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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

Are these red flags? Advice please.

212 replies

goshohmy · 29/11/2019 07:26

...or am I over-analysing things?

I'm trying to work out some things about my (new-ish) relationship. Was single for ages before this and really don't have much experience of men or relationships. I'm 32. I've been googling and reading threads and I just don't know. I'm seeing this guy and for the most part he's very affectionate and we have a nice time but other things make me feel a bit off kilter and I don't know if it's just my imagination or if we're just not suited to each other maybe.
So we usually see each other over the weekend and we plan this in advance but sometimes we see each other on weekdays and this is usually arranged that day or the day before. A while ago he text me in the morning and asked me to go over to his place that night and I agreed and he said he would pick me up after work and drive us to his. I was in work too and at about 11 am I said it would be nice if he picked me up, thanks. He didn't reply again for the whole day and didn't read my message even though I could see he was online. I assumed he was busy and didn't think anything of it. He then called me at the time I thought he'd be at mine to pick me up (6.30 pm) but he said he'd forgotten and accidentally driven most of the way home and he said he could come back and collect me but he didn't sound like he wanted to and then he said I could get the train and he'd pick me up at the train station. I was in such a tizzy that I just agreed because I had to run to catch the train. He lives a 30 minute drive from me and the train is 15 minute walk away and only once an hour and takes 25 mins and doesn't go that close to his place, he still has to drive to collect me.

This is the thing I can't ask anyone IRL. So when he asked me over I'd mentioned I was having my period. He actually clarified that with me later that night. He'd said we could watch a movie and have an early night, which is what we did. Next morning i used his bathroom and toilet - they are separate rooms - and then he went into the toilet and came out and we had this conversation:
Him: is everything okay?
Me: yes.
Him: (just stares at me)
Me: why?
Him: there was a drop of blood on the handle in the toilet. (Stare)
Me: oh I'm sorry.
Him: (just stares)
Me: I'm sorry, I don't know what to say.
Him: (stares)
Me: I'm sorry, I'm really embarrassed.
Him: (stares)
Me: I'm sorry, I really don't know what to say.
Him: (stares a bit more) it's okay, give me a cuddle before we go out.

I should add that my immediate thought was that he was making it up to show me that he was okay with it or something. I know that seems weird but it was just the feeling I got. I felt like he wasn't telling the truth. My period was really light and I washed my hands and dried them in a small white towel. So thinking over it I just don't see how it happened. But even if I did do it I still think it's strange. It's never happened before. So it's not like I'm always doing it and he had to bring it up because it was an issue.

He's made a good few comments about me splashing water next to the sink when I wash my hands so I'm always really careful and I always check that the sink and the floor and towel are clean after I've used them. He's said things like "if you have trouble washing your hands you can do it in the kitchen instead", to which I said "am I splashing a lot" and he said yes. The thing is he's clean but not overly clean but he's reacted in a strange way a few times, once I almost touched the window in his kitchen and he grabbed my arm and said "I have to clean that". Another time he had spilled something in his kitchen and cleaned it up but it was still sticky and as I was walking into the kitchen he was pointing and telling me not to step in it and I thought I was stepping over it and he was a bit "off" that I stepped on it. He never gets angry with me, I always just feel like I've done something wrong or I'm in the way.

Another example is we were cooking, just throwing stuff together from the fridge and he took out some onions to chop but said they made his eyes water so I offered to do it and he walked off and I chopped the onions. He came back and said "you chopped them like that?" And I said "yes". I was confused for a second because I thought there'd been a recipe or I hadn't heard him say he wanted them chopped a certain way. So he took over then and said "my mum chops them like this" and he chopped them up really fine. It was weird because there wasn't really much of a difference between how I'd done it and how they ended up. I also thought it was weird because he seems a bit resentful of his mum. he told me a few times very early on that he was bullied as a teenager because his mum made him think he was better than other people. He said he'd forgiven her though.
Another time I blew out a candle and he showed me the right way to blow it out so I wouldn't get wax everywhere, but I hadn't gotten wax anywhere and it was my candle in my flat!

Writing this out it all sounds petty, but there have been other things, like deliberately misunderstanding questions I'm asking and communication that goes round in circles and never getting a straight answer so giving up, but not really realising what has happened until later, if you know what I mean. And going quiet when we're together. Once it was lashing rain and he took the umbrella from me and held it up but only over his head so I got soaked. When I said it to him he put it over both our heads for about a minute and then back over his own head so I was soaked again. I mean, he held it right down over his own head so that it was almost touching his head and completely away from me, like I wasn't even there. He also seemed annoyed at me but I hadn't done anything wrong.
There are other things. He compares me to his ex sometimes and it's always in my favour but it always makes me feel a bit crap. He never gives me compliments and it's always our behaviour he's comparing. She was very pretty and he has told me a few times she was a beautiful woman but she was too needy. He also broke up with her suddenly because she was sick and needed a doctor and he stayed out at a party all night and she was by herself and got angry at him when he came home. So he just ended it. He's told me this story a few times and he always says he paid all the mortgage and bills and he let her move in because she had nowhere else to live. It's as if he thinks she shouldn't have ever gotten annoyed at him because of that. He also said he thinks she might have cheated on him because she accused him of cheating and he said she was projecting.
This all sounds so stupid. It's just that i don't know if I'm too sensitive and jealous of the way he talks about his ex.

There have been a few other things and I'm trying to separate it all out but I'd just like to know what people think and if I'm just reading too much into things and I'm too embarrassed to ask anyone.I'd really appreciate any advice or opinions. Thank you.

