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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

What do you make of a man who ....

208 replies

EstherTW · 02/07/2021 18:42

I'd value opinions of a relationship with a man I have been apart from a lot during the lockdowns, and am seeing now with fresher eyes.

We went away for a night. It was my first night away since Oct 2019, I was so pleased! Whenever we have stayed in a hotel, he insists we change rooms. There's always something wrong with the one we are given. He always waits until I have unpacked, and I find it mortifying watching him try to press the staff into giving us a 'better' room, when the one we had is perfectly nice, and having to listen to him trying to barter with the manager.

When we 're having dinner, at some point he decides the view is better from my seat, and wants to change chairs, or move his chair around to sit next to me. He will make the staff move everything on the table. I hate it.

In our room, thinking I will enjoy the hotel bathroom and have a lovely bath, I knew he wouldn't leave me alone. He would come into the bathroom, try to take photos of me. He knows I won't want that, pretends he thinks its a joke.

He will criticise, and then pretend he isn't. Example, we arrived and I mentioned wanting to have some tea. He said, 'of course you do', in a cold, dismissive way, as annoyed. If I respond, he says, 'what, I just, said of course you do', and denies it being critical.

I hope you can understand what I mean. We've been together for years, but we don't live together, and so were apart during the lockdown. We've spent time together in the past few months, but I don't feel very happy. This night away just seemed to display something.

I would really like to know what anyone thought.

OP posts:
Bellyups · 03/07/2021 16:00

You’ve got a dickhead op

diamondpony80 · 03/07/2021 16:05

You can do better. A LOT better. He sounds like a controlling, narcissistic prick.

WhereYouLeftIt · 03/07/2021 16:12

My opinion? He's an arse. Everything you described, he's getting his jollies from pushing other people around. And those 'other people' aren't just anyone - no, they're people who he perceives to be 'lesser' than him - hotel staff, restaurant staff - and you. He definitely sees you as less important than him.

Have you ever seen him pull this crap on anyone who was in a position to say 'no' to him? A boss, a friend, a colleague? I'd put good money on that never having happened.

"We've been together for years"
Well, don't go for the Sunk Costs Fallacy. Staying in this relationship involves "throwing good money after bad". Instead, "cut your losses". Onwards and upwards!

skodadoda · 03/07/2021 16:12

@Holothane

Get rid this won’t change he’ll get worse much worse.
I think this is good advice
MakeMeCleanTheHouse · 03/07/2021 16:12

How does he make you feel?

  1. Anxious
  2. Happy
  3. Irritated
  4. Loved
  5. Fearful
  6. Appreciated
  7. Relaxed
  8. Frustrated

Look at the ration of odd no. answers to even. If they are 50/50 I'd definitely move on.

WhereYouLeftIt · 03/07/2021 16:16

@sadie9

That is not only controlling behaviour but it's also hostility towards women. His humiliation of you is very elaborate and planned out. Scary. He might even enjoy taking you to places for purposes of humiliation. What is his relationship like with his mother? Some men try to resolve the unconscious rage against their mother or other caregiver, by humiliating another woman. I'd leave him. Your gut might already be telling you that.
Oh, and this too - "He might even enjoy taking you to places for purposes of humiliation." Definitely.
Uniontea · 03/07/2021 16:18

I’d assume you’ve stayed together because you don’t live together because no one could live with that 24/7.

ginghamtablecloths · 03/07/2021 16:30

Come on, OP tell us that you've dumped this eejit. You deserve much better.

Mpsister · 03/07/2021 16:33

I wouldn't put up with any of this. I'd dump him

billy1966 · 03/07/2021 16:35

@AngusThermopyle

I'd think, how the fuck have you lasted a month with him let alone years.? Honestly there's something seriously wrong with your twat radar.
Really OP?

You have out up with that years?

He is a nasty piece of work and you need to think good and hard why you have accepted such awful behaviour.

He sounds like an absolute horror.

30degreesandmeltinghere · 03/07/2021 16:37

Sounds like my mate's exh. We stopped going out with them as he was so embarrassing... Once demanded friend's meal be free as she had mentioned it wasn't what she expected.. She didn't say awful just not what she thought... Cringe worthy. He also paid for drinks with a huge pile of small change...
He was also a sex pest and wouldn't take no for an answer until she was crying. Then he huffed and blamed her... Very 'ugly' man.

Giraffe11 · 03/07/2021 19:07

He sounds unpleasant. Why do you want to be with someone who make you feel this way? Life is too shot. I’d get rid.

Cherrysoup · 03/07/2021 19:21

Uncouth arsehole.

