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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think about just not going to DH's work party?

345 replies

rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 16:00

DH and I had a bit of a drama yesterday but thankfully that's all sorted. I've just received the invitation to one of the fancy company brunches they hold through the post. It's plus one but there's not much point in the plus ones being there.

As a general rule DH and I sit with his friendship circle inside work. I can see why he's friends with them; similar interests, lifestyles, upbringings, etc. especially as he spends lots of time with them at his job. But the truth is they're, as a general rule, awful. Condescending, narrow-minded, elitist ... not to mention they can be downright rude. DH will of course defend me if necessary but he can't do anything about the fact that I just genuinely think they're for the most part horrible people.

Generally DH will discuss work with his team so the spouses tend to socialise with each other. (One guy that DH works with in particular finds it hilarious if anyone not in the company tries to contribute or even follow the conversation. He takes some weird pleasure in asking their opinions if they seem to be listening and then laughing. It's weird if you ask me but we tend to not get involved in their discussion for that reason or even listen to it.)

As a general rule I don't get on with the spouses of the rest of his friends at all. The two husbands stick to each other very closely and generally don't talk to the wives. Most of the women are very different to me and often unkind. DH and I have a slightly different dynamic in our marriage as well which they love to pick at. They are mostly SAHM or SAHW like me but a couple have had modelling careers in the past I think. They don't really see the point in me having a job (I work from home) and are frequently rude about my career. The one woman I get on with has a real dislike for them and they dislike her back, which means I've become very isolated from the group and often on the receiving end of snipes/jabs. However her wife is on maternity leave and as such she won't be there.

DH knows I don't like his friends but doesn't really know the full situation when it comes to those I'm expected to hang out with. I'm not very involved with his job as it's quite difficult to really understand on the most part (or maybe I'm just thick when it comes to this stuff Grin) so he really enjoys seeing me in the context of his work setting. I tend to suck it up when events like this roll around because it is so important to him and to me that I'm supportive. However, with my usual friend not there I think it will be much more obvious that I don't get on with the others. I could do my best to remain involved but if they start making comments or just don't talk to me at all how am I supposed to?

AIBU to consider just telling DH I don't want to go and avoiding the whole event? I feel it will be awkward at best and DH will feel like he has to intervene if it gets bad, which could potentially disrupt his friendships and spoil his evening. On the other hand, I feel like I should at least make an effort, and I know he's going to be super excited about me going. Not to mention I'd feel bad causing another issue so close to our previous disagreement.

WWYD?

OP posts:
rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 20:12

Honestly, op - I just can't believe anyone is posting anything like this in the 21st century!!
Misogyny hasn't vanished just because we've entered the 2000's! Of course I'm going to encounter sexist arseholes at some point.

You don't drink? You're a stronger woman than me, I'd be face down in the free champagne I think!

No; I never have. I had an astonishingly sweet tooth when I was younger so didn't much like the bitter taste to alcohol, and never got out of the habit.

I've never had any embarrassing drunk nights so there's a plus Grin

At least you can vent on here and relay all the awful behaviour to us. A live stream?

I don't think a live stream is advisable. I doubt any of them use Mumsnet but just to be sure, at some point it could get very outing.

This all sounds like a different world to me. I've never encountered people like this before. It all sounds so fake.
It is, incredibly. Everyone is very fake-smiles.

OP posts:
FloraFox · 07/06/2018 20:13

he loves having me support him

This is how he sees you, this is your role in his eyes. Your enjoyment or otherwise are not relevant.

rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 20:14

This sounds like you are going to go.

I think I might.

DH did make it clear how much he likes having me there and that was my main motivator for considering it in the first place.

OP posts:
Motoko · 07/06/2018 20:17

Cross posted, but it looked like you'd already decided to go before you spoke to him.

The way he minimises your feelings, and calls you "silly" shows he has no respect for you, and he never will if you keep pandering to him. It's high time you stood up for yourself and prove that you're not just a "silly woman" to be belittled, ignored and cajoled.

Where's your anger? You need to find it.

Motoko · 07/06/2018 20:22

DH did make it clear how much he likes having me there and that was my main motivator for considering it in the first place.

