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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wish my partner was funnier?

102 replies

Banoffeemuffin · Yesterday 19:57

I have the most amazing partner, we have been together 2 years and honestly, he has treated me so well. He's emotionally intelligent, mature, kind, great with my kids, thoughtful, great in the bedroom, consistent. We also do have a bit of a laugh together and tease each other but he's not naturally funny.
I work with a guy who just has this unbelievable sense of humor, he doesn't even try to be funny, he just is, lots of one liners and just dry, silly humour. Im constantly laughing.
I'm not physically attracted to him but I just keep thinking how fun it would be to actually be with someone who was like that and sometimes feel a bit sad that I'm not going to have that. AIBU?

OP posts:
ForeverDelayedEpiphany · Today 00:57

DontGoChasinWaterfalls · Yesterday 21:46

I think you need to be very careful not to romanticise one attractive quality in someone else and compare it with the whole reality of the partner you actually have.

You’ve described a man who is emotionally intelligent, mature, kind, thoughtful, consistent, great with your children, sexually compatible with you, treats you well and who you can still laugh and tease with. That is an incredibly strong relationship foundation, and frankly, a lot of people would give their right arm to find that combination.

Your colleague being naturally hilarious is lovely, but you’re seeing him in a very specific environment where his best quality is on display. You have absolutely no idea what he would be like as a partner at 7am when somebody is ill, when money is tight, when the kids are difficult, when you’ve had an argument, or when life becomes boring and stressful. Being funny does not tell you whether somebody is kind, dependable, emotionally safe or capable of maintaining a healthy relationship.

And it’s worth remembering that your partner probably doesn't think you embody every single quality he could possibly find attractive in another woman either. There may well be women who are funnier than you, calmer than you, more spontaneous than you, more interested in one of his hobbies, or possess some other quality he occasionally wishes you had. That doesn't mean he'd be better off with them.

No partner is going to contain every desirable characteristic that exists in every other person you meet.

So yes, I think YABU if you're genuinely feeling sad that you're “missing out.” You aren't missing out on a better relationship; you've simply encountered someone who possesses one quality your partner doesn't possess to the same degree.

I'd appreciate what you've got rather than allowing an imaginary version of somebody else to compete with a very good man who is actually showing up for you in real life.

This is super, wise, thoughtful advice, and one of the best replies I've read on MN.

Take heed, OP. 👍

EstoyRobandoSuCasa · Today 01:36

Do you make him laugh all the time? If not, then it's possible he thinks the same about you.

I once dated a guy with some great one liners. But as time went on, I realised that 1) he'd copied most, if not all of them from films and stand-up acts and 2) he didn't actually have that many, so repeated them over and over again.

FruitFlyPie · Today 01:58

I think it's hard to be funny in that way with your long term partner. Just because of the amount of time you spend with them. I think I'm kind of funny and usually laugh a lot with my friends and colleagues. But with my partner, current and exes, we didn't sit at the dinner table laughing in the same way. It's just not the same sort of interaction.

I think having a good sense of humour is important. As in doesn't take things too seriously and can have a laugh at times. That's more important than being with someone who could go on the stand up comedy circuit.

SALaw · Today 05:26

DontGoChasinWaterfalls · Yesterday 21:46

I think you need to be very careful not to romanticise one attractive quality in someone else and compare it with the whole reality of the partner you actually have.

You’ve described a man who is emotionally intelligent, mature, kind, thoughtful, consistent, great with your children, sexually compatible with you, treats you well and who you can still laugh and tease with. That is an incredibly strong relationship foundation, and frankly, a lot of people would give their right arm to find that combination.

Your colleague being naturally hilarious is lovely, but you’re seeing him in a very specific environment where his best quality is on display. You have absolutely no idea what he would be like as a partner at 7am when somebody is ill, when money is tight, when the kids are difficult, when you’ve had an argument, or when life becomes boring and stressful. Being funny does not tell you whether somebody is kind, dependable, emotionally safe or capable of maintaining a healthy relationship.

And it’s worth remembering that your partner probably doesn't think you embody every single quality he could possibly find attractive in another woman either. There may well be women who are funnier than you, calmer than you, more spontaneous than you, more interested in one of his hobbies, or possess some other quality he occasionally wishes you had. That doesn't mean he'd be better off with them.

