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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel really bloody disappointed (DH)

124 replies

Mayorhumdinger19 · 18/02/2022 08:28

Never go out (know that's the same for lots though especially recently). Can't even remember last time I went out even for coffe and cake, let alone dinner and drinks (7 months ago and that was first time since 2nd Dec 2019!) We've been floored with childhood illness after illness, plus COVID, bday scaled back as I was recovering from Noro, no Christmas drinks/ socialising due to Omi.

So took advantage of my parents being here for half term booked a really nice restaurant that I've been desperate to try. I never really ask for much from DH in terms of presents/grand gestures but one thing I love is a really great dinner and drinks....I'm happy to organise and always make sure it's somewhere he wants to eat also, all I want is for him to turn up and have a nice time.

Now I know a Thurs booking is a slight risk but DH is self emp so can be a little more relaxed.

Scheduled my hair colour app specially, did my nails, took my time doing, my hair and make up, bought new not exactly inexpensive earrings and was really excited. Told loads of people I was going out.

It was one of the flattest evenings I've had in a living memory. DH was clearly knackered. I'd really wanted us to try something which is to share, he'd normally love but he was sneery about it, said it'd be too much food and made me feel embarrassed for wanting to choose it, he wouldn't normally be like that. Instead chose something smaller/simpler and I felt I had to follow suite. He had to be coaxed to choose a drink when we got there, even the waiter looked at bit awkward at his ambivalence/bad mood. Anyway strange eve chat strained. But, I was so determined to have a nice time and a few drinks, they had my favourite cocktail which I had after dinner, it was delicious so ordered another. DH made a point of saying he was sticking with the water (so not like him). And made me feel embarrassed for ordering another then as the waiter left huffed and rolled his eyes....I was so taken aback, he's never done that to me and it had been such a strange eve I burst into tears. He apologised and just said he was really, really tired and thought we were going home - it was 21.05!!

Of course he's tired, we've got kids that don't sleep well and always give us their germs. DH was extra tired though because he'd been at a funeral (which I didn't know about - it was a school friend's grandma.) And then obviously to the wake in the afternoon and to be able to do that he'd gotten up extra early to do work he would be missing in the afternoon. Much of the chat in the evening between him stifling yawns was him telling me what a nice time he'd had catching up with Tom, dick and Harry and Harry's aunties cousin etc. So of course he cba and wasn't particularly hungry by the time we went out, he'd been up at the crack of dawn and spent all afternoon (3 hrs nearly) socialising/drinking/eating buffet food. Now I clearly don't begrudge him going to the funeral at all - but it isn't our family or someone he's seen in years, it was to support his pal and clearly don't begrudge that either...but that supporting also involved 3hrs socialising at the expense of an evening we'd had planned for nearly two months and something nice we never get to do any more. I just feel really, shit, shit because I suspect I am being a bit unreasonable re the wake (but I can't help it) and sht and embaressed that I spent time effort and money and he couldn't be bothered and I had a terrible time. He hasn't even bothered to say he'll try make it up to me as he knows realistically he can't until my parents are next here. I'm also fcking starving to boot as I thought we would really go for it food wise so had barely anything to eat all day yesterday either!!

OP posts:
fairylightsandwaxmelts · 18/02/2022 09:09

I don't understand why you changed your order to match his Confused

I also think you had slightly unrealistic expectations for a Thursday night meal when presumably both have work the next day. If I'd been at work all day and knew I have to be up the next morning, I wouldn't want to be out later than 9pm either - I'd want my bed Grin

I think he should have re-arranged once he knew about the funeral, but maybe he felt like you'd be really upset if he cancelled given you had such high expectations and hadn't stopped talking about it?

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 18/02/2022 09:10

If he's self-employed and sets his own hours, can you catch a lunch in the next day or two, just to set things right again? I think that this age and stage of kids, getting out for a 'big night' can be an anti-climax because one or other is often tired etc, but we used to go out when my mum came round just for an hour, a quick coffee, quick lunch somewhere local, a short walk, anything to do a couple thing out of the house! Would have sat in the car if it came to that! Just an idea.

