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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

Sockgate - What would you make of this?

128 replies

pinkandpurplebottle · 16/11/2014 19:08

I recently got back together with my boyfriend, whom I had been dating for about 6 months. We split up about a month ago but decided to give it another go last week.

We have just spent the weekend together. Had a lovely day on Saturday, but by the afternoon I was absolutely shattered having had a very busy and stressful week so decided to have a nap. He was very nice, let me rest and cooked me a nice meal in the evening. I had also been a bit tearful, as had a terrible week at work, lots of stress and I think it all came to the surface in the evening.

Anyway, he popped out to the shops to get some stuff for his meal. I got out of bed and realised I didn't bring a spare pair of socks so went into his sock drawer and put on a pair of his. Later on, when we were sat on the sofa, he noticed that I was wearing his socks. He points it out and tells me to take them off and give them back to him. I just sort of laugh it off but it turns out he was serious. He then gets very huffy about it. I said to him that I didn't realise they were meaningful to him and that I didn't take them off because I thought he was joking when he told me he was upset about me wearing them. I told him that if it was the other way around, i.e. him borrowing a pair of my socks at my house I wouldn't be bothered so that is why I didn't see it as a problem (also he wasn't in to ask at the time). He then says that it touched a nerve with him because he has lost several nice items of clothing to girlfriends who have 'borrowed' things in the past like nice jumpers etc who never gave them back. He said that I was being unreasonable because he had made me dinner and had looked after me all afternoon because I was feeling down and I can't reciprocate by listening to his feelings. When we got to bed he was huffing and puffing about it. I told him I was sorry and could we just leave it. He said things like 'This is the reason why it's not working out between us' and 'I've been a fool' (meaning about us getting back together). I was so tired, I just wanted to get to sleep but he kept wanting us 'talk it out', I felt there wasn't really anything to talk about.

This morning started off as being abit awkward. We managed to make up later but, I don't know, it just seems so petty! I also don't like the idea that I'm not allowed to borrow stuff, it made me feel like a thief or I didn't mean anything to him. I also don't like that he would through in stuff about whether we should be together.

What is going on here? Would other people go all funny about a boyfriend/girlfriend borrowing an item of clothing without asking?

OP posts:
Momagain1 · 16/11/2014 20:27

Oh, please, the socks are not important because they were a gift from his sister. Unless she died and that was the last gift from her ever. Or she knit them herself from the wool of the sheep at granny's farm, that his aunty spun and his mum dyed.

Nobody is sentimental over a gift of M&S socks, not even their nicest brand. Socks are the gift people give because you are bound to need some and they are obligated to give you something but don't know and can't be bothered to think of anything specific.

He said it wasn't working out. All you have to do, is agree. Easiest breakup ever.

NoArmaniNoPunani · 16/11/2014 20:28

He sounds awful, get rid

Only1scoop · 16/11/2014 20:30

Sounds like you could be walking on egg shells within another few months

KeemaNaanAndCurryOn · 16/11/2014 20:30

You dumped him for a reason. He's reminding you what those reasons are.

Run, run for the hills.

In your own socks.

NightTimeCometh · 16/11/2014 20:32

Move on - you can do better and he's a weirdo

Romeyroo · 16/11/2014 20:34

Oh, good grief, he sounds crazy-making. Demanding his socks back= controlling. If he doesn't want you in the drawer, a polite, do you mind asking next time would work. But keeping you awake when you are exhausted, so you can talk it out = very controlling. My exH used to do this, alongside never letting me have down time, I always had to pay attention to him. It's not obvious, because as soon as you start too notice, and think WTF?, you are the best thing since sliced bread. But manufacturing arguments at 11pm, that happened so often, then I was unreasonable because he didn't want to go to bed on an argument. Then he would go to sleep, having said what he wanted to say, and I would be so upset that I could not sleep. And the next day like it hadn't happened.

Awful thought, maybe it is my xH. He used to wear one and only one brand of expensive socks. I would not have dared wear them. In seven years, I got a loan of one fleece (not the expensive stuff, note) when I was freezing.

Definitely run. He is messing with your head. Though I may also be projecting a bit, but anyone who is that anal with socks deserves a big wide berth.

Itsfab · 16/11/2014 20:34

He doesn't have foibles. IMO foibles are cute little ways. He is a controlling arse who doesn't care what you think of his actions as he knows he can do what he likes to and with you and you will take it.

