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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you be ok with your husband going to the cinema with a female friend?

1000 replies

JizzPigeon22 · 05/08/2020 20:38

I have a friend who I’ve known since I was 3 years old. Last year he got a job in a pub directly across the road from my house so I see him quite often as he will occasionally stop by after a shift for a coffee or to see my kids, who they refer to as their uncle, they’re all very close. Over the years we’ve been to festivals together, holidays, camping trips etc. He was the best man at my wedding. Last year my husband passed away and my friend was great in helping sort things out, and just to have someone to chat to. We both like marvel films, which his wife hates, so when the new avengers film came out last year he bought tickets for the first showing as it was at 12 noon so we had time to watch it before getting the kids from school. His wife was at work and he was doing the school run.
She went absolutely apoplectic with rage when she found it. Said that going to the cinema was something couples do, I was desperate to get a man because my husband had died and now I was lonely etc. My friend was so disgusted with her that it almost ended their marriage.
I hadn’t really thought about it till today when it came up in conversation with 2 other friends who had very different views. One was of the opinion that it was fine, the other of the opinion that it’s never ok for men and women who are married to socialise like that as it’s disrespectful.

Aibu to think the cinema with a friend is fine? She’s fine with him coming to my house but not the cinema? I just found it such a bizzare reaction and the nasty things she said about me following my husbands death were pretty unforgivable.

OP posts:
Mothership4two · 08/08/2020 00:29

I could not presume what he would do. I could only include what I might do/say

No but you have presumed that one partner has no say in his own life and aimed your questions at the wife. What if husband didn't like/want your five point plan? What if he thought his wife was being unreasonable (which in this case he did)? Would you really do all that if you think the wife is actually being unfair?

OP has said that this came a bit out of the blue. Backing off would have been awkward as they share a friendship group, he is very much in OP's children's lives, share school runs (I think), he comes to her family events and they have been very close (like siblings according to OP) for a very long time. Plus he sounds as though he is sharing OP's grief

DioneTheDiabolist · 08/08/2020 00:46

I was assuming he wanted to stay in his marriage (as he didn’t leave for 8 months).

He didnt leave @DBML. His wife left after 8 months, he lives with the DC, she lives with her new DP. It's in the OP's posts.

Sonmi451 · 08/08/2020 01:04

A Marvel film? I'd thank you for saving me from having to see it.

I wouldn't be bothered, but I do think it depends on the people involved, their relationship, and to a degree, the type of film.

Sonmi451 · 08/08/2020 01:07

Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound snarky. I meant, I hate that stuff and would be genuinely delighted if someone else would go with him, so that I didn't have to.

Mothership4two · 08/08/2020 01:24

I'm with you @Sonmi451 I love going to the cinema but not for a Marvel film.

My dh has a female friend who loves football/rugby/motorsport (weirdo Grin) and they regularly go to matches together. Massive relief I don't have to go

HappydaysArehere · 08/08/2020 02:34

No. Back away.

SleepingStandingUp · 08/08/2020 04:02

@HappydaysArehere

No. Back away.
What, so how she's not allowed to hand out with single men either?? 🙄😯
Paddy1234 · 08/08/2020 16:01

I see Daily Fail has got hold of this .....

Macmummyofthree · 08/08/2020 17:17

Maybe there are underlying issues at play for the wife or them both. Otherwise as the husband I would have been disgusted at her lack of compassion and trust too. My husband loves war films and Sci-fi (yawn). I'd rather he went to watch a film with some who enjoyed those things (male or female) than bore me...unless he only ever wanted to do things with that friend and never wanted to do things with me. Maybe there's a lack of emotional intimacy within the marriage that he hasn't acknowledged and she doesn't know how to address.

GreenRoads · 08/08/2020 17:57

Maybe there are underlying issues at play for the wife or them both

Well, her violent reaction suggests there are, but what a significant minority of posters seem to be suggesting is that the female friend of an attached man should take responsibility for the potential 'underlying issues' of this man's wife or partner by not going to the cinema with him in case it 'triggers' his wife. I think that's quite mad. It is not my job to assume or assuage the issues of a woman I may hardly know.

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 08/08/2020 18:19

I’m so sorry for your loss Flowers
WAY we’re a great support to a friend of mine.

I would be delighted by anyone willing to take DH to watch marvel films Grin he currently goes with a gang of male friends but I would have no issue with him going with one of his long time female friends. If that friend was recently widowed I would pleased he was being a good friend.

I would say the issue was entirely their marriage rather than your friendship!

malificent7 · 08/08/2020 18:21

You see i think it is my duty to respect the primary wimen in a man's life ( eg...the wife or partner.)
For example, when dd was very young, I was a single mum and made friends with a couple and was invited round for a cuppa. I got on very well with the man but no attraction there. However, I could tell the wife wasn't comfortable so backed off ( wasn't invited back anyway!)
Tbh i didn't blame her and wasn't annoyed as i have tons of friends who aren't attached men and who i can rely on for emotional support and good times. Less complicated all round.
The wife here was clearly ott but we should respect other womens' relationships.

malificent7 · 08/08/2020 18:22

And what is good for one woman dosn't work for another.

popcornlover · 08/08/2020 18:47

You’re in the Daily Mail! Prepare for an even more angry wife of friend as your post was quite specific about where he works in relation to your home and other details. It’s bound to get back to her.....

PablosHoney · 08/08/2020 18:52

Did the daily mail include those details?

popcornlover · 08/08/2020 19:28

Yes, it included everything - there is a screenshot of the whole of OP’s post.

PablosHoney · 08/08/2020 19:30

Ahh yes I’ve found it now, Hopefully she doesn’t read the Daily Mail

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/08/2020 19:32

The wife here was clearly ott but we should respect other womens' relationships

How about respect for people, friendships and even activities you were ok with until.... Someone died...

Said that going to the cinema was something couples do, I was desperate to get a man because my husband had died and now I was lonely etc.

All this all boils down to is:
Women think man control women and without man in control the woman will go berserk and after other man no matter what their relationship status.

Women are women's biggest enemies. We might not murder each other, but god, are we good in trying ruin each other. #sisterhood

PablosHoney · 08/08/2020 19:35

It’s funny but in my experience it’s been widowed men that have rushed to find a new wife, it may have been a woman thing when we relied on men to keep us from being destitute though

Dee8677 · 08/08/2020 20:48

I’m sorry, but I disagree with those here saying things like “it’s the wife’s problem, she’s just being jealous” etc etc. The fact that you’re putting their business all over the Internet is a line that you have no problem crossing. I would be uncomfortable in that position myself. That’s not your husband, it’s hers. And the dynamics of their relationship are theirs to sort out. It’s also on your friend to decide whether he wants to be married to her or not. Obviously she’s not okay with her husband planning trips to the cinema with another woman behind her back (he didn’t tell her, so it was behind her back, whatever way you dress it up), so as her husband he should either respect that or leave.

If my husband took another woman to the cinema without telling me, I’d be upset. Because it comes off as high-handed and deliberately cuts her out of being able to voice any objections or concerns. Which shows a total lack of respect for her feelings, while at the same time showing lots for how you’re feeling. I wouldn’t like it either. He doesn’t appear to be taking his wife’s feelings into consideration. Maybe that’s why she went nuts about it. You don’t either, but it’s not your job to.

Bottom line, no matter who you are, that’s his wife. If she’s uncomfortable with something, like I already said, he should either respect it, or leave her. Putting her in a position of having to accept something or be called horrible all over the Internet AND national newspapers by you - that’s just wrong. If I was her, I’d have left him.

The dynamics are different now that your husband isn’t a buffer. I’m very sorry for the loss you’ve suffered. Maybe she feels uncomfortable about the amount of time he spends alone with you now because she’s concerned that maybe grief will make you both grow closer than you would have previously. It does happen. It happens a lot.

I wouldn’t be comfortable with my husband spending a lot of alone time that excludes me with another woman. If he wanted to go see something and I didn’t, then he said “okay, well is it alright if I bring my friend instead? I want to see it and I think it might cheer her up a little” I’d probably be okay with that, but him arranging something that actively cut me out? I’d be upset. It would make me wonder why they both felt the need to keep it from me until after it happened. We’re all human. And given his attitude towards her, I wouldn’t blame her for feeling a bit insecure. Maybe her telling you about this stuff was her way of asking you to back off a little? She’s clearly not happy with the situation. Both of you should respect that.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/08/2020 20:57

@Dee8677 you know what's a really cool thing to do? Read the thread before commenting.

Be cool. Read the thread.

Dee8677 · 08/08/2020 21:04

You know what else is really cool? Not trying to talk down to people. I did read the thread thanks.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 08/08/2020 21:15

Then you know they are not together anymore...
And.
She was ok with cinema trips before Op became a widow.
Op is not just "another woman". She is a friend since they were babies. Not some recently found interest.
She wasn't excluded from the time, she was at work. Where she can't answer phone so no point calling and asking.
Spur of a moment. Quite fun thing to do. Not everything is planned.

DiscordandRhyme · 08/08/2020 21:17

I'm sorry for your loss.

I think every relationahip is different and every friendship is different.

My husband has no close female friends so I'd find it odd. However if he's been friends for years with a female friend and they liked the same type of film then it wouldn't bother me.

My husband wouldn't mind unless he also would like to see that film in which case he'd find it odd. But most my friends are male and I don't live life by what my husband wants. Of course if a certain relationship bothered him it would be discussed but in general being married means nothing in regards to friendships as they are completely separate.

myrtleWilson · 08/08/2020 21:17

But @Dee8677 given that the wife had no problems with them catching up at home with the kids, or going to the cinema together prior to her bereavement, why should they change their friendship and what has changed in the (now ex) wife's mind to suggest an activity she was fine with is no longer fine?

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