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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go to dinner with another man?

641 replies

Boogiewoogieanddance · 29/08/2023 19:42

DH is being a bit funny and thinks it's inappropriate so just want to get some other opinions.

A good friend of mine was married recently, unfortunately he is now serperated through no choice of his own. He has some wedding gifts in the form of vouchers, this specific one to a super nice restaurant that I couldn't usually afford. DH also wouldn't go because he doesn't like a set menu.

He asked me today if I would go with him. We have been good friends from before his last relationship, throughout the marriage etc and are quite close.. Entirely mutually platonic. We meet up for walks, the occasional drink etc sometimes alone sometimes with friends. DH knows him and knows when we meet up, never been an issue. Recently we've probably been meeting a bit more because he's been having a hard time and could do with the company.

DH thinks it's inappropriate because its a fancy meal, I'm married, he's not anymore and seems like a date.

I appreciate that if he had out of the blue asked to take me for an overpriced dinner and wine I would feel uncomfortable and it would be inappropriate but that's not the case, it's exceptional in that it's a crappy situation and he has this voucher to use and rather than it go to waste we enjoy each others company and have nice food and that DH wouldn't even have with me anyway.

I think DH will get over it, he trusts me and I think its more that if someone else saw us together it could look sus.. But surely that shouldn't really matter?

Or am I just thinking with my belly and it's an entirely inappropriate situation...

OP posts:
northlife34 · 04/09/2023 08:59

One of my best friends is male we regularly go out together, none of our spouses have a problem with it. I say go for it and enjoy yourselves!

If your husband has an issue he needs to grow up, you're not exactly being dishonest about it and you've been friends a long time.

DJhowzy · 04/09/2023 09:42

(Disclaimer for other mumsnetters - this is a response to the OP's question and not an invite for the masses to respond to me, twist my words and put me down. I have answered the OP's question from my own personal opinion. Please only do the same if you feel the need to respond, lol). For what it's worth...

Well well well, OP,

I'm wondering if you regret posting your question on here not, lol? Did you get the response your were hoping for? After all, people mostly post on here seeking validation of their own viewpoint, as opposed to putting in their subsequent lost time working on the issue with the relevant person. How much time exactly has been spent reading all of the responses and formulating further responses yourself? Who knows...

I love reading MN posts as it is a fascinating insight into human behaviour, values and principles. As usual, the OP receives several hundred perspectives based on the life experiences and values of other people, none of whom are living the OP's life, therefore throwing the actual dynamics and true context out of the window.

OP, there are many, many valid points posted on here in response to your question, some with extremely adept articulation, and others with the comprehension of a monkey holding an iPad and being asked to back it up to a PC. I enjoyed wasting 30-45 minutes reading some selected answers and typing up my response, which I do agree is far too long, lol. Apologies.

Your husband sounds like a great partner and your relationship has been presented as robust, but, we are all emotional beings at the end of the day and we simply cannot help the way we feel in any given situation.

In my humble opinion, you should simply respect your husbands feelings and decline the invitation. You have asked him and he has given you his answer. It seems you posted on here to attain validation for going out with another man as you would like to enjoy this nice meal and you have come up with every reason imaginable to justify why you should attend the experience. HOWEVER... you are repeatedly dismissing your husbands feelings and are trying to overcome his objection from every perceivable angle. He sounds a reasonable man who simply is not comfortable with his wife having a posh meal in a romantic setting with another man who may possibly be on the rebound.

Rather then post on here and spending eternity reading hundreds of posts and posting reply after reply, your time would have been better spent discussing your husbands feelings with him and ultimately respecting his viewpoint.

If your DH was comfortable with the scenario, then fine, but the reality is, he is not. If you eventually do manage to twist his arm into agreeing you should go for the meal (perhaps you would show him that 68% of musnetters agree with you, not sure?), there will still be a part of him that is resentful and your relationship may have been negatively affected, even if only ever so slightly. As husband and wife in a stable and balanced relationship, you both should absolutely respect one anothers feelings, no matter what the scenario is that arises.

