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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:
cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 18:41

He's also never mentioned the dogs being the problem.

OP posts:
RantyAunty · 10/09/2021 18:44

I'm thinking he is obsessive with his cleaning.

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 18:46

Ok I've sent it. Watch this space!

OP posts:
Howshouldibehave · 10/09/2021 18:46

@cheesecakeisacompletemeal

Ok I've sent it. Watch this space!
Well done! What did you say?
cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 18:50

I basically just said that I love spending time with him but it's always at mine and never at his, so it would be nice to come over to his more and feel welcome in his home like he is in mine. I also said I might challenge him to cook me a meal (I added a Wink so as not to seem too severe!).

OP posts:
RubyFowler · 10/09/2021 18:51

Maybe he can't cook? Have the dates all revolved around dinner?
Has he shown any inclination to help if you're cooking?

AnnaSW1 · 10/09/2021 18:52

This doesn't sound like a relationship on his part. He just visits sporadically for you to provide food/hosting and whatever else is provided. No effort required on his part and he gets all the rewards. There's no incentive for him to change things and it also keeps you uncertain and at arms length. I say this because I have know men like this before.

Sleepinghyena · 10/09/2021 18:53

He is disrespecting you. Happy for you to do all the work - cook, clean up etc. You have mentioned it months ago and he has made no effort to even things up.
He is not a keeper.

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 18:54

I think he can cook - he's done bits and pieces at mine but always things he seems comfortable with.

OP posts:
cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 18:55

Well whatever he says and/or does next will be very telling as this is pretty much his final warning to pull his socks up as I won't mention it again. I'll just cut off emotionally from him and then we're doomed.

OP posts:
thistimelastweek · 10/09/2021 18:57

I hate hosting and I hate cooking for other people. My house is respectable and I can cook fine but even so hosting makes me anxious. I don't know why but I just overthink it.

Maybe he's the same?

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 18:58

When I say he's cooked at mine, I mean for himself (we have separate meals as different diets).

OP posts:
cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 18:59

I'm not keen on hosting either - I got very used to having my own "safe" space after a previous relationship. But I recognise that in order to have a "normal" relationship I need to make an effort to be welcoming to anyone I am serious about having a future with.

OP posts:
cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 19:08

He's read it... awaiting a reply! Grin

OP posts:
RubyFowler · 10/09/2021 19:08

What did you say in your message?

RubyFowler · 10/09/2021 19:09

Sorry, seen you've already said.

Howshouldibehave · 10/09/2021 19:11

@cheesecakeisacompletemeal

I basically just said that I love spending time with him but it's always at mine and never at his, so it would be nice to come over to his more and feel welcome in his home like he is in mine. I also said I might challenge him to cook me a meal (I added a Wink so as not to seem too severe!).
So if he says, ‘goodness,,don’t be so silly, that’s ridiculous- of course you’re welcome at mine’, but then doesn’t change his behaviour at all, you have your answer!
Northernsoullover · 10/09/2021 19:13

I need to know the reply Wink

FlumpsAreShit · 10/09/2021 19:14

Also here for the reply OP! Shall we all start some wild guesses? Maybe he keeps a creature in his loft that he lets roam at night? Or he is afraid you'll mess up his immaculate home?

cheesecakeisacompletemeal · 10/09/2021 19:17

He replied straightaway!

"Hey, it’s not been a bad day thanks, but I’m still stuck on this tricky work problem that I can’t figure out.
Thanks for talking to me about what’s on your mind. You are always welcome to come to mine, it’s just that I sometimes prefer to come to yours if I’ve had a hectic week and am behind on my housework …like last week. I’m never saying that you can’t come to mine - I will just occasionally say that I’d prefer to come to yours if I feel that it’s a bit of a state here. I know you say you don’t care and you’re sure it’s not actually that bad anyway (which is very kind of you!), but I just hate the thought of having anyone round and them being presented with mess. If you want to spend some time here this weekend, you absolutely can …I’ll get cracking on the housework! 🙂 As for cooking you a meal - that terrifies me, simply because I have such different food tastes to you and zero experience of cooking your types of food! That’s not to say I wouldn’t give it a go ..but I’d effectively be cooking blind, as I wouldn’t be able to tell if what I was cooking was actually any good. Xxx"

OP posts:
RandomMess · 10/09/2021 19:22

Seriously from now on make it alternate weekends at his!

FleasInMyKnees · 10/09/2021 19:25

That's not so bad, he sounds a bit obsessed with cleaning and creating a good impression. Can you cook with him, something you can both eat, instead of having to make separate meals. He doesnt sound very confident, is he a bit shy and reserved. If the thought of cooking a meal fills him with dread then either do something simple you can share, get a takeout, eat out and go back to his dor the rest of the evening.

It's a bit daft him saying sometimes he prefers to come to yours if he is always coming to your place. Did he have a bossy parent that makes him have low esteem.

RubyFowler · 10/09/2021 19:26

Well I guess you could go this weekend and then see if it turns out to be a one off or a permanent change in behaviour?
What do you think?

DoubleTweenQueen · 10/09/2021 19:34

@cheesecakeisacompletemeal That's a nice reply. Why don't you cook together?

Realyorkshiretea · 10/09/2021 19:36

Better than I expected, and it actually speaks quite well of him he hasn’t done the usual male tactic when confronted which is sulking/turning it round on you. I would forward him a (simple) recipe and put ‘you can’t go wrong with that! Looking forward to seeing you’