No partner is going to contain every desirable characteristic that exists in every other person you meet.

So yes, I think YABU if you're genuinely feeling sad that you're “missing out.” You aren't missing out on a better relationship; you've simply encountered someone who possesses one quality your partner doesn't possess to the same degree.

I'd appreciate what you've got rather than allowing an imaginary version of somebody else to compete with a very good man who is actually showing up for you in real life.

I mean, maybe, but it is also ok to say that laughing together is so important that it doesn’t matter if you have those other things, this is a red line. I couldn’t be with someone where we don’t have a wee joke with each other. Married 18 years and that laughter has got us through all life’s stresses so far.

SALaw · Today 05:29

FruitFlyPie · Today 01:58

I think it's hard to be funny in that way with your long term partner. Just because of the amount of time you spend with them. I think I'm kind of funny and usually laugh a lot with my friends and colleagues. But with my partner, current and exes, we didn't sit at the dinner table laughing in the same way. It's just not the same sort of interaction.

I think having a good sense of humour is important. As in doesn't take things too seriously and can have a laugh at times. That's more important than being with someone who could go on the stand up comedy circuit.

Edited

Is it hard?! You sit at the table and tell wee stories from your day and have a laugh surely? You watch tv together and make asides about things? You go places, be it holidays, parents evenings, dog walks and there is stuff to talk about. I’m not meaning laugh a minute or whatever but life throws up so many things you can have a laugh about if you have a partner that you can do that with.

SALaw · Today 05:32

MustTryHarderAndHarder · Yesterday 21:14

And likely to be married!

Some of them won’t be - the ones that are married weren’t married before they were married. The women that married them found an unmarried one.

Tunaboona · Today 07:29

Tonty · Today 00:36

Why do you have to drag 'grey dressing gowns' into it, what have they ever done to you?

Edited

Sorry, I was once murdered by a grey dressing gown, so I have issues.

rathersleepy · Today 07:29

Life’s too short to be with a bore

MustTryHarderAndHarder · Today 07:50

SALaw · Today 05:32

Some of them won’t be - the ones that are married weren’t married before they were married. The women that married them found an unmarried one.

But no-of course but they don't grow on trees! Just like perfect women don't grow on trees.

If they did your point would be valid.

MustTryHarderAndHarder · Today 07:51

rathersleepy · Today 07:29

Life’s too short to be with a bore

The op did not say that he was boring. She just said he wasn't funny. There is a big difference.

MustTryHarderAndHarder · Today 07:55

HumptyDump · Yesterday 21:59

Really? You think 2 years in she should be feeling like this.

Your bar is too low.

So I assume that you have found Mr Perfect?

Well done but not everyone can be so lucky.

PetiteParakeet · Today 07:55

OP you say you ‘have a bit of a laugh together’. I’d rather have that mutual humour than be put in the role of audience to someone else’s wit. The latter is fun for a night out in a group, but to be honest I want a two-way thing in a relationship, where they think I’m funny too, we can have in-jokes, and crack up over daft things the kids say.

SALaw · Today 09:04

MustTryHarderAndHarder · Today 07:50

But no-of course but they don't grow on trees! Just like perfect women don't grow on trees.

If they did your point would be valid.

So….settle?

Tonty · Today 09:23

SALaw · Today 09:04

So….settle?

She’s already married, that’s the definition of “settled”. You’re talking as if they’re dating. They made a commitment to each other and have 2 children. She knew what his sense of humour was like before marrying him, so why is this suddenly a deal breaker now?
No partner comes with every possible quality. Telling someone to divorce a man who has everything she values except being “funny enough” is ridiculous. Not even you embody every desirable trait because if you did, you’d be perfect.
Stop encouraging people to blow up marriages over trivial things. All it does is create more broken families and traumatised children.

MustTryHarderAndHarder · Today 09:41

SALaw · Today 09:04

So….settle?

No, find the best person you are happy with. If you can't do that then remain single.

You need to be realistic enough to realises that Mr Perfect does not exist and that you are not Ms Perfect.

