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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

Partner keeps telling me off like I'm a child.

114 replies

Whatsthatspookynoise · 03/04/2021 12:45

He's always done this thing where he'll just snap and start being rude to me out of nowhere. Recently it's gotten much worse. He talks to me as if I'm a naughty child and need to be put in my place if that makes sense? I've become extremely anxious because I never know when he will just be rude out of nowhere, so I'm doing that thing where I'm constantly looking for reassurance that he isn't angry or in a bad mood with me. It's his tone of voice, not necessarily WHAT he says that's the problem.

Last night I was in bed with a cold and couldn't sleep, so I'd wander into the living room every now and then. He ordered food really late and asked me if I wanted anything. I said no thanks.
When it came 2 hours later, he offered me some as he bought two large meals and I said I would have a tiny bit. He kept making comments about "you should have fucking said you wanted food when I asked". I said I didn't actually want a whole meal and I was fine not to have anything, I just thought since he had so much and offered I would have a bit. He insists I eat with him.

So we are chatting and eating and I took a tiny piece of pitta bread from the box. Then all hell broke lose. "you just took it without fucking asking, you knew I'd fucking say no." "Look at how you've ruined the meal, it doesn't look right and the proportions are off". "I fucking asked you and you said you didn't want anything and now you've fucked up my meal".

I cannot stress enough how tiny the piece was. I apologized of course. But the way he was going on about this pitta bread was insane. I thought he was actually joking. I felt myself shrinking. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed. I could feel that I was about to cry so I walked away and cried in my room listening to him laughing at the TV. He really laid into me and he keeps doing it. I'm usually the kind of person to stand up for myself, but I feel so small when he shouts at me that I just cry and say nothing and continue talking to him like nothing happened.

I really don't think this is right. If I ever bring up I don't like the way he's speaking to me, it's because I'm "sensitive". Which despite me saying it makes me cry, he never actually sees me doing so.

We usually get on really well, so when he suddenly changes, it's horrible because I can't see it coming. Absolutely everyone thinks he is the nicest guy on the planet and would never ever do such a thing. I'm tired of feeling scared I'm going to get told off and walking on eggshells all of the time. How do you hash it out with someone who absolutely believes they are always 100% in the right?

OP posts:
nimbuscloud · 03/04/2021 12:47

I’d leave him

rjacksmiss · 03/04/2021 12:47

You pack their bags and fuck them straight out the door. What a horrible miserable swine of a man treating you like that.

Crosstrainer · 03/04/2021 12:48

Look at how you've ruined the meal, it doesn't look right and the proportions are off"

What on earth is that all about.....?

He sounds awful. I mean - yes, it’s irritating if someone says they don’t want something and then eats loads of it. But there’s no need for the swearing and shouting....

PriestessofPing · 03/04/2021 12:48

Why do you even want to hash it out with someone who behaves this way? You are right his behaviour was insane and the fact you apologised is also insane. Why are you accepting this behaviour?

rjacksmiss · 03/04/2021 12:49

You're not well. My partner would bring me food and tea and drinks in bed and make an effort to look after me. Honestly find yourself a kind man who doesn't make you feel like that. That sounds like emotional torture!

MsPavlichenko · 03/04/2021 12:49

You are being abused. He won’t change for the better, only get worse.

PriestessofPing · 03/04/2021 12:50

Also small thing but why was he ordering so much food? Proportions? Does he have some kind of eating disorder or is he just a greedy, selfish, abusive, miserable, nasty, mean, shit?

Mojoj · 03/04/2021 12:50

He'd be wearing that takeaway if he spoke to me like that.

bennibooboo · 03/04/2021 12:50

Big red flag 🚩 OP....leave!!!

Givemethechocolate · 03/04/2021 12:51

I'm sorry to say this is abuse. Emotional and mental abuse. Walking on eggshells, him being mean to you. I mean who gets that angry over a small bit of pitta bread. He is not a nice person, underneath it all.

