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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To find this so cringeworthy?

570 replies

Bpuss · 25/11/2024 07:29

(I realise using the word cringeworthy is a bit cringeworthy in itself, but here we are...)

Literally posting this so I don't end up telling him what I'm thinking!

I've been seeing a guy off and on for a year and he's a lovely person, but keeps coming out with things that just make me die a little inside.

The latest one is he went to the cinema with his friends last night to see Wicked.
He has this habit of messaging me after he's seen a film to let me know how he found it and the message last night read "It had greatest showman vibes, and the hallmarks of a classic". I almost, almost... replied with a bunch of laughy faces and told him to stop talking like a dick but I thought I should try and be kind so I just said something about being glad he likes it.

But I've never heard anyone in real life use the phrase "hallmarks of a classic" to describe a film, let alone something like Wicked?!

He also uses the word belly for his stomach...

I like him, but omg I cringe so hard sometimes at his choice of words!

OP posts:
EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 25/11/2024 07:53

Oreyt · 25/11/2024 07:32

How old is he? My husband wouldn't even see it if our girls 12 and 14 begged him.

He wouldn’t take his DDs to a film they wanted to see - why not?

BeMintBee · 25/11/2024 07:54

I think you should end it I’m sure he doesn’t want to be someone who is biting their tongue trying not to tell him how cringeworthy they find him.

RedHelenB · 25/11/2024 07:55

Don't get the angst personally. The important thing is he's talking to you surely?

WillowTit · 25/11/2024 07:56

doesnt seem worth getting bothered about

Maria1979 · 25/11/2024 07:57

@Bpuss I think it's obvious that he wants to impress you OP! Instead of just saying he enjoyed the movie he's trying to be more elaborate. I would ask him jokingly if he copied the phrase of a movie review but it wouldn't make me cringe. Efforts are cute.

gannett · 25/11/2024 07:59

DustyLee123 · 25/11/2024 07:34

I don’t know any male who wants to see Wicked.

Sometimes I feel, especially on this site, rigid gender policing will never die and might actually be worse for men.

Say it with your chest, you think a man who likes musicals is gay, or not a real man (probably the same thing to you).

CorbyTrouserPress · 25/11/2024 07:59

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 25/11/2024 07:53

He wouldn’t take his DDs to a film they wanted to see - why not?

Surely the only answer to this is because he’s a selfish prick?

AlpacaMittens · 25/11/2024 08:00

I also find it unbelievably cringe. If this was ever to turn into a relationship, you'd have to feel comfortable sending the laughing emojis and telling him how cringey you found that line. Lighthearted of course, but it's important to be able to be honest, laugh with stuff, and not pretend. Can this turn into banter where he then reminds you of your own cringey moment and you both have a good laugh?

If you feel you have to pretend to enjoy "this cute little review" as other PPs put it, then for me it would be a no. I just would not be able (or happy) to pretend long term.

gannett · 25/11/2024 08:01

As for the mini-review... I'd actually be unimpressed that he was talking in cliche ("hallmark of a classic" is a zzz sentence) rather than having any insightful thoughts. But give me someone who actually wants to think about the art they read/watch/listen to instead of just mindlessly consuming!

Dinosweetpea · 25/11/2024 08:01

Nothing wrong with what he said at all, I'd also say tummy.
My husband would also have no problem watching Wicked (6ft 2 ex sportsman whos sister worked in musical theatre, we've seen the show together - twice).

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 25/11/2024 08:03

CorbyTrouserPress · 25/11/2024 07:59

Surely the only answer to this is because he’s a selfish prick?

Oh but it also means he’s the manliest man in ManTown and we all know that’s the most important thing. None of this girly nonsense, that’s demeaning, he likes actions movies called things Turbo Blaster 7 with some 90 year old action movie star has-been in the lead role, or movies where women get murdered, like a real maaaaaaan. We should all be swooning really.

Bestfootforward11 · 25/11/2024 08:04

I don’t see an issue here. Maybe not for you, but that doesn’t mean he’s objectively doing anything wrong. Don’t see a need to label it as cringe. Think I’d much prefer this to faux macho bravado. Best wishes.

ThreeCheersForFiveYears · 25/11/2024 08:06

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 25/11/2024 07:53

He wouldn’t take his DDs to a film they wanted to see - why not?

Indeed, and why is @Oreyt’s husband representing all men? My partner wants to see it.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 25/11/2024 08:07

Somebody going on a website to get other people to laugh at something I'd done would give me the 'ick'...

5128gap · 25/11/2024 08:07

Not sure why people think lifting a couple of cliches from any positive review makes him 'expressive with a wide vocabulary'. He sounds like a would be film critic from the village free paper! However not the greatest sin in the world. He's just trying to sound clever. And at least he's trying!

ThreeCheersForFiveYears · 25/11/2024 08:07

5128gap · 25/11/2024 08:07

Not sure why people think lifting a couple of cliches from any positive review makes him 'expressive with a wide vocabulary'. He sounds like a would be film critic from the village free paper! However not the greatest sin in the world. He's just trying to sound clever. And at least he's trying!

But maybe it’s just the way he talks? We all have our ways.

Needmorelego · 25/11/2024 08:08

I don't see the problem with what he said at all.
Sounds like a normal thing a lot of people say after seeing a film.
Nothing wrong with the word belly either.
@Bpuss if you don't like him then end the relationship - for his sake. Poor guy.

Bakedpotatoes · 25/11/2024 08:10

I thought this was going to be something awful from reading the title and your opening sentence but i got the end and thought you sounded like a mean girl.

He enjoyed a film and told you. I've seen wicked and I would say similar (but less eloquently), this is so inoffensive I'm honestly struggling to understand what you mean. I think you should leave him so he can find someone who appreciates him.

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 25/11/2024 08:11

ThreeCheersForFiveYears · 25/11/2024 08:06

Indeed, and why is @Oreyt’s husband representing all men? My partner wants to see it.

What a terrible message to send to a preteen and teen girls as well. That men are too important or good for girly musicals, to the point they wouldn’t take their own kids if they were desperate

SleepyHippy3 · 25/11/2024 08:12

DustyLee123 · 25/11/2024 07:34

I don’t know any male who wants to see Wicked.

What? Why can’t a man watch something like Wicked?

BuffaloCauliflower · 25/11/2024 08:14

I genuinely haven’t got a clue what your problem is with either of those things.

Candleabra · 25/11/2024 08:15

He’s trying to impress you with his review. It’s sweet. Belly for stomach/tummy/whatever is a regional thing.
Do you really like him? If you’re “dying inside” at his words then perhaps he’s not the one for you.

Cozylozy · 25/11/2024 08:16

you’re obviously not suited, if his use of words bother you so much

Sunnyperiods · 25/11/2024 08:16

Just posting to say how refreshing it is to see the correct adjective ‘cringeworthy’ used so many times in one post.

SleepyHippy3 · 25/11/2024 08:17

Oreyt · 25/11/2024 07:32

How old is he? My husband wouldn't even see it if our girls 12 and 14 begged him.

But why not? Does he think he is too alpha to watch something like that?

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