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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For my husband to want me to get angry on his behalf?

80 replies

AnimalFarm1983 · 19/05/2025 17:19

I'll try to keep this brief..I was in WH Smiths choosing a birthday card for my SIL and called DH to see what type of card he wanted. When he realised where I was he said he had just been in there and had a row with the cashier because she deliberately wouldn't serve him as there were self service tills available. He said he wanted to pay there for a reason i forgot and she was a bit snarky about it (according to him) so he told her to F off and threw the magazine on the counter.

He then wanted me to approach her, get her name and tell her he was reporting her for her attitude. My stomach fell at this, it was quiet in there and I've chatted with this worker before. I said I'd try and get her name at least. I went to the counter and asked for the magazine as i had no idea where it was. She picked one up off the floor and said 'this one? Funny as I've just had a man throw it at me.' I squeaked out, yes that was my husband I think he felt you were rude to him. She then re-told the story the same but acted like she was polite. I ended up apologising for his behaviour. She then said 'men are like that' and shrugged. I didn't get her name.

I now feel really sick and have a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. If I don't start kicking off like him about behaviour I didn't even witness he will say I'm not supporting him and not on his side. He has done this before, wanting me to go somewhere and make a fuss on his behalf. It's just so awkward, not my fight and I'm not as angry at the world as he is. I feel really annoyed he has made me feel like this and put me in this position. He is depressed and waiting for therapy but he comes home almost daily with a story about how someone slighted him or upset him etc. Even if the woman WAS rude I would have probably thought, what a cow and shrugged it off and got on with my life whereas he makes these things into a huge massive big deal.
AIBU to not want to do what he said and get involved in this?

OP posts:
NoPaintedPony · 20/05/2025 21:41

Just so I underhand this correctly:
Your husband went into the shop for a magazine. (I’m presuming for himself)
You went into the same shop to buy SIL’s card.

Again, I’m presuming it’s his sister as you phoned him to check it was what he wanted.

Without the whole issue of how the interaction between him and the sales assistant went, why didn’t he buy the card?
He won’t buy the card but you have to check it’s the right one.

There are alarm bells ringing here.

Miaminmoo · 21/05/2025 00:50

I’ve voted YABU as I wouldn’t even have spoken to this woman about him, much less admitted he was my husband. You need to shut him down, there’s no way you should be getting anxious about how he has behaved and how he is involving you. There is no way you should be expected to ‘defend’ him and take his side over something so petty. Also, why would you need his input on what sort of card he wants? If he’s so particular and he’s just been in there why didn’t he choose one himself - my DH wouldn’t have any opinion on what sort of card to send, although he wouldn’t even know it was someone’s Birthday so….. it sounds like he is horrible and controlling - to the point where you won’t even buy a card without checking with him? You need to toughen up and stop enabling his ridiculous behaviour. Imagine all this fuss because he felt a cashier in a shop was rude to him? I’m sorry you are in this situation, you need to make a change for your own good. Don’t let him make you feel guilty just because he has MH issues. Your happiness is of equal importance. He’s acting like a prick.

Rh0dedenr0n · 21/05/2025 06:42

Im Not making excuses- his behaviour is absolutely not ok. However, it IS because of his mental heath. He needs to see how important it is to get help because he is acting unreasonably. I’ve seen it countless times in family and friends - they come off their meds, or don’t believe in meds, and meanwhie everyone around them suffers

MusicMakesItAllBetter · 26/05/2025 19:00

CopperWhite · 19/05/2025 17:45

Feeling like everyone is against you, even if you’re feeling like it as a result of your own negative behaviour is a classic thing that happens when people are suffering with mental illness. If you know he is properly depressed then it is not fair to judge him by the same standards you would a healthy person.

You don’t need to get angry on his behalf or do what he says, but people who are waiting for therapy they desperately need do deserve a bit of understanding.

Expecting someone with a mental illness to behave rationally is like expecting someone with a broken leg to run the local 5k.

I think along these lines.

It doesn't excuse shitty behaviour but mental health illness is just that.
An illness that needs treatment like other illnesses.
OP I hope he does get better after the therapy and you can live happily again

Hallywally · 26/05/2025 19:37

Depression is no excuse for being rude, aggressive and controlling. That is bullshit. Why didn’t he buy his own card and behaving like that with the shop assistant and with you is unacceptable.

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