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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel repulsed by sons girlfriend smoking

234 replies

Reookay · 20/11/2025 00:04

DS is 29, his gf is 25, they have been together for about 6 months and at the weekend I met her for the first time.
She hosted us for dinner, made a lovely meal and she seems nice enough personality wise. She is Franco-Italian, English is her 3rd language so conversation definitely felt a little forced which I expected.
Anyway she smokes, DS has reassured she’s not a chain smoker but will have one or two cigarettes in the evening. Her flat was lovely but she smokes out of her kitchen window which is open plan to the dining and living space, there was a faint scent of cigarette smoke and it made me feel a little unwell.
I told one of my friends about this and said it made me feel a bit repulsed, not by her as a person but by the smoking and the scent. They all said it’s cultural (I mean I’m not sure it is I have lots of French friends who don’t smoke, though I do appreciate it is maybe more common in continental Europe than here in the UK), and actually a bit sexy. I just don’t understand how it could ever be viewed as sexy or anything other than a little bit disgusting.
I like her as a person, even if I didn’t I’d still be lovely to her as it’s ultimately up to DS who he dates. However it does worry me a little as DS has really bad health anxiety, he’s had to receive therapy for it and I’m just not sure an actively unhealthy happy will be good for him mentally?
DS also joked that she can’t go to bed without having a drink, be it a negroni or a glass of wine or something similar. I pointed out to him that not being able to go a day without a drink doesn’t sound very healthy (privately) but he rebutted it’s only one drink, she’s not an alcoholic, she just likes her “personal rituals”.

AIBU to find her smoking repulsive and think her habits are quite unhealthy?
Obviously it’s none of my business but just trying to figure out if my feelings towards it are even reasonable.

OP posts:
BauhausOfEliott · 20/11/2025 08:29

AelinAG · 20/11/2025 01:00

I wish I was a beautiful, intelligent European woman who ended every night with a skinny cigarette hanging out of what I assume is a beautiful, stylish flat and then having a negroni before bed…where I could watch Netflix in three languages….

ive missed the point haven’t I? I think she sounds fab!

Yes, I thought this too.

(Great user name btw @AelinAG!)

BauhausOfEliott · 20/11/2025 08:31

Staringintothevoid616 · 20/11/2025 08:20

Well that’s lovely. The smell of smoke on people is worse than BO I’m afraid. It is really repulsive and most people’s response is to gag. There’s nothing judgemental about it, it’s just stating fact. If you smoke, you smell in a way the vast majority of people find unpleasant.

Most people don’t ‘gag’ at the faint whiff of cigarette smoke.

Dollymylove · 20/11/2025 08:37

Staringintothevoid616 · 20/11/2025 08:20

Well that’s lovely. The smell of smoke on people is worse than BO I’m afraid. It is really repulsive and most people’s response is to gag. There’s nothing judgemental about it, it’s just stating fact. If you smoke, you smell in a way the vast majority of people find unpleasant.

Oh give it a rest 🤣

Thatsalineallright · 20/11/2025 08:41

I'm repulsed by people smoking and the smell has always made me feel ill, no matter how faint. I'd never be able to date someone who smokes.

So I understand your feelings. However, it's your ds who's dating the woman so, like you said, not really your business. You can judge (I would, smokers literally stink) but it's definitely not your place to actually say anything.

Keep quiet and secretly hope this woman decides to quit someday.

Sourdillpicklesandmore · 20/11/2025 08:42

GooseyGandalf · 20/11/2025 07:45

This is a very important stage of parenting and how you handle it will affect the rest of your life. You need to get very clear on the fact that you no longer control your child, and have very little influence. Your advice is not wanted.

In law relationships are very challenging because you’re thrown together with someone you don’t know, may not particularly like, and have to behave as if they’re family, while adjusting to the loss of your own little family dynamic.

You have no idea if this woman will disappear out of his life next week, or if she will be the mother of your gc, the love of his life, and the person who will sit beside you at his funeral, or beside him at yours.

Her drinking and smoking would worry me op and I’m not unsympathetic because I am viscerally repulsed by smoking. But this may be how he is unconsciously addressing his own health anxiety. And you would be wise to take the opportunity for personal growth too.

I’m saying this with more kindness than might come across because this is one of the hardest phases of parenting but it’s not the last phase and being kind and accepting of his choices, confirms his independence and helps him grow into manhood. Trust him to make the right choices for himself. They won’t be the same choices you’d have made for him but that’s the point of personal growth.

This^ is such a wise post.

Op I think you are being far too overly negative towards your son’s gf.

For example, why focus on conversation being stilted when you could have framed it that she has an amazing gift for languages? To speak three is very impressive!