ChimChimeny · 18/02/2022 09:12

@MiddleParking

I would think my husband had taken leave of his senses if he went to a funeral without telling me. And yes I’d be utterly fed up and cross with him for ruining your night. Tbh I’d have said something at the first sign of him being off with you.
Yes me too! Very bizarre

He was acting like a petulant child & it feels like he was deliberately sabotaging your night out which is shitty behaviour

BuritoCat · 18/02/2022 09:12

I'd be wondering what's really going on.... bit strange going to a old school friends grandmas funeral and not telling you isn't it? And then to be a bad mood with you?

Seems like there's more to the story however if it was genuine and he was tired he can't help it.

Imsittinginthekitchensink · 18/02/2022 09:12

My xh was like that with me for a while, I felt like I was constantly trying to please and seeking approval. Turned out he was shagging someone else.

ChimChimeny · 18/02/2022 09:12

@Hankunamatata

Better communication is needed. Didn't you both talk about the fact he needed to be up early and likelihood of him being knackered? You put lot of expectations on one evening. What would you have said of he wanted to cancel?
From the DH surely, he didn't even tell also he was going to a funeral FFS
UniversalAunt · 18/02/2022 09:13

You are very disappointed.
He has apologised.

Can you arrange another date soon?
Are the kids at school & you make it a lunch date?
He has the flexibility of being self-employed & you both will have a bit of energy earlier in the day.

ThackeryBinks · 18/02/2022 09:16

Have to say your post has made my spider senses flare. If you keep noticing a change in attitude towards you then start digging.

AlternativePerspective · 18/02/2022 09:18

I do think that sometimes when we anticipate something it rarely turns out how we planned which can then lead to disappointment.

But I have to say I’m dubious about his apparent excuse that he went to someone’s granny’s funeral and was out socialising for 3 hours and didn’t think to tell you. I’d be wondering where he really was, and who with.

UniversalAunt · 18/02/2022 09:18

Was this a Valentine dinner?
Too much pressure all round.

BTW waiters with attitude not helpful.

burnoutbabe · 18/02/2022 09:19

Not sure why people are asking why not get the food you wanted, as it was a sharer dish! You don't generally order one for yourselff.

He basically spent the afternoon socialising with his old school mates (I assume he wasn't particularly upset over a school friends grans death) and didn't think to say this would ruin your night out.
Most of us know it's a compromise to try and attend two events in a day and try and re-arrange one if you can (ie dinner with your wife)

SleepingStandingUp · 18/02/2022 09:22

I'd find it really weird if DH didn't mention he was off to a funeral, let alone not noticing he'd had to get up really early to accommodate it so on the surface it does sound like bad timing / communication. However, I have two two year olds who's sleep is horiffic and I manage to not be a dick to my DH, esp when he's made the effort to do something nice. He should have asked you to cancel or suggested you went with a friend.

As an aside Can't even remember last time I went out even for coffee and cake why? OK I get covid and colds etc but in seven months has there not been a single weekend day when you've not been isolating and DH isn't in work? If he's working every weekend (or whatever your off days are) I think this needs addressing too. You both need time out.

Queeniepies · 18/02/2022 09:24

Someone upthread has said your post gets their spidey senses tingling, and it has had the same effect on me.

His behaviour seems very strange, especially as he's not normally like that. I would try to investigate exactly where he was and who he was with at the 'funeral'. It all seems to weird and the fact he didn't tell you means he's up to something I'd say.

CantStandMeow · 18/02/2022 09:29

@Imsittinginthekitchensink

My xh was like that with me for a while, I felt like I was constantly trying to please and seeking approval. Turned out he was shagging someone else.
Same thing happened here.

Hopefully he's just being a grumpy arse who drank too much at the wake so was getting hungover by dinner.

BumBurnerBum · 18/02/2022 09:30

I would be very upset.

I don't believe all the previous posters feigning bewilderment at the op not feeling like tucking into a sharing platter and cocktails when her dining partner eats a small dish and drinks water. It's nothing to do with cultural differences or deference to her husband, it would naturally put a dent in her enjoyment.

LowlyTheWorm · 18/02/2022 09:31

You both need better communication- did he know this was a big deal date night ? Why didn’t he tell you about the funeral?
Given this disaster of a date I think you need to use your parents again to give you two hours to sit and thrash out what is going on in your relationship, what needs to change and what steps you are both going to take to move forward.

