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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can anyone shed light on this dynamic?

115 replies

DaphneLaurel · 19/12/2024 23:56

DP and I are having a lot of arguments lately. From my perspective he seems to get upset with what feels to me to be innocent comments from me. Is it me? An I bring irritating and unreasonable?

Example 1: DP went in to the hospital for medical test (a scan). I asked if the doctors were able to say what was wrong. He got really upset and angry with me because they never give out scan results on the day and 'everyone knows that'. He went on and on about how he was surprised that I asked that question. I said sorry I didn't know. He just wouldn't let it drop, for about an hour. I found it upsetting because I'm not really used to hospital tests and I didn't know that they definitely wouldn't be able to tell him anything on the day.

Example 2. DP and I live separately. He mentioned that he'd been to buy some compost on the way over. I said "Oh is that for your raised beds?". I knew he was planning to build some but i knew they weren't yet built, but he is very industrious, always doing stuff and likes to buy stuff in advance. He doesn't have a garden as such so I wasn't sure what else he would be using compost for. He got very upset and angry at me. Apparently he felt that I was completely unrealistic in asking if they were for the raised beds because they months away from being complete and he would need tonnes of compost, not just one bag. It was for planting a climber apparently. He said it showed how disconnected i am from his life. I said sorry, but again he didn't let it drop. It made me feel a bit stupid tbh.

Example 3: DP has been on the waiting list to be seen about a health condition. He's been on there for months, almost a year. He said that he's called them and he's heard absolutely nothing from them for ages. I said something like 'oh dear, are you sure you haven't dropped off the list somehow?'. He went ballistic at me basically saying that he felt like I didn't trust him to be chasing them and of course he would know whether or not he's on the list. Again he wouldn't let it drop and I felt like I couldn't escape the argument.

Example 4: DP was telling me about his decorator who has been promising to come and finish some work in his house. He was meant to finish it last Christmas and now it's this Christmas and he's still not done it. The decorator promises and then cancels again and again. I asked him gently where his boundaries were and asked if he'd considered finding someone else to finish the work. DP said he was never going to let this guy off the hook and he would hassle him until he came and did the work. I said something like "God you could be waiting another 3 years". DP then got angry with me. He seemed to think that I was making a judgement on him that he would let the situation go on for that long. He went on and on about how I don't trust him. That wasn't what I was saying at all, I just know that even when you hassle people if the guy doesn't want to do it then he'll find a way out. I wasn't saying that I didn't trust DP to make it happen. He said I'm always being pessimistic.

Example 5. Driving out of the train station after picking me up DP says he's going to take a different route back to mine. I said something like "Really? Are you sure this is right? I've never been this way before". He brought this up as an example of me not trusting him. I just honestly didn't know you could go that way.

He's made it clear that I should under no circumstances make any comments whatsoever during parking. He would hate it if I said "What about this one here?" or "That space looks a bit tight" as he thinks it shows I don't trust him. I basically learnt that I have to remain completely silent. I mean literally not a peep.

In summary, he said that I am always questioning him and his judgement and that I don't trust him and I don't trust that he's handling whatever situation he's in. I do trust him and know he is doing his best and does wonderfully most of the time. I don't feel like I'm being critical. It just feels like normal chat from my side. Can anyone give any insights into this dynamic? So confused about what's going on. Is his outrage justified? Maybe I'm a really irritating airhead to be around?

OP posts:
Scarydinosaurs · 20/12/2024 05:46

prepareforthebacklash · 20/12/2024 01:34

How is saying ""Really? Are you sure this is right?" not questioning his thought processes. Don't get me wrong, all the replies so far are telling you to LTB, so you've got what you came for, I'm just asking you if you've any idea as to how the examples you've quoted may be interpreted by him.

Like I said, we really need to see the pair of you in action.

If someone drives in the opposite direction of your house you’re allowed to question it.

It’s a total overreaction on his behalf. It’s not a slight against him as a person if he took an incorrect route. It’s of no consequence. So why turn it into a row?

CheeseDreamsTonight · 20/12/2024 06:00

He sounds unbearable! You must be walking on egg shells as the things you have given in the examples in no way justify hour long rants and arguments. You must feel like you're going completely mad.

It's not you and I can't see how you can put up with this long term without serious damage to your mental health.

InkHeart2024 · 20/12/2024 06:04

He sounds like a dick to be honest. Is he really wonderful? How?

Offcom · 20/12/2024 06:13

You are asking what you intend as a straightforward question and he often experiences it as a criticism of some kind.

And when he senses criticism he reacts by belittling you: you’re stupid, you’re unrealistic, you’re oblivious to his problems; you’re undermining.

It’s ironic because you are obviously very interested in his life, to the point of asking for perspectives on this situation!

Massive leap, but it makes me wonder if he’s grown up feeling he just wasn’t good enough and he’s internalised a voice that provides a running commentary on his life: oh, typical, you said you’d build planters and you still haven’t done it… what a spineless pushover, letting the decorator get away with that… I told you you should look after your health and now look at what’s happened…

And when you innocently ask about compost he’s suddenly back in a situation where he’s being criticised and it feels SO UNFAIR except with you, he feels safe enough to mount a defence - it sounds like there is a childish petulance to his responses, especially saying “everyone knows XYZ!”

Fully expect some people will think this is just a ridiculous assumption (I mean, it is) but decided to post anyway in case it chimes at all with you @DaphneLaurel

Onelifeonly · 20/12/2024 06:23

Has he always been like this with you? If not, it sounds like he's gone off you and finds you irritating.