Marineboy67 · 03/04/2021 12:51

You don't have to put up with that shit...where's the pleasure in your relationship living with a cunt like that? I'd get my own back and rub his toothbrush round the toilet rim. Subtle but very effective when he wakes up with a mouthfuls of ulcers.

WellIWasInTheNeighbourhoo · 03/04/2021 12:54

You cant hash it out with people who behave like that, they never accept any responsibility for their actions and words, its always the other persons fault. They also know what they are doing and enjoy the effect it has on you - keeping you in your place (beneath him). He's an abusive creep and the rest of your life will be a nightmare if you stay with him. Please leave.

stalachtiteorstalagmite · 03/04/2021 12:54

Leave, leave, leave and don't look back. This will not ever get better, in fact it is statistically likely to get much worse.

What is your situation? Presumably you live together, are you married and/or do you have DC?

Weirdfan · 03/04/2021 12:55

You feel small because he's actively trying to make you feel small! And when you feel small he feels 'bigger' and that's why he does it, because he gets something out of it which makes him feel good. That sounds fucked up and that's because it is, he is and nothing you do will change that so you need to leave him before he fucks you up too. Sorry if that's blunt OP but it is 100% true and the sooner you do it the less damage he will have done to you, save yourself Flowers

frazzledasarock · 03/04/2021 12:58

Pick his bag and change the locks.

Don’t look back. He’s abusive and it will only get worse.

You don’t want to have kids with this man, your DC would be terrified of him and grow up learning to treat you like he does.

Run away seriously. Don’t try to get him to change. He behaves this way because he wants to.

notapizzaeater · 03/04/2021 12:59

Why are you still there, I'd fuck right off, he doesn't deserve you

Howshouldibehave · 03/04/2021 13:02

You cannot continue in a relationship with this man-the way he speaks to you is vile.

How long have you been together-who owns/pays for the house you live in and how are your finances linked?

MissyB1 · 03/04/2021 13:02

Why why why do people put up with this shit? OP your self esteem must be very low to be with someone like this. And stop minimising his behaviour, he’s not “telling you off” he’s abusing you!
Get rid of him ASAP!!!

DoubleHelix79 · 03/04/2021 13:03

This is not normal or acceptable behaviour in any way. If my DH spoke to me like that he would be out the same day.

TinyTroubleMaker · 03/04/2021 13:04

What conceivable reason is there to stay with this man?

Even if you have kids.

It's a clear LTB.

WallaceinAnderland · 03/04/2021 13:04

What's your situation? Not married I take it, any children? Do you rent/own?

Welikebeingcosy · 03/04/2021 13:04

I had an ex who did this kind of thing to me with the take away late at night. And that wasn't the only thing as I'm sure it isn't for you. You couldn't pay me to go back to that life.

munchiemunch · 03/04/2021 13:05

It’s abusive language and abusive behaviour. You cannot reason with somebody like this. He’d deny he’s doing it. He’s reaction is contempt. Read the four horseman that predict divorce. He’s behaviour is divorce predictor behaviour. Disrespect and contempt. It’s disgusting. He won’t stop. He won’t change. He’s doing it because he can. Get yourself sorted. Finances and working out where to go. The only way to get your life back is to get rid of this behaviour/stress in your life and find a kind partner. Your partner is rude. You deserve a peaceful life

partyatthepalace · 03/04/2021 13:15

This isn’t normal OP - it’s abusive behaviour

What you need to do is leave, because he will grind you down more and more.

If you need advice on how to start that process then post on here

Wanderlusto · 03/04/2021 13:21

I got to 'you should have fucking said' and I was like - nope! Abuser alert! Straight in the bin with him.

He sets you up so that he can abuse you.
Lures you into a web like a spider then strikes.

Gets you caught in the cycle of trying to win his approval and the cycle of constantly trying to change your own behaviour in order to try to stop him abusing you.

A horrible man. See the trap for what it is and get out. You are not oversensitive. He is a bully.

Your feelings are valid. Get out before he drives you mad, because that is his aim.

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