Obviously, this is purely my own humble opinion as an outsider looking in, like all the other responses, and I am sorry I do not agree with your viewpoint, but please do also consider my response when choosing how you will proceed. In answer to your question, I think YABU in this situation, as your husband has given you his answer and he simply is not comfortable with the situation. He is an emotional being, bless him, as we all are.

SleepingStandingUp · 04/09/2023 09:43

Sanitas · 03/09/2023 09:06

Well unless all your female friends are also bisexual then of course there'll be no affair.
If you have straight female friends there'll never be an affair.

Ok so bisexual people in relationships are now only allowed straight friends?

ErosandAgape · 04/09/2023 09:51

DJhowzy · 04/09/2023 09:42

(Disclaimer for other mumsnetters - this is a response to the OP's question and not an invite for the masses to respond to me, twist my words and put me down. I have answered the OP's question from my own personal opinion. Please only do the same if you feel the need to respond, lol). For what it's worth...

Well well well, OP,

I'm wondering if you regret posting your question on here not, lol? Did you get the response your were hoping for? After all, people mostly post on here seeking validation of their own viewpoint, as opposed to putting in their subsequent lost time working on the issue with the relevant person. How much time exactly has been spent reading all of the responses and formulating further responses yourself? Who knows...

I love reading MN posts as it is a fascinating insight into human behaviour, values and principles. As usual, the OP receives several hundred perspectives based on the life experiences and values of other people, none of whom are living the OP's life, therefore throwing the actual dynamics and true context out of the window.

OP, there are many, many valid points posted on here in response to your question, some with extremely adept articulation, and others with the comprehension of a monkey holding an iPad and being asked to back it up to a PC. I enjoyed wasting 30-45 minutes reading some selected answers and typing up my response, which I do agree is far too long, lol. Apologies.

Your husband sounds like a great partner and your relationship has been presented as robust, but, we are all emotional beings at the end of the day and we simply cannot help the way we feel in any given situation.

In my humble opinion, you should simply respect your husbands feelings and decline the invitation. You have asked him and he has given you his answer. It seems you posted on here to attain validation for going out with another man as you would like to enjoy this nice meal and you have come up with every reason imaginable to justify why you should attend the experience. HOWEVER... you are repeatedly dismissing your husbands feelings and are trying to overcome his objection from every perceivable angle. He sounds a reasonable man who simply is not comfortable with his wife having a posh meal in a romantic setting with another man who may possibly be on the rebound.

Rather then post on here and spending eternity reading hundreds of posts and posting reply after reply, your time would have been better spent discussing your husbands feelings with him and ultimately respecting his viewpoint.

If your DH was comfortable with the scenario, then fine, but the reality is, he is not. If you eventually do manage to twist his arm into agreeing you should go for the meal (perhaps you would show him that 68% of musnetters agree with you, not sure?), there will still be a part of him that is resentful and your relationship may have been negatively affected, even if only ever so slightly. As husband and wife in a stable and balanced relationship, you both should absolutely respect one anothers feelings, no matter what the scenario is that arises.

Obviously, this is purely my own humble opinion as an outsider looking in, like all the other responses, and I am sorry I do not agree with your viewpoint, but please do also consider my response when choosing how you will proceed. In answer to your question, I think YABU in this situation, as your husband has given you his answer and he simply is not comfortable with the situation. He is an emotional being, bless him, as we all are.

People who genuinely think their own opinion is ‘humble’ don’t tend to post it at such performative length.

SleepingStandingUp · 04/09/2023 09:55

sezzer87 · 03/09/2023 17:14

The question is why he feels the need to go for walks and meals with a married women? Why not go with a mate and go for beers and talk about manly topics. Seems strange that he'd choose a female who's married with kids.
My husband goes for drinks with a mixed group from work. That's different but if he had the opportunity to go for a walk or a meal out he wouldn't pick another women over me and definitely not a married women.
Seems like this man is filling a void in your own marriage. Perhaps your husband is now cottoning on to that, and worried that this big posh meal will make the two of you even closer and highlight what's missing in your marriage.

