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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:
WildBear · 30/04/2024 22:46

I think people are being overly critical of you OP.

If my partner (of 14 years) usually works late on a given day and let me know they'd be home early, I'd definitely message something along the lines of 'ah that's great, see you soon!' no wonder you felt pretty worthless when he basically replied that he couldn't care less.

Maybe people on this thread don't have the kind of relationship I do and they are used to their partner not really giving a shit what time they come home🤷‍♂️

I also see what your saying about his attitude. You can't discuss anything with him without him making a big song and dance and blaming you. In all honesty, you aren't suited and it's best you cut your losses.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/04/2024 22:55

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:44

The thing is.. I actually acknowledged the neediness. I apologised and said I didn’t realise I was doing it, but I’m really sorry. That’s NOT what I’m disputing.

The reason I’m calling him a prick is because he thinks he can be really critical of me, and doesn’t understand how he could word things kinder. And he genuinely thinks he never does anything wrong…

So you're saying 'yeah, I was wrong - BUT YOU'RE A PRICK because of.. <rattles off long list of imagined slights>'?

Surprised you still have a boyfriend if he's frequently on the receiving end of that treatment.

Littlefish · 30/04/2024 23:02

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”

Again, you're over reacting to something. He is obviously frustrated with your overly emotional behaviour.

WestSussexWitch · 30/04/2024 23:05

I don’t think this is the right relationship for you, if he was meeting your emotional needs you wouldn’t feel like this.
I can understand where you’re coming from though, I’ve been with DP for years and I still get excited if he texts or calls to say he’s coming home early and he’s just as happy to get home to see me.

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 23:05

Maybe people on this thread are used to their partner not giving a shit

Im finishing work a bit early
Ok that’s fine

..does not translate as “I don’t give a shit” in any language? Wtf

hopscotcher · 30/04/2024 23:13

I can understand why he'd be irritated by being picked up on word choices - it sounds draining - but it sounds as if there are bigger issues with him being critical of you and calling you defensive when you challenge him.

WaverleyOwl · 30/04/2024 23:14

First off - are you 13? If you are, my message would be kinder.

If you are an adult - OMG, you sound like hard work. I desperately hate needy people (thanks, mother), so I would be out of there like a shot.

You aren't in a position to have an adult relationship if you can't communicate like one.

Just break up so he can go find someone that doesn't scrutinise his every word.

CommentNow · 30/04/2024 23:19

If you're being fussy about words now, how will you cope with serious stuff? The baby up for the zillions time when you're both tired and snappy? When a parent dies and you get snappy? When you're in love but going through the "why can't you just piss off for 6 months" phase? Tired? Hormonal? Ill? Stressed?

And if you aren't thinking that seriously then why even get wound up?

sandyhappypeople · 30/04/2024 23:20

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”

You skipped what you said though..

How did he go from “okay that’s fine” to “oh don’t start this word thing again”

Without knowing what you actually said it's hard for anyone to judge if he was being rude? So what did you say in reply to his 'okay that's fine'?

Ottersmith · 30/04/2024 23:21

Imagine if you just went home and apologised and said you would try not to do it in future. Not saying you didn't know you were doing it, not picking at his faults. Then it would be solved and you would have a nice night.

a222 · 30/04/2024 23:37

all you lot commenting acting stone cold just because you hate your husbands are being mean to op, for no reason.

i completely understand this and get this with my fella. he often replies short and it makes me confused and worried i’ve done something wrong.

it’s normal to feel like this, i just remind myself that i am sensitive, but also asking ur partner to change something small shouldn’t be an issue. ‘fine’ can seem a little short, especially if you were excited to see him.

Butchyrestingface · 30/04/2024 23:53

all you lot commenting acting stone cold just because you hate your husbands are being mean to op, for no reason.

If everyone else is 'stone cold', I must have rigor mortis because my typical response would be a 👍🏻

Easter Grin
HollyKnight · 30/04/2024 23:59

It sounds like you having this issue with the way he words things is an ongoing thing that he is fed up with. You need to either accept that this is how he speaks and doesn't mean anything negative by it. Or end the relationship because your communication styles are just not compatible. What you don't get to do is keep going on at him about it and expect him to tolerate it.

