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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:
Sunna · 01/12/2014 11:49

Run while you can.

FollowTheStarship · 01/12/2014 11:50

It does annoy me because otherwise I think it has got potential for being a great relationship

Of course it looks that way, otherwise you wouldn't be with him at all. Needy, controlling types have to have a nice side to reel you in. And of course, even nice people can have a bad patch or a row or a bad mood, but the clues are in the subtle ways he is trying to control you and make you feel bad and trying to force you into a position where you have to keep trying to please him. That is what will make your life hell if you let him any closer.

AnyFucker · 01/12/2014 11:51

There's always one < shrug >

FollowTheStarship · 01/12/2014 11:53

Venusandmars, I think it's actually not necessarily true that it is deliberate or conscious with people like this. They are egotistical and needy and they do what they do because it works for them (with a certain type of victim, who they seek out). I don't think this bloke has sat down with a plan to start small and escalate the abuse (though sadly, with the PUA movement, there may be some around who do actually do that too). It's just how he functions in a relationship, and women need to know how to spot the signs of it.

ChippingInAutumnLover · 01/12/2014 11:53

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said, many times.

Let me sum it up bluntly. If you want to be abused and controlled by someone and if you want your dd to grow up thinking that's ok, they stay with this guy, if not, get out now.

I hope you have the sense to choose to get out now.

Hairtodaygonetomorrow · 01/12/2014 11:54

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

No amount of reading Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus can make this a normal rational requirement in a relationship- not only that you have to walk side by side in case anyone thinks you have rowed, but that he has told you before and you now have to remember. He sounds like he is training a dog, not being a loving partner.

I don't know whether he is going to be abusive, but I do know he is not nice. Why would you want to shack up with a not nice person who makes you walk in a certain way or he gets cross?

MyFirstName · 01/12/2014 11:56

^^^

What they all said.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/12/2014 11:56

"TBH I have had lots of shitty relationships, starting with the relationship with my parents so I think I do have quite skewed ideas about what a normal healthy relationship is"

Indeed you do and this is precisely why you are with someone like this manchild now. Your relationship bar is too low and that is what is also attractive to such men (btw did you meet this chancer online). That particular rot started years ago and you need now to unlearn all that crap you learnt along the way. He can like many abusers do nice (well just nice enough to keep you invested) and nasty very well but its a continuous cycle.

You can only work on and fix your own self here and binning this man off would be a great start. I would also suggest you enrol onto Womens Aid Freedom Programme as this would also further inform you about the red flags.

MyFirstName · 01/12/2014 11:57

Oh, sorry - apart from Venusandmars....

basgetti · 01/12/2014 11:57

Why would anyone choose this particular thread to 'go against the grain'? He is clearly a manipulative shit and the OP has a 3 year old child to think about. I don't get it.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/12/2014 12:01

"But every now again he behaves like he does in my opening thread. It usually catches me unawares, like one minute we seem to be having a great time, are relaxed together etc and the next minute he latches onto something that I have done that has pissed him off. He will often then use that as a potential reason why perhaps we are not meant to be together. I often find this throws me a bit because usually he is quite full on, telling me he loves me, wants to marry me and and that I am 'the one' etc".

Protestations of love in such a context is also a massive red flag as well.

That is precisely the nice/nasty part of the abuse cycle and as I have already mentioned it is a continuous cycle. You will always be treading carefully around this man and you will further lose sight of who you actually are. This man wants an acquiescent quiet dogsbody to look after him. Whatever you do will not be good enough and he will keep moving the goalposts.

TheFriar · 01/12/2014 12:01

venus I'm sorry but saying 'I'm thirsty' and just expecting the other person to get you a drink is unacceptable.
No partner is at the disposition of the other to answer to their 'unexpressed' needs.

Can't you see/ After the 'I'm thirsty' what will be next? 'I'm tired' so the OP should guess what? That he wants a massage, that he wants her to drive instead, that he needs a longer break, that he needs to coffee? And what if she then gets it wrong?

