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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

Red flags I should have heeded - share yours for womenkind

999 replies

ParsleyTheLioness · 16/04/2012 21:13

There were various red flags that meant I should have headed for the hills, but I was vulnerable at the time, and he only upped the ante several years and a child down the line. I will share mine, in the hope that someone may take it on board, and hopefully others will share theirs too.
In no particular order: very early on in our relationship, he would throw a strop for no reason that I could discern, and looking back, still didn't know what had triggered it. I just knew I felt bad afterwards.
He was always unaware of personal space, and would frequently invade mine. Eg in the car, he would suddenly lurch accross me to access the glove box, without any warning. His car, his space.
Subtle undermining tactics. I am very particular about the perfume I wear. Anything else is a bit of waste of money really. He knew this, but would always try to 'convert' me to another one.
There were many others, and things got worse, with lots of EA, some dv, but I am just thinking of the things that had my Twat Detector been working, would have encouraged me to get out before I had emotionally invested. Please feel free to add. I'm sure I shall think of lots of other things later.

OP posts:
BuntCadger · 15/09/2012 12:46

Yes yes the money thing too. All about how much it costs and designer this and that

ParsleyTheLioness · 15/09/2012 13:28

See, the money thing is interesting. STBXH was very mean, and I had a previous relationship, where he was not abusive but withholding/unobtainable, and he was really mean too. It's like, if they are not prepared to share/be reasonable with their resources, eg money, they will not share themselves either.

OP posts:
susiedaisy · 15/09/2012 14:15

Ive probably already said this up thread but my exH was mean and stingy with his stuff but seemed to think everyone should share their things with him, especially food drink and money he would goes as far as hiding his but raiding everyone's else's the times he ate the kids chocolate even when he had his own ie Easter eggs and would go through my purse and empty it but hide his wallet!! Weird just bloody weird!!

FrothyDragon · 15/09/2012 14:41

:( Some of these are heartbreaking.

For me:

-Sexually assaulting me in a crowded pub on our first date.
-Declaring his love for me on our second date
-Cutting me off from friends of mine, and guilt tripping me into deleting an ex's number (he was also a close friend)
-Warning me he may become a moody fuck in the next few months, as he was going through a messy divorce
-Slapping his two year old round the face in a crowded supermarket
-Regular bouts of silent treatment
-Threatening me with a knife for daring to say I wasn't sure if I liked one of his friends.
-Threatening to kill me for laughing at someone mocking him
-Dividing my own wages into half, then taking half of "my share" again, after I'd paid the bills from that half
-Selling countless things I owned so he could go drinking
-Pinning me to the ground ("only playing", apparently) and refusing to get off after I struggled, asked him to get off and almost began crying. Only way I could get him off was slapping him.
-Him claiming that his ex-wife had lied about being abused to get re-homed through a refuge.
-Admitting he'd hit one former girlfriend, but apparently "It was only in self defence"...

This all happened before he ever physically assaulted me - around four months into our relationship.

FrothyDragon · 15/09/2012 14:51

Remembered a few more.

-For the entireity of our relationship, he refused to call me by my name. I was "Beavis", with the implication that I was "stupid"
-Then there was the sulking when I'd not known he was meeting me from uni, so I walked home a different way
-He also used to mock the way I walk
-If I dared step out in a short skirt "You look like a whore"
-Kicking up a fuss if I dared choose to socialise with friends without him. Ever.

deleted203 · 15/09/2012 15:06

Sorry FrothyDragon.....not meaning to criticise but he sexually assaulted you on your first date...and you went out with him again???

