Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

What do you make of this

89 replies

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 10:26

Hi everyone.

I have been with partner a year. Even in this short time it hasn't been easy. We have argued a lot and I have noticed things that have made me try to distance myself a bit whilst I figure out my situation. However I am not perfect myself, I also have some health concerns and other issues that may or may not contribute to the problems we have had.

I just wanted to give an example of how it went when I saw him recently and whether you agree that I may be too sensitive or easily offended (his words) or whether it does sound like shitty behaviour/a shitty day. I probably will give too much detail, I am not sure why he would ever come across this site but if he does and twigs, so be it!

So here is a rundown of what occurred recently:

I contacted him to ask to hang out. He seemed happy to do that and agreed a time later on. However when I arrived it was clear he was in some kind of mood. Perhaps because I have been unwell lately due to ongoing health concern and unable to see him every single blooming day. Perhaps because I am not a huge texter at the best of times (he knows this) and hadn't texted him the day before. However when I asked if he was ok even though it seemed clear he wasn't, he said he was fine and didn't communicate any issues to me.

Anyway he was in some mood but I tried my best to be chatty and chirpy. I started explaining a story but he began mimicking me. I guess he was trying to do it in a jokey way but I found it annoying so I said oh, I won't bother to carry on then. He said something like oh don't be like that trying to appease me, so I begrudgingly finished whatever story it was.

Then I had to nip out to pick up something. I think he knew at this point that I was concerned he was in a mood (as I had asked him if he was ok). On my return, he was suddenly ok and saying hi really nicely etc. It just felt like some sort of fake mask he had suddenly put on.

However because of what had happened earlier, my mood had been dampened so I kept my distance for a while as I was trying to process things. We watched TV for a bit.

Then I told him how I was feeling a bit unwell. He made some comment about how it was because I had been lazing about and not doing anything recently. Yet up to this point he had not actually asked me what I had done that morning or the day before! On the contrary, I had cleaned and done some work. It felt like what he usually does in a roundabout way (making me feel I am to blame). He then made some weird comment about my body and how that is related to me being unwell (won't give further detail just in case). I presume it was a dig about me being too skinny (I have lost a lot of weight since we got together, I know he is concerned about that)

I said it wasn't a very nice comment, and he said I shouldn't take offense so easily. I said oh so my feelings don't matter then, that is ok you carry on then.

...Of course, I am rarely able to find fault/joke with him/disagree with him (not that I do it really at all) without him totally blowing up about it...

This kind of thing would normally have resulted in an argument between us, I could see it could escalate but he was trying harder than normal to control it/control himself to make sure it didn't. He turned it round again to ask well why do I feel unwell then. In the end the conversation just fizzled out.

There were other things too but I am worried that I have given far too much detail already, what can you do though as I would love some advice and need to explain it obviously! Basically I had arrived in a good mood and left feeling crappy, going over and over in my head how the day had turned out disappointing and how annoyed I was by these constant little things. I know there is no point telling him how I feel any more and how that day made me feel, as he will get overly angry, it will just get twisted on me, or I will be told I am too sensitive.

Am I too easily offended? Is it normal for adults to mimick their partners voice, often blame things even tiny things on their partner all the time (eg if keys cant be found, jokingly saying oh you must have put them somewhere even if they aren't my keys), try to make jokes about them (however jokey, subtle or not very harsh they are) and say it was just a joke. I don't know if now I am older I do not tolerate 'banter' like I used to.

The thing is that when we first got together he often complimented me and seemed nice and very into me. I know we have had our ups and downs but now he is normally just joking around with me, usually not very harsh things though but still, then saying it was just a joke. I can't remember the last time he complimented me, the only time I remember is when I fished for it eg asking him if I looked nice. I know I am not perfect by any means and my health issues are a problem. But I still compliment him occasionally, I thank him for what he does for me, I don't mimick his voice or really joke at his expense.

Would this kind of day piss you off too or am I too sensitive? Sorry this is so long!

Thanks!

OP posts:
Itsallgonewoowoo · 09/03/2020 10:30

Sounds like a bad day for you both, but he also sounds like an arse, can't stand the, 'insult, only joking', type, they're never very nice long term. Cut yourself some slack, ditch him and get well soon!

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 10:42

Yes thank you, I really can't stand it either, especially as it is basically his only form of humour. Just joking around/taking the mick out of me. It is never really harsh or nasty insults but still that seems to be the only form of humour these days. I would never dream of mimicking him when he is saying something!

Also often when I talk to him he doesn't respond when I have finished. Or he might not even look at me (like the other week I was talking then he suddenly moved forward on the sofa so that I was just talking to the back of his head). I dunno that is just something else that has been annoying me lately.

Thank you

OP posts:
GilbertMarkham · 09/03/2020 11:24

Am I too easily offended?

No.

Would this kind of day piss you off too or am I too sensitive?

Yes.

Really don't like the moods, the mimicking/mocking, the not acknowledging/responding to you after you've spoken etc.

Then there's making comments about your body when you've lost weight due to being ill.

Then there's accusing you of lazing about when he didn't know what you had or hadn't done; and you've been ill/are ill anyway

He sounds really quite unpleasant. Rude and disrespectful.

GilbertMarkham · 09/03/2020 11:25

Tbh if you're arguing quite a lot and having quite a lot of issues in the first year,bits also usually not a good sign.

That's supposed to be the happy, easy, best behaviour, honeymoon period.

FlaskMaster · 09/03/2020 11:29

He sounds horrible and childish. Why are you with this twat? Stop wasting your time.

