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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

DP and coworker - negative mentionitis turned positive

26 replies

strawberrysea · 24/08/2022 21:20

DP and I have been together for four years now, live together and generally get on well. Had a blip earlier this year but getting on so much better now.

He started a new job around a year ago and mentioned a female coworker pretty frequently, but always in a negative way. For example 'Female coworker is so lazy', 'female coworker gets on too well with management'. I didn't think much of it.

The female coworker has a bf and my DP suggested we all go out and meet up. She and I did not get along well at all, comments from her such as 'I can't believe you did your hair and makeup Strawberry, I always look homeless' etc. when she really did not look homeless. Also comments about my age which I found really odd, she is two years younger than me.

Anyway, the comments from my DP about her are becoming more frequent but also more positive. I'd rather he got along with coworkers obviously, but he seems to have changed his tune very quickly.

A few nights ago he gave me his phone to add what I wanted onto the weekly shop. A message from the coworker came up and I know that I absolutely shouldn't have done this and it's a breach of trust but I looked at their messages and pretty much none of the messages are about work. He's been giving her advice regarding some issues in her life, he asked her if she was going to be at an event in our city and she has also invited him to places which he has declined. There was also a picture that he had put on social media of me that she had zoomed in on and made fun of in what I think was meant to be lighthearted but still strange to me.

I really never thought that my DP would have an affair or emotional affair, he just does not seem the type. So quiet and reserved. Perhaps it's more of an ego boost situation on both sides.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Feel like I'm overthinking this way too much.

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 24/08/2022 22:45

It seems like she was keen to compare the two of you. I have a ‘friend’ who does the same. She comments on my hair and make up and makes out she looks a mess and then comments that she’s natural. She had an issue with myself and her dp so that’s why she made the comments.
Im hoping they are just good friends but maybe it’s beginning to cross the line with her inviting him places. It kind of seems like she’s interested in him and he’s maybe flattered by the attention.
If it was me I’d ask him to arrange another time out with all of you together, or ask about her dp and see how he reacts.
My dh had an emotional affair. The messages were friendly at first, then she took an interest in me, always comparing how different we were. She would always message him with her problems and somehow always seemed to have a problem with her dp. She was fishing for compliments from him. The messages turned flirty and she was keen to meet up with him. He said no and then I found all the messages. All I can say is just watch how many times he somehow brings her up in conversations, he’s keen to talk about her then. If he’s always on his phone or then becomes secretive with his phone then I think he might be hiding something.

ShedThirtySeven · 25/08/2022 07:07

No, it’s not on. I think you need to have an open, frank discussion with him over what’s going on. Part of that discussion should centre around whether he’d feel happy if you had a similar relationship with a male coworker.

Aikko · 25/08/2022 07:25

It sounds like things are moving in to more of an emotional relationship for him and this woman.
He’s probably loving the attention, and being there for her to turn to with problems and issues. This is very dangerous territory, and he should try to keep things professional with colleagues imo.

Is there a possibility he finds her attractive as well? As a lot of men will become highly motivated when they get a little attention from someone they deem as attractive.

Cheminaufaules · 25/08/2022 09:47

She zoomed in on a picture of you and made fun of you?! That is disrespectful. Does he know that you know?

YoSofi · 25/08/2022 11:11

No this is absolutely not ok.

If she’s taking the piss out of you why is he not calling her out?

His loyalty should be to you, and he’s spending far too much time and energy on her. It’s heading into emotional affair territory.

meloonhead · 25/08/2022 11:18

I would confront him about the messages. Yes you looked, but there was a notification on the screen and you just happened to click it.

This is not appropriate for her to be making fun of you. Nor really him giving advice on her private affairs.

Nip this in the bud, don't just sit there and keep it to yourself

Malad · 25/08/2022 13:04

“He is not the type”

Said every woman who has been cheated on!

You need to nip this in the bud as this is how most affairs start.

Watchkeys · 25/08/2022 17:00

What would happen if you asked him what his connection was like with her? If you asked him if he fancied her?

Why haven't you already?

Tiredmum100 · 25/08/2022 17:12

What was your partners reply when to the zoomed in photo? Speak to you dp.

OldEvilOwl · 25/08/2022 17:48

What did she say about you in the photo, and what was your husband's reply?

SlouchingTowardsBethlehemAgain · 25/08/2022 17:52

Shut this down now, it is an EA in the bud, and he has not got your back if he is letting her disrespect you.

GreenClock · 25/08/2022 17:53

There’s no “type” really.

