Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Really stressed on holiday

144 replies

holidays23 · 15/09/2023 18:28

Hi everyone

Don't know how to navigate this so appreciate any advice.

We are away with 3 couples, we've been friends for over 12 years. We've all got our children with us and we are staying in a villa.

One of them, my DH is super close to, think plays sport together, we're regularly at each others houses, they work together sometimes etc.

Friend has a bit of a control issue/jealous/doesn't trust anyone. We will call him Adam and his wife Jane.

I was by the pool with our baby, other friends and their kids and my Husband was upstairs using the toilet and Jane went inside. Adam immediately came out from the kitchen asking where my Husband and his wife were, I turned to say my Husband was in the toilet. He kept saying "where are they?" I said I don't know where Jane is but DH is using the toilet. He rushed indoors and came back outside with Jane.

I said to Jane when we were together in the kitchen "Adam had a bit of a panic about you and DH being in the villa together without anyone else?" and Jane said "He doesn't trust anyone, he's an idiot" and shrugged it off. She also said that he commented to her that I was "allowed" to walk around the villa in a bikini (only when popping in to grab one of the kids bits or drinks etc) and unless she is laid down on the sun bed or in the pool, she has to wear her cover up because he gets jealous.

Today, we went out and the kids ran through some sprinklers, Jane did too whilst laughing and Adam made a comment about he hopes her white T-shirt dries soon as it was now see through and inappropriate (she had a bikini top on under a T-shirt).

It's making me really anxious and unhappy to be around, he's also constantly on at their kids, smothering them in suncream every 5 minutes (literally), shouting at them to stop going underwater in case they get water in their lungs? Shouting because their 12 year old walked ahead of us today and got on an escalator without an adult.

He also keeps making comments about me not watching our baby in the sun and fussing that she's hot (she was laying on the sunbed next to me asleep with a hat on, a UV protection full swim suit including legs and arms plus factor 50 suncream and the big umbrella up, completely in the shade). I regularly go and sit indoors with her in the air con or my DH does but she's not showing any signs of being hot. She's drinking her usual amount of milk plus cool boiled water (about 3oz throughout the day) and it's making me paranoid.

I've always known that he has anxiety and can be jealous but I didn't realise it was to this extent.

He also makes multiple "jokey" comments about the women in our friendship group like joking that our baby is really his and not DH's, if one of us bends over he'll make a sexual "joke", that kind of thing but because he's the "big joker" of the group, nobody bats an eyelid where as it makes me uncomfortable.

I told DH when we were in bed about him asking where him and Jane were and DH laughed and said "of course he did, this is Adam remember" and shrugged it off. I'd be devastated if one of my best friends questioned why I was indoors with her Husband but DH is so used to him being like this, it doesn't phase him.

Any ideas on how to navigate this for the next week because it's really getting on my nerves.

OP posts:
user1471517900 · 15/09/2023 18:32

You laugh, like your DH does as it's really pathetic.

HabitsDieHard · 15/09/2023 18:34

This is unlikely to be helpful but I would have to tell this gobshite to fuck off. Fair enough if his wife wants to tolerate his bullshit, but comments on your baby and how you look after them, sexual comments about his friends, that would be something I couldn't let pass.

holidays23 · 15/09/2023 18:53

user1471517900 · 15/09/2023 18:32

You laugh, like your DH does as it's really pathetic.

I'm trying to let it go over my head but his constant going on at the kids, nitpicking my parenting, as good as accusing my Husband of being after his wife and his controlling behaviour towards his wife is making me feel really anxious and stressed

OP posts:
holidays23 · 15/09/2023 18:54

HabitsDieHard · 15/09/2023 18:34

This is unlikely to be helpful but I would have to tell this gobshite to fuck off. Fair enough if his wife wants to tolerate his bullshit, but comments on your baby and how you look after them, sexual comments about his friends, that would be something I couldn't let pass.

Honestly, I've been tempted multiple times! Never ever coming away with them again. Learned my lesson.

OP posts:
TregunaMekoides · 15/09/2023 19:04

Adam sounds like an insecure prick of the highest order.
If I was Jane he wouldn't see me for dust. His insecurities are just that - his. Not her problem.
If I were you I think for the sake of peace I would grit my teeth and get on with it but I would have lost my temper at Adam insinuating my DH were pursuing Jane in some way. What an embarrassment of a man he is

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 15/09/2023 19:08

Tell him he reminds you of a grumpy old man.

coconutpie · 15/09/2023 19:12

Why don't you tell him how awful he is? Next time he makes a derogatory comment, pull him up on it.

SayyestotheDog · 15/09/2023 19:19

Euuww mega double standard of him policing what his wife should wear etc for fear of others finding her attractive yet its ok for him to make lewd “jokes” about other women’s bodies when surely were his wife to do the same about other men she’d be guilty of flirting or cheating. Not to mention it being inappropriate & creepy.

