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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

My boyfriend said I'm not very empathetic to his needs

191 replies

toomanybooksnotenoughspace · 01/12/2014 08:35

Me and my boyfriend went away for the weekend. On the journey back home yesterday (which was an approximately 2 and half hour drive which he did) he complained of being tired and bad back etc. We stopped off at a service station so that he could get 5 minutes kip because he felt he might fall asleep at the wheel if he didn't. I told him I would pop to the loo and did he want a coffee/sandwich etc. I went to the loo first, then went and got him a coffee. The lid was not put on properly and spilled hot coffee all over my hand so popped into the bathroom again to run cold water over it. Anyway when I got to the car he was really annoyed asking why I had taken so long so I explained that there had been a queue at Starbucks and also that I had spilled hot coffee all over my hand so wanted to run cold water over it. He then said that he didn't want it as it been into the ladies bathroom and therefore it was unhygienic. I told him that I had not been to the loo, only to wash my hand and it had only been near the sinks etc. He was going to throw it away but I told him no, I had just bought it for him so he should drink it- which he did. He didn't say thank you for the coffee and only asked if my hand was OK until later on.

Anyway we start our journey again and he complains of a bad back, to which I start rubbing his back and he asks for a massage when we get back. I say yes, I can give you a massage. He then has a go at me for not offering one first saying that he always offers to give me a massage and that he should not have to always ask for one. I tell him I was going to offer anyway but he got there first and he said he didn't believe me. He says this is further evidence of me not being very empathetic to his needs.

He had been in a grump earlier after we had had quite a long walk near where were staying. We had for most of the walk walked together, chatting etc but on the final leg to the car park we had to go up a narrow winding roadside which made it difficult to walk side by side. I ended up walking a bit in front of him and this upset him because it made it look like we might of had a falling out. He had a go at me because he had mentioned this before in previous walks and that I should remember this.

He had been unwell last week with a D & V virus. He said that I was uncaring towards him because I did not offer to come round to look after him, bring him food/medicines etc. I have a 3 yo DD who I look after full time on my own and it would be quite a slog for us to get to his from where we live. Also he described his illness to me and I thought I don't want to run the risk of either of us catching it so didn't offer. But I think I got the tone from him when I spoke to him when he was ill that it would be best for us not to come.

I know this is all quite petty but it is not out of character for my boyfriend of 8 months to be like this. It irks me because I don't like the accusation that I am unempathetic towards him as he often does things repeatedly that get on my nerves which I tell him all the time. He complains if I seemingly don't help him - but doesn't remember all the times I have done nice things for him like offering massages in the past if he's had a bad day, or helping him tidy the kitchen, cooking for him, looking after him after a recent operation etc.

He will often get annoyed if I haven't done something he needs help with. I told him that I am not a psychic and that sometimes he needs to ask, otherwise I won't know. Also usually when he does 'ask' if comes out all angry and hostile which makes me not really want to help. For example I didn't like the feeling of 'having' to give him a massage. I otherwise consider myself to be reasonably helpful in that I will help/offer to help if I can see something needs doing.

Sorry this is so long, its just its weighing on me and also would like some MN views on who is being unreasonable.

OP posts:
HadleyHemingway · 01/12/2014 09:07

We had for most of the walk walked together, chatting etc but on the final leg to the car park we had to go up a narrow winding roadside which made it difficult to walk side by side. I ended up walking a bit in front of him and this upset him because it made it look like we might of had a falling out.

My ex used to do things like this all the time. And would then gaslight me if I brought it up.

The massage thing really resonated as well.

I don't know what's worse; that OP might be with my ex (in which case she's probably having crap sex as well :( ) or that there are more than one of this type of man out there.

How do they end up like that? So depressingly, predictably similar?

NakedFamilyFightClub · 01/12/2014 09:11

You already have one DC, do you really want to stay in a relationship with another who's proved he'll never grow up?

He doesn't sound like he brings any joy to your life and if he's like this at 8 months, he'll only get worse.

