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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

This is unusual, right? Perception check wanted

70 replies

Coffeetree · 19/03/2022 17:53

My partner and I have had this conversation before, and now I'm just bored.

Context: he just returned from a trip. During the trip we spoke every day, he said he couldn't wait to see me. I felt the same way.

Randomly learned this morning that he was flying home today, not this coming Monday as he'd said. Okay great, you need a ride from airport? "I'll let you know."

He texted early afternoon saying he was home and just woke up from nap. I was in his neighbourhood meeting a client and said I'd finish at 3:30. He said, 'Great, come to mine when you're finished."

I got to his at 3:30 having finished a little early. Texted, rang doorbell, rang his phone. I thought of letting myself in but I knew a friend of his was using his flat in his absence and didn't know if they were still there. I sat in the sun for ten minutes, rang again, concluded he had gone back to sleep, came home.

Cue repeated calls from him now, "I got home at 4, I had to run some errands and my phone isn't working, you mad?" (I hadn't thought to look for his car when I was at his.)

I texted back a little snottily, "You decided not to tell me you were going out so I came home. Enjoy your evening."

He's done this before. Flaked with a lot of apologies afterwards, when a 10-second text in time would've sorted things. It's either supreme flakery or a game. Either is unattractive. I've really gone off him.

OP posts:
Eddielizzard · 19/03/2022 18:33

I also think he's being very rude. And very clear.

I would back right off. Make other plans.

Sexnotgender · 19/03/2022 18:33

@Coffeetree

It's okay, just don't know why he comes crashing with apologies and declarations of love afterwards? Doesn't want to lose the security of our relationship or something?
To keep you hanging on and his options open.

Find someone who WANTS to see you.

NoFriendsNoEnemies · 19/03/2022 18:41

These people who wear their flakiness like a badge of honour are incredibly annoying.

TBH if it was a relatively new relationship I’d be wondering if he was seeing someone else.

Clymene · 19/03/2022 18:44

@Coffeetree

It's okay, just don't know why he comes crashing with apologies and declarations of love afterwards? Doesn't want to lose the security of our relationship or something?
Because you're still a booty call.
onemorerose · 19/03/2022 18:44

Yes definitely not top of his list of priorities. The bit about you finding out randomly that he was home much earlier than expected would really make me wonder as well. Did he tell you or how did you find out?
And saying he can’t wait to see you and then seems to not not be fussed on seeing you? He went out when he knew you were coming round!

Nomoresmoresthensnores · 19/03/2022 18:45

Control.
Its all about control.
You need to get out of there to be honest as it will erode your self esteem.
He obviously has issues but you won't be able to solve them.

ScrambledSmegs · 19/03/2022 18:46

He likes being in a relationship with all the benefits that they bring.

He's just not that bothered about you unfortunately.

Aprilx · 19/03/2022 18:50

I didn’t think it was too bad at first. You said you were finishing with a client at 3:30pm so if I were him I wouldn’t expect you to be arriving at 3:30pm, I would think maybe 4pm and he was in then.

But with the full context, no, he doesn’t seem to be that bothered about whether he sees you or not. I think this is going nowhere.

PilatesPeach · 19/03/2022 19:01

Stuff him!

k1233 · 19/03/2022 20:00

Yeah, sorry to say it but I think you're a place marker. He wants a relationship but not with you. His only problem is you're what he has at the moment. So he does the relationship stuff when it suits him but does other things if they suit him better. When he finds someone else he'll use his current behaviour to say you had a casual relationship and both knew that. You caught up when convenient.

Personally, a year with him would have seen me with a new patio...

Olivia199 · 19/03/2022 20:40

@Coffeetree

It's okay, just don't know why he comes crashing with apologies and declarations of love afterwards? Doesn't want to lose the security of our relationship or something?
Honestly? Sounds like he likes it on his terms. You back off because he's pushed too far and he comes back again to bring you back in. I've been there and it's crap. Not worth it. You deserve someone who's there all the time not just when he's reeling you back in!
Fireflygal · 19/03/2022 22:07

4 years!! No way was this poor communication. He knew you were planning on coming over to see him and he leaves without telling you. As you say a simple text, if it was unavoidable would be the minimum you would expect.

Then despite missed calls he didn't immediately apologise. I think he enjoys having you around but he isn't respectful. If he thinks you will walk he ups his game.

This lacks respect for you.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 19/03/2022 22:31

@Coffeetree

It's okay, just don't know why he comes crashing with apologies and declarations of love afterwards? Doesn't want to lose the security of our relationship or something?
If he got pissed off about you making plans when you thought he was going to be away, but behaves how he does... it sounds like he wants you to be available to him at all times in case he fancies seeing you but wants to himself be free at all times until he fancies seeing you.

This isn't how healthy relationships begin or continue.

Let alone years in.

Please don't waste your life on someone who is at best 'meh' in their actions, even if they act (slightly) more into you with words.

Squeezyhug · 19/03/2022 22:44

Don’t waste any more time on him.
You’re obviously not important enough to him to make you a priority.
Find someone who respects you.

Livelovebehappy · 19/03/2022 22:53

maybe his trip away was a bit intense/draining, and he just wanted time to himself to re-energise for a day or two, but didn’t want to tell you because he thought you’d be a bit upset by it?

Coffeetree · 19/03/2022 22:55

That is something I considered, but we know each other well enough to just say so.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 19/03/2022 22:55

@VioletLemon

You deserve an adult and it doesn't sound like he's on the same level. Give yourself a break, it sounds a little bit like you end up being 'the mother' in this relationship.
I agree with this. He's behaving like a spoiled child and he wants you to behave like a mother who will drop everything just to spend a little bit of time with him.
Ilovetea33 · 20/03/2022 04:54

So he's willing to see you for an hour, but then you have to shove off again? What kind of relationship is that?

hesbeen2021 · 20/03/2022 05:51

My exdh used to behave like this
I think he felt pretty powerless in life in general.
This game playing was sort of keeping me on my toes, having to guess what day/ time he'd be home and I do think it made him feel just the tiniest bit powerful
I think the vagueness is on purpose

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/03/2022 05:55

ExH was like this. It was because he just thought his time was much more valuable than anyone else's.

When he needed to be on time for him, he was.

NameGoesHere · 20/03/2022 06:43

You’re not a priority for him….glad you have given him the boot.

Palavah · 20/03/2022 06:55

@Livelovebehappy

maybe his trip away was a bit intense/draining, and he just wanted time to himself to re-energise for a day or two, but didn’t want to tell you because he thought you’d be a bit upset by it?
Come on, there is a clear pattern of behaviour here. Did you read the op?
EdithStourton · 20/03/2022 07:05

Four years of this shit? Nah, he's taking the piss.

louderthan · 20/03/2022 07:11

He's a dick. Bin him immediately.

billy1966 · 20/03/2022 08:39

Four years you have put up with this waster who likes to mess with your head?

Why would you do that.

He doesn't value you and he likes making a fool out of you.

Four years of this?🙄

Move on.