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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

DP says I’m blunt and rude

75 replies

Arums · 31/12/2019 14:17

But will never give me a specific example. I have begged him to because I genuinely can’t see it and I replay conversations in my head but am at a loss as to what he means. We had an argument today because we’re going on a city break soon that I’m really excited about, I haven’t had a child free break since before my dd 3 1/2 was born and am so looking forward to wandering around peacefully, going to galleries, eating out, all things that are impossible (well not impossible but challenging) with a lively and demanding child. He had been saying the same so this is definitely not all just my idea or all stuff only I want to do. he’s a keen film maker, he has a professional film camera and likes to take hours of footage that he then edits and grades and makes into proper films with a music soundtrack etc. Which is obviously great and he’s done some lovely ones. There have been times however when we’ve gone places and I pretty much haven’t had any interaction with him at all as he’s been filming, and there’s a lot of standing and waiting around. Also he wants to get the latest new fancy camera for this trip. So I tried to very tactfully say, is it ok if there is a bit of a balance between filming and just spending time together and being in the moment and looking at stuff without it always being through a lens. He got very huffy with me so I left it, about an hour later I tried again saying I only meant can we have some time without the camera but obviously it was fine for him to film too and I wasn’t trying to say he couldn’t! But he got angry and said (and this is what ends up being the issue almost every time we row) that it was the WAY I said it and that I’m really blunt and rude. I honestly don’t know how more gently and tactfully I could have said it, without having brought it up at all. This makes me feel like he just doesn’t like me saying anything that he disagrees with, and when I asked how else I could have said it without being ‘rude’ he had no answer and just shut down the conversation. This happens every time. Am I meant to just never disagree with him or ever bring up anything that could be contentious? If I am rude then obviously I don’t want to be that way but it feels like no matter how I try to put things it’s wrong. Was I rude? I’m starting to doubt myself and feel worried about saying anything! I have good friendships and have not been told I’m rude by anyone else. I am, I would say quite direct, as in I don’t hint about things, or meander around a point too much. But I try to be empathic and understanding of other people’s perspective, I absolutely do. Also I have a job that requires me to communicate about very sensitive and upsetting matters with people so I think my communication skills are quite well developed. I just feel like I can’t win. Does he just fundamentally dislike me as a person is what I’m asking myself, in which case it doesn’t bode well for a continuing relationship.

OP posts:
Arums · 31/12/2019 14:17

Oh my goodness I’m so sorry about the lack of paragraphs Blush

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OceanSunFish · 31/12/2019 14:21

I wouldn't say that he fundamentally dislikes you as a person. More than he dislikes you disagreeing with him or criticising him. He probably likes you fine as long as you're happy to defer to his opinions and not express your own.

ohwheniknow · 31/12/2019 14:22

This makes me feel like he just doesn’t like me saying anything that he disagrees with

Basically.

Am I meant to just never disagree with him or ever bring up anything that could be contentious?

Yes, that's why he responds like this - to try and train you.

Does he just fundamentally dislike me as a person is what I’m asking myself

Not necessarily... He just expects you to quietly submit to what he wants in all matters.

RunningAroundAgain · 31/12/2019 14:23

Hmm it's really difficult to know what the conversation sounded like without knowing you as a person. He sounds quite unreasonable to think it's fair to spend hours filming and basically ignoring you while on holidays.

Whatsnewpussyhat · 31/12/2019 14:25

You weren't rude at all. He just didn't like his own rude behaviour pointed out to him.
Nice he has a hobby but not when it interferes with precious time together.

Arums · 31/12/2019 14:27

Thanks, yes it is difficult to know how it sounded when you can’t hear the tone. But I thought carefully before I brought it up, I made sure my tone was gentle and calm, I chose my words before I spoke (so saying ‘could there be a balance between filming and just looking at stuff together and spending time together’ rather than ‘can you not spend too much time filming’ etc) and he still accused me of being blunt and rude. So if I was then there’s no hope for me as I can’t think of any improved way of saying it and he wouldn’t answer when I asked him how else I should have said it to not be rude

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2020yeah · 31/12/2019 14:28

DH tried telling me I was being grumpy and harsh when I talked to him about some incredibly selfish behaviour of his. I wasn't being grumpy or harsh, he was being a dick and didn't want to face it. It sounds much like the same is going on in your house.

ThePlantsitter · 31/12/2019 14:30

Ok but is he leaving the camera behind? Honestly he's allowed (and probably can't help) to be a bit offended that you don't fully appreciate his genius or whatever but if in the end he does what you say can you just sit tight through the offended part? You're taking responsibility for his feelings otherwise when really they're his problem.

Arums · 31/12/2019 14:31

@2020yeah it’s so frustrating and disheartening when you know your intention is sincere and you just want to discuss something honestly

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TeaAndStrumpets · 31/12/2019 14:32

He's got a guilty conscience OP, and doesn't want to admit that you have a point. What a baby.

Arums · 31/12/2019 14:32

Oh he will definitely take the camera and I honestly wouldn’t want him not to! It’s his holiday too and I don’t want to try to forbid him from doing something he enjoys. I just don’t want to feel like I essentially went on holiday on my own

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ThePlantsitter · 31/12/2019 14:33

Do you think he will film a bit less, as you asked?

Arums · 31/12/2019 14:34

I think he might do, but feel resentful about it tbh

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 31/12/2019 14:36

Its not you, its him. HE is the one being both blunt and rude here; he is merely projecting his own self onto you.

Why are you and he still together?. What are you still getting out of this relationship?.

I doubt that your future city break will be all that you would like it to be as well given how he behaves in front of and behind the camera lens. He'll spend all his time behind that playing at being some hot shot movie director for what is a home movie.

You're being trained by him to accept this abusive treatment from him.

What do you want to teach your DD about relationships and what is she learning here?.

Would you want your DD as an adult to have a relationship like this, no you would not. You should not want this for your own self either.

Dacquoise · 31/12/2019 14:37

Sounds like he knows how to push your buttons. He knows you are sensitive to being accused of being blunt and rude so rolls that out every time you offer criticism. Bingo! Off you go analysing whether you did or didn't come across that way which takes the wind out of your sails. Bit manipulative to be honest.

Are you able to just breathe next time he says it, let it roll off you and then continue with the point you are making to him? Disarmed and disabled.

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 31/12/2019 14:37

So you ask for something politely and positively and he responds by saying you're blunt and rude? Saying you're blunt and rude is itself blunt and rude! As is attacking your character, when you've asked him about a specific situation.

I also think he cant disagree without taking it personally and resorting to personal insults. Which is basically what people do when they cant argue with logic and reasoning. He can't explain why you're blunt and rude because you aren't blunt and rude and is instead trying to insult you.

ThePlantsitter · 31/12/2019 14:37

I think you've got to practise ignoring his resentment then. I don't think you're being remotely unreasonable by the way. I do think it was inevitable he'd get snippy about it but if his actions change I'm not sure what you can or want to do about it. It's never easy to be more assertive. If it were it wouldn't be an issue in the first place. Stand your ground.

MrsBricks · 31/12/2019 14:38

I'd stop trying to pussyfoot around and be gentle and sweet about it - it's the message he doesn't like not the way you phrase it.

Be blunt about it: "Last time we went away I had to do lots of waiting around for you while you filmed and it wasn't great for me. Can we agree you spend a specific day/time filming and the rest you put the camera away and we interact and enjoy the holiday together?"

If he complains about you being rude/blunt say fair point but can we discuss the actual issue I raised?

I'm guessing you didn't actually get a resolution to your problem as it was all side tracked into discussing your tone. Just agree with him about it and get him back to the issue at hand.

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 31/12/2019 14:38

Rude and blunt would be - I want you to put your camera away in the afternoon, it's doing my head in

Dacquoise · 31/12/2019 14:40

I would add that he can't give you a specific example because there isn't one. as Attila he's projecting onto you.

damnthatanxiety · 31/12/2019 14:42

Partner > hobby. If this is not the case in your relationship, then it is a crap relationship.

mousemousse · 31/12/2019 14:43

I think the only solution here is to quietly pay off a local to photobomb every single scene he tries to film

SophieSong · 31/12/2019 14:46

It’s not how you said it, it’s what you said - I.e. asking him not to put his filming hobby over and above quality time together on this weekend away.

Bjorksswandress · 31/12/2019 14:50

If you chose your words carefully and considered the tone of your voice then you are extremely unlikely to be someone who is rude and blunt. Rude blunt people generally just speak without thinking about what they’re saying and how they’re saying it.

I agree it’s because he doesn’t like to be challenged about the things he wants to do. The fact he can’t give you any examples of your rudeness/bluntness is because there aren’t any.

Arums · 31/12/2019 14:51

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply, I have always suffered from a lot of self doubt and grew up being criticised a lot so I tend to believe people’s criticism of me too readily perhaps. But obviously I am not perfect either! I don’t think I was rude but he makes me doubt myself when he’s so insistent. I will stand my ground this time. And I think I need to react less when he says this kind of thing to me.

I like the photobomb idea Grin

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