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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

Argument over how I speak to him. Could I have some impartial opinions please?

45 replies

karigan · 16/07/2017 15:51

Hi. My DH is currently not speaking to me as part of the fall out from an argument earlier. I genuinely feel he is being unfair but he is so convinced i'm in the wrong that I would really welcome other people's take on it. I'll try and record things as factually as I can to give a balanced view but obviously you're only going to get my pov.

Whilst driving home this morning he asked me if I'd done a couple of things I had said I would do for a company he runs (hobby that turned into a job for him, still a hobby for me) We split the running of the company between three of us; myself, DH and a friend who founded it with us several years ago. The three things that needed doing mostly fell within my remit and so he was completely reasonable in asking me to do it. I had forgotten to do two of the three things- my fault. I am a teacher and it's the final two weeks of term so all the report and assessment tracking software were either due last week or this week coming hence why it slipped my mind. I told him i'd forgotten and told him what progress i'd made with the other bits. He said that I was really annoying him as I kept forgetting things and that if anyone else continually let him down like that (I am pretty forgetful ) he would have replaced them with someone else. I apologised and explained that it'd slipped my mind and that i'd written down a to do list yesterday (when I remembered but when it was too late to do things like 'call the bank' which needs to be done on a weekday) to make sure I didn't forget anything this week coming.
He then went off on sort of a rant at me and I thought that what he was saying was fair (he is incredibly organised and has an excellent memory and I can't think of a single instance of him forgetting to do something he's said said he would) but because he was sort of ranting it was difficult to get a word in edgeways.

This is the bit where it descended into argument. In order to acknowledge he was speaking I was saying things like 'OK' and 'right' at the end of sentences every so often. He then became really irritated and said that I was doing the 'monosyllabic disingenuous thing again' and that when I do that Im not actually engaging in the conversation but am just verbally placating him.because I want the argument to be over. He said it was incredibly insulting to him and that he has told me how much this irritates him (he has) multiple times but that I insist on doing it. (I do continue to do this but it's honestly not deliberate - more of a verbal tic) He says it shows I have basically no respect for him because I don't attempt to change the way I speak or care about what he has to say and am fobbing him off with an equivalent to 'mmm yes dear'

My issue however is that my.other options in conversation are;
To be silent- but he then accuses me of ignoring him or not engaging in the conversation and then gets annoyed.

To actually respond to his points with full sentences (which is obviously the adult/correct decision) HOWEVER! He talks forever to stop talking! I have previously left it and waited for a pause so I can make my point and it took about 5 minutes! If I try and interject into the flow of what is basically a monologue I get accused of rudely interrupting him and failing to let him make his point. I also don't fancy a lifetime of waiting for him to finish speaking for aaaages and never getting my turn to talk.

Does anyone else have a take on it?

OP posts:
Sugarpiehoneyeye · 16/07/2017 16:00

Yes, I do.
Firstly, I understand that he is on the ball, incredibly organised, and very mindful. Therefore he expects you to conform, to his ways.
All well and good, but he isn't you, you also have your own agenda, and he should be equally mindful, and respectful of this.
He is dictating to you, any answer that you give him, will be the wrong one, if you remain silent, you'll be in the wrong, are you hearing me, you can't do any right, because you are wrong, he, and only he, is right !
Can you tell, that I've worn your shoes ?
I still don't have the answer, but I no longer live with a bully !
Best of luck OP, I can't see him changing anytime soon.💐

karigan · 16/07/2017 16:12

Thank you. I'll try expressing it like you initially did and see if it makes a difference.

He can be very hard work to live with. I'm just lately sick of feeling like a pain in the ass at home (you hit the nail on the head sugarpie - I feel like I can never be right) when everyone else in my life seems to enjoy my company.

OP posts:
SeaCabbage · 16/07/2017 16:13

When you are not arguing and things are calm between you, have you asked him what he would prefer you to do?

Because apparently you arent allowed, to be quiet, answer properly, nor answer saying ok etc. I'm not sure what your other options would be Confused.

JamesSpaderMadeMeDoIt · 16/07/2017 16:17

Gosh I'm sure he would forget a few things if he had an entire other job to be switched on for!

He should have listened to you when you said you'd make a list. It sounds like he wanted to reprimand you no matter what, which is a bit childish on his part and doesn't help.

Maybe consider telling him you want to give 100% to the business but as you have a full time job you can only help out in term time?

Flowers
KungFuPandaWorksOut16 · 16/07/2017 16:21

Your his wife first off not some random employee.
He needs to realise not everybody is like him and not to speak too people like they aren't capable.

I'm quite a chilled person but my DH spoke too me like I was a child, because let's face it that's what he did in the car. It wouldn't be going down well.

He is reeling off a list of what you are doing incorrect, have you done the same too him? I've got a feeling Mr Perfect wouldn't like that.

DecoRules · 16/07/2017 16:22

He's a bullying prick, you must be able to see that.

FATEdestiny · 16/07/2017 16:26

I run my own business. If my DH ran the business alongside me then doing that comes with responsibility. This is a business after all. Saying "I forgot" may be acceptable once. If it is persistant that just is not acceptable.

In fact "forgetting" to do stuff at home is equally as unacceptable. If DH and I agree DH will take responsibility for emptying the bins, I expect to never need to think about the bins being emptied. If I was expected to check he had emptied them or remind him I would be posses off. Rightly so.

It strikes me as passive agressive way to get away with not pulling your weight. "Sorry love, I forgot"... repeatedly.

