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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Was my boyfriend within his rights to say these cruel things to me?

313 replies

meridiana · 07/04/2025 13:19

This may be long, but I’ll try and keep it short.

I have spent this morning extremely distressed, I’m questioning everything including my worth. I feel like a waste of space, from what he had said. I’m too upset to see the situation for what it is.

BF and I had been a bit on and off, but decided to make this official and things had been pretty much smooth sailing from then. We had one argument, that was resolved after we both agreed it was a misunderstanding.

We’ve had very minor disagreements, but no arguments aside from that until yesterday.

He makes significantly more than me, this around 5x more. We don’t live together. He tends to pay for meals out etc. and likes to treat me with things like flowers, but I have never asked for him to pay for anything. I do also pay for myself for other things too.

When we were shopping he had separated our things and said ‘I’ll put your things separately’ referring to the ingredients for our dinner that I was going to cook. He usually eats the majority of our meals (understandably), so I was slightly irritated by this and told him that, but it wasn’t a big deal.

The next day, he made a lemon drizzle cake with my son (he paid for the ingredients) and said he was going to take it home, since he had paid for it and had baked it. I had pointed out this feels like a bit of a double standard, a bit irritating but again not a big deal. He says that he pays for a lot of things for me, I agreed. He then said he spends about £200 per month on me, for which I categorically disagreed. He said he wasn’t going to buy me anything again.

A few minutes later I asked how long until the cake was done, he told me and I said ok when it’s finished you can leave. I was upset and didn’t want him there.

I heard a bang as he left, and I thought he had thrown my son’s car seat into the house, I text him to say it was childish but he says he didn’t throw it and I believe him.

He sent me a text saying that until I apologise, not to contact him. I said I won’t be contacting him then as I don’t feel the needs to apologise, he said ok. I took this as things ending. I then said something along the lines of ‘enjoy fucking the ladies in Thailand’ (I’m not proud of this) as he’s going there this week. I have been feeling stressed about him going as he went last year, and we weren’t together but still somewhat involved and he slept with many people and lied to me about having feeling for another woman. He was well within his rights to do so, as he was single, but it was a point of vulnerability for me. I feel bad that I even said it, and have apologised more than once.

He said he wasn’t ending things, and then ignored me for six hours while he was with friends, I was really upset by this.

He reached out today via text and said he wanted an apology for kicking him out, I said I wasn’t sorry so I wasn’t going to apologise. I said I didn’t feel I’d kicked him out, just asked him to leave as I felt upset and like the day was ruined.

We have previously agreed that we should tackle things head on, so I wasn’t wrong to ask him to leave but I think because I was so upset from the events of the past 12ish hours I couldn’t see it for what it was. I didn’t feel sorry because I was upset and angry.

He then ended things with me, as he feels I am a poor communicator, I am deliberately difficult and speak to him disrespectfully. He feels I have grossly disrespected him.

Things between us had been really lovely until this, so I was taken aback that he’d ended it.

During these exchanges I haven’t been nasty, raised my voice, sworn etc.

He has now said I am a vile person, I am toxic, I am like a dark cloud of sadness, I’m incapable of being happy, and I am not capable of a healthy relationship because of my ‘parents’ fucked up relationship’ growing up. He has told me to fuck off multiple times, that I’m manipulative.

I’ve told him how hurtful I have found his words, and that I really don’t feel them to be true. I am happy, and lots of people comment on my positivity.

He said “You think your actions have nothing to do with how I’ve been?” when referring to how he has spoken to me.

I really just need a fresh pair of eyes please. I acknowledge I have contributed to this, I should have behaved in a better way. It was a blip, but I didn’t see it as a massive deal.

I am genuinely sorry for how I’ve behaved, and I am trying and want to be a good partner. I feel really guilty that I’ve upset him and pushed him to this point.

OP posts:
adriftinadenofvipers · 08/04/2025 19:07

heroinechic · 08/04/2025 19:01

Hmm in my view, your perspective is quite skewed. This whole situation reads to me as two young adults in an immature relationship where both are reactive and neither are any good at conflict resolution. Neither can apologise. When OP’s boyfriend ended it she replied with Byeeee and pretended she was laughing, when actually she was devastated and could have just said “sorry for throwing you out because you wanted to take half a cake home that you paid for and baked.”

OP’s boyfriend isn’t sleazy for engaging in casual sex in hostels while backpacking (and single). I’d agree that he’s sleazy if he was using sex workers, but I don’t think there’s any reason for us to jump to that conclusion. Lots of my friends visited Thailand as part of their travels and the backpacking culture there is quite prolific.

They just aren’t compatible 🤷🏻‍♀️

Oh come off it. Of course he's sleazy. Of course he's using sex workers. Isn't Thailand renowned for it? He's hardly getting all that sex because he's a young George Clooney!

He's treating her like shit and I don't know why you are defending him! His behaviour is indefensible!

It's not my perspective that's skewed at all - read most of the other responses and see.