If you want to keep waiting for Mr Perfect then you will have a long wait and will probably never find him.

FedUpCelery · Today 10:07

Have you known your colleague long? Many people who are funny use the same one liners over again, which eventually gets boring.

Netcurtainnelly · Today 10:12

Watch Comedy together and have a laugh.

Change some of your photos into Ai funny pictures and show one another.

EmailsaysOOO · Today 10:13

The grass is always greener on the other side

pinkmat · Today 10:14

I agree with posts saying you don’t really know this guy! He (and others you find funny) may have the 10% that’s missing from your current relationship but may not have anything else. So it would be swapping 90% for 10%. Very funny people often do have a darker side, or alternatively can really fail to take anything seriously.

However I also agree with pp that you’re allowed to have a ‘must have’ list and if humour is on that then fair enough. My husband is funny, a nice balance, he’s not a full on comedian but he’s dry and quick witted and makes me laugh everyday. It’s often how we get through the tougher days. I couldn’t do without that personally!

screamtoabloodysigh · Today 10:23

I'm not sure i could cope with a man who wasn't funny. I need someone i can riff with. I grew up with a very dry, quick wit on one side of the family, where uncles and aunts would bounce off each other, and a more absurd, gentle humour on the other. Humour is a normal and integral part of my life.

Liverpool66 · Today 11:02

People talk about avoiding "settling" a lot and it's interesting subject.

I think there's balance here - of course there's nothing wrong with people having a few preferences or or deal breakers. However I've also known people who've reeled off about 12-15 "must haves" in a potential partner, and I always thought "well, good luck with that!". They'll never find these people, and even if they did, unless they've won the lottery in the looks and personality stakes yourself, this flawless person isn't going to be interested anyway. None of us are perfect, it's about recognising this and finding someone you love and who makes you happy regardless - rather than settling for second best.

Re the guy from work, I agree with others that you're seeing one side of him and maybe unfairly comparing your partner against that. If you lived with the guy from work it would likely be a totally different story. Your partner sounds like a really good guy.

AbsintheMakesTheHeartGrowFonder · Today 11:16

MustTryHarderAndHarder · Yesterday 20:10

Yes, it's so easy to find Mr.Perfect isn't it?

That's why so many women are single including my sister and two of my friends. They were looking for Mr. Perfect and now and are now in their '60s and single.

That's why so many women are single including my sister and two of my friends. They were looking for Mr. Perfect and now and are now in their '60s and single.

And they're probably still a damn sight happier than the thousands of women on Mumsnet who 'settled' for someone because they wanted to get married and have kids, and are now miserable as fuck and posting threads about their depressing marriages.

Nobody's saying a partner has to be 'Mr Perfect' but if they're very obviously missing a quality that's extremely important to you, that doesn't make for a great relationship.

Personally, I couldn't in a million years have a successful relationship with someone who didn't share my sense of humour. I'd be miserable. It's one of my dealbreakers. It doesn't have to be everyone's though. I'm sure there are things that would be dealbreakers for others that I could do without.

screamtoabloodysigh · Today 11:28

I didn't even realise it was a deal breaker for me before I read this today. But perhaps I've always kind of emolyed a natural filter 1. Do I find him physically attractive? 2 . Are we making each other laugh? If no to 1 and 2, it's not gong to get any further really.

FruitFlyPie · Today 13:47

SALaw · Today 05:29

Is it hard?! You sit at the table and tell wee stories from your day and have a laugh surely? You watch tv together and make asides about things? You go places, be it holidays, parents evenings, dog walks and there is stuff to talk about. I’m not meaning laugh a minute or whatever but life throws up so many things you can have a laugh about if you have a partner that you can do that with.

Well yeah we talk and have a laugh together, same as OP says she does with her DP. But it's rare we sit around cracking up so much you have tears in your eyes, like you would on a night out with a big group of friends, or at the staff xmas party with a hilarious drunk colleague. It's just a different dynamic and that's OK.

DebbieSavage · Today 14:02

A man who isn't funny is like a man who is less than 6ft, I don't care how 'perfect' you say he is. Why settle for less when there are plenty of better prospects out there?

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