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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

Getting rather peed off with never being invited to his house!

530 replies

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 16:42

So I've been seeing a really lovely guy for about eight months. It's been great on the whole, I think we both feel very comfortable in each other's company, similar values, interests etc. We live about 15 minutes' drive from each other and tend to see each other one weekday evening and then Saturday evening to Sunday evening. In the week we usually stay in and have dinner/watch a film/TV then he goes home. At the weekend we sometimes go out for dinner/lunch, but more often than not stay in - though do out for long walks, coffee, etc. However when we stay in it is without fail ALWAYS (bar one occasion!) at my house.

To start with I thought it was just him being used to being a bit of a bachelor or needing to tidy up before I came round. I dropped quite a few hints about it would be great to see his place which he always swerved/ignored. Eventually I told him it was actually beginning to upset me that he'd never invited me round (this was after about 4 months!). He apologised and said he hadn't realised it was bothering me, and not to be silly and get upset about it. He said "come round this weekend then". When I turned up, his house was immaculately clean and tidy (save for a normal amount of junk in his pretty tidy spare room) and really nice inside - he'd spent quite a bit of money refurbishing it a couple of years ago. He was quite happy to show me all round the house, and although I felt welcome it felt a little awkward.

There was one other time I went there, but that was an unplanned and spontaneous flying visit on a way home (to mine!) from a walk once, to feed his fish. Again, house was immaculate.

Any other time I have suggested I come to his, he bats it away saying things like "I'm a bit behind on housework so I'll come to you". No discussion about it, just that's what is happening. When I mentioned that he'd managed to tidy up for his boss coming round, and it was a shame he couldn't do this for me, he looked a bit frustrated and just said he'd been really busy with work (that makes two of us then!).

I don't mind him coming to mine, but it is getting to me a bit that it's always me that's planning what we will eat - he's never cooked me a meal - and me having to tidy up, etc.

I don't know how to broach this again with him, without sounding like a nagging broken record! In every other way things are great, he is incredibly kind, generous and thoughtful, treats me to dinner when we're out, shows lots of interest in things I am up to etc. He just doesn't seem to 'get' how this is affecting the relationship from my perspective. I'm actually finding myself emotionally detaching a bit and being a bit cold towards him as it's beginning to grate rather.

And it's definitely not the classic explanation of "he's married" - as he's just not the type (you'll have to trust me on that - he's quite a nerdy type, absolutely not womaniser material!) and as I said I've had a good old look round his house and it's definitely just him there! He did mention his dad has only been to his house once in about 7 years (and he only lives around the corner from him!). I dunno, it's all just bugging me and I don't know what to do as I keep wondering if it's me being unreasonable and expecting too much too soon. And if not, what to do about it as I can't force him to invite me round :(

OP posts:
DrR78 · 10/09/2021 17:02

Maybe he’s in awe of your hosting skills and feels he won’t match up?

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 17:07

I do wonder if this could be part of the reason, as I have particular dietary requirements (nothing too weird though!). I ended up taking my own food the one evening I spent there as I knew he'd not know what to make.

OP posts:
cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 17:08

Saying that though, he's far fussier than me about food and I've always managed to get nice things for him!

OP posts:
Realyorkshiretea · 10/09/2021 17:08

I don't mind him coming to mine, but it is getting to me a bit that it's always me that's planning what we will eat - he's never cooked me a meal - and me having to tidy up, etc.

Answer right here. He likes to ‘be hosted’, have someone waiting on him hand and foot, so he can put his big manly feet up while his woman rushes around cooking for him and making him feel waited on. Do you always pay for the food? Does he contribute?

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 17:11

He does often pay for the food when we're in the supermarket, including other bits and bobs I've picked up for myself. And has taken me out for a few really nice dinners/lunches/breakfasts. He also leaves a few items at mine - snack bars, emergency meals - I think so that I don't feel obligated to go out and buy him something.

OP posts:
ThisIsStartingToBoreMe · 10/09/2021 17:12

Well it's obviously so that he does t have to do the cooking. Hope he doesn't come round empty handed

Realyorkshiretea · 10/09/2021 17:14

Probably about the ‘service’ then, he doesn’t want to put the effort into hosting, and instead wants to be ‘hosted’. I would be annoyed being left with all the washing up, dirty towels, bedding to change & cooking to do.

FleasInMyKnees · 10/09/2021 17:17

He likes being waited on, he doesnt want you messing up his house and then having to cook a meal for you both and tidy up afterwards. Maybe he is a bit obsessive about cleaning. I would say no next time he suggests a night out, you only see him twice a week, are you keeping yourself busy the other evenings.

Paq · 10/09/2021 17:17

Well he's not a keeper, is he? You're never going to get past the awkwardness of being in his house unless you actually spend time in his house.

I'd go back to just meeting up out of your house until he gets the message. But even if he changes you'll still always feel like you forced the change on him.