Of course he did, he knows that works! And yet he's not willing to offer you the same courtesy.

"DH, you know it would make me so happy to not have to go." Why is it more important that you make him happy, than him making you happy?

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 07/06/2018 20:25

Yes your feelings and opinions are just as valid as his. You deserve to be heard and taken seriously Flowers

I hope you can rise above all the small minded fakery at the social event from Hell brunch. You're worth a hundred of those fools.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 07/06/2018 20:30

And shame about the live stream. I'm intrigued by the behavioural habits of this species known as elitist arseholes. Grin

AtrociousCircumstance · 07/06/2018 20:31

He laughed. Then manipulated and minimised.

The thing is, for all you say about sexism, you are coming across as a surrendered wife, worrying about your ‘strong-willed’ husband, wanting to go because he wants you to, trying to find gentle amiable agreeable conciliatory ways of saying half of what you really want to say...

That’s not a good basis for a relationship. Speak your truth, make waves if necessary.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 07/06/2018 20:32

It is a shame about not life-streaming. We could have done a collective Cyrano de Bergerac, only with deflections against bitchyness instead of wooing someone. Grin

frustratedashell · 07/06/2018 20:32

You sound lovely but, in the nicest possible way, you need to stand up for yourself. Your DH is not taking your feelings seriously at all. You sound a bit afraid of him. You are allowed to say no.

FloraFox · 07/06/2018 20:33

The true nature of a man is revealed when you say no to him. You cannot know the nature of a man if you always say yes.

JamPasty · 07/06/2018 20:44

What the fucking fuck?!!

OP - he is MANIPULATING you!!! This is all part of his control bollocks. May I highlights some things back to you that show how he's treating you and how you're responding:

but it'll be good for me to socialise etc.

I definitely do feel bad about that which I think he sensed because he used the opportunity to add that I was being silly anyway and that I'll love it once I get there.

He says we'll continue the discussion later.

I am definitely leaning towards just going and gritting my teeth throughout the evening considering that he does really like my being there.

talk to him gently.

He is treating you like a little child and that he is the parent and knows better so you shouldn't worry your pretty little head about it. And you are falling right for it. Sorry to be harsh, but dear god! If my DH's mates were shitty and off with me, he'd tell them to do one, and probably reduce his own contact with them - he sure as feck would not suggest I keep on spending time with them and that I must have misunderstood really. Please look up gaslighting, cos your DH is doing this too.

rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 20:49

It got to a point where he'd been in his office for a while so I went in. I think he was quite stressed out because he had a glass of wine and doesn't often drink.

I broached the subject again. He went very maudlin, and said that it's his fault because he's clearly a terrible husband who I can't trust enough to tell these things.

I feel awful about pretending but then seeing his reaction I can understand my prior self's actions! I said it wasn't anything to do with trust; I just was willing to go to an evening which I found unpleasant (and have always found unpleasant) in order to support him. I was a little frustrated at that point which I'm sure he could see because he put down the bloody glass at last.

I reminded him of his promise yesterday and said that the way he tried to minimise it was not on. He apologised but said it was perhaps too much to cope with.

We talked a little more about why it was so stressful for him that I didn't get on with these women, and eventually he admitted that the minimisation was probably due to his own irrational feelings and not me making stuff up.

At this point he was being a lot kinder and when he apologised it was a very loving and genuine tone and I felt that he actually meant it. He's going to finish up the work he's done but has said we can discuss about whether or not I'm actually going later tonight.

While it was frustrating at the beginning I'm happy I stuck with it. DH acts irrationally but we do love each other at the end and he always comes round … hopefully if we keep working on this the knee-jerk reaction to try and manipulate his way out of the situation will cease.

OP posts:
rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 20:54

It is a shame about not life-streaming. We could have done a collective Cyrano de Bergerac, only with deflections against bitchyness instead of wooing someone.

And shame about the live stream. I'm intrigued by the behavioural habits of this species known as elitist arseholes.

A live stream would probably be a good way to get through the night Grin I might play a mental game of Bingo.

OP posts:
JamPasty · 07/06/2018 20:59

but has said we can discuss about whether or not I'm actually going later tonight

so he didn't actually take on board that you don't want to go?