I have previously left it and waited for a pause so I can make my point and it took about 5 minutes! If I try and interject into the flow of what is basically a monologue I get accused of rudely interrupting him

It is basic manners to allow someone time to make their point without interupting. 5 mins is quite reasonable. Then you have the time to make your point. This turn-taking is just basic manners in conversation, isn't it?

karigan · 16/07/2017 16:26

Thanks everyone. Has reassured me that I wasn't wrong in thinking he was being off. I'll talk to him later about how he reacted. X

OP posts:
Funnyblastard · 16/07/2017 16:26

Man here, thought I'd give my say.......sorry op but he sounds like a right di*k. I would never talk to my partner like that nor would I expect her to sit and take it. I do get it can be annoying having asked something of someone and finding it hasn't been done etc but for god sake theres other ways to go about it.

Pagwatch · 16/07/2017 16:27

I'd ask him how he wants you to react because
Monosyllabic responses to register you hear him annoys him
Inserting full sentences annoys him
No answering annoys him

My reaction would be to grab him in a calm moment and ask him how he wants you to respond.
If it turns out that he has no means by which you can discuss this without him being annoyed then he can take his self indulgent pointless ranting and shove it up his arse.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 16/07/2017 16:31

I'm so sorry Karigan, but your thread hit a nerve, rest assured, you are a lovely person, and people do enjoy your company.
I've shed many a tear over your scenario, which is a mirror of what mine was, slowly it will knock your confidence, and grind you down, until you become a shadow, of who you used to be.
You will have to speak up, or relinquish your part in the business, if it restores harmony, and allows you freedom.
Don't tread on egg shells my Lovely, you are worth so much more.💐

ElspethFlashman · 16/07/2017 16:35

I'm conflicted about this. The business is important, and as such you should have a list on the go the whole time. If it's too much for you then you shouldn't be doing it at all, and they need to hire a PA. But things can't really be forgotten especially as you say yourself you can be pretty forgetful and it doesn't sound like the first time. That's kinda not on.

Secondly, going OK...right....Ok..at the end of every sentence that's said to you does sound a bit "Can you please shut up about this?" That would tick me off.

However ranting is horrible and unnecessary. If it is a business then let him talk to you in a professional manner. He may say if you were working for him he'd have sacked you, but you could retort that if he ranted at an employee like that he'd be up in front of a disciplinary committee.

Pagwatch · 16/07/2017 16:38

Elspeth raises a good point.
He can't rant at you in an unprofessional manner about your being unprofessional
That's hypocritical apart from anything else

AlternativeTentacle · 16/07/2017 16:40

How much are you getting paid for this work you do? If it is a decent wage then yes he has a right to be annoyed however he needs to do it in working time not at the weekend.

But he needs to let you respond in your own way when he is ranting. Perhaps if he stopped ranting and behaved like a professional in this situation, he might get a conversation from you so that you can both sort it out.

AngelaKardashian · 16/07/2017 16:43

Still a hobby for you? Do you get paid?

AngelaKardashian · 16/07/2017 16:44

Sorry I hit post too soon.

I'm asking because it sounds as if you are unpaid, in which case he is BtotallyU expecting you to be completely on top of everything for your "hobby" whilst still working full time and in such a busy role.

category12 · 16/07/2017 16:48

I think maybe you could suggest you drop the work you do for the business, as if you're a teacher working fulltime, you don't really have the headspace for working for the business (you say you still view it as a hobby). He was basically saying he'd fire you if you were an employee, so I would take the opportunity to step back out of it, unless the intention is that you quit teaching and start working fulltime for the business sometime soon of course.

As for the communication thing, I think he's set it up so you cannot win - he just wants to rant away. I'd thnk about relationship counselling for the specific issue of how you deal with conflict together and see if you can come up with strategies, if he's willing to do the work with you.

soapboxqueen · 16/07/2017 16:49

Sorry but I would have told your Dh to piss off and sort his own stuff out. You have a job already. This is a side thing. I'd tell him to find an employee.

He was being unreasonable in expecting you to essentially stand there and listen to his berating monologue.

Madbum · 16/07/2017 16:51

He's a bully
He's controlling
Ignoring you is abusive.
He's a total prick and you can do better.

Ropsleybunny · 16/07/2017 16:52

My take on this is you shouldn't be involved if you can't be bothered to remember to do things.

Do you forget to turn up for work? Do you forget to attend work staff meetings? Do you forget to do your parents' evenings? I guess not.

From the way you talk,you don't consider the things he asks you to do for the company, as important.

I can understand him being irritated, I would be. I think you should hand back to him all responsibilities for his company, so he can sort himself out.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 16/07/2017 16:56

^^ Exactly what AngelaKardashian said. It's all good and well for him, his business is his only focus, whereas you have a ft job as well as a part time one on top.

Agree with asking him how exactly you're meant to respond when you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. my BIL talks to my DSis the same and I actually hate him for this amongst other abusive tendencies

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 16/07/2017 17:00

Ropsleybunny - do you reckon he'd be on the ball with a ft teaching job as well as a part time job? which I bet the OP isn't getting paid for

If he's that perfect he can do it all his damned self.

Ropsleybunny · 16/07/2017 17:02

No I don't think he would. I think she should stick to her teaching job and leave running the company entirely to him.

CocoaLeaves · 16/07/2017 17:11

Is the domestic work equally split?

You have a demanding full-time job. He works at the business full-time. So you are doing more than one job (and it is not a hobby if forgetting something results in a dressing down, hobbies are for FUN! What you probably mean is you don't get paid for the work you do...)

He may be super organised, but he has less to remember to do, if that makes sense. I tend to agree that he needs to take on an assistant whilst you concentrate on your professional job.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 16/07/2017 17:13

I agree with you there, OP has enough to do and it might in hindsight make the DH realise he didn't appreciate the OP enough.