Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

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:
RantyAnty · 01/12/2019 10:15

Everything NotTonightJosepheen said is spot on

Let's stop assigning autism, ocd, and anything else to make excuses and give these twats a pass.

They do have a disorder: Batshit Abuser Disorder (BAD)
Cure: get the feck away from them and erase them from your life

OP and look up covert abuse. These are the mindfuck abusers; the worst ones of all. No hitting, shouting. just pure evil mindfuck.

NotTonightJosepheen · 01/12/2019 10:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotTonightJosepheen · 01/12/2019 10:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ysmaem · 01/12/2019 10:36

Those things aren't petty and you're not sensitive. You need to leave him OP. He is incredibly controlling. If he's like this in the beginning of the relationship just imagine what he'll be like a year or two down the line.

jamaisjedors · 01/12/2019 13:40

@Jiggles101
Sounds more like OCPD than OCD to me but whatever, it's not relevant.

Totally agree. Which makes it worse because whereas people with OCD know that they have a disorder and would like to take steps to "get better", people with ocpd have a personality disorder and are convinced their way of doing things is the right and only way to do things and everyone else is defective and wrong.

Is that what you want to be? Hopd you are ok?

Just know that it is normal to be sad about the good bits even if rationally you know this person is wrong for you.

thebluearsefly · 01/12/2019 13:50

Get you’re trainers on girl and start fucking running

thebluearsefly · 01/12/2019 13:50

Your*Hmm

Musti · 01/12/2019 13:59

He sounds evil. Like he's deliberately wrongfooting you to make you squirm. Block him and don't look back.

Jaffacakesaremyfave · 01/12/2019 14:07

OP, this guy sounds just like my batshit (narcissistic) ex. We dated for 5 months and at first he was incredibly charming and outgoing but things went downhill pretty quickly. He used to offer to pick me up from work and then not turn up and send an uber instead because he 'forgot', would constantly talk about his ex and accuse her of being crazy, would make small digs at me all the time over petty shit and if I got upset, he would claim it was a joke or I was too sensitive. He even got annoyed at me for leaving a sanitary pad unwrapped in the bin which I know did not happen because I always wrapped them carefully. There was always an 'off' feeling about him. He also played the victim and talked about how hard his childhood was, how badly ex partners treated him etc. It was all lies, gaslighting and manipulation.

I broke up with him and he stalked me for 6 months, alternating between begging me back and sending unwanted gifts to emailing me and calling me every name under the sun. In the end I had to get the police involved and even they said he was strange and weird in interviews.

Please block this guy on every platform. I have a horrible feeling that he will be hard to get rid of, guys like these are extremely vindictive and like to 'win' at all costs. You have had a lucky escape and it sounds like your instincts knew something was very wrong with this man. As another PP mentioned, read up on covert abuse and narcissism and you will see his behaviour much more clearly.

HollowTalk · 01/12/2019 14:08

Op, there hasn't been one poster who's said you should stay with this man.

He sounds really awful - everything he does is to control you. Take this chance now to get out of the relationship. It's really scary to think of what would happen to you if you stayed with him.

Zaphodsotherhead · 01/12/2019 14:13

Have you seen pictures of his ex? Because I'm not convinced he's ever been with a woman before. The whole thing about the period blood - it sounds as though he thinks every woman leaks all over the place! I used to have very heavy periods but even so I'd have had trouble getting blood on a handle... did he see a spot of rust and immediately think it must have been you?

Either way, he has issues. He's not boyfriend material, I'm afraid.

dkl55 · 01/12/2019 14:42

The period blood thing actually gave me chills. What kind of person makes things like that up to deliberately try to embarrass and wrongfoot you? Everything else is horrid too. Please don't get back with him x

Jaffacakesaremyfave · 01/12/2019 14:44

Just to add, I don't think his behaviour has anything to do with OCD or ASD When you break down his behaviour it is clear he is likely a cluster B.

  1. Lack of empathy - he left his sick girlfriend to go out partying and dumped her for being upset about it. He couldn't be bothered to pick you up because you were on your period and he wouldn't be getting sex.
  1. Grandiose sense of self - He actually said he used to get bullied for thinking he's better than everyone else (he told on himself here) but with all cluster B's, he is unable to take responsibility for this and blames his mother.
  1. Entitlement - the example with the restaurant timings shows this. The world should revolve around him.
  1. Playing the victim/lack of responsibility. He talks alot about how bad his childhood was, blames his mother and ex GF, talks about going to counselling (they often use counselling as a way to make you stay and think they are working on themselves). He is garnering sympathy so that you will excuse his behaviour.
  1. He talks about his ex GF 'projecting' about cheating which is something all narcissists do. They project things they have done/are doing onto other people. They often tell on themselves by doing this. I'd bet he was the one who cheated and probably has several other women he is dating or talking to that you don't know about.
  1. Controlling and belittling. You've described several examples of this and they do this to gradually wear you down and lower your self esteem so that you are an easier victim.
  1. Gaslighting - lying about the period blood as a way to embarrass you but you know this did not happen. He is trying to alter your own reality so that you no longer trust yourself and rely on him to define your reality.
  1. Circular conversations that go nowhere. He pretends not to understand you and uses arguments to confuse and dismiss you because he has no interest in resolving conflicts, he just wants control.
  1. Outwardly charming to those he is not in a very close relationship but harsh, critical and rejecting to those who are close (e.g. you and his mum). Think Ted Bundy.
  1. Breaking up with you is the discard and asking you to give him another chance is the Hoover. This is a cycle of all abusive relationships and each time you take him back, the devaluation, discard and hoover cycles will turn around more quickly and the abuse will escalate.