Susannahmoody · 03/07/2021 19:25

Op? Still with us?

miltonj · 03/07/2021 20:04

Nope. You can find someone who you're not embarrassed to be with, and genuinely makes your life happier. And even if you don't, surely it's preferable to this?

Calmate · 03/07/2021 23:37

Do you know people are referring the Pandemic as "The Great Re-Set".
It has affected so many areas of life, not least relationships. Re-set, re-evaluate and move on.

DiscordandRhyme · 03/07/2021 23:41

I could not stand this behaviour for more than 5 minutes from a stranger let alone a partner and I am very tolerant.
What a waste of your time and energy.

lilmishap · 03/07/2021 23:47

Is he a master at cunnilingus or something?

PieceOfString · 03/07/2021 23:49

@lilmishap

Is he a master at cunnilingus or something?
😂😂😂
HollowTalk · 03/07/2021 23:51

You have inadvertently got involved with a complete knob. You are lucky you don't live with him. Get rid and have a great life without him.

Thelnebriati · 03/07/2021 23:55

EstherTW How would he react if you asked him to stop doing it?

DukeofEarlGrey · 04/07/2021 00:34

OP, break up with him and be instantly happier. His controlling behaviour must have been very corrosive over time. The good news is that you don’t live with him and can presumably leave him quite easily. Take your newly single self off for a weekend away and enjoy unpacking in your imperfect room, the view from your dining spot and your lovely, relaxing, solitary bath.

EstherTW · 05/07/2021 18:56

Goodness, thank you to everyone who replied. It's my first time posting, and I'm really grateful that so many of you ladies have responded.

I've read through the thread, and it is interesting! I thought people would say I was being too fussy.

Some people have asked why and how we are together. I have been ill, and had to give up my career, my flat and return to live with my mum at her home. Illness is isolating and lonely, and losing work and income is not something many people want to get too close to. Most of my friends have drifted away. I could never have asked any of my university friends to come to a benefits tribunal with me! Consequently, I have now become quite alone.

My partner and I met shortly before this happened to me. He lives in a city, and my home is with my mum, in the surrounding countryside. We've kept our lives like this for a few years, me going to stay with him. My financial situation makes this easiest, while there is no compelling reason to change.

He is now the only person I see, the only friend I still have. I wouldn't have chosen to live where I do, and it doesn't have too much to offer me, in my thirties, but I try to make the best of it. I had been borrowing a bit of city life with him, and then retreating back to my home, to recover!
He hasn't always been making me unhappy, although he has always had certain traits that gave me pause. The hotel room-changing being one, which encapsulates something. I've always hated it!

Lockdowns have been hard for me, having no friends locally. My mum is elderly now, and while originally I came home as I needed help, with time I have ended up taking care of her more. We were both shielding, and C19 has been difficult and lonely. I was so looking forward to a night away, to food not cooked by me, and to dress up and enjoy it!

My partner has become less kind about my illness. He isn't always as accommodating as he used to be. The sarcastic, 'of course you do' about my wanting a cup of tea after the journey before we did anything else is the type of comment he makes a lot.

He tells me that if I didn't come to see him, I wouldn't go anywhere, and will be looking after my mum on my own. He is starting to make me feel very down about my life. I don't have any other friends left, and don't know who else would want to get involved with me.

I do just wish I had some nice people in my life, to spend time with, and enjoy it, when I'm well enough. If you're very ill for a long time, people don't want to be involved, and they leave you behind.

So, that is why I put up with it. I hadn't been around it for a while (not travelling to see him during lockdowns, for my health protection, and my mum's), and it suddenly seemed so much worse!

Thank you for your replies. It is so interesting how instant your reactions were! You really all think, gaslighting and a bully, really that bad? I had just been thinking that his actions in public places were embarrassing, not sinister. I hadn't thought that he was consciously trying to embarrass me, to upset me. I thought he was socially awkward, occasionally a bit of an idiot, and got things wrong. Do you really all see it as more than that?

OP posts:
Holothane · 05/07/2021 19:39

“Of course you you” for wanting a cup of tea after a journey who the hell does he think he is. Get rid.

chickenyhead · 05/07/2021 19:43

The photo situation is beyond disrespectful in my experience. The muttered criticisms too, how would you have to feel about a person to behave that way?

The fact that he knows that he is your only socialisation makes this even worse. He has been very lucky to have you, because most women wouldn't stick around. He is not pleasant to be around.

Are there any classes or groups in your local area, could you join the library? Honestly seek out healthy relationships close to you. Your life can be better without mass upheaval or disrespect.