Manly topics?? What are these topics op can't discuss on account of her lack of penis? The best screwdriver on the market? How to bury your feelings and not discuss them? Who'd win between Thor and Aquaman? 🤣

SleepingStandingUp · 04/09/2023 09:58

sezzer87 · 03/09/2023 21:05

Mine enjoys the company of women too, but he loves his Friday nights with his brother where he can chat about certain topics that can't be spoken about in front of women.
I'm sure there are topics you'd only talk about with women too.

Like what?? Their sex lives and who they want to shag? Surely anything else is fine on mixed company

GCSister · 04/09/2023 09:59

DJhowzy · 04/09/2023 09:42

(Disclaimer for other mumsnetters - this is a response to the OP's question and not an invite for the masses to respond to me, twist my words and put me down. I have answered the OP's question from my own personal opinion. Please only do the same if you feel the need to respond, lol). For what it's worth...

Well well well, OP,

I'm wondering if you regret posting your question on here not, lol? Did you get the response your were hoping for? After all, people mostly post on here seeking validation of their own viewpoint, as opposed to putting in their subsequent lost time working on the issue with the relevant person. How much time exactly has been spent reading all of the responses and formulating further responses yourself? Who knows...

I love reading MN posts as it is a fascinating insight into human behaviour, values and principles. As usual, the OP receives several hundred perspectives based on the life experiences and values of other people, none of whom are living the OP's life, therefore throwing the actual dynamics and true context out of the window.

OP, there are many, many valid points posted on here in response to your question, some with extremely adept articulation, and others with the comprehension of a monkey holding an iPad and being asked to back it up to a PC. I enjoyed wasting 30-45 minutes reading some selected answers and typing up my response, which I do agree is far too long, lol. Apologies.

Your husband sounds like a great partner and your relationship has been presented as robust, but, we are all emotional beings at the end of the day and we simply cannot help the way we feel in any given situation.

In my humble opinion, you should simply respect your husbands feelings and decline the invitation. You have asked him and he has given you his answer. It seems you posted on here to attain validation for going out with another man as you would like to enjoy this nice meal and you have come up with every reason imaginable to justify why you should attend the experience. HOWEVER... you are repeatedly dismissing your husbands feelings and are trying to overcome his objection from every perceivable angle. He sounds a reasonable man who simply is not comfortable with his wife having a posh meal in a romantic setting with another man who may possibly be on the rebound.

Rather then post on here and spending eternity reading hundreds of posts and posting reply after reply, your time would have been better spent discussing your husbands feelings with him and ultimately respecting his viewpoint.

If your DH was comfortable with the scenario, then fine, but the reality is, he is not. If you eventually do manage to twist his arm into agreeing you should go for the meal (perhaps you would show him that 68% of musnetters agree with you, not sure?), there will still be a part of him that is resentful and your relationship may have been negatively affected, even if only ever so slightly. As husband and wife in a stable and balanced relationship, you both should absolutely respect one anothers feelings, no matter what the scenario is that arises.

Obviously, this is purely my own humble opinion as an outsider looking in, like all the other responses, and I am sorry I do not agree with your viewpoint, but please do also consider my response when choosing how you will proceed. In answer to your question, I think YABU in this situation, as your husband has given you his answer and he simply is not comfortable with the situation. He is an emotional being, bless him, as we all are.

Wow, this has to be up there as one of the most patronising things I've ever read.
There's certainly nothing 'humble' about it.

TheAOEAztec · 04/09/2023 09:59

SleepingStandingUp · 04/09/2023 09:55

Manly topics?? What are these topics op can't discuss on account of her lack of penis? The best screwdriver on the market? How to bury your feelings and not discuss them? Who'd win between Thor and Aquaman? 🤣

Black and Decker
Squish them down with distractions, preferably with beer and pizza
Thor 100%. I mean it's electricity vs fish innit

Oh no! Will I grow penis now😔

Father1 · 04/09/2023 10:21

Boogiewoogieanddance · 29/08/2023 20:07

@OnlyFoolsnMothers we arent sharing a bed.. We are sitting across a table from each other on an evening surrounded by the public

Who's says your not sharing a bed... How do you know you won't click that night... Drink does all sorts between people

Does your husband know this bloke? Does he know how you both get on with each other? If the answer to both is no then as a husband I wouldn't be happy.