It bodes well that he has declined her invitations but it’s not an ideal situation. The negative comment about your pic - that’s weird.

Notbeinfunnehbut · 25/08/2022 19:01

OldEvilOwl · 25/08/2022 17:48

What did she say about you in the photo, and what was your husband's reply?

This ^

how he responded says a a lot

strawberrysea · 25/08/2022 19:20

I haven't told him that I've seen the messages because I wasn't sure if I would be making a big deal out of nothing but the poster above made a great point about how he would feel if I was behaving like this with a male colleague. He would not be happy at all.

His response to the picture was (not verbatim but as well as I remember) 'hahahaha yeah we had a laugh about it earlier', referencing him and I laughing about it. We had a bit of a laugh about the (very small and hardly noticeable) aspect of the photo she found funny but I still find it a bit odd that they are friendly enough for her to be comfortable to send a joke like that.

It's playing on my mind so much so I think maybe my gut is telling me that something is wrong.

OP posts:
Notbeinfunnehbut · 25/08/2022 19:27

strawberrysea · 25/08/2022 19:20

I haven't told him that I've seen the messages because I wasn't sure if I would be making a big deal out of nothing but the poster above made a great point about how he would feel if I was behaving like this with a male colleague. He would not be happy at all.

His response to the picture was (not verbatim but as well as I remember) 'hahahaha yeah we had a laugh about it earlier', referencing him and I laughing about it. We had a bit of a laugh about the (very small and hardly noticeable) aspect of the photo she found funny but I still find it a bit odd that they are friendly enough for her to be comfortable to send a joke like that.

It's playing on my mind so much so I think maybe my gut is telling me that something is wrong.

It’s very cheeky and disrespectful I would not be happy you are right to be upset

Notbeinfunnehbut · 25/08/2022 19:28

Is the ‘joke’ making fun of your physical appearance op?

strawberrysea · 25/08/2022 19:31

@Notbeinfunnehbut it was a part of my body, yes. Nothing too cruel like the stomach or arms. Sorry, I am so paranoid about someone they know seeing this, even though of course it's very unlikely.

OP posts:
ShedThirtySeven · 25/08/2022 20:11

And if you confront and get told you’re paranoid - a good comeback is “just because I’m ‘paranoid’, doesn’t mean I’m wrong”. And you’re not paranoid, you’re intuitive which is a great skill to use to your advantage - particularly when you need to weed out rubbish.
Its really not nice behaviour OP, don’t doubt yourself. You deserve better.

Jewel7 · 25/08/2022 20:20

My oh had a emotional affair. Talking from experience I wouldn’t tell him you had seen the message. I would ask him what’s going on and watch his reactions. And keep an eye on the phone. I guess it depends how honest you think he can be?

strawberrysea · 25/08/2022 20:24

He is HUGELY defensive by nature.
If I bring it up I'm certain he will say it's nothing.
I'll keep an eye on his reaction to receiving messages and whatnot. I feel so guilty that I even read the initial messages.

OP posts:
Isthisexpected · 25/08/2022 20:27

“He is not the type”

Said every woman who has been cheated on!

You need to nip this in the bud as this is how most affairs start.

^ Yes. Don't feel guilty. Feel relieved you have been savvy and lucky enough to pick up on the start of their affair. He has not protected the boundaries of your relationship by veering into an EA, cultivating a connection with a colleague outside of work.

HailAdrian · 25/08/2022 20:29

I won't lie, I would absolutely not be happy about this, however, he's not being secretive about either of you, he's saying no when she invites him to places, he's kind of got your back with the whole picture thing because he's let her know that whatever it is, you're not bothered by it. None of this screams sexual attraction on his side.

ShedThirtySeven · 25/08/2022 20:31

An emotional affair - or the start of completely trumps any message reading. I wouldn’t feel guilty, you smelt a rat and it sounds like you were proved right.

Pillsoshi · 25/08/2022 20:41

Laughing at you ? Hmm.

Boundaries crossed, totally. A woman mocking you to your partner? Your partner in on the joke? Unpleasant. End of.

What you can do or intend to do about it is another question.

Is your DP a man or a mouse or a jerk - what it comes down to …

Pillsoshi · 25/08/2022 20:44

If I were you, I wouldn’t tell him anything just now of your suspicions or reservations. Just totally keep an eye on things. “Observation” mode. Even sneak on his social meedja if you feel it’s necessary.

Mainly you’ve got to decide if he’s a worthy partner.

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