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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think my boyfriend is being a prick?

184 replies

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:12

Today I got upset because I told him I was coming home, rather than staying at work late like I usually do on a Tuesday. He said “okay that’s fine”. He used to get super excited when I wasn’t working late, and I sometimes get really sensitive about wording. As in, my boyfriend thinks saying “that’s fine” is interchangeable with and the same as “that’s great, can’t wait”.

I know it’s something I’m very sensitive about and I’m trying to change.

He flipped and shouted at me, saying “oh don’t start this word thing again”. I thought the way he said this was really rude and nasty. I tried to explain to him that yes, I didn’t realise what I was doing and I didn’t mean to, but I was sorry.

He then wouldn’t apologise for saying something mean without ending it with a “but”. He denied this and said I was doing the same thing.

I tried to explain that I acknowledge what I did wrong, but it’s the way he said it that upsets me. That he comes to me so overly critical rather than telling me kindly what I did wrong.

He just doesn’t get this at all??? He said he did nothing wrong and that I’m trying to flip everything into him, that I can’t just take accountability without letting him know what he did wrong. He doesn’t seem to understand that actually he does stuff wrong too. He said he does, but he genuinely thinks I’m just “flipping it on him as a defence mechanism”. That I can’t accept that I did something wrong without us both doing something wrong.

He then hung up on me and said he “can’t talk to me when I’m like this” and “maybe I should’ve stayed at work”

im so hurt but I can get very sensitive and clouded sometimes so maybe I am in the wrong. Help???

OP posts:
Createausername1970 · 30/04/2024 19:29

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:52

I thought it was really insensitive and rude to say “don’t start with the word thing again” rather than just something like “would you mind not picking apart my wording please”

Bluntly, you are doing his head in! If he has said "don't start with the word thing again" it sounds like he feels he is constantly being criticised by you. And when someone feels this way, they are not going to engage.

If you genuinely love this guy and want it to work, you need to address this as it will only go one way.

nameshame24 · 30/04/2024 19:30

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:49

Yeah that’s not my complaint!!
ifs the fact he thinks if I mention anything he did wrong, he thinks I’m deflecting and being defensive. He can’t accept he does anything wrong and I feel a bit like a doormat

I don't really understand what he did wrong tbh? I can see where he is coming from and don't think he needs to apologise.

Treacletoots · 30/04/2024 19:30

This isn't working OP. Save yourself a lot of time and heartache by moving on. Trust me.

DoreenonTill8 · 30/04/2024 19:31

Yep!!

Merryoldgoat · 30/04/2024 19:32

Sweet fucking Jesus.

I honestly wonder how some people actually exist.

MartinsSpareCalculator · 30/04/2024 19:34

Holy fuck, this whole thing is batshit. Why is he supposed to be overcome with excitement because you're finishing work early?
How often do you pick apart very inoccuous things he says? Because him saying don't start with the word thing implies it's a regular occurrence.
It's your issue and you need to work on it, not expect everyone around you to dance to the beat of your drum.

GentlemanJay · 30/04/2024 19:37

You sound very needy. I couldn't cope with that on a weekly basis. Carry on like that and you will push him away.

BMW6 · 30/04/2024 19:38

But OP as I understand it YOU responded to his (justified) criticism by saying "Well you say/do wrong things too"?

That's infuriating. A Strawman response.

Why are you so defensive? Why are you so needy?

Take some time to reflect on this.

Onetiredbeing · 30/04/2024 19:38

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:52

I thought it was really insensitive and rude to say “don’t start with the word thing again” rather than just something like “would you mind not picking apart my wording please”

Omg I would dump you in a second. You sound so exhausting and extremely hard work. Just because he didn't use the words that make you feel better, rather than the actual truth about his frustration that's an issue too?
You can't expect him for apologising about something that you goaded him into.

Onetiredbeing · 30/04/2024 19:39

Butchyrestingface · 30/04/2024 18:57

@MissSqueak you've posted before, haven't you? If not, your twin is on here. You should seek her out, because I don't know how anyone else can put up with this.