If he has, why are you putting up with it? If someone makes you feel bad, that's an indication that this is not the right relationship for you.

BilboBlaggin · 20/12/2024 06:27

Maybe it is the health condition causing stress. Think about it though OP. Life is full of different stressors. If this is his go-to behaviour when he's stressed then it doesn't paint a good picture of your future together.

Taking just the first example, a normal person would just say "they never give you the results immediately", possibly in an irritated tone. The don't get really angry and go on and on for an hour about it.

Life is short. Consider carefully how you want to live yours and who you want to share it with.

CleftChin · 20/12/2024 06:47

I had a boyfriend who told me I never believed/trusted him and always needed a second source for things, and he got quite angry about it - which I took on as feedback (although, TBH, I do prefer a second source for things, and I don't think that's terrible, but I kept my mouth shut unless it was important from then on)

BUT, that's not what you're doing OP, the first couple were just questions/small talk - it's like he was poised to find something to argue you with about, like you just existing annoys him.

I'd say he's one of those men who's too cowardly to end the relationship himself, so is being as horrible as he can so that you do.

FinFacts · 20/12/2024 06:49

@DaphneLaurel He doesn't actually want to be in a relationship, or he doesn't want to be in a relationship with you.

Either way. Do yourself a favour and seek out people who actually enjoy you. Your chit chat is completely normal.

birdling · 20/12/2024 06:54

If this isn't normal for him, perhaps he's very worried and stressed about something?

Though I suppose you can't ask, or you'll get it in the neck again 😫

User37482 · 20/12/2024 06:55

He’s too much work, he’s releasing all his frustration onto you. Release him back into the wild OP.

WillowTit · 20/12/2024 06:56

but as regards the scan i presume he was worried so perhaps that is spilling over all areas

WillowTit · 20/12/2024 06:58

i hate it when people suggest where to park, i can manage and do not tell me how to reverse park either

3luckystars · 20/12/2024 06:58

He is silencing you. This will probably only get worse. Don’t do it to yourself. Get out now.

It sounds like he is exploding a lot at you, is this just lately? He is having meltdowns and can’t cope with normal conversations. This is a huge red flag. Look at all the threads here about that behaviour, it annihilates you.

Calmhappyandhealthy · 20/12/2024 06:59

I wonder if he's under a lot of stress (due to health issues) and that is making him extra sensitive

No.

Hes an absolute nasty twat

Get rid

WoahThreeAces · 20/12/2024 07:02

Ultimately you don't make each other happy. Your comments wind him up, his responses make you feel bad. Is that likely to change?
Decide what you want from a relationship, and from life, and whether this is it. Is this how you want to live?

AgreeableDragon · 20/12/2024 07:02

Well I’ve definitely had tests/scans and been told the results straight away! So your question about the scan was very reasonable and one that most people would have asked. His response was obnoxious even if he is worried.

3luckystars · 20/12/2024 07:06

I have also been told about scans and tests on the day too.

Onlycoffee · 20/12/2024 07:09

I've lived with someone like this and you'll drive yourself crazy trying to understand why they are like they are in order to avoid setting them off.

My mother was also like this, I was conditioned from a young age to appease and soothe others to my own detriment.

It shouldn't be that hard.
You sound like a caring decent person, it's not you, it's him.

WhereYouLeftIt · 20/12/2024 07:11

I'm very glad that you do not live with this man, it makes it so much easier to disentangle yourself from him.

As for "he said that I am always questioning him and his judgement and that I don't trust him and I don't trust that he's handling whatever situation he's in" - frankly, I'm questioning his judgement and thinking that he seems incapable of handling perfectly normal situations without having a hissy fit.

How long have you two been an item, OP?

Jennyathemall · 20/12/2024 07:13

Tbh I see some of where he is coming from. Some of those I consider inane and/or redundant questions that would also get my back up. Might seem like making small talk for the sake of it. And assuming reality is your 5 examples x 100 then he might just see it as constant nagging/annoying. Ultimately is sounds like you aren’t compatible.

Lightswitchup · 20/12/2024 07:20

It doesn’t sound as if he actually likes you all that much. Some of these examples are a bit bonkers and you’ll spend your whole life wondering if the next thing you say will set him off.

I have also had scan results on the same day.

Owly11 · 20/12/2024 07:21

Read Patricia Evan's 'the emotionally abusive relationship' - she explains this dynamic very clearly. I am sorry that you are with this abusive arsehole but at least you don't live together so it will be easier to end things.

Proteinbananas · 20/12/2024 07:28

In all of your examples op, your comments are entirely innocuous. Yes, I can see how some of them might be mildly irritating but NONE of them deserve the reaction you got.
My husband sometimes queries the route I'm taking, do I find it irritating at times? Yes, yes I do. Do I go 'ballistic'? No, I do not. I tell him I know where I'm going and then do my victory 'I told you so' routine when we get there.

So for me, whether or not there is anything wrong with what you're saying is irrelevant, his reaction is absolutely out of order. You should never feel like you're walking on eggshells with a partner.

leia24 · 20/12/2024 07:30

The dynamic is that your boyfriend is a dickhead

olympicsrock · 20/12/2024 07:32

He is very bad tempered and irritable . Don’t stay with him or you will end up as one of those anxious mealy mouthed women who never says a peep to placate her partner.

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