GilbertMarkham · 09/03/2020 11:30

...Of course, I am rarely able to find fault/joke with him/disagree with him (not that I do it really at all) without him totally blowing up about it...

Also saying "it was only a joke" about offensive things is a classic gas lighting cop out.

S X he had no sense if humour toward himself/takes himself seriously to boot.

Do he can give it out but can't take anything back.

All round he just doesn't sound like good partner material.

Maybe toss him back and look for someone nicer.

If your health problems are ongoing you'll need someone kind, tolerant, supportive etc. He doesn't sound like that.

LettyFisher · 09/03/2020 11:39

He sounds horrible OP.

It shouldn't be like this in the first year - it should just be fun, easy and exciting.

Windyatthebeach · 09/03/2020 11:43

Way too much effort needed on your part op. Early days should be fun not feeling you are under analysis and scrutiny.. He sounds bloody awful.
Ltb op.

AnuvvaMuvva · 09/03/2020 11:43

I married a man (I was young and very stupid!) who did ALL of these things. We were together for 7 years. I was on antidepressants for most of them.

I'm still struggling to rebuild all the confidence and happiness he took away from me. Honestly, living with him felt like being trapped inside a bad dream.

So I'd say dump him. It shouldn't be like this. He knows that!

billy1966 · 09/03/2020 11:46

The whole relationship sounds like really hard work OP.

What's the point?

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:05

Thanks everyone. I know you are probably right. The thing is he can be very nice and caring at times. It's just clearly not consistent and I am getting tired of the constant mocking and joking even if it is not very harsh or insulting.

I know I am not perfect either! But certainly don't always resort to that kind of 'humour' against him. Also normally when we have argued 9/10 it is me that apologises, comes crawling back. So he now must think that most issues are all just my fault/me being too sensitive/because of my health problems.

It wasnt this bad right at the start but it did deteriorate quite quickly. Like I said at the start he also seemed to compliment me a lot. A few presents etc. Now I just wonder if it was love bombing although I am not sure it was intentional. I think he had me on a pedestal to begin with though.

He has said on occasion how "nice" he is. But then why behave like that the other day. And how he can suddenly go from being sulky/moody to being all nice after I have popped out. Just seems fake now.

OP posts:
itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:09

Also he is not that young either! And a good amount older than me.

OP posts:
itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:23

Also the next time we speak/message or he asks me to get together I just feel like I just really want to be honest and say I don't feel like it as I didn't enjoy the other day. But I know it will just end up in an argument, me being told I am too sensitive. But I just wish I could tell him how it made me feel and how even now I am still thinking about it and getting annoyed!

He will probably bring up how distant I get sometimes, how that is bad and makes him feel bad (making me feel guilty). But I usually get distant after one of our ridiculous arguments (so does he until I come crawling back apologising) or because of events like the other day, when I have just been put right off. But of course it's no use telling him that!

I have actually mentioned before that sometimes the regular 'joking' is too much. He still does it though. I know it won't change.

Sorry for the multiple posts!

OP posts:
Friendsofmine · 09/03/2020 12:29

Just asked my fella and says it's not teasing if you don't feel teased you feel belittled or criticized etc.

I think the main issue is that this guy doesn't take on board your feedback. Nothing good can come of this.

wobblywinelover · 09/03/2020 12:33

He sounds disordered OP, read up about narcissism and red flags. His moods and his cyclical behaviour are classic indicators of an abusive personality - Idealise, devalue, discard, rinse repeat. Please don't waste any more time with him, he'll erode your self esteem

wobblywinelover · 09/03/2020 12:34

p.s nice people don't feel the need to say they're 'nice'.

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:35

Thanks @friendsofmine the mimicking when I was talking definitely felt belittling. And I agree. I have told him before many times I don't like the 'jokes' and don't like getting blame for lots of little things even when it is supposed to be jokey like missing remote automatically = 'ohh you must have put the remote over there' etc. But he still does it.

OP posts:
BumbleBeee69 · 09/03/2020 12:38

He sounds like a bullying prick...

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:38

I know @wobblywinelover and most people even if they do think they are quite nice, can recognise when they have areas to improve.

I think I am usually nice, but I have never come out and said it (especially when not promoted!) And I know I have my flaws and have in some way contributed to some of our issues.

OP posts:
Friendsofmine · 09/03/2020 12:39

In that case I think you need to talk.

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:39

*especially when not encouraged or said it seemingly just out of nowhere I meant, not promoted!!

OP posts:
Alicenwonderland · 09/03/2020 12:40

He sounds awful! Lots of red flags for abuse I'm afraid. He's already got you blaming yourself, criticising yourself and very confused. This is all devaluation and doesn't bode well for a normal relationship. The nice lots of the time is very classic for an abusive relationship, why else would women stay? Because they're only awful some of the time you put up with it and blame yourself. Your health issues make you a target because it's a good thing for him to blame the problems on. If he was a lovely, decent man he'd understand and not react in the way he does. Please look into coercive control and abusive relationships.

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:41

I know @Friendsofmine just feels like another argument waiting to happen. It has been a fair while since our last big blowout, I feel it must be near on the horizon

OP posts:
Alicenwonderland · 09/03/2020 12:42

You're describing the cycle of abuse, waiting for the blow up.

itsjustme555 · 09/03/2020 12:43

Your health issues make you a target because it's a good thing for him to blame the problems on.

The worst thing is that I have actually promoted this idea by sometimes blaming my health as the reason I don't want to see him, because it is too damn difficult to tell him why he has upset me or why I need some space/distance because of him.

OP posts: