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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anyone else have a dp who does this?

36 replies

autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 12:31

Often when I go to speak to my husband even if I use his name or hes the only one in the room he won't realise I'm speaking to him and will suddenly go 'what?' quite snappily.
He also when I'm talking if I ask him a question either start to sneeze loudly or blow his nose or put food in this mouth so I end up waiting a few minutes for a reply. It happens too often to feel like coincidences.
The other day I asked him to check something I was working on. He looked made a noise that was an acknowledgment then walked on the other room to blow his nose. I waited and he never returned! When I went in he was getting a drink , I asked if he intended to finish the conversation. He said 'I said it's fine' (he did not)

I don't think he's always done this maybe the last couple years but it's definitely getting worse. Any ideas what it's about?

OP posts:
Chamomileteaplease · 10/10/2024 12:33

It must be horrible living with someone who does this.

Is he ever nice to you? What is the rest of your relationship like?

PortiasBiscuit · 10/10/2024 12:34

It’s not very respectful, he obviously doesn’t rate what you are saying as important.

username3678 · 10/10/2024 12:35

You've turned into white noise.

Any ideas what it's about?

He doesn't respect you and sees you as an inconvenience.

ByMerryKoala · 10/10/2024 12:37

I think with all the things you mention it does sound like he's regarding you with contempt.

I'm going to assume he's not in the middle of doing something consuming though, I'm having to bite my tongue when I'm concentrating and someone barges into my brain while I'm trying to get something important down, and the kids do get a stern, 'What?'

MounjaroUser · 10/10/2024 12:37

It's so depressing reading this sort of thread. What do these men think they are contributing to a marriage?

Do you have children together and are they still young, OP?

autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 13:04

Chamomileteaplease · 10/10/2024 12:33

It must be horrible living with someone who does this.

Is he ever nice to you? What is the rest of your relationship like?

He's lovely that's why it's hard to understand!

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 13:04

username3678 · 10/10/2024 12:35

You've turned into white noise.

Any ideas what it's about?

He doesn't respect you and sees you as an inconvenience.

White noise that's interesting. He's tuned me out.

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 13:05

MounjaroUser · 10/10/2024 12:37

It's so depressing reading this sort of thread. What do these men think they are contributing to a marriage?

Do you have children together and are they still young, OP?

Three children youngest is nine.

OP posts:
username3678 · 10/10/2024 13:06

autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 13:04

White noise that's interesting. He's tuned me out.

Exactly. It's very hurtful and I can see why you're upset.

twentysevendresses · 10/10/2024 13:35

He's not lovely though is he? He's treating you with contempt...that's not 'lovely' OP!

Teeshs · 10/10/2024 13:38

He sounds both rude and uncouth.
I would take your examples to be disinterested rude contempt of you. Sorry.
I wouldn't want to be living with it.

hollyivy123 · 10/10/2024 13:44

He doesn't sound 'lovely' if he's snapping at you and deliberately choosing when he can answer you. Does he like to have an 'air of superiority'? I think some men/people often do this as a form of control. They decide to answer in their own time and enjoy thinking of you squirming waiting for an answer. I had an ex boss who did this.

since1986 · 10/10/2024 13:50

He's not lovely though is he, OP. That's a horrible way to treat someone 😟

Chowtime · 10/10/2024 13:51

My ex used to do that. He'd have a coughing for every time I spoke.

Didn't happen when it was others speaking to him though

5128gap · 10/10/2024 13:56

Sounds to me like hes deeply distracted by something, and when you speak youre pulling him away from where he was. The sneezing, walking away are delaying tactics while he gets himself back together again. Has he any worries?

Motomum23 · 10/10/2024 13:57

I do this with my husband when I'm trying to relax. I don't mean to but I'm very busy during the day and my kids are up and down stairs all night so when I get 2 minutes to sip my drink and look at crap on my phone I end up hearing him but not processing it.

DadJoke · 10/10/2024 14:11

When he's gone through his rituals is he then an active listener?

autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 18:22

DadJoke · 10/10/2024 14:11

When he's gone through his rituals is he then an active listener?

Sometimes, other times he wanders off. I wondered if it was a processing issue?

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 18:23

5128gap · 10/10/2024 13:56

Sounds to me like hes deeply distracted by something, and when you speak youre pulling him away from where he was. The sneezing, walking away are delaying tactics while he gets himself back together again. Has he any worries?

Stressful job and child with Sen

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 10/10/2024 18:23

Chowtime · 10/10/2024 13:51

My ex used to do that. He'd have a coughing for every time I spoke.

Didn't happen when it was others speaking to him though

Same!

OP posts:
LeavesOnTrees · 10/10/2024 18:27

Have you tried doing the same to him to see how he reacts ?

The next time he tries to talk to you, yawn really loudly and say 'what?" in a really annoyed way

Minimili · 10/10/2024 19:00

I have a DP who does similar, if he’s watching tv and I need to ask him something I usually have to ask him several times, when he answers he does sound impatient and can be snappy.

I used to be hurt and angry thinking he was deliberately ignoring me, he will often say “what?” and then as I’m repeating he will answer, which is annoying.
He also repeats questions back to himself and it felt like he was trying to buy time to think of an answer so I suspected he was lying sometimes.

We had a few arguments and I said I felt like a nuisance to him and frustrated at being ignored.

My friend was round at our house one evening and she hadn’t spent much time with my partner at that point but had heard about our arguments, she was observing him through the evening. At one point DP was engrossed in something on tv, my friend started waving her hand in front of his face, DP just moved his head to see properly without speaking.

My friend has 3 autistic kids and has done a lot of reading and courses on autism and said we should consider getting DP assessed, we did as she advised and she was spot on.
I have learnt lots of different ways to approach DP and we communicate far better. He often does things like cough or yawn when he’s asked something, it just gives him more time to process things - as does repeating the question.

If your husband is good to you in every other way then it’s highly possible he’s not doing this consciously, you mention you have a child with SEN which can be hereditary.
If he is just ignoring you then that’s different and needs addressing! I know it can be upsetting and frustrating, if I ever have to give DP important information I make sure he repeats it back and sometimes we write it down or I text him. It’s much easier to live with now I know it’s not deliberate though. He

autienotnaughty · 11/10/2024 21:40

Minimili · 10/10/2024 19:00

I have a DP who does similar, if he’s watching tv and I need to ask him something I usually have to ask him several times, when he answers he does sound impatient and can be snappy.

I used to be hurt and angry thinking he was deliberately ignoring me, he will often say “what?” and then as I’m repeating he will answer, which is annoying.
He also repeats questions back to himself and it felt like he was trying to buy time to think of an answer so I suspected he was lying sometimes.

We had a few arguments and I said I felt like a nuisance to him and frustrated at being ignored.

My friend was round at our house one evening and she hadn’t spent much time with my partner at that point but had heard about our arguments, she was observing him through the evening. At one point DP was engrossed in something on tv, my friend started waving her hand in front of his face, DP just moved his head to see properly without speaking.

My friend has 3 autistic kids and has done a lot of reading and courses on autism and said we should consider getting DP assessed, we did as she advised and she was spot on.
I have learnt lots of different ways to approach DP and we communicate far better. He often does things like cough or yawn when he’s asked something, it just gives him more time to process things - as does repeating the question.

If your husband is good to you in every other way then it’s highly possible he’s not doing this consciously, you mention you have a child with SEN which can be hereditary.
If he is just ignoring you then that’s different and needs addressing! I know it can be upsetting and frustrating, if I ever have to give DP important information I make sure he repeats it back and sometimes we write it down or I text him. It’s much easier to live with now I know it’s not deliberate though. He

Thank you for your message. Yes he also does the repeating the question or asking me to repeat it (yes annoying) I'm autistic and ds is autistic and yes I suspect dh is too. Never thought of it being a autism trait

OP posts:
MrsTigerface · 11/10/2024 21:44

He doesn’t have mild hearing loss by any chance? (Just a thought)

Gloriousgardener11 · 11/10/2024 21:54

This sounds like delaying tactics to give him time to think about an answer to your question or request.
Sounds very annoying though!