MargaretOlsen · 15/09/2012 15:11

We had a great relationship for 4 years, and fantastic sex life. Then I started having problems with pain in sex (eventually discovered due to endo). He

  • got very upset if I didn't want sex due to pain, said he felt rejected and unwanted
  • got even more upset if I wouldnt give a bj instead (long story). didn't I understand how hurtful it was to him that his own girlfriend didnt want to give him a bj?
  • I tried to gently explain that, I know he didn't mean to put pressure on me, but him getting so upset made me feel guilty... He went nuts, said I made him feel like a rapist, cried for ages, I had to spend hours apologising
  • eventually I decided it was easier just to have sex, even if it hurt
  • then he started saying that all his mates' girlfriends gave bjs immediately before sex, and why wouldn't I do that everytime? (I couldn't explain that this made the sex rubbish for me, and even more painful, cos that would have upset him...)
  • one evening I was not v well, but knew I couldn't bear an argument about sex, so I gave him a bj. Then he demanded sex anyway (no foreplay for me). Didn't have energy to argue. Halfway through, he asks 'why don't you enjoy it like other girls do?'. I felt so inadequate, I started crying. He carries on... And can't work out why I'm upset in the morning. When I eventually explain, repeat of the argument above.

This was a intelligent, charming guy, would describe himself as a feminist, and a sensitive 'new man'. We broke up not longer after that. I've just discovered he was cheating on me for a year. Begun shortly before he borrowed 5 grand off me - none of which he has paid back. I feel like a complete and utter idiot. Not sure how I will ever trust anyone again.

janelikesjam · 15/09/2012 15:14

Just on the sex thing. A certain way of doing things, Blush makes me not want to go into details. Lets just say, it was odd.

FrothyDragon · 15/09/2012 15:19

SoWornOut, I can't respond to that without beginning to victim blame myself.

IloveJudgeJudy · 15/09/2012 17:49

Juggling I've just read the whole thread. I want to say that I am a child of your husband. My father used to make very outing horrible. Trips in the car were mostly not good, or the time before we actually got out was horrible.

DM is still with him, unfortunately. She won't leave him now. He's not well so she is really his carer. He's still not nice and abusive to her.

So, what I wanted to say, Juggling, is, please leave now. Don't let it be near the end of your life and you're still in the same position. My siblings and I don't really have any communication with my father now. I just about manage a greeting when I go to their house. It has impacted a bit on DM's and my relationship (and her relationship with the other siblings, too) as she insisted on his being invited everywhere with her for a long time. She goes places on her own now, as he can't get around very well. Please don't end up like my DM, and also don't let your DC have to cope with this any longer.

Tamoo · 15/09/2012 18:14

My list comes courtesy of ex, father of ds:

Older than me, made/makes a habit of dating naive/ignorant girls quite a bit younger than him.

Really really lovely for a couple of weeks, then the first time he got drunk in my presence he spent about an hour in my front room telling me what a stuck up c* I was (I sat and listened politely Sad).

Used to bitch about his ex (mother of his older kids) constantly, inc in front of them.

Ironically, used to drop casual hints that he might have been having sex with this ex when he visited their kids early in our relationship.

I gave him a key to my flat. He always, always rang the doorbell. It drove me mad that he wouldn't just let himself in, but I always had to get up and go to the door. He thought it was funny.

Completely blanked my friends. Literally, they'd say "hi" and he'd walk off in the other direction. He'd also refuse to come in if they were in the house.

Had a one night stand, told me about it, and made a point of telling me that he and the woman he slept with had spent at least part of the night laughing together about how ugly I am.

If a man accidentally made eye contact with him he'd stare him down aggressively.

I won an award once, he talked me out of going in person to the prizegiving party because everyone there would be stuck up c*s (additional subtext: I might sleep with one of them.)

Gave me advice on moving house depending on which areas had the smallest proportion of single professional men (subtext: didn't want me moving to anywhere where I might sleep with someone).

Verbally and emotionally abused me using terms from mental health conditions, learning disabilities and personality disorders.

Is unfiltered in the extreme, vulgar as heck, and really inappropriate. He calls it "being real" and despises anyone who isn't (= me), we can all just fuck off.