I'm sure I've missed a few things but please read up on this type of abuse. I'm 34 and spent most of my life oblivious that this type of abuse existed. I would have saved myself so much heartache if I had learned the signs earlier. I can't stress enough how much danger you are in with this man. Leaving is the most dangerous time in any abusive relationship and you are still at serious risk until he moves on to the next victim. Stay safe OP and have a low threshold for ringing the police. I bet if you do Claire's Law on this guy you would be terrified of what you would find.

Hithere2 · 01/12/2019 14:54

Please run!

Jaffacakesaremyfave · 01/12/2019 15:14
  1. Triangulation. He is comparing you to his ex either favourably or unfavourably. He is not so subtlety telling you to be more or less like her and managing down your expectations of him. Telling you she is beautiful is to make you feel jealous and insecure and reminding you that he is in high demand from other women. He's essentially saying to you that you should never need him to be there emotionally or he will dump you, never call him out on shitty or suspicious behaviour or he will dump you, never criticise him or he'll dump you.

Believe me, he will portray you in exactly the same way to his next victim even though you haven't done anything to warrant it.

I'd recommend watching all of her videos and Lisa Romano too

goshohmy · 01/12/2019 17:47

I can’t believe I’m typing this but maybe it’ll help someone in future going through old threads, which I’ve been doing for a few weeks.
He came over to mine late last night after being out with friends not too far from where I live. I really missed him and just really wanted to see him. He wasn’t drinking cos he was driving but we had wine here so I knew that’d mean he’d have to stay. We talked about it all and he was just so lovely and we laughed so much. I brought up about how he never compliments me and he says it’s because he finds it really hard to give compliments. I know this is true because he’s said one nice thing to me before and it sounded like he was straining his throat to say it. He said he thinks he can’t compliment people because he doesn’t love himself enough. Maybe that’s true.
We talked for hours and he was lovely and I thought I was crazy and over the top and maybe not good at communicating or something (which I’m not). He told me he was going to a concert next week and asked me if I wanted to go. He said he’d help me do this DIY thing in my kitchen that I can’t do myself. He stayed over and stayed for ages this morning and it was like normal with him, he was really affectionate as usual. I text him when I knew he’d be home and said some things about last night and asked when we’d see each other this week. I know people will think I’m stupid but it really was so nice and I thought we’d sorted it. He said he still didn’t think we should be together because he was still spooked etc etc and that he’s been looking for his “partner in crime” so long and he isn’t sure if I’m what he’s looking for and he’s afraid he’s chasing a ghost. I got a bit angry with him then saying he was horrible to pretend to want to get back with me. He said he didn’t pretend he wanted to get back. I said he did and he knew it and wasn’t very nice. He said “I’m sorry you perceive it that way. That’s not how I see it.” Then he ended the conversation saying “Let’s end this conversation, it’s not going anywhere.” I just feel awful. I know I should have listened to everyone here but it was so real last night, anyone would have thought we were back together if they’d heard the conversation. I keep alternating between being angry and crying wondering what I did wrong. Sorry for all these essays, I can’t work out how to reply directly to people but I do appreciate all the advice. I’m going to block him, I just can’t right now because I keep thinking he’ll apologise and I just want to know whether he does or not.

OP posts:
rvby · 01/12/2019 17:54

Oh love I'm sorry.

Hes a horrible headfuck isn't he?

Please block him. Theres something wrong with him.

Theres nothing you could do to "fix" someone who is like this, it's not your fault. It really isn't, he does what he does to upset and weaken you, to put you on the back foot so that he can orchestrate things to go his way, for whatever fucked up psychological reason he has.

Please block him. Do you have girl friend to chat to today? Can someone come over? xx

avinitall · 01/12/2019 17:59

He's a head fuck. Steer clear now and you'll avoid so much unnecessary heartache.

rvby · 01/12/2019 18:04

I keep thinking he’ll apologise and I just want to know whether he does or not

This is what he wants, he wants you to need something from him. So that you will feel weak and as if something is missing. This is how they break you down so that you end up saying thank you for them hurting you, essentially.

He's really abusive love. This guy is so dangerous. We can hold your hand through this but only you can block him. It's all down to you.

afterme · 01/12/2019 18:30

That’s really awful. Whose suggestion was it that he came to yours after his night out?

Don’t wait for an apology because even if he apologises he will still mess you around.

HelenaNightSoilCart · 01/12/2019 18:36

Please just block and delete him. Don’t wait for an apology. His apologies mean nothing they’re just words.

He’s an abusive idiot. The best thing you will ever do is to cut contact.

AreYouSupposedToBeInIowa · 01/12/2019 18:52

You really need to set your bar a fucking mile higher than this self absorbed total knob head OP. He is BAD for you. I guarantee he will apologise but he won't mean it. He is an empty vessel. He has nothing to give. He knows this himself and that is why he needs the counselling. He will grind you to dust and then just brush you off of him like you are fly shit. He is at best a sociopath but I would say more likely a psychopath. Block. Don't answer the door. Avoid all contact with him. He will get far worse if you maintain contact with him. These people are dangerous. You are like a little mouse looking at cheese in a trap.

yearinyearout · 01/12/2019 19:00

He sounds like a nutcase. Cut and run before it's too late.

BlackSwanGreen · 01/12/2019 19:03

What a mean thing to do Angry

CFlemingSmith · 01/12/2019 19:13

Run. Run. And run some more

Swipe left for the next trending thread