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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:
Richard1985 · 30/04/2024 21:04

Perhaps he wanted to get some of his GCSE revision done

HeraSyndulla · 30/04/2024 21:09

You are the red flag.

TitaniasAss · 30/04/2024 21:21

I just could not be arsed with this kind of utter nonsense. You sound about 14.

GanninHyem · 30/04/2024 21:26

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”

Picking part his wording while he's telling you stop fucking picking apart his wording. Insufferable.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 21:26

she was using her words to communicate what she needs

So was he.

Maybe he didn’t want to “go out, walk the dog or do something together”
Maybe he had work to do or wanted to something alone? No one should be expected to pander to this level of insecurity and paranoia.
That’s not healthy.

It’s verging on emotional manipulation.

betterangels · 30/04/2024 21:28

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”

He's fed up. You're picking apart how he speaks. If you're doing this a lot, I wouldn't say 'please' either in his place.

PoppyCherryDog · 30/04/2024 21:34

Tbh you sound needy and hard work

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 30/04/2024 21:35

I'm sorry, I mean this kindly but I wouldn't put up with this for a month. This would do my head in. It's a Tuesday night, it's highly unlikely that he's going to say yippee, let's go clubbing?

Out of interest, what's the longest period that you haven't "had a boyfriend" for?

likepebblesonabeach · 30/04/2024 21:35

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”

Oh op, your DP sound's exasperated.
He says don't pick over the wording and you then pick over the wording of how he replied.
This is your issue, not his. If you are as sensitive as you are coming across on this post I can understand your DP's frustrations, it must be really hard to have to think about how to word things for fear of you picking it all apart.

Crowfinch · 30/04/2024 21:44

For my dh, 'that's fine' generally means he's quite happy. He might be saying it because he gets to have the house to himself a bit longer, or so that I don't need to hurry back. He has not changed in 20or so years. I've learned to accept that 'you look fine' can span.'you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen; blind me now; I'm done" to:"you don't look like a corpse" and to read his body language instead. Had I wanted a fluffier partner, it wouldn't have worked.

He does, however, get a bit miffed when he goes away for a few days with work and a. We all survive without him and b. Don't miss him.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 30/04/2024 21:51

Christ you sound like hard work. I couldn't put up with this

TheRealKatnissEverdeen · 30/04/2024 21:55

ElaineMBenes · 30/04/2024 20:55

I used the phrase 'it's fine' interchangeably with 'it's great' etc. My DH mentioned it couple of times and I explained that it wasn't anything personal, it's just how I respond.
Now he just laughs and jokes about it rather than get offended.
Sounds like you could do with taking that approach Op🤷🏼‍♀️

My partner also has a very 'nonchalant' (my words) communication style that I used to interpret as indifference. A "fine or ok" is generally as excited as he gets.
A one off conversation about it allowed him to tell me that it's his way of communicating and not to get offended.
Looking past a scenario like the one in your OP has enabled us to share some great experiences that wouldnt have come about if I questioned or 'joked' about his level of enthusiasm.

If he's otherwise a great bf and you work past this then maybe in future just send a thumbs up or "cool, see you soon" type of reply.
You're always better gauging if something is actually off in person.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 21:55

I used to work with someone like this- always defensive, taking offence at the tiniest things when none was intended, very chippy in response to requests and a bizarre inability to let minor things go. Confused

For example- have you got a new car?
Response- Why shouldn’t I have a new car? I don’t know why you’re so interested! . ..yes it is new if you must know (adopts offended face)..

It must be a character flaw or some sort of personality disorder so people were patient to a degree but it’s incredibly difficult to live with this level of intensity and you end up tip toeing around conversations and feeling a bit exasperated!

gamerchick · 30/04/2024 21:55

Thing is OP it's pretty obvious this relationship isn't meeting your needs. It'll end at some point and maybe that's for the best for you both. We only ever get insecure like this when it's wrong in general. Trying to control his words and make him fit into your anxiety box will just push him away.

There will be someone out there who this won't happen with.

Kelly51 · 30/04/2024 21:59

This sounds like a teenager expecting some insta perfect responses, I'd not worry too much, you'll soon be single.

MichaelFlatulence · 30/04/2024 22:00

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:53

I joked like “oh just fine? Thought it would be great news haha”
and weve only been together 1.5 years

Except it’s not ‘ha ha’ is it? You’re telling him his response is not enough, you don’t like it.

Perhaps reflect on whether the person he is, is enough, or it’s the person you want him to be…

Voodoohoodoyoudo · 30/04/2024 22:00

Maybe he is just being direct and a bit frank? Not the same as nasty at all. He will feel like he has to walk on eggshells all the time because he is not saying things 'nice' enough.
YABU

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Spudthespanner · 30/04/2024 22:29

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Absolute bollocks. The OP is a walking red flag 🚩

He should leave you OP. I couldn't live with your nitpicking behaviour. Fuck that.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 22:32

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Come on, everyone is “mean” if you’re a precious princess.

Its fairly normal to snip at each other occasionally. Blowing this up into a huge drama and recounting it word for word on social media , angrily calling him a prick is all just quite ridiculous.

If you’re both snipping at each other over minor differences in opinion all the time then it’s not going to work.

IamII · 30/04/2024 22:34

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Going to assume that if your partner gets home early on a random Tuesday, you'll have balloons, medals, and a marching band at the ready.

sugarbyebye · 30/04/2024 22:34

I think I work with you. You are Evie, the emotional vampire from What We Do In The Shadows. Such hard work and everything is twisted to be about you.

betterangels · 30/04/2024 22:35

SeriaMau · 30/04/2024 22:19

Lots of red flags here. He is being massively disrespectful to you.

Nah, I expect he's sick of walking on eggshells and being told which reactions and words are acceptable,

QueenBitch666 · 30/04/2024 22:36

You sound like a piece of work. I'd run a mile if I was him. And your post title is just nasty 🙄

TheFormidableMrsC · 30/04/2024 22:45

This is far too needy and hard work. I'd be off.

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