BrummiMummi · 08/04/2025 19:31

Smithhy · 07/04/2025 13:29

He was manufacturing the reason for the relationship to end so he can buy sleep with women in Thailand.

I thought this!

heroinechic · 08/04/2025 19:32

adriftinadenofvipers · 08/04/2025 19:07

Oh come off it. Of course he's sleazy. Of course he's using sex workers. Isn't Thailand renowned for it? He's hardly getting all that sex because he's a young George Clooney!

He's treating her like shit and I don't know why you are defending him! His behaviour is indefensible!

It's not my perspective that's skewed at all - read most of the other responses and see.

Thailand is absolutely renowned for sex tourism, and I think that’s what attracts a lot of older men who travel there for stag dos or “golf”. But I don’t think prostitution is what attracts young adults who are backpacking. It’s the full moon parties etc. All of my friends who went backpacking visited Thailand, some for months on end. You really don’t need to be a young George Clooney to get laid in those circumstances! They’re all at it.

I’m not defending him either. I wouldn’t be in a relationship with him. I’m just saying that his behaviour isn’t existing in a vacuum. There isn’t a clear hero and a villain, not everything is so binary.

adriftinadenofvipers · 08/04/2025 19:41

heroinechic · 08/04/2025 19:32

Thailand is absolutely renowned for sex tourism, and I think that’s what attracts a lot of older men who travel there for stag dos or “golf”. But I don’t think prostitution is what attracts young adults who are backpacking. It’s the full moon parties etc. All of my friends who went backpacking visited Thailand, some for months on end. You really don’t need to be a young George Clooney to get laid in those circumstances! They’re all at it.

I’m not defending him either. I wouldn’t be in a relationship with him. I’m just saying that his behaviour isn’t existing in a vacuum. There isn’t a clear hero and a villain, not everything is so binary.

I didn't see any reference to this man doing any backpacking? I'd imagine it's fairly unlikely as he's a high earner. I doubt he is that young either if he is earning so well. He's not fresh out of uni!

It's not a "hero v villain" situation at all. It's a bit grim on both parts but I am Team OP. I think the man's behaviour is appalling and I certainly wouldn't be an apologist for him!

heroinechic · 08/04/2025 20:57

adriftinadenofvipers · 08/04/2025 19:41

I didn't see any reference to this man doing any backpacking? I'd imagine it's fairly unlikely as he's a high earner. I doubt he is that young either if he is earning so well. He's not fresh out of uni!

It's not a "hero v villain" situation at all. It's a bit grim on both parts but I am Team OP. I think the man's behaviour is appalling and I certainly wouldn't be an apologist for him!

OP said earlier that he was travelling and staying in hostels, and in another post said she didn’t know how long he’d be gone for.

I’d be interested to know how old they both are but I get the vibe that they’re under 30. Some of my uni cohort were earning over a £100k within a couple years of leaving uni in magic circle firms!

adriftinadenofvipers · 08/04/2025 21:01

heroinechic · 08/04/2025 20:57

OP said earlier that he was travelling and staying in hostels, and in another post said she didn’t know how long he’d be gone for.

I’d be interested to know how old they both are but I get the vibe that they’re under 30. Some of my uni cohort were earning over a £100k within a couple years of leaving uni in magic circle firms!

That's the exception!

Strugglingforanamechange · 09/04/2025 09:47

Run! And don’t look back.
you’re better off without this guy OP

RelaxTheCacks · 09/04/2025 10:36

He is a bully and abusive, he will never change, you will do well to stay clear. There are better men than him.

Manthide · 09/04/2025 16:29

adriftinadenofvipers · 08/04/2025 17:24

Why are you still communicating with this POS?!

We still live together as the house is in joint names. He refuses to move out and I need to live there as it is close to work and my parents. Within an hour period yesterday I was called a moron, a 2 year old, a teenager and told I must be suffering from dementia .....

Justchillinhere · 09/04/2025 17:12

He's pushing your boundaries and seeing how much you'll take, it's mind games, things are not going to get any better, in fact it's heading to utter misery for you, he needs you and likes the power he has over you, upsetting you, making you question yourself and want an apology when it was all him, get out now while you can or this will be your norm

UltraHorse · 09/04/2025 17:23

You need a partner who tells you he loves you not that you are a vile person. or toxic He should want to make you happy and you might not be perfect but he should accept you for who you are

Alice786 · 09/04/2025 18:35

I'm sorry but i don't know what planet you're living in but is clear this man is a nasty peice of work and not someone to be around, why do you want to be with him when he's treating you like shit and making you feel worthles? Why would you put up with it? There are so many good men in this world keep searching until you find someone who treats you with respect and is kind and caring and doesn't say horrible things to you. They do exist, you may have only been around men like him and think it's normal but trust me it's not. People only treat you the way you let them. You deserve better!

NotThisShitAgain121 · 12/03/2026 01:53

He is a nasty controlling piece of work who will always throw money and other things in your face and your son should not be subjected to him either. Get rid and do not look back. What a fucking nasty arsehole.

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