To tell DH to leave the decorator alone??

[ParisFuryIsASaint]

Part of DH’s job is planting Christmas trees. He’s obsessed with them and talks in detail about them to anyone who will listen.

We have a decorator in at the minute and last week DH was literally following the poor bloke around going on about Christmas trees. I could tell the guy was getting bored and irritated but he was too polite to say anything! I tried a couple of times to tell DH to leave him to his work to which DH said he probably appreciated the company. I very much doubt this! It was relentless.

On Friday the bloke had literally just walked through the door when DH greeted him and asked if he’d had any more thoughts on the Christmas trees. The bloke visibly rolled his eyes and said “no mate, I’m too busy enjoying summer at the minute”. You’d think this would be hint enough but no, DH followed him into the study going on about how many he’d planted that week, how soon they’ll start getting ordered, how big they are etc etc

I managed to give DH a reason to leave the house so the bloke could at least enjoy his lunch in peace. He was sat in the garden and probably assumed I’d gone out too as i heard him on the phone saying “honestly he’s doing my fucking head in, I’m going to end up losing my shit. I feel sorry for his wife”. He then realised I was there, looked flustered and said “sorry, I thought you’d gone out” so I said “am I the wife you feel sorry for? It’s ok … I feel sorry for myself” and laughed. He laughed too and said “I’m so sorry, it’s just a bit hard to concentrate - I mean, he really likes Christmas trees doesn’t he?” We had a laugh about it and I promised him I’d talk to DH. Well I’ve tried and DH is telling me I’m wrong and that blokes like to chat whilst they work. I didn’t say what I’d heard because he might confront him but Christ, how do I get through to him that most people don’t give a shit about Christmas trees?? In summer!!!??

Decorator is back tomorrow, AIbU to tell him that him that NOBODY is interested in his trees and everyone is just being polite??! It will hurt his feelings but this bloke is going to end up quitting on us and he’s the 3rd one we’ve had in!!

Your husband… Does he have any special needs?

No he’s just obsessed with these trees.

Will DH not be at work tomorrow so the decorator gets a bit of peace?
If not can you find him something to do -take something to the dry cleaners, collect shopping, do mil garden or something?

My DH talks too much, I have to encourage him to stfu when trades are in doing something, he doesn’t just talk about the one thing though I have to say.

Send him out for the sake of the poor decorator!

Tell the decorator that it's fine to tell your husband he needs to get on, so he doesn't worry he'll get booted off the job.

Can’t you just send DH to plant more trees?

God it sounds excruciating. How does he get through life with so little self awareness?

Why is he the 3rd one? Did dh scare the other 2 off with Christmas tree talk?

Surely the conversation must last 10 minutes max? How can Christmas tree talk go on the entire day, I’m very intrigued😂

My DH is a little bit like this and I'm afraid I do just have to tell him to be quiet.

My DP is like this with trees in general, but he only talks manically about them when amongst them thankfully! And he doesn't seek people out to impart his wisdom.

You need to get your DH out of the house really. He sounds insufferable! What are some of the things he's saying?

He must be ND, are you sure?! Not being able to take a hint or 'read the room' can be a huge part of it. You'll have to invent reasons to keep him out the house and tell the decorator you're trying so he doesn't quit on you too. Or tell the decorator it's OK if he is rude to your husband and tells him to go away.

Can there be a Christmas tree emergency he needs to attend to, just to get him out of the house? You need to do something so the decorator doesn't quit.

Definitely have a strong word..

Oh gosh. My DH is exactly the same. The minute a tradesperson steps through our door he pounces.

He sounds quite deranged. I'm picturing the scene from Forrest Hump when he meets Bubba
"You got fried shrimp, broiled shrimp, shrimp barbecue..." 😂

Oh OP I’m sorry for your dilemma but this really made me laugh! I can just imagine it in my head (and you’ve written this whole situation very well by the way, I feel like it would fit right in in a Sophie Kinsella novel!) I’m a huge Christmas obsessive myself so would probably love the Christmas tree talk myself! I think maybe you just have to give it to him straight and tell him that the decorator specifically told you that he’s getting fed up with all the Christmas tree chat!

I was always taught to leave workmen alone. I hate being bothered when I'm working, I'm sure they're the same. After the initial 'do you want a drink', etc, you're right, leave them be! I'd actually be quite stern with your DH about it.
He can come talk to me about Christmas trees. I wouldn't mind, I'm an early prepper 🤣

It sounds like you need to be totally blunt with DH if he's not getting the hint.

DH, the decorator is not interested in your Christmas trees. Stop annoying him, honestly you're embarrassing yourself and me by going on about it nonstop. Cut it out.

How do you put up with this shit?!!!

And why are you on decorator #3? Because of DH driving them all demented?

Except I feel like shrimp actually does have more variety than Christmas trees ...

If this isn't a wind up you need to go out as soon as the decorator arrives and stay out of his way. And while you are out have a word with your dh about the Christmas trees.

I admire both you and the decorator for not wheeling around and saying CHRIST SANTA! JUST. SHUT. UP!!!

Honestly, find DH a job to do from out early in the morning. Fucking glass hammer shopping or some such because otherwise I reckon your painter is going to douse himself in emulsion to blend into the fucking walls.

Rofl 🤣 OP. Thank you. Just needed this

Are you paying by the hour or on a quote? My husband used to sometimes work by the hour and would listen to some right rubbish then bill these rich people for the time he'd been there. They'd be paying him about £150 a time to talk at him.

I'd quite like to know more about Christmas tree farms. He should do an AMA 😂Are you in Scotland? You don't see many Christmas trees further south. Apparently they're a poor environmental choice if you live a certain distance beyond where they're harvested.

I'm picturing Uncle Colm from Derry Girls - sorry.

Your husband seems hugely lacking in self awareness. I'm sure he has other womderful qualities but this must wreck your head too.

Have you ever had a proper talk with him how badly he reads a room and his inability to pick up on social cues?

Honestly it's probably time for some tough love and be honest with him about what you heard.

Dh sounds nd tbh. nothing wrong with that but he might want to get it investigated.