ErosandAgape · 04/09/2023 10:37

Father1 · 04/09/2023 10:21

Who's says your not sharing a bed... How do you know you won't click that night... Drink does all sorts between people

Does your husband know this bloke? Does he know how you both get on with each other? If the answer to both is no then as a husband I wouldn't be happy.

If you regularly drink until you lose control to the point where you have sex with people other than your spouse, I think you might want to consider whether you have an alcohol problem.

randomusernam · 04/09/2023 10:46

For me it would be the lack of respect. I've told you it makes me uncomfortable and you have chosen to go anyway and tell him to get over it.

I would be telling the friend to ask someone else. You can't be his only friend.... or take his mum

TedMullins · 04/09/2023 10:49

TheAOEAztec · 04/09/2023 09:59

Black and Decker
Squish them down with distractions, preferably with beer and pizza
Thor 100%. I mean it's electricity vs fish innit

Oh no! Will I grow penis now😔

I was pissing myself at ‘manly topics’. Here’s a few more suggestions:

Prostates, just, generally having them
Best time to go to the tip
Longest poo they’ve ever done (in time, not length of turd)
How many letters they have that need shredding
Ranking every Fast and Furious or Transporter movie from worst to best
How many pubes on average are left in the shower basin after they wash
How likely on a 1-10 scale they are to be moaned at about said pubes

TedMullins · 04/09/2023 10:51

randomusernam · 04/09/2023 10:46

For me it would be the lack of respect. I've told you it makes me uncomfortable and you have chosen to go anyway and tell him to get over it.

I would be telling the friend to ask someone else. You can't be his only friend.... or take his mum

Isn’t him asking her not to go a lack of respect though? He doesn’t respect her autonomy, choice of friends, or trust her. Why do his wishes automatically trump hers?

Livelifelaughter · 04/09/2023 11:28

JillinSwindon · 04/09/2023 06:56

Am I right in thinking DH has been offered the choice of going but has turned it down simply because it's a set menu? So he has effectively agreed to the arrangement and consequently hasn't got a leg to stand on IMHO.

I think the voucher covers the cost of two tasting menus with wine but it can be used at the same value for the normal menu, but OP said then there would be the cost of the drinks as the voucher isn't enough...

Livelifelaughter · 04/09/2023 11:30

TedMullins · 04/09/2023 10:51

Isn’t him asking her not to go a lack of respect though? He doesn’t respect her autonomy, choice of friends, or trust her. Why do his wishes automatically trump hers?

I don't think it is a lack of respect because it's not completely unreasonable for H to feel uncomfortable in this situation.

GCSister · 04/09/2023 11:46

Who's says your not sharing a bed... How do you know you won't click that night... Drink does all sorts between people

If drink makes you have sex with people you aren't in a relationship with then you need to stop drinking.

GCAcademic · 04/09/2023 12:05

Father1 · 04/09/2023 10:21

Who's says your not sharing a bed... How do you know you won't click that night... Drink does all sorts between people

Does your husband know this bloke? Does he know how you both get on with each other? If the answer to both is no then as a husband I wouldn't be happy.

It's best not to make assumptions about other people based on your own apparent lack of self-control around alcohol and the opposite sex.

spookehtooth · 04/09/2023 13:15

@DJhowzy OMG, like what??? I can see exactly why you don't want people commenting 🤣🤣🤣

Other people's lived experiences are very relevant for helping us to understand the decisions we face In life and expectations people place on us. In my last long term relationship I wish I'd had more conversations not fewer, I might have got out quicker. When I finally did, and talked more, I had people saying stuff that they didn't want to say whilst I was in it. Some things can be hard to see for all kinds of reasons. Sure it might not help, and nobody has to do what most or even everyone else does. Open and the verious kinds of poly relationships certainly don't, that's for sure, everything is up for negotiation. It has to be consentual though. Where there's unease or uncertainty, reflection and discussions in safe spaces outside absolutely have a place to help us. I'm more than happy for anyone to rip this to shreds, if it takes their fancy 😁 I got tissues at the ready if I need to cry

TheAOEAztec · 04/09/2023 13:18

I feel like these belong on this thread😂

Sanitas · 04/09/2023 16:14

It seems to me that this has already put a rift between you and your dh.
See he's already, intentionally or not, caused you problems in your marriage.
Dh-0
'friend'-1
Yes if this were football you're friend is winning.
And this is how affairs start: the 'other' man seemingly the more reasonable than your dh. It's about incremental wins by the other guy.