OP posts:
damnthatanxiety · 29/11/2019 19:51

The early stages of a relationship is when people are acting their best. If this is the best, it's really really bad.

pog100 · 29/11/2019 20:12

It's simple really, this is categorically NOT how a decent relationship makes you feel. Learn from it, it's been useful for you but please, please don't take him back.

SevenStones · 29/11/2019 20:12

Jesus Christ OP, you have to ask!

Dump him!

inthekitchensink · 29/11/2019 20:13

Ugh no, tell him his peculiar behaviour made you want to go separate ways anyway, and that he should see a therapist for his issues. Egocentric fastidious weirdo, you’re well rid.

SevenStones · 29/11/2019 20:14

Just read the excellent news that he broke up with you!

Scarydinosaurs · 29/11/2019 20:18

You need to thank him that he dumped you, and then block his number.

CanIHaveADrink · 29/11/2019 20:29

Just get back to him saying that actually you agree with him and splitting up was the right decision.
Then block him. You dint want him to play in your mind anymore than needed.

marvellousnightforamooncup · 29/11/2019 20:30

Lucky escape there.

Loladoodle · 29/11/2019 20:56

Please do not go back to him. He is in the early stages of learning how to control you. Breaking up with you was most likely to damage your self esteem further and for you to feel rejected so that when he reinstates the relationship it will be all on his terms. Controlling behaviour always escalates- if this is him in the early stages - I can only dread to think how things would proceed in the long term.

You are worth more. There are lots of good guys out there who will treat you how you deserve. Do not stand for this as it will destroy you and your future.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 30/11/2019 03:44

He's playing the game isn't he. He'll keep breaking up and getting back together until you've cracked and are dancing to his tune constantly. It's how the abuse starts.

MzHz · 30/11/2019 06:59

he just kept going on about his ex and he said he got spooked by something I said because it made him think of her. He just wouldn't tell me what which I'm finding really frustrating.

This is him having YET ANOTHER bite at the cherry of BREAKING you. You’ve done something “wrong” but he won’t tell you so you’ll be forever doubting yourself. Argh Fuck that!

Please, please please, just find something really short to say to refuse his “kind offer” Hmm

“I don’t want to be in a relationship with you, don’t contact me again”

Then if he continues, call the police and tell them that he’s abusive, has tried to coercively control you and you’ve told him to leave you alone but he isn’t.

SpicyRibs · 30/11/2019 07:49

Sounds more like an OCD + Autism type situation than genuine underlying malice tbh. Rigid thinking and difficulty in straying from preconceived norms. Poor emotional connection and struggles with understanding these boundaries (inappropriate convos about the ex).

If you feel the positives outweigh the negatives, go back to him. If not...don't. Personally, I don't think I could be arsed to put up with that shit.

Ogham · 30/11/2019 08:45

So he Broke up with you, wouldn’t tell you why,but that you did something that reminded him of his ex WTF!! Tell him to ask his ex back as he keeps banging on about her. Have you dumped him yet OP? I definitely agree that you’d be doing yourself a great justice by going for some counseling to help with future relationships

WhoKnewBeefStew · 30/11/2019 08:55

Red bunting I'm afraid. Imagine a lifetime ov this. The having to be careful if splashing water 'in a bathroom' ffs is idiotic on its own

GiveHerHellFromUs · 30/11/2019 09:38

@SpicyRibs stop trying to diagnose him. He's just a knobhead.

FizzyGreenWater · 30/11/2019 10:36

Sounds more like an OCD + Autism type situation than genuine underlying malice tbh

No it doesn't. It sounds exactly like underlying malice. He sounds thoroughly and exactly like a calculating, abusive shit who is working very cleverly and deliberately to make OP feel undermined, uncertain, and anxious to keep him happy.

Sandals19 · 30/11/2019 11:59

Tell him to ask his ex back as he keeps banging on about her.

why do have a feeling she wouldn't have him back if she has a tap of sense. He's a total weirdo and v stressful to deal with, regardless of the reasons.

Nothavingfunrightnow · 30/11/2019 14:17

You're free of him - free of a hateful, manipulative, misogynist.

I love a happy ending! 😁 Flowers

user1471449295 · 30/11/2019 14:31

Run. He will destroy your self esteem and grip on reality.
As an aside, I have very heavy period last and have NEVER caused a drop of blood on a toilet handle. The seat, maybe, but I can’t see how it’s possible to have blood on the handle.

user1471449295 · 30/11/2019 14:33

Just read that you broke up last week. Please don’t get back with him Flowers

Phoenixxx · 30/11/2019 15:23

The hills are this way >>>>>, please end things with this crazy controlling dickhead, what you have descibed isn't normal and you can do a lot better.

Phoenixxx · 30/11/2019 15:23

Sorry, didn't read that things had ended. Party !! Good riddance '

HorseradishSnowflake · 30/11/2019 15:51

Breaking up and then "accepting" you back is a classic abusive tactic. I really hope you can stay away from him. If you're wavering keep posting here and talking to friends / family. Getting under your skin sounds very familiar too. He will be nice and even seem charming and caring some of the time, this is also part of the abuse and keeps you hooked.

yuilleneverknow · 30/11/2019 16:09

@goshohmy he sounds very controlling over things. Whether he does have a bit of OCD or he is emotionally abusive. He sounds like a dick. You deserve better and not to walk on egg shells with him.

Phoenixxx · 30/11/2019 16:16

But please, stay away. I had an abusive ex z few years ago who was very controlling about how things should be done.

Eventually I opened a packet of cheese the 'wrong way' (who the hell cares) and he screamed that I was a 'fucking idiot'.

This guy is no prize and think that if this is him at the beginning, what's he going to be like after a few months/years.

You're very, very lucky it's ended. I would suggest blocking him on everything and removing every trace of him. I hope you meet someone much nicer soon.

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