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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

Argh! I am reading him wrong?!

425 replies

outtathefryingpan · 01/03/2014 10:22

Background: out of a long term relationship late last year, for at least the last 3 year that had become unhealthy and was manipulative and a bit controlling. Took a lot for me to realise and get the courage to leave. I'm worried this is now clouding my judgement on other situations so would like your views...

Started sleeping with a friend at beginning of Jan, (known them 2years), make it VERY clear I was not in the right place for a relationship right now and I wanted to spend sometime been single and working out who I was and getting my life into some sort of order... nice to get some positive attention though and I enjoy his company. Thought it would work okay as he's a single parent will full custody so has other things in his life to keep him busy. I have not committed to see him on any frequency, he knows this and agrees with it. I agreed I wouldn't date other people (Not a problem, I don't want to ATM!)

Last few weeks I feel likes he's constantly picking up on my behaviour regarding how quickly I reply to his text messages. I think he constantly mentions it if I don't reply immediately to his text he says he doesn't . I think he has a problem if I see my friends and not him (He doesn't say this directly but negatively comments on it). I called him on this and he's went off on one... its all me apparently. So either way I probably need to let this go, but for my own sanity, do you think I was out of order / wrong about him?

He says its rude and ignorant of me to not reply quickly and in detail. These are from yesterday...
"Some things not right, you haven't reply to my messages, do you think this is worth it" (I had been replying at 15 minute intervals?)
"Did my messages come through?" (He had sent 5 messages, I had last messaged less then an hour previously. I was at work) 10 minutes later
"My messages obviously aren't coming though" (He knows I cant reply at work!)
He'll send v long messages, and lots of them back to back, if I don't reply within 10 mins I get "nevermind" When I do reply I have to mention every point in his previous x messages...

Regarding this weekend, I am seeing a friend tomorrow. I'm not well (just a cold) so wanted to stop in last night, I went to bed at 9. I could have seen him today but haven't arranged anything as I feel hes been negatively mentioning me seeing my friend tomorrow. These are just a sample from yesterdays messages as he feels hard done by that I made plans for one day:
"Already your too busy off with other peeps again"
"...clearly you prefer to do something else instead" (rather then see him)
"You just seem to make yourself busy with others"
"We both know you'd rather be doing other things"

This is a small sample. He never makes plans to see me. I always have to suggest meeting. I always go to his.

OP posts:
outtathefryingpan · 04/03/2014 13:17

If I go I'll put a recorder on my phone so will have a record of what he said.
I really think I should just see him and have it out with him and finish it for good.

Is this really a bad idea?

I'm pissed at myself for replying today. All I said was "why would you do that" and "if it makes you happy go ahead"
I don't know what to do. Let's assume for now I'm not going to report ( You may change my mind)... What else can I do?
I'm shocked people really behave like this.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 04/03/2014 13:19

You've engaged with him now so as far as he is concerned his threat has worked.

Seeing him would indeed be an awful idea.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 04/03/2014 13:22

Do you know what normal guys who you've been sleeping with for one month say when you dump them? They say: 'Ok, fine, or 'sorry you feel like that' or, 'its been fun', etc, see you around.'

This guy is so far from normal it IS frightening.

Why on earth do you think you need to see him? You owe this prick nothing.

headoverheels · 04/03/2014 13:22

Please don't go and see him OP. I'm genuinely concerned for your safety if you do. He sounds completely unhinged.

outtathefryingpan · 04/03/2014 13:23

I'm annoyed with myself for engaging. I knew he was pushing buttons but also didn't think It was an empty threat.

I'm at work now but will read all replys properly later and figure out what to do.
ffs.

OP posts:
pictish · 04/03/2014 13:23

Yes...it is a really bad idea. Now he knows exactly how to manipulate you, because you responded to his threats.

Next it will be "give me another chance or I'll tell your ex what has been going on" - what will you say to that?

I do NOT recommend going to see him - he is not a right thinking person and you would be putting yourself in a very risky situation.
He is not going to be told that it is over in person any more than he has in text.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 04/03/2014 13:23

What everybody else says. Don't go. Keep ignoring. Keep a record of his texts if you think you need to for proof of harassment.

Call 101 for advice.

myroomisatip · 04/03/2014 13:23

Please do not go and meet him!

Remember this: " Then apparently if I don't agree next time he sees me he's going to pin me down and rip my clothes off anyway.... lol "?

You will be putting yourself in a very difficult situation. Please inform the police.

gamerchick · 04/03/2014 13:23

christ don't go and see him.. never give in to blackmail.

please. just pick the phone up and ask the police to have a word.. or pop into the station.