"can be a bit weird but maybe that is just him." Hmm

You are in a controlling relationship with someone who doesn't give a shit about you.

Lovingfreedom · 16/11/2014 20:36

I think you should split up...but I also think you should keep out of other people's drawers and ask before helping yourself to their clothes.

Romeyroo · 16/11/2014 20:38

Am retracting my last sentence. I don't think I am projecting, I think I am recognising the kind of shit it starts off with.

SelfLoathing · 16/11/2014 20:39

Things like waking me up unnecessarily and being jealous of me going out without him.

This is a MAJOR red flag and a sign of highly controlling behaviour.

Waking people when they need sleep is seriously controlling stuff.

See comment on this thread
datingasociopath.com/2013/11/22/sociopathic-abuse/

Another one which was done to me by a long-ago ex was sleep deprivation. If I did something he didn’t like he’d wait until bedtime to pick a fight about it. Or, we’d go to bed and he’d start shoving or hitting me for no apparent reason, then tell me what I’d done to anger him and start a fight. Another tactic was placing a fan at the head of the bed, pointing straight at my face, to prevent me from sleeping – or he’d leave the light on and refuse to let me turn it off. He used sleep deprivation both as a punishment and as a way to force me to do something (like have sex).

Twinklestein · 16/11/2014 20:41

So he's jealous of you going out without him, he's possessive over socks, he says sockgate is 'the reason why it's not working out between us' then the next day tells you you're 'the one' and plans Christmas - and you're not running for the hills?

The whole thing is bonkers.

SelfLoathing · 16/11/2014 20:42

Also: Why did you use the phrasing in your original post "let me rest"? You are an adult with no kids in the home right? Why does he need to "let" you rest? Why did you need his permission for that?

(I'm wondering if there is more that meets the eye to this)

TheRealAmandaClarke · 16/11/2014 20:45

I think he sound quite controlling.
Just guessing but i reckon he was OK with "looking after you" because he held some power in that act of kindness. He was drawing a boundary with the socks as a way if putting you in your place. Its bad manners to make those sorts of references to exes ImHo and I agree with a pp about his grouping you with exes. He want to call the shots and your update made that more obvious, (with the point about him being jealous about you going out).
I think he was trying to make you feel unsettled.
I wouldn't want my sister dating him.

DollStar · 16/11/2014 20:46

Perhaps it was his wank sock??

NeedABumChangeNotANameChange · 16/11/2014 20:47

I think you sound like you were taking the piss. Back together that week and he is having to baby you along whilst you nap in the daytime? He goes out and finds you've rummaged around his room?

TheRealAmandaClarke · 16/11/2014 20:47

Oh, sorry, i missed the waking up bit.
Run.

Iristutu · 16/11/2014 20:51

My god every boyfriend I ever had loved me padding about in their shirt/ boxers/ socks...

Get rid. He has issues.

GlitterySparkleChops · 16/11/2014 21:04

Things like waking me up unnecessarily. Somebody would do this to me once. Just once.

That's weird and creepy. Bin him off and have a great, single Christmas.

outnumberedbymyboys · 16/11/2014 21:05

Definitely cut your losses and get out now! He will make you miserable!

overslept · 16/11/2014 21:06

Before you leave him OP, go to his house and empty his sock drawer into your bag. Leave a note in the drawer that is just a tiny print out of this face Grin .

overslept · 16/11/2014 21:07

don't forget to take the ones from the washing machine/laundry basket as well Wink.

aylesburyduck · 16/11/2014 21:08

Do not, I repeat, do not pay any attention to a word that he said after "I apologise for being a twat".

He is quite correct in his apology. He is a twat.

Please don't waste a second more on this man. He will not change and I will guarantee that he will make you utterly miserable.

TheRealAmandaClarke · 16/11/2014 21:11

overslept Grin

overslept · 16/11/2014 21:12

Or better still a ransom note!!! Make it from news paper cut outs "w3 HAvE yoUr $0cKs.. IF U EvEr VVanT 2 sEE Th3m aGa1n..."

Romeyroo · 16/11/2014 21:53

Selfloathing, that was pretty much my analysis of my experiences after the event. It was done quite deliberately and with intent, which is hard to compute because it doesn't fit with love. He also used to continually ask how much sleep I had had; if I was getting enough to be rested, there would be son argument manufacturered. God, it is making me sick just thinking about it.
Your user name makes me want to send you loads of Thanks.

But to the OP, yes, definitely disappear all the socks before you leave.

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