FollowTheStarship · 01/12/2014 09:14

Oh OP not only is he needy, pathetic, whining and entitled, but he tries to turn it around and blame you for not being "empathetic". Where as it actually sounds like you bend over backwards to try to please him and think of his needs - it's just not enough.

He wanted you, a mother of a 3yo, to come round and attend to him when he had D&V???!!! He is the very epitome of unempathetic. He didn't care that you might catch it, be unable to look after your child and your child might catch it. More important was making you feel bad for not being a slave to his every whim.

Imagine this relationship goes any further - you move in together or heaven forfend, have a child. He will get 100 times worse because you will be trapped with him and be able to make your life a misery if you don't do exactly what he demands. This is what a controlling twat looks like in the early stages. If you are not having a nice time 8 months in, that's all you need to know.

I mean FFS with the massages. You have a 3yo. If I was in your position massages for my boyfriend would be the last of my concerns.

Get rid get rid get rid! You are in the brilliant position right now of being able to dump him without much upheaval as you're not dependent on him, living with him or tied down to him.

cindydog · 01/12/2014 09:15

Please dont move in or marry this fucker.He will drag you down and make you feel worthless. He will destroy your confidence .He will most likely tell you that you are lucky to have him, that no else would want you. Who the fuck does he think he is?

meanspiritednamechange · 01/12/2014 09:18

"We had for most of the walk walked together, chatting etc but on the final leg to the car park we had to go up a narrow winding roadside which made it difficult to walk side by side. I ended up walking a bit in front of him and this upset him because it made it look like we might of had a falling out."

I had a boyfriend just like this once. He showed no sign of actually liking me at all but I had a very important function in his life of showing the world that he possessed a woman in an approved manner. Very minor deviations from "conventions" (invented by him) of how "girlfriends" behave supposedly "showed him up" (to all the people who, erm, didn't give a fuck) and made him very angry.

What is really chilling and bizarre about this (I see this now) is that he not only felt this way but was happy to own up to it and admit it, as if presenting a request for basic, considerate, pleasant behaviour. In other words he is absolutely confident in these dickish standards and therefore you can't ridicule him or jolly him out of it (as you sometimes can with men who subconsciously hold atavistic attitudes that they would find embarrassing when dragged out into the cold light of the 21st century, and gently, affectionately mocked)

HumblePieMonster · 01/12/2014 09:20

He doesn't sound very pleasant. Could you live without him?

CogitoErgoSometimes · 01/12/2014 09:23

"How do they end up like that? So depressingly, predictably similar?"

They end up like it because the unreasonable tactics work. They are selfish people by nature. They get what they want through these methods and the ends justify the means. Largely this kind of man doesn't have a very good opinion of women generally (despises women, even) so if one rejects the behaviour, he'll just dismiss her as a moody bitch & find someone else to try it out on. If the next woman has low self-esteem or has been brought up to believe that men should be indulged, they might not complain so much and there you go..... happy bully.

Riverland · 01/12/2014 09:24

We had for most of the walk walked together, chatting etc but on the final leg to the car park we had to go up a narrow winding roadside which made it difficult to walk side by side. I ended up walking a bit in front of him and this upset him because it made it look like we might of had a falling out.

This part is off the scale unbalanced. This person has mental health issues, imo.

If Cogito is right and he's too closed minded to be shown the consensus of opinion on here, then I guess that means he's not open to genuine input, and that leaves you with zero options.

TobyLerone · 01/12/2014 09:25

He sounds like a dick and a manipulative bully. Bin him. Tell him why if he asks.

FollowTheStarship · 01/12/2014 09:29

I agree, this kind of man just carries on in this vein until he finds someone who will put up with his crap. A woman who will put up with it may be one who has grown up being belittled or abused and doesn't realise it isn't normal and isn't what you're supposed to get from a relationship (though by saying that I'm not saying anyone is to blame for being abused, just that some are more likely to endure it).

