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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:
goshohmy · 02/12/2019 20:38

A PP mentioned about their ex going on about the ideal woman and He was always going on about it too, like a shopping list. Sometimes it seemed like he would just randomly start going through the things he was looking for in a woman, and I wouldn’t respond and afterwards I’d think about it and feel bad like he was trying to have a serious conversation and I was just awkward and just changed the subject (not on purpose, just because it’s not really a great conversation). And I always felt like I didn’t live up. It was a horrible feeling actually but I kept blaming my own self-esteem for it.
I’ve been obsessively writing lists of all the reasons why I’m better off. I keep writing out the same things trying to work him out. I know I have to just keep reminding myself it doesn’t matter why he did it, the result is the same. And I keep reminding myself I’d never do any of the rude, weird things he did to me. I can’t believe I wasted my time on him but it doesn’t stop me wanting him to change his mind! I feel exhausted from the whole thing. All the advice on here has been amazing and I’m going to keep reading the thread. It really has helped me.
Someone else asked whose idea it was for him to come over – it was his. He pushed for it and I was putting him off so I could think about things. My own dad has mommy issues but he’s nasty and aggressive, not at all charming, so the mum thing and the onions was really what made alarm bells go off for me - none of the other stuff seemed a big deal when it was happening, to be honest, because he’s so gentle and calm, which is why I really really needed to think about it-hence all the lists. It wasn’t me putting pressure on him and I swear he acted like we were back together. It wasn’t my imagination!
Onwards and upwards I suppose. I feel like I could sleep for a month.
Also, there was really good advice about how someone with good boundaries would act which I really appreciate. I need to learn that. Thank you.
And thank you all so much again.

OP posts:
outherealone · 02/12/2019 22:46

Good luck op. Stay strong. Anytime you feel weak just remember how much he confused you and made you feel so bad about yourself and how you had to creep around his bathroom only washing your hands in a certain way. He’s mean and spiteful.
I have lost a relationship with my sister and my beloved nephews because she is devoted to her husband who’s a gaslighty coercive bastard. He has definitely got her trauma bonded to him and it’s horrible to see. She’s lost nearly all her family because he doesn’t want her to have a voice.
Keep safe and strong and spend time with people who genuinely care about you.

Whatdoyouexpect · 03/12/2019 08:37

That's great news! You are doing the right thing.

AgathaX · 03/12/2019 12:03

I just really, really like him and keep thinking maybe if I acted differently it would have worked better - do you think he's having similar thoughts? I very much doubt it.

What a manipulative, nasty piece of work he is. You know that you haven't heard the last of him, don't you? He's going to go on a charm offensive again to get you to see him. Then it'll be a re-run of this weekend. He slightly misjudged the timing of finishing with you, so he's having to work at it to get you back in line again. It's working too.

You're trying to find lots of excuses for why his behaviour is so bad. You're trying to change yourself, modify your (perfectly normal) behaviour when you're around him. That's unhealthy, and the longer you let this continue, the harder it's going to be to break free from him properly.

Relationships shouldn't be this difficult. You shouldn't have to tie yourself in knots to keep him onside. A good relationship should be mutually supportive, have kindness at its heart, be fun. You should feel cherished, appreciated, supported, calm and comfortable. This is none of those things and won't ever be. Don't invest any more of your time or mental health in it.

xJodiex · 04/12/2019 03:58

My God he is creepy and weird.

He will try to love-bomb/charm you again. Do not let him.

I was in an abusive relationship for a long time and there are similarities with what you say about this guy and my ex. I wasted over ten years of my life in an abusive relationship because I could not see through the 'charm' and the love bombing.

Look for Richard Grannon on youtube, he has videos on narcissists, covert narcissists etc. You do not want to waste another moment of you time on this guy, trust me!!!

Also, you really need to build up some self esteem, confidence. Whatever it takes, even self defense classes or a group of some sort, please try it, it will do you the world of good. You need to learn that you are deserving of a non abusive relationship. Of one that doesn't have you wondering if you're right or not. If there's any doubt, there's no doubt!

Oh, and if you told Women's Aid some of these things I think they would tell you he is abusive. It's kind of covert but I can definitely see it from all you've said.

Monty27 · 04/12/2019 05:30

He's grooming you. For. An. Abusive. Relationship.
Get rid.

Hepsibar · 04/12/2019 06:21

Please stop seeing him now!

The longer you leave it the more you will rationalise the behaviour and invest in the relationship and it will be more difficult to get away.

pudding21 · 04/12/2019 10:49

I had an ex like this. He once got angry because I hadn’t buttered his toast in all four corners (early in our relationship). One of the tipping points after 21 years was him telling me how to cut a pizza, and not to “get fucking crumbs on the floor”.

My current partner has lots of ideas and different techniques to me, I’ve learnt from him and vice versa. There is a difference between telling and discussing. I’d run a mile!

Alrighteo · 04/12/2019 11:11

He doesn't live in North London by any chance?

goshohmy · 04/12/2019 17:11

Alrighteo,

We're not based in London, no. I'm starting to think they all read the same manual though, if you think he sounds familiar!

xJodiex,

I watched some of those videos. Really helpful. Thanks for the advice!

AgathaX,
you're right. Thanks.

Flowers
OP posts:
SeaEagleFeather · 05/12/2019 09:54

Keep in mind that his personality seems nice, but his character is awful. There's a difference between the two and a nice personality can suck someone in but then the character will come out.

Someone whose character is unpleasant is very bad long-term material.

user1479305498 · 05/12/2019 11:14

OP, you sound lovely, he clearly has issues, I think he is actually a woman hater, but just doesn’t much like being on his own. He is just plain weird. Any bloke who can’t stand a tiny bit of mess in life or cant cope with illness in others is a useless person to partner up with , unless you are obsessively that way too and also don’t want kids. There are a ton of guys out there you can get on with, have a laugh with, get to learn to love who really don’t have these same issues. No one is perfect, but he’s a fruitcake. He reminds me of the kind of nut jobs who go off and kill/really hurt a woman with all that staring etc. Please give him a total miss

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