Do you believe your husband/partner...

[HulaHoopFingers]

...when he says things like “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world!” ?

Do you think he really means it?

My husband has been saying stuff like that for 15 years. Then yesterday I was joking about how he couldn’t get a more beautiful woman than me and he said there were loads of more beautiful women out there. I said “That’s not what you usually say”. He said, “You didn’t really believe that, did you?”

But I did.

Not that I was literally the most beautiful woman in the world (very, very, very far from it) but that I was to him.

I don’t know why but I felt really hurt. I guess it’s because something has changed in our relationship if he can’t even be bothered to lie about my attractiveness anymore!

AIBU to be upset?

You were fishing for compliments and sometimes when you go fishing, you catch a shoe. Especially if you throw your hook in as aggressively as you did. Tbh, I wouldn't be thrilled if my husband started joking-but-not-joking that I couldn’t get better than him. I wouldn't want better than him, but it isn't like your shit don't stink, mate.

My husband doesn't say this to me and I am grateful for that as it would be a lie, just as he isn't the most beautiful man in the world to me I don't expect that I am the most beautiful woman to him.

He was silly to be honest.
But you were silly to take it literally that "you were the most beautiful person in the world". Its an expression.

Their are 8 billion people in the world!

I hate these kind of comments. My husband writes "to the best mum in the world" cards and I'm just not obviously (no one is!). I'd much prefer, "thanks for being a lovely mum and always putting so much effort in with the girls" as it least that was true.

I had to buy him a wedding anniversary card yesterday and I've found the plainest card I can find. I just can't be doing with all the "you're so wonderful, you're the best, you make my heart skip a beat" crap. Anything too over the top makes me uncomfortable.

OP - it was mean of him to say what he said but you are being a bit daft if you took it verbatim as the truth before all this time. It's just one of those meaningless expressions.

I'll always believe him, after I'd burst into tears on him and snotted all over his shoulder and he held my face in his hands, kissed my forehead and told me I was beautiful. This was before we really knew each other, but I think after that I just knew he was the one. Although at first I used to think he was joking or being funny, especially if I was naked because all my weight goes on my tummy, thighs and arse. But over time I realised he wasn't and now I don't feel no where near as embarrassed as I first did. My tummy is probably the bit I hate the most about myself, but he'll gently kiss it and remind me about how although it didn't carry them for long, how it carried our 4 Angels. I've never had much confidence when it comes to my body. Suffered with anorexia and bulimia during most of my teenage years. Weighed less than 7st. Hip bones jutted out, ribs were prominent and my collar bone stuck out a mile but was still convinced I was fat. I remember trying on a bikini for a holiday and just sitting on the floor of the changing rooms crying my eyes out because in my opinion I looked like a hippo wearing it. Now I actually would look like a hippo wearing one, but a swimming costume I could and would walk confidently alongside him and know every positive comment he made would be truthful and from the heart

Hmm not sure about this, sounds like you were having a bit of banter that went wrong. But it was a bit strange to pin him down on it wasn't it? Of course he didn't mean it! Do you think he has some sort of spell on him Shallow Hal style, to make him literally think you are the most physically attractive in the world? There's only a one in 3.5 billion chance of being that person.

My DH and I love to be fake rude to each other, to the "there's loads more beautiful women out there" comment, I'd have replied "yep but none would put up with your smelly socks/bad jokes/small willy" or similar.

Don't take it to heart, OP!