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 17:21

The other evenings in the week I am either working (self employed), meeting a friend or visiting family. A couple of times I have actually told him I am busy and can't see him, thinking it might give him a bit of thinking time and the penny might drop but no such luck. He is very much "if something is upsetting you, you need to tell me" which I have done but now I'm at a loss.

OP posts:
yellowrattle · 10/09/2021 17:21

Just a suggestion and I could be totally off ... if everything is really tidy he might find it stressful to have anyone in his space/ moving stuff etc.

FleasInMyKnees · 10/09/2021 17:23

Next time he suggests coming to you can you say no I am not really in the mood to cook, clean or do anymore washing up. If you want to spend the evening with him let him treat you to a meal then be the one to go home and say goodnight on the doorstep..

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 17:23

It's so hard as he is a really nice guy, very gentle and considerate in every other way! I do wonder if, as he'd been single for a couple of years, he'd got too used to his own space. But I am the same and after a horribly abusive relationship it took a lot from me to open my home up to someone new but I liked him so much I wanted to make the effort.

OP posts:
cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 17:26

I don't want to rock the boat with us or hurt his feelings as I think the world of him - never felt such a good match with anyone and can see him being my forever guy but we can't go on like this indefinitely either!

OP posts:
TooWicked · 10/09/2021 17:26

Just parrot his bullshit excuse right back to him when he mentions plans for you to meet up…

“I’m a bit behind on housework, I’ll come to you”.

Or “we stayed at mine last weekend, let’s stay at yours this weekend”.

Realyorkshiretea · 10/09/2021 17:26

I would send this:

‘Hi Kevin (or whatever his name is), you asked me if something is up & truthfully there is. We seem to be spending a lot of time at mine compared to yours, I enjoy seeing you but it means I end up doing all of the cooking/cleaning/hosting. Can we even things up so we spend half the time at mine, half at yours? Thought your house was lovely so would be nice to hang out there a bit more’

Realyorkshiretea · 10/09/2021 17:28

If the relationship reaches the ‘moving in’ stage, it’s clear it would be him wanting to move in with you & he has set a nice precedent of you doing everything for him. Definitely address it now OP!

Howshouldibehave · 10/09/2021 17:34

@TooWicked

Just parrot his bullshit excuse right back to him when he mentions plans for you to meet up…

“I’m a bit behind on housework, I’ll come to you”.

Or “we stayed at mine last weekend, let’s stay at yours this weekend”.

This. 100%.

How he reacts will tell you everything you need to know.

He seems to see YOU hosting HIM at your house as the ‘default’. I would say that to him and see what he says.

‘Dave, it seems to me that we’ve somehow got in the routine of you always coming to mine whilst I cook and clear up. Shall we take it in turns and alternate each time so it’s more fair?’

What can he possibly say? ‘No, I want to be waited on at yours?!’

snowdropsandcrocuses · 10/09/2021 17:36

I'm wondering if there is a reason like op said. Maybe he's a little compulsive about tidiness or struggles with anxiety around bringing people into his home? Does he have any other signs of this? For instance, Likes to put his shoes in a certain place, doesn't like food touching on the plate, always has the same ritual before bed etc. If you really are certain he's not hiding the usual stuff (ow/disgusting home etc) then I bet it's anxiety based.

I think I would raise the subject with him again but this time ask specific questions

romdowa · 10/09/2021 17:38

@TooWicked

Just parrot his bullshit excuse right back to him when he mentions plans for you to meet up…

“I’m a bit behind on housework, I’ll come to you”.

Or “we stayed at mine last weekend, let’s stay at yours this weekend”.

This 100% . If he can say no, then why can't you. Set the boundary and see where it goes.
FleasInMyKnees · 10/09/2021 17:40

Can you just say you are a bit bored being at yours all the time and it would be nice to spend an evening at his for a change. If he says no or comes up with some excuse just ask him outright why he doesnt feel comfortable with you being there. He might have a genuine reason, it might make him feel anxious, maybe he cannot cook or know how to turn the oven on. Are you very house proud, maybe he is feeling a bit worried he is not good enough.

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 17:41

Not sure whether to send him a message tonight, pre-empting his inevitable message tomorrow saying he's just getting ready to head over (and this way he's got time and no excuse to not tidy up) or leave it and spring it on him tomorrow!

OP posts:
Realyorkshiretea · 10/09/2021 17:42

I would message him tonight, like you said that way there’s no excuse.

Summerbubbles · 10/09/2021 17:43

I know someone who just can't bear to have people in their home, even for things like reading the gas meter. It causes them a huge amount of stress and anxiety for days before and after, they can't even have family around. They are however happy to go out to socialize and visit other people.

So this could be the reason. Can you see yourself having a future like that? Personally I could have a relationship like that but some people couldn't and you need to decide. I think it's unlikely he will change.

FleasInMyKnees · 10/09/2021 17:43

When he sends you a message say sorry I am out at the moment, can come over to you on the way home. Would you like me to get some food in.

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