Would start highly inappropriate conversations with strangers in shops and restaurants, knowing it made me uncomfortable and embarrassed (and then telling me there was something wrong with me mentally for feeling that way).

When I was on the phone to someone he would come right up to me and start a suddenly imperative conversation without any regard for the fact I was busy/couldn't talk.

Inspected and criticised my washing up.

Criticised and mocked my driving.

Borrowed my car and drove it well over the speed limit, recklessly, on very dangerous roads. Is a wildly aggressive driver but also road ragey towards others Hmm

If he got angry with me in public he would powerwalk away up the road ahead of me, leaving me trailing meekly in his wake.

Alternatively, he would shout and verbally abuse me until I cried, then as soon as he saw tears he'd soften his tone. NEVER apologised for anything he said or did.

Accused me (in a rage) of fancying/flirting with his friend because I used the word 'vagina' in his company. This was after several years of 'jokey' accusations and interrogations that I fancied/was flirting with said friend.

'Jokey' accusations of "being in love with" random men I happened to glance at in the street, or hold doors open for in shops etc, inc in front of his family members, cue much laughing all round.

Would started humorous conversations with his family about my weight if I put some on. "We're not being nasty." Er, yes you are.

I got an infection after having a coil inserted, I was in agony (womb contracting) and had to go to A&E in the middle of the night. He was making jokes about the doctor thinking I had a "stinky c*."

A song came on the radio one time that I liked. He sneeringly asked me if I liked it because it had a couple of "big words" in it.

Stopped talking to me when I fell pg even though we lived in the same house (mine). We split up, he stayed in the house.

Alternately disinterested/viciously nasty to me all the way through pg. I can't even type some of the things he said they were too awful.

For three years post-baby I was never apart from DS at all and literally never went anywhere without him. When I asked ex to start having him one evening once a week he accused me of "not loving my son".

Every treat or day out I organised for DS was ultimately for my benefit, somehow, because I'm a "selfish c*."

Has spent ten years calling me a c*.

Talks to me like a dog in public. Literally, in the sharp, angry voice you'd use if your dog was about to roll in fox shit.

Doesn't think women with children should date because every second guy is obviously a paedophile, x1,000,000 in my case. Stops talking to me if he knows (or thinks) I'm dating.

Phones incessantly. If I don't answer he has been known to ring up to 40 times in the space of an hour. On occasion we've had a conversation and I've pocketed my mobile without switching it off, then taken it out again a while later to find he is still on the other end of the line, listening to what I'm up to (ie trying to find out if I'm with a man).

I've spent ten years trying to coparent with this guy. Have managed to distance myself as much as I can while still remaining civilised which of course is the right thing to do (??) and what the child wants. But he gets at me through ds now. His latest thing is, when collecting him for contact, he'll start off by asking him, "What's wrong? What's the matter? What's happened?" as if every time he picks him up he's rescuing DS from some kind of terrible situation at home.

He also does this thing, I wonder if anyone else's exes do it: when he wants to cross a road he just walks out into traffic. He doesn't dart across dodging cars, even; he just saunters out and fuck everyone else, they can wait. He glares at any driver who gives him a look and if someone has the temerity to beep he'll just stand there glaring at them in the middle of the road in front of their car so they can't move at all.

deleted203 · 16/09/2012 01:01

Jeez, Tamoo! Let's hope the c**t gets hit by a car Wink. All it will take is someone glancing in their mirror, not paying attention, etc to flatten him. What an asshole. I appreciate you want to be civil, but I wouldn't bother I'm afraid. He is still trying to control you, it seems. I would arrange for him to collect DS from a different location (prob social services!) and change my phone number. Phoning 40 times in a hour is harassment and intimidation. And what kind of crap is he feeding your DS?

dawntigga · 16/09/2012 08:33

cashmere surely that should be Jerkle and Hyde?

And most of this describes my parents as well - no wonder it took years to stop the cycle!