Urgenthelplease · 01/05/2024 00:01

He wasn't rude at all. You're being ridiculous.

WildBear · 01/05/2024 00:12

SmileyClare · 30/04/2024 23:05

Maybe people on this thread are used to their partner not giving a shit

Im finishing work a bit early
Ok that’s fine

..does not translate as “I don’t give a shit” in any language? Wtf

You're paraphrasing me... About what he specifically said, I said ... "he basically replied that he couldn't care less" which is exactly what 'okay, that's fine' implies. It's neither good or bad, just acceptable. I personally wouldn't want to be with someone who's response to me seeing them earlier than planned was, okay, that's acceptable.

SmileyClare · 01/05/2024 00:16

Its normal to feel like this

The adult approach is to recognise you feel insecure. You’re not upset he said “that’s fine” you’re upset because you have a fear he doesn’t love you, doesn’t want you to come home so you've taken his neutral comment as confirmation of your insecurities,

Instead of acknowledging that as your own anxiety, you’ve attacked him and accused him .He will react defensively and this cycle will repeat until the relationship breaks down.

You cannot rely completely on a partner to relieve all your anxieties-that’s a co dependent nightmare.

CandyLeBonBon · 01/05/2024 00:21

SmileyClare · 01/05/2024 00:16

Its normal to feel like this

The adult approach is to recognise you feel insecure. You’re not upset he said “that’s fine” you’re upset because you have a fear he doesn’t love you, doesn’t want you to come home so you've taken his neutral comment as confirmation of your insecurities,

Instead of acknowledging that as your own anxiety, you’ve attacked him and accused him .He will react defensively and this cycle will repeat until the relationship breaks down.

You cannot rely completely on a partner to relieve all your anxieties-that’s a co dependent nightmare.

All of this. ^^

GoldenTrout · 01/05/2024 00:53

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

But that's not what he's saying, according to you. What he said was that you "can’t just take accountability without letting him know what he did wrong" - i.e. that you never accept responsibility if you do something wrong without somehow trying to turn it back on him. Is he right?

IReallyStillCantBeBothered · 01/05/2024 01:11

MissSqueak · 30/04/2024 18:44

The thing is.. I actually acknowledged the neediness. I apologised and said I didn’t realise I was doing it, but I’m really sorry. That’s NOT what I’m disputing.

The reason I’m calling him a prick is because he thinks he can be really critical of me, and doesn’t understand how he could word things kinder. And he genuinely thinks he never does anything wrong…

You seem to think that acknowledging your neediness and sensitivity somehow gives you a pass and he doesn’t have the right Tom veg upset and fed up, it does not.

You recognizing and acknowledging your neediness is the first step and next step is to work on yourself to reduce your neediness not act like it gives you a pass.

WhoGivesaSpit · 01/05/2024 03:01

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.

Jesus wept 😂

GogAndMagog · 01/05/2024 03:14

You are what I would term 'high maintenance'.

YoureALizardHarry11 · 01/05/2024 03:55

Yeah.. this relationship isn’t going to last, give it another 6 months and it’ll be done.

JanefromLondon1 · 01/05/2024 05:51

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

BarbaraWoodlouse1 · 01/05/2024 06:49

It sounds as though you want him to show you he loves you. I get that. The problem is, you’re trying to engineer exactly how and when he does this which will be such a turn off for him. Be careful or you’ll push him away. Instead you could plan some fun times together.

Try & keep it light and maybe acknowledge he’s not being a prick and apologise. I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you sound very young. I say this because once you have children, your head won’t have any space for such dramas.

Make plans and keep things light and fun. You never know, one day you might get home early from work and he’ll have organised for the whole street to perform a Mexican Wave just for you. x 😉

Freakinfraser · 01/05/2024 06:54

Ok it’s clear you have very significant issues and you need to resolve those, this isn’t about your partner, but the level of neediness you have, and your controlling behaviour to him in what he is allowed to say, how he has to behave, as well as your extreme levels of sensitivity.

I really think focus on sorting yourself out, as it will kill your relationship, he shouldn’t be expected to out up with this.

good luck