And that at twenty-five to have a nice flat and serve a lovely meal is pretty good going? I know plenty of 25 year old’s who are still living at home, being cooked for!

First, it’s not your choice. You don’t get to have an opinion about this.

And second, imho, this is just the sort of person your son should be going out with!

Someone who doesn’t have health anxiety, someone who takes a few risks, lives life a little!

When it comes to couples, opposites often attract, and it’s a good thing, because they balance one another out.

Someone in my family is quite anxious, and they went on to marry another quite perfectionist, quite rigidly rules based, anxious person, and together they have raised a very anxious child who is now a very anxious adult. The couple also have lots of good qualities too but it’s not the ideal scenario shall we say because they each confirm one another’s worries all of the time,

Each to their own, but if they had married someone a little more relaxed, who encouraged them to live a little, who took a few risks, who broke a few minor rules (within reason) who didn’t confirm their worries and heap on more anxiety, then the outcome may have been a little different? Who knows?

As the pp said, you need to tread very, very carefully here as you are in danger of damaging your relationship with your son if you don’t trust him to make his own decisions about relationships.

And you know why some children get anxious in the first place? Because their parents are anxious and point out all the pitfalls about doing something, and worry and stress about the decisions they make to the extent that the child gets the message that they are not capable of thinking and acting for themselves,

I am not saying that you are responsible for your son’s anxiety op, but your opening post is full of worries for the future! I think it’s possible that you may not feel on the same page as this young woman as she is very different to you and you find that uncomfortable and challenging. And that is ok. We don’t have to immediately like everyone we meet. But the point is, she is not going out with you! This is all about your son and his choices.

I know you are genuinely worried for your son, And this anxiety comes from a place of love. But op he is nearly thirty years old! He is a grown man!

As mentioned by the op, I think it would be wise to take some time, think about it, step back a bit emotionally, adjust your expectations, hold your own counsel, don’t offer unsolicited advice or opinions and maybe reframe all of this in your head.

Also, I hope your son’s gf doesn’t read Mumsnet, as you have been quite specific!

Good luck!

BauhausOfEliott · 20/11/2025 08:42

Muffinmam · 20/11/2025 03:00

I’m with you on this one.

Smoking is utterly disgusting and she’s a terrible host for smoking in her home while she has guests.

I grew up with both parents smoking.

My parents smoked in the lounge room and the dining room. They smoked at the dining room table while we ate dinner and they smoked in the car.

I actually thought our lounge room walls were a mustard yellow and a shade of brown in our dining room. It turns out that walls were cream - almost white. The nicotine was so thick on the walls.

I lost my mother to lung cancer and my father has had surgery to remove part of his lungs.

I am physically repulsed by smoking. I’ve ended relationships when I’ve found out they have been smoking. I feel physically sick when I have to breathe it in while I’m out in public.

I worry about my own health and being there for my own child because I was exposed to my parent’s cigarette smoke for 20 years.

I would never visit her house again.

There’s some seriously colossal projection going on here.

FlippityKibbet · 20/11/2025 08:44

I don't mind the smell of cigars or roll ups, but the chemical smell in commercial cigarettes does make me gag, its foul.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 20/11/2025 08:57

After your saying you were ‘repulsed’ I thought you were going to say she was picking her nose and eating it, doing noisy smelly farts, etc.
To use the R word about a couple of fags does smack of OTT health anxiety, not to mention unhinged, I’m afraid.

LizzieW1969 · 20/11/2025 09:00

I do think the OP sounds judgemental, so I’ve voted YABU, despite not liking smoking myself. OTOH, she’s expressing it on here and not to her DS and his GF. A lot of people vent on AIBU. As long as she keeps her feelings to herself when with them, then she might be able to avoid falling out with her DS about it.

Sadly, as she feels this strongly about it, I think it will be hard for her to hide her distaste and she’ll end up saying something about it. My DM certainly can’t stop herself from speaking her mind.

Be careful, OP.

Redburnett · 20/11/2025 09:01

One of the oldest stories in the world: mother does not like son's choice of partner. There is nothing you can do about it except accept his choice. He is young enough that it may not last.

Starlight1984 · 20/11/2025 09:02

AelinAG · 20/11/2025 01:00

I wish I was a beautiful, intelligent European woman who ended every night with a skinny cigarette hanging out of what I assume is a beautiful, stylish flat and then having a negroni before bed…where I could watch Netflix in three languages….

ive missed the point haven’t I? I think she sounds fab!

Agreed!

