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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I am sick of my friend bitching about her dh!

11 replies

Irishchic · 02/09/2010 20:41

Ok Ok. I know we all do it, bitch to our friends about our dh's (or at least I do Blush but not very often and only if he is being a total prick..

But my friend let's call her Jane, is always giving out about her dh. I know them both very well, and I also know that he is a really good guy, devoted dh and father, thoughtful caring and supportive of her throughout their marriage. I know this because I have seen how he has supported her through many family crises, illness, death of her parents etc and has also helped out her siblings financially and given them practical help like doing bits of DIY around the house for them when needed.

He is also generous to her on birthdays and Christmas, with gifts and treating her to weekends away shopping and spas etc

So really, when I rock up to her house for a cuppa and hear yet another rant about her "selfish" and "thoughtless" dh, it really is bloody hard to listen to. And when we are all out together as couples, when he is talking, she interrupts him, cuts him short, or dismissed what he says and throws her eyes up tp heaven when he talks.

Its not just me who notices this. My dh doesnt know how this guy puts up with Jane and any of my other friends who know them think she is spoiled and needs to get real.

Problem is no one can point this out to her as she is a little bit volatile argumentative and would probably take it really badly if she was criticised in this way.

But am finding it harder and harder to spend time with her when she cannot appreciate what she has, especially when I know so many other women who have real problems in their marriages, she doesnt know how damn lucky she is! Angry

OP posts:
Mammie81 · 02/09/2010 20:47

I have a friend like this. Shes forever complaining he does nothing round the house and yet when he does, she complains its not to her standards.

I just dont talk about my DP to her, in the hope it doesnt set her off. And if she does start, I talk about cake or something else distracting Wink

Irishchic · 02/09/2010 21:55

I must try that tactic Mammie, am getting so fed up with her, otherwise am going to end up shaking her and saying FGS shut up and be happy!

OP posts:
Sazisi · 02/09/2010 22:00

My mum does this to/about my dad (who is a very sweet long-suffering man), I have taken to just cutting her off and talking over her as soon as she starts. It pisses her off a bit but at least I don't have to listen to it anymore Wink

Irishchic · 02/09/2010 22:07

Why do people bitch about their lovely spouses?

I would always support any friend who is genuinely having a rough time in their marriage but I feel uncomfortable listening to all this unfair criticism of her dh when in fact he is so good to her.

OP posts:
poshwellies · 02/09/2010 22:10

No-one knows what goes on behind closed doors.

But I'd be tempted to tell her to shut the hell up Blush ..or...

You could suggest she takes up a hobby such as Yoga,it's quite relaxing y'know?!

atswimtwolengths · 02/09/2010 22:23

You might want to remind her that if he got fed up with her, there would be a queue of women wanting to go out with him.

Irishchic · 02/09/2010 22:58

AtSwim have often thought of saying that but would be afraid that she would go off on one!!

OP posts:
Givenchy · 03/09/2010 11:54

To be fair to her, he might be completely different when others are not around.

ABitTipsy · 03/09/2010 11:59

He might look as if he is lovely, but you don't really know what goes on behind closed doors. There may be some less obvious ways in which he does not treat her as she would like which she hasn't told you about.

mummytime · 03/09/2010 12:16

Some women do just seem to bitch. I just try not to listen, and they aren't my "friends" anyway, just acquaintances.
Sometimes they may have real complaints, sometimes I take their DH's point of view (for instance I totally understood why her DH was cross that she wasn't wearing her wedding ring, so they got stolen in a burglary), but I try not to comment. Its not my place to.

Now if someone told me her DH hit her, or wouldn't let her go out without telling him where she was going first, then I would be Shock

cestlavielife · 03/09/2010 12:30

my exP looked devoted too - i can assure you that behind clsoed doors he was not. you dont know what really goes on when it is just the two of them...

however - you could just say "have you thought about going to Relate" then change the subject....

and if she interrupts him in public - then you could say over dinner table "jane i dont think it was fair to interrupt your H, now, janes H, what do you think about xxxxxx"

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