MatildaTheCat · 18/02/2022 09:32

FFS nobody can post a thread about a disagreement or disappointment with their DH without it instantly being turned into a ‘get your ducks in a row OP’ thread.

Many, many years ago when our DC were little and we hardly ever went out together, let alone for a nice meal, we had a dinner at a nice place booked. I was really looking forward to it and got myself ready, put the DC to bed and waited… He came home late having gone for drinks after work. I was so, so annoyed and although we did go it definitely spoiled it for me.

Thirty something years later he’s still DH and he still sometimes gets it wrong. To be fair so do I. Sorry your evening was ruined, he behaved like a twat. Let him know how upset you are and let him make it up to you. Then move on.

Aquamarine1029 · 18/02/2022 09:32

@Brefugee

Sorry your evening fell flat but if he's tired he's tired.

Can you choose the next date/place together?

That's no excuse for being such an arsehole.
NalPolishRemover · 18/02/2022 09:33

I find all this very bizarre..how come you didn't know he was going to a funeral?
If you're in the UK these things are organized with really long lead in times so it's v unlikely it just happened on the day

Did you not see him up at the crack of dawn working to free his schedule for the funeral reception?

Did he just wear his work clothes to it etc etc

Anyway that's all by the by the main thing is he doesn't seem to have behaved very well on your night out & that's massively disappointing all round for you.

As pp have said at that stage of life - young kids, not much couple time etc these things can become like pressure cookers.

I have found over the years that better communication more frequently is what really helps. Recognition on both sides that it takes a bit of thoughtful effort to keep a marriage strong when there are so many external pressures

I think some heart to heart conversations are needed to clear the air. And it can be done in a positive way - tell him how much you were looking forward to going out to dinner because he's your favourite person. That it made you feel unseen when he was so 'tired'. He should have spoken to you about how tired he was before you went out.

Good luck OP

Gowithme · 18/02/2022 09:34

I think the OP couldn't get the food she wanted because it was 'to share' and he wouldn't share it with her. It would have been far too much for one person to eat alone.

Him being tired and not great company is one thing, him being really quite horrible is another. He can make it up to you though - by paying for you to go with a friend while he looks after the kids.

Simonjt · 18/02/2022 09:34

@burnoutbabe

Not sure why people are asking why not get the food you wanted, as it was a sharer dish! You don't generally order one for yourselff.

He basically spent the afternoon socialising with his old school mates (I assume he wasn't particularly upset over a school friends grans death) and didn't think to say this would ruin your night out.
Most of us know it's a compromise to try and attend two events in a day and try and re-arrange one if you can (ie dinner with your wife)

Who cares if its a sharing dish, if thats what you want to eat you should order it, ordering something you don’t want instead surely isn’t a normal thing to do.
PaddleBoardingMomma · 18/02/2022 09:35

No, I don't think you're unreasonable to feel miserable about it, sounds like a real let down.

Cherrysoup · 18/02/2022 09:36

Rolling his eyes, huffing, making the waiter hang round and making disparaging comments about you having a second drink? Is he Kevin the teenager? Bloody man child, I’d be furious. Why didn’t he mention the funeral? That’s really weird.

maxelly · 18/02/2022 09:38

Yes, would people here really order a while sharing dish for 2 just for yourself, plus cocktails, wine, pudding etc as it sounds like OP has hoping for while your DH or other dining companion pointedly picks at a side salad and glass of tap water? And not feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable about it?

I get it OP, my DH has done the same, in fact on occasion he's refused to order anything at all and just sits there watching me eat because for whatever reasons of his own he doesn't want to eat, it's incredibly awkward and rude to the restaurant to boot! He totally does the whole innocent, 'but I'm not stopping you enjoying yourself' thing as if (a) a large part of my enjoyment of the meal isn't predicted on him at least pretending he's having a nice time too and (b) I wouldn't be really self conscious about the waiter, other diners etc seeing me tucking into a huge feast while he's on starvation rations and think WTF. It really annoys me and much like the head-tiltty posters here the most irritating nothing is he doesn't get why. The only advice I can offer is that I do an assessment of his mood before we leave the house and we talk, if he's really not up for it I'd rather cancel or go with a friend if I can find one at short notice or even go alone than have him sit there like a sulky mood hoover ruining my evening!

BobHadBitchTits · 18/02/2022 09:38

There's being tired and then there's being rude.

He was rude.