Belindabauer · 07/06/2018 21:02

Bloody he'll op.
Are you not able to tell your dh that you do not want to go and you are not going unless he talks to you and does not leave you with x and y.
I would then go further and say x is a total fuckwit and under no circumstances do you wish to be in their company.

Have I just wandered into 1838, a time where women did not work?

I seriously could not converse with such fuckwits.

rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 21:02

so he didn't actually take on board that you don't want to go?

No, he's definitely got that; but while I find the actual evening unpleasant, how much he wants me there is also something I have to consider.

Now he's calmed down this should be much more of a reasonable discussion and of course it'll be my choice.

OP posts:
Usernameunknown2 · 07/06/2018 21:03

I would probably have a code phrase and whenever one was being a cunt i would use it on dp. After a few 'bananas' or whatever, he will get the idea that yes, they are cunts and yes you are sucking it up.

ILostItInTheEarlyNineties · 07/06/2018 21:04

At least you stood your ground and explained your feelings over this. You're probably one of the few people that actually challenge any of your husband's antiquated views which I'm guessing he grew up with and is surrounded by in the workplace.

Love the idea of mental bingo. I'm thinking ticking off every Elitist view/ misogynistic opinion/condescending comment and the classic bitchy put down. I'm sure you'll get a full house..

rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 21:04

I seriously could not converse with such fuckwits.

It's a practised art Grin
If I keep deflecting back to the weather and our new curtains I daresay it'll be dull but uneventful!

OP posts:
rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 21:08

At least you stood your ground and explained your feelings over this. You're probably one of the few people that actually challenge any of your husband's antiquated views which I'm guessing he grew up with and is surrounded by in the workplace.

I met him at uni. He was the most condescending, misogynistic, upper-class, entitled twat I'd ever met. He was absolutely awful. He used to call me "princess" non-stop (bearing in mind I didn't like him, barely knew him and he'd asked me out on several occasions.)

I didn't meet him again until about five years later at a wedding. He'd grown up a lot in that time but even then there were times when I had to lecture him about not being an ignorant dick.

But being around people that play on his past does bring out a certain side of him I think. Not that he'd make comments like he used to, but his brain sort of goes on an auto-pilot where he doesn't register something offensive was said.

OP posts:
rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 21:11

I would probably have a code phrase and whenever one was being a cunt i would use it on dp. After a few 'bananas' or whatever, he will get the idea that yes, they are cunts and yes you are sucking it up.

Love the idea of mental bingo. I'm thinking ticking off every Elitist view/ misogynistic opinion/condescending comment and the classic bitchy put down. I'm sure you'll get a full house..

Both of these ideas sound super fun Grin Like I said DH sometimes kind of zones out and doesn't actually register what's being said. A code word might force him to contemplate …

It would have to be something fairly unassuming though, otherwise I daresay someone will catch on.

Bingo would be great. Comment on my appearance. Comment about "really" looking after DC. Comment asking how much I've made this year. Comment about lower-class citizens. A blonde joke.

It's meant to be funny but it's making my blood boil Grin

OP posts:
ReanimatedSGB · 07/06/2018 21:12

I'm quite concerned for you OP. This man is a woman-hating shitbag, but perhaps you think that because he's relatively middle-class it's acceptable. Do you think of domestic violence as only done by unemployed alcoholics? Your H doesn't consider you to be a human being at all - you are just a prop for his ego.

FloraFox · 07/06/2018 21:17

It sounds like he has learned better manners, not that he has changed.

rosesandflowers · 07/06/2018 21:18

I'm quite concerned for you OP. This man is a woman-hating shitbag, but perhaps you think that because he's relatively middle-class it's acceptable.

He is my DH!
"Woman-hating shitbag" might have been appropriate in his younger years, but he isn't a misogynist. He has his problems, which I'm very much aware of, but he's still loving, sensitive, intelligent … I did marry him for a reason.

In all our years of marriage he has never been violent. I'm under no illusion as to how pervasive domestic violence is in every class; but it's not an issue in my marriage.

He says we'll go over it, and we will. I don't plan on letting him tell me whether to go, and I don't think he plans on trying.

OP posts:
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