No single guy would hang around with a married woman this much, ask her to dinner for two, he's either tone deaf or so besotted by you he doesn't care.

This has nothing to do whether men and women can be friends or not, I think everyone got side-tracked by that, it's that you are married.

I repeat:- married.

He'd truly have to be pig shit thick not to see why this is could be an issue for your marriage. A true friend would ask someone else just in case it causes you issues.
Some f* ing friend.

OP I think that you will have an affair with your friend, why? Because I think you feel the same about him, too.
Why? Because you are totally ignoring your dh's wishes.

A good marriage would be 'yeah you may have a point, it's only a dinner so I'll err on the side of caution and not go'.

I mean on what planet is a guy being unreasonable to be concerned that another man is spending so much time with his wife? Planet MN it seems.

Has he not got any single female friends apart from you? Seems not.

Seems you're his only friend on earth, that's an ego boost for you, too.

TheWrenTheWren · 04/09/2023 16:40

Livelifelaughter · 04/09/2023 11:30

I don't think it is a lack of respect because it's not completely unreasonable for H to feel uncomfortable in this situation.

According to whom is it 'not completely unreasonable' for the OP's husband to feel uncomfortable in this situation? I think it's completely ridiculous, insecure and territorial for him to think he gets a say in what his wife does with her friends. For me it's in the same line of thought in 'I don't like you going out wearing that skirt because other men might look at you' or 'I don't like you going out with your female friends because men might hit on you.'

Baystar · 04/09/2023 16:49

You've clearly made your mind up before posting but are seeking validation.
Hubby has not had issues with your friendship previously but maybe thinks your friend is now leaning on you too much? Friend is vulnerable, void in his life which you are happy to fill but at what cost.

GCSister · 04/09/2023 17:28

OP I think that you will have an affair with your friend, why? Because I think you feel the same about him, too.
Why? Because you are totally ignoring your dh's wishes.

Hey OP look! @Sanitas knows you better than you know yourself! And they've never even met you! Amazing talent 🙌

TheAOEAztec · 04/09/2023 17:32

Sanitas · 04/09/2023 16:14

It seems to me that this has already put a rift between you and your dh.
See he's already, intentionally or not, caused you problems in your marriage.
Dh-0
'friend'-1
Yes if this were football you're friend is winning.
And this is how affairs start: the 'other' man seemingly the more reasonable than your dh. It's about incremental wins by the other guy.

No single guy would hang around with a married woman this much, ask her to dinner for two, he's either tone deaf or so besotted by you he doesn't care.

This has nothing to do whether men and women can be friends or not, I think everyone got side-tracked by that, it's that you are married.

I repeat:- married.

He'd truly have to be pig shit thick not to see why this is could be an issue for your marriage. A true friend would ask someone else just in case it causes you issues.
Some f* ing friend.

OP I think that you will have an affair with your friend, why? Because I think you feel the same about him, too.
Why? Because you are totally ignoring your dh's wishes.

A good marriage would be 'yeah you may have a point, it's only a dinner so I'll err on the side of caution and not go'.

I mean on what planet is a guy being unreasonable to be concerned that another man is spending so much time with his wife? Planet MN it seems.

Has he not got any single female friends apart from you? Seems not.

Seems you're his only friend on earth, that's an ego boost for you, too.

Are the single ones less likely to fuck him or something?
Or is it that they haven't changed their surname yet to belong to someone?
I am confused why single is fine for dinner while married woman is not

TheAOEAztec · 04/09/2023 17:35

Do you guys remember the thread with the widow who was told now she is a widow she shouldn't go to cinema with married male friend aa they used to?
It's giving these vibes