Yes I was thinking the same. Every few months that very needy poster pops up.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 30/04/2024 19:40

"Don't start with the word thing again" isn't rude, he's literally asking you not to start with it again and yet you even pick apart this! Assuming he wasn't screaming this statement in your face, his wording is correct and factual.

Your language requirements and his use of language clearly are not a match.

I often role my eyes at DH finishing early, coz I have to stop watching my TV programmes as he hates them 😆

RedHelenB · 30/04/2024 19:41

MrsElsa · 30/04/2024 18:30

Could he not just send a heart emoji in future?

I disagree with pp saying to get over it, life is shitty and hard enough. Your partner should be a positive oasis not more shittiness. But equally you shouldn't demand complex performative crap off him either.

So yeah.

Heart emojis

He wasn't shitty. He just wasn't as excited as OP decided he should be. In all honesty she sounds a bit controlling.

takemeawayagain · 30/04/2024 19:42

Do you not feel like you're a priority to him and it's turning you into someone needy who ends up overthinking everything little thing?

Or do you have extraordinarily low self esteem and need him to constantly reaffirm your worth?

Either way this is not the relationship for you.

RedHelenB · 30/04/2024 19:44

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:52

I thought it was really insensitive and rude to say “don’t start with the word thing again” rather than just something like “would you mind not picking apart my wording please”

That is the very definition of starting the word thing again though.

EmilyTjP · 30/04/2024 19:44

I’ve definitely read your threads before. Kindly, your boyfriend needs to end the relationship. This is going to wear him down. It’s not fair on him.

LanaL · 30/04/2024 19:44

It does sound a bit of a mountain out of a molehill situation . Like another poster said - there is a shelf life for getting excited for your partner coming home from work . That’s not to say you aren’t happy but just that expression of happiness. I would tire of having to be careful about my words .

In all honesty , it doesn’t sound like a serious argument - more snapping at each other and something small that got out of hand .

luckylavender · 30/04/2024 19:45

You sound hard work

Greywitch2 · 30/04/2024 19:46

You sound a nightmare. I imagine he's not going to tolerate you much longer, so I shouldn't worry too much if you think he's being a prick.

He'll soon be an ex.

AgathaX · 30/04/2024 19:47

You sound like hard work. I don't think he did anything wrong. He's just as entitled as you to call out comments he doesn't appreciate. Why do you think it's just for you to do?

EveryOtherNameTaken · 30/04/2024 19:49

Wish your bf could see this thread.

BeckiWithAnI · 30/04/2024 19:51

Your whole relationship sounds toxic AF. I honestly don’t think you should even be together after reading that. And I’ll be honest, and I don’t mean to be rude but it was a hard slog to get through.

Me and DH got snippy with each other about leaving the wheelie bin out after the bin men had been. I didn’t come on to MN and write an essay. I got over it.

Chill out or you’re in for a very miserable life getting upset over every trivial thing.

QueenOfTheLabyrinth · 30/04/2024 19:55

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:52

I thought it was really insensitive and rude to say “don’t start with the word thing again” rather than just something like “would you mind not picking apart my wording please”

Do you not see the irony of your own comment?

You are picking apart his wording AGAIN to suit your own sensibilities.

Crunchymum · 30/04/2024 19:55

1.5 years? And you live together?

How old are you both?

MuggedByReality · 30/04/2024 20:01

Neither of you are anywhere near mature enough for an adult relationship. End it until you have both grown up & your emotions have developed beyond the level of a 9 year old.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 20:02

QueenOfTheLabyrinth · 30/04/2024 19:55

Do you not see the irony of your own comment?

You are picking apart his wording AGAIN to suit your own sensibilities.

Well quite. Are you like this with everyone?

People at work? Pulling people up and telling them how they should/shouldn’t word responses because you’re a very sensitive person? And then telling management they’re being mean to you?

I’m hoping you see how ridiculous this sounds and can laugh about it on reflection? Confused