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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

Fiancé really upset me again, suddenly turning on me

103 replies

MaiThai · 15/08/2014 03:05

Yesterday we'd had a great day, we 're on hols and had been to visit an island by boat, swam in the sea, snorkelled, kayaked and finished with a lovely Indian meal last night. All day we'd been holding hands, kissing, cuddling, complimenting each other and just been very romantic with the odd insinuation that we would go back to hotel early in order to spend 'time alone'. On the way back to hotel he'd had a few drinks and started trying to force conversation on a young couple who blatantly just wanted to not talk. Asking how long they'd been here, what trips they'd done, where you from etc etc ... Funny thing about it was that he'd done the exact same thing (with the same questions!!) to the same couple the night before. The woman said quite frustrated "you saw us in the same bus yesterday". He wasn't having any of it, continued to force conversation on them so I let him get on with it whilst I sat quiet enjoying the view. This poor couple happened to be staying at same hotel so when we got out dp walked off declaring "that couple are fucking weird, they just sit there not wanting to talk!". I had a feeling they were walking right behind us so I asked him to keep it quiet until we got back to our room. Once inside I laughed along about it, said how funny it was that the woman said he'd seen them the night before and he laughed along with me. Then ... He started saying "oh well, I couldn't be like you ... " oooo I'm too clever for this conversation so I'll just sit back and judge everyone!" I was a bit bemused, still trying to keep it light hearted I asked "how is that me? I'm not like that" so he continued "ooo I couldn't possibly speak to anyone as I'm too nervous!" That one stung a bit as he knows I'm recovering from social anxiety so seeing the direction of the conversation I said "ok come on, let's not get personal. Give us a hug?" With a smile. He pulled back, said "fuck off, you've been ripping the piss out of me all night, if you want a bloke that just sits quiet and doesn't talk like you then maybe you should go and find someone else. You've ruined my night and I feel shit now because of you".

Firstly I wasn't ripping the piss and never do, id spent the night complimenting him on how handsome he looked and what a gentleman he had been on our trip. He on the other hand had taken a photo of my slightly spilt drink and sent it to mutual friends on Facebook. He often rips the piss out of me and I just take it. Yes sometimes I do it to him but only when it's a mutual Micky taking thing. Secondly he often tells me to go and "find someone else" so I'm starting to wonder if he actually wants me to and thirdly I've noticed he has a habit of deciding I've "ruined his day/night" when he decides to start.

I tried a number of times to hug him, talk to him etc but he carried on saying I was out of order and refused to hug me. In the end I went to bed. He then stood at the foot of the bed saying "do you hate me? Do you want to stab me in the head? Was that the worse meal ever? Was it a shit evening?". At one point I was almost reduced to tears thinking about the day we'd had and how it had ended. Why does he do it? He won't apologise, the whole thing will be my fault and he'll continue to "punish me" for it by stonewalling for some time. It's so draining. He doesn't care that I get upset. Nothing I do or say will make him see sense. He wasn't that drunk either, I'd say 3 pints max.

OP posts:
Needasilverlining · 15/08/2014 13:05

I HATE people forcing conversation on me on holiday. If nothing else he sounds like a bore and a twat.

Is he festival man, as he sounds awfully similar? If so, you know what to do, you've been told lots of times. Please, don't waste any more of your one and only life.

Blithereens · 15/08/2014 13:06

Don't marry him. Run.

AndTheBandPlayedOn · 15/08/2014 13:42

Hi MaiThai,
I was in an EA relationship at uni that went on for 3 years and we were engaged for a bit as well. I got the gaslighting, double standards, and lying/cheating dynamic so a little different from your experience. The resulting tears, though, imho, is the same. Absolute frustration. He was breaking my spirit, training me. This was all 30 years ago and I did not have the vocabulary to enunciate my feelings (or MN!); yet a switch flipped. I did not like feeling that way. He/the relationship wasn't worth it.

Even at that young age, I could see that this relationship, if turned into a marriage, would end in divorce. So in the name of skipping the divorce, I chose to not marry him. I broke it off.