HasAnAbsolutePeachOfAManAndWillNeverReturnToWankbadgersTiggaxx

maxijazz · 23/09/2012 18:01

Nothing ever his fault. Ever

Priding himself in being able to win pretty much any argument he has, with anyone. Sometimes picking an opposing view even if it's not what he believes just to practise winning arguments

Subtle EA, grinding me down til I had no confidence in my own feelings and views. I was always wrong, especially about anything I challenged him on.

Treating me like shit but treating his, and my, female friends with utmost respect, kindness etc. They all loved him making me, again, feel like what I felt was wrong.

Telling me supports me painting and trying to sell a few just as long as I understand he'd never want to put any up in our house.

Borrowing money off me and my parents (thousands) then trying to charge me for using his car. WTF?!

Many many more I'd like to forget. Now with wonderful wonderful man!!

maxijazz · 23/09/2012 18:14

Actually the biggest red flag was the shocking way he treated his parents. Disrespectful, outright rude, with a massive sense of entitlement. They fed his behaviour though.

One small example, his mothers 50th birthday, he hadn't got her a present so he stopped at tesco on the way there and bought her a water filter for the fridge. He did not wrap it, just gave it to her in the tesco bag and said "this is all maxijazz managed to get you" que MILs total gushing over reaction "what a wonderful son you are, I know how busy you are with being so important in your job, it's kind of you to remind maxijazz to get me anything at all, I love it, it's the best present I've got today..." etc etc. It was a fucking water filter, and I had been reminding him to get her something nice for weeks. I was not going to do it and let him take the credit, so instead I got the blame!!

javotte · 23/09/2012 18:19

Oh, yes, the presents!
I never met his family but I remember him telling me that his family were "selfish" and "entitled" because his sister had complained he hadn't got anyone a present for Christmas. It was the supermarket's fault though, he went there at 7:30PM on Christmas eve to get presents and they were closed!

javotte · 23/09/2012 18:23

He never got me anything either. He explained to me very early in our "relationship" that girls who expected flowers, presents or cards were whores.

(bangs head on table - how could I be so stupid???)

Viking1 · 23/09/2012 18:32

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

issimma · 23/09/2012 18:34

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DeckSwabber · 23/09/2012 21:23

irresponsible attitude to money.

My ex didn't open his bank statements. He also refused to discuss finances
or household budgets in any way.

crackcrackcrak · 23/09/2012 21:48

Yy to nothing being his fault. In 5 years there were about 3 sorrys ever.

I got lots of presents but they were I. His terms. Flowers and choc yes and I'm not ungrateful but he found it v difficult to go out of his way to find me a more personal gift. The flowers etc were a part of the ea - as in you have to tolerate my shite behaviour because look I buy you flowers and lots of women would be v grateful etc etc.

Financially controlling in a v subtle way to the point where I was scared to spend any money even though we had a lot. It was more like passive aggressive financial control. I could just get away with spending on dd but money in myself was a v tricky subject. He of course could spend £200 on a night out - which we had and I don't begrudge him but it wasn't the same for me Sad

MulliganandOHare · 23/09/2012 21:59

No doubt these have been said...

Early declaration of love / proposal
Accusing me of looking at other blokes when out, despite me sitting with my back to them Hmm

White lies, that turned out to be whoppers

He would spend money on credit, I however had a budget (and would CONGATULATE me if I kept to it FFS) He would also say how proud he was if I did any cleaning.

Hitting walls

Smoking in my face when I was 12 months pregnant. When I asked him to not do that, complete strop, saying I should get an abortion.

Nice.

Why do we keep on?

MulliganandOHare · 23/09/2012 22:00

Erm, weeks preg...

crackcrackcrak · 23/09/2012 22:00

Also - thought me wearing make up was waste of time but wanted me wearing short skirts at all times. I wouldn't it's just not me. His response to any me making any effort with looks was always 'I want to bend you over in that....' never 'wow you look fab' or any kind of normal comment.

issimma · 23/09/2012 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.