BeepBoopBop · 20/11/2025 09:03

Why don’t you talk to her about it? Explain that at the moment, she is not quite good enough for your precious son, but if she were to give up her repulsive foreign ways and improve her English, you would consider liking her?
Perhaps tell her in a very loud voice so she understands.
Bonne chance!

surreygirly · 20/11/2025 09:06

Arlanymor · 20/11/2025 00:11

If you read back your post there is judgement on judgement on judgement about her, on many levels. Not just the smoking. Seriously read it back. Her stilted language, her drinking, her smoking, she seems 'nice enough'. Faint praise.

You think it's disgusting and not sexy - you're not dating her. Your son is. Your son who is 29. A full blown adult. You're worrying about his health anxiety even though he's completely fine and enjoying the situation?

You don't like her. You don't think she's a good match. You are thinking of your son and his future family; you don't envisage how she would fit in. Be honest.

Totally agree
Health anxiety fgs
you actually sound a very backstabbing person

Starlight1984 · 20/11/2025 09:06

BeepBoopBop · 20/11/2025 09:03

Why don’t you talk to her about it? Explain that at the moment, she is not quite good enough for your precious son, but if she were to give up her repulsive foreign ways and improve her English, you would consider liking her?
Perhaps tell her in a very loud voice so she understands.
Bonne chance!

Brilliant! And absolutely spot on.

Starlight1984 · 20/11/2025 09:07

Obviously it’s none of my business but just trying to figure out if my feelings towards it are even reasonable.

Nope, they're not. HTH.

MissDoubleU · 20/11/2025 09:09

You should have ended it “obviously it’s none of my business”

because, obviously, it’s not. You’re being very judgemental and unpleasant. But, like you said, even if repulsed you would out a brave face on for your son. Except for asking him if he thought she was alcoholic, of course.

Fluffytoebeanz · 20/11/2025 09:09

Tbh I'd rather smoking than vaping in a weird way. I think on the continent people still smoke, and I think unfortunately it's on the rise here again because of vaping. But she's young and she is allowed to have some bad habits. I was that age in the 90s and believe me we were doing a lot worse! It in her own home and barely affecting anyone apart from her and perhaps a bit more of a relaxed attitude is good for your son rather than you stressing about a couple of fags and drinks.

RampantIvy · 20/11/2025 09:09

I judge anyone for smoking. So shoot me.

Both my parents were heavy smokers and it killed them.

KievLoverTwo · 20/11/2025 09:16

My advice to your son for his health anxiety would be to stay with the GF and go NC with you.

RavenPie · 20/11/2025 09:17

I wouldn’t want to date a smoker (I didn’t date dh when we first met as he smoked) but I’ve I had the choice of dating with a smoker and dating with someone with health anxiety I would choose the smoker every time. I could not on any level get wound up about someone having one alcoholic drink a day. If the smoking bothers your ds it’s up to him to end it but it sounds like he’s fine with it.

Bambamhoohoo · 20/11/2025 09:18

RampantIvy · 20/11/2025 09:09

I judge anyone for smoking. So shoot me.

Both my parents were heavy smokers and it killed them.

I don’t understand why people say or even think this (not you specifically ivy loads of people have said the same)

you judging someone is alll about you. It doesn’t impact anyone else and isn’t important to anyone else. It’s your own brain finding comfort in discomfort and differences you can’t relate to.

It’s a way of controlling the uncontrollable by thinking. Why do you say it like it’s a source of pride?

well I judge SO THERE. It’s so challenging and obstinate, over something no one else cares about. Do you think people who are judged by you are going to cry, repent and change their ways, maybe beg for forgiveness? The whole thing is so weird I think.

Dollymylove · 20/11/2025 09:21

Staringintothevoid616 · 20/11/2025 08:20

Well that’s lovely. The smell of smoke on people is worse than BO I’m afraid. It is really repulsive and most people’s response is to gag. There’s nothing judgemental about it, it’s just stating fact. If you smoke, you smell in a way the vast majority of people find unpleasant.

I would prefer to walk along the road behind someone smoking a fag than someone smoking weed. Too many people seem to think weed smoking is not a problem, yet cigarette smokers are castigated at every turn

TheGoddessFrigg · 20/11/2025 09:24

If this was my future MiL i too would be escaping to the kitchen for a quick fag and strong alcoholic drink!

usedtobeaylis · 20/11/2025 09:24

YANBU to be repulsed by smoking but your entire post is full of judgement.

Swiftie1878 · 20/11/2025 09:30

I assume you had some time to consider how you would phrase your OP here, and yet what you came up with makes you sound horribly judgmental and unsupportive.
You also appear to not mind triggering your son’s health anxiety by pointing out what you see as ‘issues’ even when he is unbothered!

If this is the best you could do with time to think about it, I’d avoid any substantive conversations with your DS about his girlfriend, as you are likely to drive him away.
You need to wind your neck in and try a little kindness to the new woman in your son’s life.
Think what you like, but keep your mouth shut.

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