I remember him saying he could not bear the thought of me being with anyone else. I told him I just wanted to be alone! I think that shocked him-quite the conversation stopper. Wink

However, I do think about him often: I thank God everyday that I did not marry him. I did go on to meet my dh who is a true straight arrow, kind and generous.

Please skip the divorce, do not marry him in the first place.

There are worse things than being alone, MaiThai. Relationships like this are absolute hell, very much worse than being alone.

wirezip · 15/08/2014 13:59

MaiTai I was in the same position as AndTheBandPlayedOn. He sounds exactly like my ex who spent 2 years breaking me down until I was an emotional wreck. He'd find ways to punish me for perceived transgressions - ignoring me, flirting with other women, calling me late at night when he knew I had to get up early and forcing me to spend hours listening to him analyse me and my behaviour, arguing with me in the same way your fiance does, telling me I was mental.

Please don't marry him. My ex asked me to marry him and I said no. It was the best decision I ever made, definitly dodged a bullet.

AndTheBandPlayedOn · 15/08/2014 14:05

Do you want to stab me in the head?
To me, this is him planting a seed. This is describing a violent, murderous action. Don't be fooled by the you to me direction...it is in his head...he is thinking about this and said it to you. Of course, just guessing, but imho he really felt it in the direction of him to you.

Some may believe this was just an off the cuff type of comment. He was drunk. He was angry. He was tired after a long day in the sun. He was etc.

Please do not dismiss it. This is a full warning that he has sociopath tendencies. If you tolerate this statement, then things will escalate to the next step. You will become desensitized, or numb, or dismissive and that is just a green light go to an abuser.

This would be the flip of the switch moment for me, in your shoes.
It isn't just about your mental/emotional health anymore; your physical health is now on the line because of that one comment, yes.

I am with the pp who said get yourself to the airport and go home, sharpish.
Say a personal emergency has come up. Take care.

anonacfr · 15/08/2014 14:19

I agree with the previous post. The whole standing at the foot of the bed thing sounds scary to me.

Quite menacing.

AndTheBandPlayedOn · 15/08/2014 17:20

It isn't just about your mental/emotional health anymore... from my own post Blush, I certainly was not implying that "just"...minimizing the importance of protecting our emotional/mental health. Without the physical threatening turn to the conversation, MaiThai, you have far and beyond enough reason to detach from this abusive man.

Are you on a Cruise ship? Perhaps if you have some time away from him, you could have a quiet word with security and fly out of the next port of call.

PlantsAndFlowers · 15/08/2014 17:51

LTB

scarletforya · 15/08/2014 18:02

Haven't read the whole thread but it strikes me he tried his hardest to manufacture an argument. So he's up to something, picking on you to draw attention away from what?

He's deliberately sabotaged your romantic night in, why? Is he blaming you so he can storm out and party alone or what?

Viviennemary · 15/08/2014 18:09

He sounds a total pain. If you want to look forward to years of this then carry on with the relationship. I'm sure you don't so I think it's time to call it a day. This sort of behaviour only gets worse as the years go on.

ChasedByBees · 15/08/2014 18:11

Run. Run far and run fast.

This is not a good man OP. How weird to ask you if you want to stab him I'm the head. Why is that thought even in his mind?

Cinnamon73 · 15/08/2014 18:24

Maithai, I agree with Andthebandplayedon.

That comment would flip a switch for me too. One that says there is no future with this man.
And one that switches on my safety mode.
I doubt I would even spend a single night in the same room with him ever again.
Hope you are safe.

Springheeled · 15/08/2014 18:52

Been there, had that holiday. Leave this man. He's a great big drain.

kernowgal · 15/08/2014 21:45

Been there, had that holiday.

Oh yes. It won't get any better OP. He sounds a bit tapped to me. The deliberate sabotage is such a common theme with these men, basically 'you allowed your guard down and relaxed, you stupid woman. How dare you. I'm going to teach you a lesson'.

number99bus · 16/08/2014 00:36

Im guessing your social anxiety will disappear when he does. How dare he make it worse deliberately by snubbing your offer of a hug??

Bin him off Wink

GoldfishCrackers · 16/08/2014 09:27

He's on holiday. You two are engaged and loved up. This is the very best him you are seeing right now. Please don't marry this man. He will get worse, much worse when you are married. I'm really sorry OP. You deserve someone much nicer.

