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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is my partner a narcissist, or am I to blame?

43 replies

Ianopautia · 22/02/2021 00:00

I have been with my partner for around a year and a half, I am close to giving up but I don’t know whether I’m too sensitive or whether it’s him that making me feel this way.
He has grown up a lot since the beginning of our relationship and I want an unbiased opinion, so I hope this doesn’t sound like an onslaught.
Whenever we argue, he won’t apologise unless I pull it out of him and even then it doesn’t feel particularly sincere. He has a way of taking my point (why I’m upset etc) and turning it into something completely different to help his cause, twisting the thing he said that upset me in the first place to make it seem as though I’m the one that’s taken it the wrong way and am being unreasonable. He will be different from week to week - one week showering me with kisses and compliments and the next week only giving me a peck on the lips when we say goodbye. He says that he can’t be himself anymore because everything he says upsets me (ie I got upset when he snapped at me rudely in the middle of a supermarket) but says I get upset over every ‘little’ thing and should just let things slide sometimes. I feel like pulling my hair out sometimes when we argue because he is impossible to talk to. He constantly talks about himself at work and I quote ‘I know I am better than everyone on that team’. Which, to be fair to him his work (he’s a landscaper) is incredible but I just find it so arrogant and off putting to hear it said out loud. He has also gone through a few different work places within the last 6 months or so. I question myself after we argue about something he's said to upset me wondering whether I am too sensitive. He has a lot of narcissistic traits and has openly admitted that himself, but said he won’t change because he’s fed up of changing himself for other people. He white lies about some really odd things (how much he paid for our date night when I was there when he paid - he said he’d paid £400 when it was half that but why lie, I was there?!)
He’s never really been interested in anything about my past life as he says he doesn’t like hearing about it, I can sense his uninterest and uncomfortable-ness when I talk about past girls holidays or even recent nights out. He says he’s lost his ‘fight’ now because I get upset about everything but I have told him not everything has to be an argument. I like to think that I am a good understanding person. I can be cold and incredibly hot headed simultaneously during arguments but I admit when I am wrong and I am working on my toxic traits. But he makes me feel as though I am a bad person and that my feelings have no merit, when really he just doesn’t hold himself accountable for anything he does. I apologise for the length of this and reading back, seems silly to even post as I think I know the answer. But when you’re not in the situation yourself it’s easier to rationalise, so I thought I would post on here and ask whether it was me.

OP posts:
Thedogscollar · 22/02/2021 00:04

Tbh OP you don't sound like a good match. As for your description of him and his behaviour/personality I think you should run to the hills. Sorry but be sounds like a nightmare.

Merryoldgoat · 22/02/2021 00:07

Christ. He sounds awful. It should be a natural thing to apologise when in the wrong - what is the use of an apology if not given freely?

It doesn’t matter the reason - the fact is he’s horrible, upsets you regularly, and doesn’t see why you get upset.

Just get rid OP - a relationship shouldn’t be such hard work.

GreenlandTheMovie · 22/02/2021 00:09

Out of everything you describe, the one thing that stands out to me is his not being able to hold down a job. Thats never a good sign, and its often a sign of serious problems. Its also nothing to do with you, and something you can judge him on from a distance.

CatRamsey · 22/02/2021 00:12

I feel exhausted just reading about him! A lot of those things remind me of my ex, the arrogance about work, never apologising. You can do better, honestly.

Seasidemumma77 · 22/02/2021 00:13

Either love the person for who they are, or walk away. As individuals we can change ourselves but we can't and shouldn't change others.

Ianopautia · 22/02/2021 00:15

Thank you for the replies and for confirming it’s mot me - one of the problems with leaving is that he doesn’t have close relationships with his friends, or any close relationships with his family so without me he is mostly alone. I just have to ask myself why that is and push the guilt to the back of my mind!

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 22/02/2021 00:16

Why are you wasting your time with this arsehole? You really need to raise your standards.

Aquamarine1029 · 22/02/2021 00:18

one of the problems with leaving is that he doesn’t have close relationships with his friends, or any close relationships with his family so without me he is mostly alone.

That is not your problem. Stop the mindset of being his saviour/keeper.

Ianopautia · 22/02/2021 00:21

@Aquamarine1029

one of the problems with leaving is that he doesn’t have close relationships with his friends, or any close relationships with his family so without me he is mostly alone.

That is not your problem. Stop the mindset of being his saviour/keeper.

Very true - thank you for reminding me!
OP posts:
Teapotsandtablecloths · 22/02/2021 00:36

Definitely agree with PPs about the changing of jobs often. It always raises a red flag for me because sure you can not get one with 1 boss, or 1 job doesn't fit right, but when its multiple jobs the only common thread is that person.

He sounds manipulative and childish and hard work. Maybe he could learn to change his behaviour, but you aren't his mum, you dont need to raise him and teach him to be a better boyfriend.

Dump him, find the man you deserve! x

SionnachGlic · 22/02/2021 00:37

Why does he change jobs so frequently if he is so good at what he does...? Is he let go...or has conflict & have to leave? It's a potential red flag in my book dep on what answer is... He doexn't sound all that in general either...sorry!

yvanka · 22/02/2021 00:43

Why have you jumped to narcissist? I know it's the go-to on mumsnet but it's actually pretty rare in the real world. Some people are just dickheads.

Hard to tell whether YABU from what you've written - for example:

says I get upset over every ‘little’ thing and should just let things slide sometimes

I agree with him that you have to let little annoyances slide in a relationship. If you're turning everything into an argument then I would find that exhausting too.

I can sense his uninterest and uncomfortable-ness when I talk about past girls holidays or even recent nights out

Why would he be interested in your past girls holidays? Maybe you bring them up too much and he's sick of being polite.

ChristOnAPeloton · 22/02/2021 00:45

Life is short and precious.

Don’t waste any more of yours on this anus. You won’t miss him.

FrankButchersDickieBow · 22/02/2021 00:47

Liking each other in a relationship is NEVER this hard when there is a mutual respect.

GET OUT ASAP.

Ianopautia · 22/02/2021 00:52

@yvanka

Why have you jumped to narcissist? I know it's the go-to on mumsnet but it's actually pretty rare in the real world. Some people are just dickheads.

Hard to tell whether YABU from what you've written - for example:

says I get upset over every ‘little’ thing and should just let things slide sometimes

I agree with him that you have to let little annoyances slide in a relationship. If you're turning everything into an argument then I would find that exhausting too.

I can sense his uninterest and uncomfortable-ness when I talk about past girls holidays or even recent nights out

Why would he be interested in your past girls holidays? Maybe you bring them up too much and he's sick of being polite.

Very true, although I say narcissistic as he seems to fit in to 99% of the criteria. Maybe I jumped to that prematurely. He can certainly be just a dickhead.

In relation to getting upset over every little thing - I don’t. I’m an understanding and generally happy person, I don’t get upset if there isn’t a reason to be.

In relation to your second point, why wouldn’t he be? I love asking about my partners past holidays, adventures and memories because it’s enjoyable to talk about and to get to know him better. Not sure why I’d have to explain that one.

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 22/02/2021 00:54

Work on yourself, rather than putting up with someone who's also fucked up.

Ianopautia · 22/02/2021 00:56

@SionnachGlic

Why does he change jobs so frequently if he is so good at what he does...? Is he let go...or has conflict & have to leave? It's a potential red flag in my book dep on what answer is... He doexn't sound all that in general either...sorry!
It’s because of conflict but I don’t think I’m ever told the full story, as it’s always their fault and nothing to do with his behaviour. I’ve only just realised now that he clearly treats me in the same way he treats people at work! Don’t apologise, I think I agree with you there
OP posts:
yvanka · 22/02/2021 00:58

Sounds like you just have very different ideas of what is acceptable in a relationship then, in which case there's not much to be done.

I just said about the holiday thing because my boyfriend has one holiday in particular that he talks about loads. I do eye roll when he brings it up now because I feel like I was there, so thought that might be the case here.

Your DP's 'white lies' would be a major issue for me, hate when people do that. Also shows a willingness to lie when it suits him which is worrying.

Ianopautia · 22/02/2021 01:02

Yeah I completely understand that and I’d be annoyed too if it was constant! But he’s made no effort to ask about absolutely anything, even when my family were looking through old baby photos. It’s really just all my memories as a whole he’s not interested in!

I do too, I always get a bad gut feeling. I need to start listening to it

OP posts:
Iflyaway · 22/02/2021 01:03

In relation to getting upset over every little thing - I don’t. I’m an understanding and generally happy person, I don’t get upset if there isn’t a reason to be.

There's your reason right there. HE's the one that makes you upset.

Next!

Twillow · 22/02/2021 01:04

Run.
Ask yourself why he has no other close relationships.

billy1966 · 22/02/2021 01:11

Who cares what his specific label, he sounds like a rude dismissive asshole.

Tedious to boot.

Relationships are not supposed to be so hard, listen to your gut and get out as quick as you can.

just5morepeas · 22/02/2021 01:15

You don't need a "reason" to end a relationship other than not being happy in it.

Don't search so hard for answers. If you're not happy, leave. Life is very short.

I'd agree with those saying it's not your job/not possible to fix or change him. And if he doesn't have many friends it's not your fault and is also a bit of a red flag imo. Can't he make/keep friends? Maybe there's a reason for that.

Ianopautia · 22/02/2021 01:21

I appreciate all of your responses - thank you. I saw a post earlier about us tending to only post on here once we’ve reached a certain point, and how much we might have normalised certain behaviours until we hear everyone on here telling us to run and then we realise we can find better!

OP posts:
Tankflybosswalkjam · 22/02/2021 01:23

He may or may not be a narcissist.

But 100% he’s a dickhead. Bin him.