I always think people like that are guilty of nefarious behaviour themselves & project it onto a scapegoat who they then punish for it (ie his wife) to divert the problem away from them - but that’s just me!

I’d find it hard not to challenge him on it tbh but it wldn’t make for a v peaceful holiday.
Re him going on about your baby & the heat - I’d ask very genuinely if he’s ever had CBT for his anxiety or ever seen a doctor? That you know he’s only fussing bcos he “cares” so much (yeah right!) but that there’s being concerned. & then there’s going over board. Nothing terrible is going to happen dude! If he can’t believe that, that’s where CBT or even medication can help. Tell him to sit back down & try & relax & enjoy his holiday & leave you to worry about your child .

Easier said than done obvs! Thank god you don’t have to suffer him again after this!

Takenoprisoner · 15/09/2023 19:26

why are you left him get away with sexual harassment? Why aren't you telling him to keep his disgusting comments to himself and shut up? you need to ask yourself why you're putting up with this man behaveing like this around you. Men het away with it and aren't challenged so they carry on doing it

HereIfYouNeedMe · 15/09/2023 19:28

Can you and the DC have a day out on your own tomorrow to get away from him explore

YaWeeFurryBastard · 15/09/2023 19:28

Why is your husband not standing up for you? If my husbands friend made rude comments about me bending over or our baby being his my husband would go nuts!

And even if he didn’t I’d be saying “what the hell is wrong with you and why are you letting another man disrespect your wife”. This is appalling.

waterrat · 15/09/2023 19:29

Your friend is in an abusive relationship

Id b v concerned that your dh thinks this is ok

DiverseCity · 15/09/2023 19:30

He sounds absolutely horrendous. I definitely could not be friends with this person. Everybody is accepting and enabling his disgusting misogynistic behaviour.

WonderingWanda · 15/09/2023 19:30

Crikey, he sounds like a right creep and a total prick. Next time he asks where Jane is say 'She's probably inside shagging someone less boring'. When he goes on at his kids take the piss out of him 'Lay off Adam you're such a fun sponge, your poor kids don't get a break'. When he makes inappropriate comments say 'Fuck of Adam, that's a completely inappropriate comment and is actually sexual harassment'. When he tells his wife to cover up say 'Ffs Jane, it's not 1950, you don't need to do what your control freak husband tells you'. I reckon he's a righ pevert and spends all his time thinking inappropriate thoughts about other women so assumes everyone else does too. Never go on holiday with them again.

Comtesse · 15/09/2023 19:31

“Are you feeling ok Adam? It’s just that you seem really anxious about everything. You’re getting yourself quite worked up. Honestly, is there anything we can do to help?”

TheThingIsYeah · 15/09/2023 19:33

Bit off topic, but shouldn't their 12 year old be at school? Maybe having a few days away in July is fine, but September??

holidays23 · 15/09/2023 19:34

TheThingIsYeah · 15/09/2023 19:33

Bit off topic, but shouldn't their 12 year old be at school? Maybe having a few days away in July is fine, but September??

They've taken him out of school for the holiday, not my business to be honest.

OP posts:
jaspertown · 15/09/2023 19:34

Have you spoken to the other couples? Are they as fed up as you? I would definitely say something like "wow Adam if you're this stressed on holiday I'd hate to see you at home. Have you seen anyone for your anxiety? You don't seem to be enjoying your holiday at all"

His poor children 😭

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 15/09/2023 19:35

Entirely off topic.

Not surprised you’re stressed OP, this sounds like no fun at all. I wouldn’t defend Jane, but any time Adam is a prick to you, defend yourself. With a bit of luck he’ll go off in a huff.

jeaux90 · 15/09/2023 19:37

There is no way I'd be tolerating his comments about me or my parenting. Quite frankly your husband shouldn't either.

I'd be calling that out every time.

Sunshineclouds11 · 15/09/2023 19:37

He sounds horrendous.

I agree with making comments back to him asking if he's ok etc

Torganer · 15/09/2023 19:39

Every time he makes a sexual comment about children being his, I would loudly proclaim ‘ewwww, well that’s really put me off my food/drink’ and look disgusted - won’t take any acting skills!! Just keep calling him out. He sounds an absolute nobjockey, I don’t understand how your husband is still friends with him.

LuckySantangelo35 · 15/09/2023 19:46

what a Bellend he sounds

why is your husband such good friends with such a loser

Tartantotty · 15/09/2023 20:30

What a prick! If he criticizes your parenting again you should call him out. Bullies like him get away with murder because everyone enables them.

Scottishskifun · 15/09/2023 20:36

Easy if he comments on your children again it's a simple yeah I don't need parenting tips from a helicopter thanks!

Any sexual/sexist comments...wow never realised you were a 1950s douschbag and laugh!

His wife and kids well that's for his wife to wake up to!