Do NOT go and see him... seriously.

meiisme · 04/03/2014 13:25

I'm shocked people really behave like this. But haven't you seen this kind of emotionally abusive behaviour with your X? People do behave like this: abusive people.

You have finished it for good. He's just not listening. What do you think you will be able to say or do that will change his mind? Have one last round of sex? Keep 'humouring' him by replying to his pestering messages? He's not hearing you, because he doesn't care about you.

It's your job to protect yourself. Get the police involved. They will much more effective at stopping him escalating even worse than you, because he will care about what happens to himself.

LurcioLovesFrankie · 04/03/2014 13:29

Another voice to add to the chorus of "police, right now". Threats of rape and blackmail are very very serious, he is clearly totally unhinged and you should not be trying to deal with this yourself.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 04/03/2014 13:31

Call 101, you don't have to say: "I want to report this man for this crime," you can just say, "I need advice," and tell them what he is doing.

tumbletumble · 04/03/2014 13:31

Could you talk to your ex OP? Do you have a sufficiently amicable relationship at the moment?

Show him the texts. Tell him the threat is absolutely not true and you've only been seeing this guy since after you split with your ex. Tell him this guy is scaring you.

By doing this you take away his power to blackmail you.

gamerchick · 04/03/2014 13:33

do you have his threat to tell your ex? If you have it there to prove then just carry on ignoring.

Please don't go and see him.. you're giving him exactly what he wants. TIme to report.. usually all it takes is a strong word from a couple of police and they bugger off.

LoisPuddingLane · 04/03/2014 13:33

I really think I should just see him and have it out with him and finish it for good. Is this really a bad idea?

I'm sorry, but have you not read the hundred or so responses saying do not engage with him, do you see him, and report to the police? Why are you even CONSIDERING seeing him? It is a really, really fucking bad idea.

teaandthorazine · 04/03/2014 13:33

Please DO NOT go and see this man.

He has a history of violence towards women, he has threatened violence towards you and is now trying to blackmail you.

He has the potential to be seriously dangerous and you are putting yourself at significant risk if you go and see him.

LoisPuddingLane · 04/03/2014 13:34

do not see him, that should say. My fingers ran away with me.

MooncupGoddess · 04/03/2014 13:37

Going to see him will just make the situation worse and more prolonged. And it is potentially very dangerous for you.

Do speak to the police about it. Really.

bibliomania · 04/03/2014 13:38

Are you insane? Read this as if someone else was writing it. DO NOT GO.

LoisPuddingLane · 04/03/2014 13:42

I've just counted, and 27 people have suggested you contact the police, yet you say rather oddly "Let's assume for now I'm not going to report (You may change my mind)". If 27 people saying contact the police isn't enough to change your mind, I really don't know what is.

outtathefryingpan · 04/03/2014 13:44

Okay I got it. Do not see him.
I won't. I realise no good can come of that. Was just stressing.
Yes. I will talk to my ex. He knows him and doesn't think highly of him so that kinda helps. Won't see him till tomorrow tho so hope I get in there first.

OP posts:
JohnFarleysRuskin · 04/03/2014 13:47

I wouldn't bother about the ex. If he tells him, so what? Just say, its not true. He's a fuck-head.

This is all just more ammunition for him. If this fails this, he might try something else.

Do you get how fucked up he is? If someone threatens to rape you and blackmail you, you don't rush round to try and reason with them.

LoisPuddingLane · 04/03/2014 13:48

And it really isn't for us to try to change your mind. It is for you to realise how not normal this situation is, and how borderline criminal this man's behaviour is. He's escalated from a sulky possessiveness, to trying to control how the relationship ends, to threatening "lighthearted" rape, to blackmail.

You don't have to put up with this. It is not by any stretch of the imagination normal. I'm not going to spend any more time or energy trying to convince you that this is a police matter. But if you don't report it, it's going to get much worse.

Only1scoop · 04/03/2014 13:49

I wouldn't 'get to the ex' before him.

You don't have to justify anything.

For goodness sake just report him or ignore him and don't dance to his tunes.

outtathefryingpan · 04/03/2014 13:50

I will ring 101 tonight with a view to getting advice and getting it logged. At least they will have a record of it incase it gets worse.
Thank you for your persistency. It's hard not to think I'm over reacting and wasting people's time.

But I would be an idiot to go there knowing what I do. I can see that.
Can i just say, what a twat.

OP posts: