Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Not the best lover my wife has ever had...

112 replies

Tocquers · 25/04/2022 16:12

Hi all,

I was hoping I might be able to get a woman's perspective to help me work something out. For context, I am 32, and have been married about six months. I am (still - and we've been together 5 years) quite head over heels with my wife!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, about a week or so ago we were sitting on the couch on a very normal Tuesday night, when she got up to go to the loo. This next bit is not good behaviour - and I do realise this - but shortly after she'd left the room her phone (unlocked) pinged up with something like, 'Looooooool, don't tell [my name] that, anyway!' from a female friend my wife is close to

Clearly, it wasn't the right thing to do, but curiousity (and tbh a bit of worry) got the better of me, so I looked at the exchange. In short, a few nights ago, I'd told my wife she was the best sex I'd ever had - not for the first time, because she really is! She'd told her friend about this, and how sweet it was to say, but then something like (details are a bit blurry - was in a bit of a rush / shame spiral), 'But obvs I didn't tell him about [previous boyfriend]'s [slang for the obvious] which as we know was quiiiiite a bit bigger and better!'

Anyway, given what I was doing I didn't really wallow in the details and kind of just put the phone back where it was - I think her friend sent a load more texts so it wasn't obvious I'd been snooping. But since then I've gone down a bit of a rabbit hole, and am feeling pretty bummed out. In all honesty to the point where I'm avoiding any intimacy at all because I'm not sure how well I'd do just right now...

I think it's not so much the fact that someone else is better equipped (I'm pretty aware it's all pretty average in that department, and made my peace with that a while ago!), but the 'better' bit is really bothering me. She'd previously reciprocated on the 'best ever' stuff, but clearly not. And tbh even that would probably not be the end of the world - I realise the person you marry isn't always your best ever - it's more that she'd share something like that with a friend. It just felt a bit needless, and perhaps like we weren't quite the unit I thought we were

I'm clearly not going to do anything about it - and I realise that as hurtful as it feels, I haven't covered myself in glory in terms of how I found out, but I suppose I was wondering how common it was for people to feel that way? And is it normal to share that much with girlfriends? I don't really talk to anyone about some of what I talk to my wife about (I know that probably this is more common with blokes, and general lack of opening up)

Anyway, any advice or thoughts gratefully received!

OP posts:
dickiedavisthunderthighs · 25/04/2022 16:21

I think you must have misread it and your wife was just talking about her ex-boyfriend's shed. Women don't think about genitalia the way that men think they do.

Tocquers · 25/04/2022 16:26

Haaaa! Comment of the thread. And it's only post 2. I see where you're coming from. That said, hard to argue with 'better'. I suppose the bit that's really bothering me is that I thought that kind of thing was between us (I realise that sounds hypocritical since presumably she thinks her phone messages are between her and her friends...)

OP posts:
Knifer · 25/04/2022 16:27

That seems so unusual for a woman to slag off her husband's penis and sex skills to her mate. Unless she's got form for being a bit of a bitch? Or your marriage is far from rosy and she actually can't stand you? Other than those scenarios, I cannot get my head round her making fun of you like that

Knifer · 25/04/2022 16:27

That seems so unusual for a woman to slag off her husband's penis and sex skills to her mate. Unless she's got form for being a bit of a bitch? Or your marriage is far from rosy and she actually can't stand you? Other than those scenarios, I cannot get my head round her making fun of you like that

ImAvingOops · 25/04/2022 16:30

I don't think it's appropriate for your wife to be sharing that info with a friend tbh - it's personal and hurtful to you. But not sure what you can do about it short of admitting what you did, apologising for it and having a discussion about what is fair and reasonable behaviour in a relationship (for both of you)!
Id probably go with that tbh.

Skelligsfeathers · 25/04/2022 16:33

She might think her ex had a bigger dick but sex with you is more intimate, more special, more loving etc
I too think it is highly unusual fir that conversation to have happened. It seems very untrue to life iyswim.

Aquamarine1029 · 25/04/2022 16:34

You are now having to deal with the consequences of invading your wife's privacy. She didn't marry Mr. Golden Cock, did she? She married you, so get over yourself, let it go and never read her personal messages again.

heathspeedwell · 25/04/2022 16:34

For all you know it could be a longstanding joke with her friend that her friend believes bigger is better but your wife doesn't. After all she chose you not the other guy. You can't tell context from snooping, which is a good reason not to snoop. If everything else with your marriage is great then you probably got the wrong end of the stick.

Gowithme · 25/04/2022 16:38

That is so disrespectful of her. I guess she probably thinks it's just a joke and bit of banter with her mate and you'll never know so it won't hurt you. Well that came back and bit her on the bum.

I think you're going to have to raise it otherwise it's going to be going around your head. Apologise for looking at her phone but say your name came up and you wanted to know what she wasn't supposed to tell you.

It's probably just her being immature and showing off to her mate but I think she needs to understand it's rude and disrespectful and how would she like it if you were saying her bits were like the channel tunnel or something equally obnoxious to your mates.

LaingsAcidTab · 25/04/2022 16:43

Aquamarine1029 · 25/04/2022 16:34

You are now having to deal with the consequences of invading your wife's privacy. She didn't marry Mr. Golden Cock, did she? She married you, so get over yourself, let it go and never read her personal messages again.

Perfectly put!

Tocquers · 25/04/2022 16:43

I see what you mean about it being untrue to life. For wider context we've been having an unusually great time these past couple of months following a period where I was travelling a lot for work and was busy even when I was home. So I guess I've been mooning about how much I love her a lot recently - think the wider chat was about that and about how nice it apparently was, but then, yeah...bit of a turn for the hurtful

OP posts:
brianixon · 25/04/2022 16:44

Could it be a set-up? Has she left a very provoking message to test if you snoop on her?
If you react - Gotcha!

LetitiaLeghorn · 25/04/2022 16:45

There's a saying, "eavesdropping never hear good of themselves". I guess you just learned that in spades.

She married you because she loves you. Remember that and stop checking up on her.

beastlyslumber · 25/04/2022 16:48

You should admit to your wife that you snooped in her phone. What you did was disrespectful and out of order. You should tell her and apologise.

What she discusses with her friends is none of your business. You don't know the context or tone of the conversation. Learn from this to be a more honest and trustworthy partner in future.

quietnightmare · 25/04/2022 16:48

You know what to do OP ...::rock her world. Get a takeaway ( or cook) , wine, candles, fresh bedding, music on and WOO her, and make the night all about her if you catch my drift.

Cait33 · 25/04/2022 16:49

Have you considered the idea this could be a bit of a sarcastic joke situation? By that I mean maybe the ex was utter rubbish in bed and your wife and her mate are actually having a laugh at his expense? Maybe he thought he was a bit of a legend but was actually pants? Seems a more likely scenario than your wife betraying the trust of someone who clearly adores her.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 25/04/2022 16:49

As my dear old Nan used to say, "Those who listen at doors never hear owt good about themselves". I think your chickens have come home to roost.

Tocquers · 25/04/2022 16:49

Aquamarine1029 · 25/04/2022 16:34

You are now having to deal with the consequences of invading your wife's privacy. She didn't marry Mr. Golden Cock, did she? She married you, so get over yourself, let it go and never read her personal messages again.

Yes, I understand it wasn't great behaviour. Honestly it's much less about getting over myself wrt not having a 'Golden Cock', much more about feeling a bit unsure about that level of sharing. I would very much like to let it go, and will probably just suck it up and try to do so! But easier said than done I suppose

OP posts:
Neverreturntoathread · 25/04/2022 16:49

That wasn’t an ok thing for her to say, and I don’t criticise my husband’s sexual performance or equipment to my friends. That is weird.

I absolutely do moan about DH’s rudeness/selfishness to my friends tho - quite often! Particularly if they’re struggling with their DH, as it cheers them up we’re all in same boat.

Dunno if that helps 🤷‍♀️

I suspect this will prey on your mind and spoil your sex life until you tell her what you saw, and give her a chance to explain what the hell she was thinking. She may be very upset you checked her phone and you will have to deal with that.

YRGAM · 25/04/2022 16:52

This sounds very unusual - I even suspect she might have been being sarcastic

Kolani · 25/04/2022 16:53

brianixon · 25/04/2022 16:44

Could it be a set-up? Has she left a very provoking message to test if you snoop on her?
If you react - Gotcha!

Is she did, what a silly childish thing to do.

Plantlover12 · 25/04/2022 16:58

Funny how if it was a woman writing this post about her husband everyone would be saying get rid.
Your wife is out of order. Why is she comparing you, her husband, to ex boyfriends?
Who cares you snooped on her phone, she shouldn't have left it unlocked so messages pop up automatically if she doesn't want to risk you seeing messages that are about you! I'd have done the same and snooped if I saw my name.
I'd defo be having a word about how she's hurt your feelings.

Tocquers · 25/04/2022 16:59

brianixon · 25/04/2022 16:44

Could it be a set-up? Has she left a very provoking message to test if you snoop on her?
If you react - Gotcha!

Fair one - but I think it's a bit unlikely. Her friend would have had to be fairly complicit and from a snatched glance it didn't look like that

Totally hear the posters who're calling me out for snooping. Not proud (at all), and am definitely getting my just desserts because I am pretty gutted.

I suppose it's mainly about the sharing. I'm as much of a 'bloke' / 'lad' as the next guy but I'm just not sure I'd ever talk about stuff like that to friends about someone I was very close to. And can't really remember other men telling me the same, including in some fairly 'lad-heavy' (hurl) environments (rugby clubs, the military etc). I thought it might have just been a thing that girls do but sounds like perhaps not!

Honestly I think I might just have to let it go, and suck it up. She's already mentioned that I've been a bit quieter these past few days, but not sure I've got the right to do a big reveal given how I behaved myself.

OP posts:
DogWithMyOwnRoom · 25/04/2022 17:01

Aquamarine1029 · 25/04/2022 16:34

You are now having to deal with the consequences of invading your wife's privacy. She didn't marry Mr. Golden Cock, did she? She married you, so get over yourself, let it go and never read her personal messages again.

Completely agree with this… but would’ve put it in a more gentle way!

Just one more thing - I was with someone for 20 years, (fantastic imaginative and frequent sex) and he was slightly better endowed than my DH. I have mentioned previously, after alcohol, to a friend that sex with my ex- BF was better and I don’t think it’s unusual for women to share.

of course, your feelings are hurt. But there’s always time to improve - you have the rest of your lives together!

Try not to be over-sensitive, remember she chose and married you and as PP suggested make lots of effort to ‘rock her world’ going forward

Shmithecat2 · 25/04/2022 17:02

Odd convo for her and her friend to have. I've never once rated sex partners with my BFF Hmm