If you want something, ask. It's easy and simple. There is no ambiguity and you don't expect the other person to guess/read your mind or whatever.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/12/2014 12:04

Infact I would go as far to say that you have no real idea at all of what a normal emotionally healthy relationship actually comprises of. Its certainly not with the person who is manipulating you now.

TheFriar · 01/12/2014 12:05

OP when I first started to read the thread, the first thing that came to my mind was 'why didn't you swap over and you drove the rest of the time if your bf was so tired?' I mean it's very dangerous to drive when tired isn't it?

But then I read the rest of your OP and I unfortunately agree with all the other posters, that have put it much better than me. He is doing his best to find little things that do not matter to put you down with.
None of his requests are reasonable. And he is behaving as a self entitles twat.

Sorry :(:(

ToffeeCaramel · 01/12/2014 12:08

The thing about walking in single file in a narrow bit of a walk not being allowed is just bonkers and paranoid and controlling. Sad

AnyFucker · 01/12/2014 12:10

...and following it up with "I have told you this before (and you failed to obey me)..." is a Big Fat Red Flag.

ouryve · 01/12/2014 12:11

So how would you classify the OP's partner's trick of constantly telling her that perhaps they shouldn't be together, when he doesn't get his own way, Venus? Is that down to a difference in communication style, too? To me, it's just downright manipulative and designed to make the OP feel she has to try harder, in order to keep him.

Or is this how you treat people in relationships, Venus?

Whereisegg · 01/12/2014 12:11

It is catching you unawares because although he has Rules, they are fluid.
They will change from day to day, week to week.
Acceptable today, will be suitable for punishment tomorrow.
Eventually you will live your life in virtual silence, creeping round your own home, never eating your favourite foods or wearing your favourite clothes, and still you will be punished.

happybubblebrain · 01/12/2014 12:14

He sounds yuk. I wouldn't put up with it.

You know it's fine to be single don't you.

AnyFucker · 01/12/2014 12:14

read this book, it will open your eyes

also "Living with the Dominator" by Pat Craven

Riverland · 01/12/2014 12:18

I think you posted about this guy before, OP. He freaked out because you borrowed his socks. The ones that were special to him because his sister bought them for him.

LineRunner · 01/12/2014 12:21

Oh, is this Sock Boy?

Riverland · 01/12/2014 12:27

Well this description of extreme emotional yo yoing combined with desperate controlling pettiness is precisely the same as what was said about sock boy. Yes.

But every now again he behaves like he does in my opening thread. It usually catches me unawares, like one minute we seem to be having a great time, are relaxed together etc and the next minute he latches onto something that I have done that has pissed him off. He will often then use that as a potential reason why perhaps we are not meant to be together. I often find this throws me a bit because usually he is quite full on, telling me he loves me, wants to marry me and and that I am 'the one' etc.

Bumpsadaisie · 01/12/2014 12:29

He sounds like he wants a mother not a girlfriend. He also sounds like has difficult mentalising and really accepting you are a separate and different person from him.

He is like a little child really - he expects you not only to meet all his needs but also to anticipate them, like a mother with a small child. He then has a small child's rage when things don't pan out like that.

He also sounds very dependent. The walking side by side thing sounds bonkers, frankly. He sounds like he is very cross with you and wants to keep you skipping around his needs and make you question what you are doing constantly, even when just walking along. The effect of his "grumps" is to make you constantly thinking about him and his needs. He is like a small child, who needs the entire world to revolve around him and gets upset at any sign that actually it doesnt.

Does he resent the fact you have a DD, do you think? Is he trying to compete with her?

All in all, what you need in a relationship is for the other person to be a fully formed adult. You also need someone who can accept that they are the adult and that small children usually come first, that their needs have to go on the back burner a bit.

This guy sounds very problematic on that basis.

MonstrousRatbag · 01/12/2014 12:29

It's a Chuck him! from me as well I'm afraid.