AnyFucker · 16/08/2014 10:31

Where has OP gone

BerylStreep · 16/08/2014 10:34

Did I read earlier in the thread (or was it another) that this poster posts on a regular basis about her fiancé, to be told by everyone to leave him. She doesn't come back to the thread, then starts a new thread a couple of says later, still complaining about him, under another NN?

Apologies OP if I am thinking of someone else, however the advice here is pretty unanimous. He is not a good person to be with, let alone plan to spend the rest of your life with.

Notexactlymarthastewart · 16/08/2014 10:44

If they are on holiday, maybe OPs access to Internet is limited.

Hoping you are ok OP, please let us know.

YoureInMySystemBaby · 16/08/2014 12:10

This sounds just awful - and scary. Very intimidating and uncomfortable... All I have to go on, is what you've said and that's what I'm basing my response on: leave him ASAP.

In 3 years, my partner has not so much as snarled at me. I am not saying we don't have off days or argue/disagree, but he would never behave in this way and have me reduced to tears and feeling scared and intimidated etc.

God, I really feel for you - how awful!!!! Please do not marry him!!

halfwildlingwoman · 16/08/2014 17:17

In the show "Midnight Caller" there was an episode where he ended by saying "If you're scared of sleeping in an empty bed, remember it's not empty if you're in it. There are worse things than being alone."
I was a teenager when I saw that episode and I took it as my advice for life.

Do not marry this man. You are not responsible for his happiness.

RubyGoat · 16/08/2014 17:31

Beryl perhaps the OP has previously posted about her relationship, but not on this name.

Chiana · 16/08/2014 23:36

Perhaps the OP hasn't posted again because she's still processing the advice she's received. It's a lot to take in when you realise the man you were planning to marry is an EA dickhead and you should LTB. Just the logistics can be overwhelming, finding a new place to live and separating possibly joint finances. Not to mention she's on holiday and may have limited internet access. Stay strong, OP. Things will get better for you once you ditch him, I promise. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

On a slightly different note, wow, 98 replies so far and I don't think a single one was urging OP to give him another chance. Unanimity is rare on t'internet!

RedRoom · 17/08/2014 10:39

I'm afraid I'm another voice adding to the Bernard consensus. He sounds like a spoiled brat: if he doesn't get praise, attention and recognition from you and others, his 'night is ruined' and he 'feels shit'. That's just not normal.

His snipe at you being 'too clever for this conversation' so you 'sit back and judge' is spiteful, really spiteful. You are supposed to be marrying this man: do you want a guy that tries to pull you down a peg or two and makes you know your place? Has he got a chip on his shoulder about his education, or something?

The 'fuck off and go and find someone else' is childish. If that is the way that he deals with very minor conflict, then he isn't ready for a partnership like marriage. When you are married, you can't just go and find someone else when you have a row. This flippant attitude towards breaking up is a warning bell. Expect to have this line thrown in your face every time you challenge him on something. (You don't like my social small talk? Fuck off and find someone else. You don't like how irritable I am towards your family? Fuck off if I'm not good enough for you....)

Refusing to hug you / stone walking you: again, contemptible behaviour. Acceptable only in a partner who is a teenager.

Repeatedly telling you that you've ruined his night/ made him feel crap: totally self-indulgent and pathetic. He saw your tears, he just doesn't care enough to stop his own tantrum.

Asking if you want to stab him in the head: this kind of hysterical, stupid, disproportionate aggression is the most worrying thing of all. The fact that he can think and say such aggressive things in a relatively minor disagreement indicates that you are only seeing the tip of his temper.

It must be hard reading all of the replies here, and you may even be telling yourself that we weren't there so perhaps you have over exaggerated things, or have painted him in too harsh a light, but what he has said and done is pretty clear cut. We aren't arguing the toss over his tone of voice or reading between the lines of a text message: we are saying that him telling you to fuck off and find someone else because you've ruined his night yet again and think you are above his level of conversation is not acceptable.

RedRoom · 17/08/2014 10:40

Bernard?! General!