You need to reject him before he gets any more closely involved in your life, it's important.

FantasticButtocks · 01/12/2014 09:32

It sounds as though he gets satisfaction and enjoyment from putting you in the wrong as often as possible. I couldn't put up with this. Doesn't sound much of a man with his constant ailments and whining and needing looking after....

OnlyLovers · 01/12/2014 09:32

Ditch him. You're too good and life's too short.

Whereisegg · 01/12/2014 09:34

I think he needs to be single and you should be empathetic of that.

Longdistance · 01/12/2014 09:37

Ugh, he sounds exhausting to be around.

Definitely ditch him. If you spilt coffee on your hand, he should have been more concerned, not omg, it's been in the ladies toilets Confused

meanspiritednamechange · 01/12/2014 09:42

ha ha ha ha I think Whereisegg is right.

"BF... I have been thinking a lot, following our little chat where you had to tell me I am not empathetic enough. I know you are right and I struggle to see how I can ever be good enough for you. I know you need someone who is completely devoted to you and your needs, and I can never be that person. It is time for me to set you free."

In all seriousness, I live in hope that the time will come when it will be completely impossible for men like this to get a partner because all women know their worth. Sadly I think it quite likely he will get someone else. I wish it were not the case.

Havingabeer · 01/12/2014 09:44

You don't live with him . Not married. No kids together. Get out while it's still easy to. You don't need this stress in your life. Please get out.

ToffeeCaramel · 01/12/2014 09:45

He sounds like a terrible whiney pwecious pwincess.

Get rid.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 01/12/2014 09:46

Are you OK OP? You're getting some quite fierce responses. Are they supporting your thoughts or are you surprised at the strength of feeling?

TheBatteriesHaveRunOut · 01/12/2014 09:47

He doesn't need a girlfriend he needs a nursemaid.

I expect your 3 year old is more mature.

He sounds like a right whiny fucker and ime whiny fuckers never improve, they only up the ante and get whinier and whinier until they can only communicate in entitled squeaks and whistles and nasal tones of mmmmnnnnnggg.

You don't sound happy, it's been 8 months, how do you see the future of this relationship?

lurkingaround · 01/12/2014 09:49

Get rid. He sounds horrible. He's a needy child.

Remember, this should be the bunnies and roses phase, he should still be perfect. Imagine when he knows you for another year or 2? Don't waste any more time.

meanspiritednamechange · 01/12/2014 09:50

OMG. Inspired by this thread I just tried to google the "man" I used to go out with who was like this. He has quite an unusual name but not much comes up, just a few references to him at work ... the chilling thing is that he (if it is he) seems to have an address and phone number in the town where I expected him to live.... living with a woman with the same surname. HAS HE PERSUADED SOME POOR WOMAN TO MARRY HIM?

LegoAdventCalendar · 01/12/2014 09:50

What Attila said. Get rid of this pathetic loser. And set your bar far higher. Please do the Freedom Programme before dating again so you learn to get shot of tossers like this.

It's rather sad that you even have to doubt yourself in any way because this man is so obviously such a twat.

lurkingaround · 01/12/2014 09:56

Your post made me laugh TheBatteries. Great post. It's perfectly descriptive of 'a type' of man.

Flimflammer · 01/12/2014 10:04

I had a crappy ex who told me off for showing him up by taking too many mini sausages at the carvery which he had showed ME up by taking me to, when I had given him the money to book us somewhere nice for dinner. There were quite a lot of things wrong in that relationship but my sausage consumption was definitely not the worst bit.

pictish · 01/12/2014 10:06

Agree with everyone else! Your boyfriend is a needy, selfish, whiney man-brat. He is already emotionally abusing you, and his behaviour will only escalate the longer you stay.
He's deliberately creating scenarios in which you are doomed to failure, so you're always on the wrong foot and lacking. This maintains his position of power over you, and keeps you low.
Why? Because he's a selfish bully.

He's a nightmare. Get rid.

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