herself and children alone to the Far East to visit her brother.

Presumably because her brother will be there to "protect" her.

He is telling her she is not allowed to go Istanbul on her own - she's a grown woman for goodness sake! How is that not controlling?!

He has admitted HIMSELF that it is because she's a woman. So not only is he controlling (telling her her marriage is at risk if she goes alone), he's sexist to boot.

And people are still managing to defend him!

adaline · 16/05/2018 11:41

The man is chilled about the OP taking herself and children alone to the Far East to visit her brother.

Presumably because her brother will be there to "protect" her.

He is telling her she is not allowed to go Istanbul on her own - she's a grown woman for goodness sake! How is that not controlling?!

He has admitted HIMSELF that it is because she's a woman. So not only is he controlling (telling her her marriage is at risk if she goes alone), he's sexist to boot.

And people are still managing to defend him!

Highhorse1981 · 16/05/2018 11:45

He’s worried. It’s his wife and children FGS. I don’t think we should start throwing around “controlling” and “sexist”.

Dontforgetyourtowel · 16/05/2018 11:48

A man trying to stop a woman going somewhere with their children, anywhere in the world, on her own, because she is a woman, is controlling and sexist. Some people on here might not think so but they are wrong.

adaline · 16/05/2018 11:55

He’s worried. It’s his wife and children FGS. I don’t think we should start throwing around “controlling” and “sexist”.

But he's saying her marriage is at risk if she goes. That IS controlling no matter how you try and twist it.

Why is she not allowed, as a grown adult, to make her own decisions? OP has said repeatedly (which many seem to be ignoring) that he would be the same if it was any other city in the world. So Istanbul, Edinburgh, Paris, Sydney or Toronto - his reaction would be the same regardless.

He is allowed to be worried, of course he is. But he's not allowed to use that worry to control the actions of a grown woman!

YetAnotherSpartacus · 16/05/2018 11:56

Oh FFS. I've travelled extensively alone and have never had any problems I've even done stupid things. Istanbul would not be on my 'favourite' list right now, but that's mainly because of terrorism. Mostly, you'll just have to avoid people trying to sell you fucking carpets.

The fact that he's not happy because you are a woman smacks of control issues.

TomRavenscroft · 16/05/2018 11:57

his excuse is because he is man and I am a woman.

He's a tit. Smile and tell him nicely to get a grip. Ignore any further tantrums. Enjoy Istanbul and the ME!

weedoogie · 16/05/2018 12:03

He's being an eejit

Go, enjoy youreselves - but be careful in taxis; it is common for taxi drivers to rip you off by pretending that you have given them a smaller note than you actually have done (they do a very quick sleight of hand e.g. you give them a 20 and they ask for more, showing a 5. So, before you hand cash over, show it to them and get them to acknowledge the amount youre holding)

Otherwise it's as safe as anywhere else

Trinity66 · 16/05/2018 12:06

Why? He speaks sense.

So women should never travel unaccompanied? Fuck off.

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 16/05/2018 12:08

I have sympathy re concerns about travelling to Turkey

[https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey]

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey. Terrorist groups, including Kurdish groups, Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) and far left organisations, continue to plan and carry out attacks. Further attacks could be indiscriminate. Most terrorist attacks have taken place in the south and east of the country and in Ankara and Istanbul. Attacks are most likely to target the Turkish state, civilians and demonstrations. Nevertheless, it’s likely that some attacks will also target western interests and tourists from western countries, particularly in the major cities

And in some cases, sadly, it's true that a woman travelling without a man is more at risk. But if he really doesn't want you to travel anywhere at all, that's different.

A4710Rider · 16/05/2018 12:08

Otherwise it's as safe as anywhere else

That's a falsehood.

Is Istanbul safer for a lone woman and two children than say, Cardiff?

BugsBunny14 · 16/05/2018 12:11

May I just please add - it’s not about Istanbul, he would NOT like me to travel anywhere in the world by myself, that’s what bothering me.

OP posts:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 16/05/2018 12:13

Is Istanbul safer for a lone woman and two children than say, Cardiff

In terms of physical safety and unrelated to terrorism then I'd say Istanbul and Cardiff are probably in the same league.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 16/05/2018 12:14

May I just please add - it’s not about Istanbul, he would NOT like me to travel anywhere in the world by myself, that’s what bothering me

Sorry. Missed that with brain wandering off to the market and the Hagia Sophia and the catacombs and all ...

He's wrong and a wanker.

A4710Rider · 16/05/2018 12:16

.....and in terms of being related to terrorism, they aren't in the same league. Not quite sure why you want to give the OP a false sense of security but there we go...

Mitzimaybe · 16/05/2018 12:17

Would he be the same about London? There have been multiple terror attacks there in recent years and the number of shootings / murders this year alone is sky high. Would he let you take the children to London? What about to a concert at Manchester Arena? Paris? Brussels? In my experience, people minimise the risks of where they live / feel comfortable and big up the risks of the "other".

I haven't been to Istanbul since 2009 (gosh, doesn't seem that long) but unless it's changed drastically in that time, you will be as safe as anywhere if you stick to the main tourist areas.

Highhorse1981 · 16/05/2018 12:18

BugsBunny14
I’m confused. He’s ok about you travelling to the ME with the children alone?

What nationality is he?

My ex was very uptight about me travelling alone. Why? South African. He has grown up in a very fraught dangerous country

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