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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 looking for answers: just need to offload really

26 replies

EdinaMonsoon · 16/06/2023 17:19

As background: DH has form for extensive porn use and scrolling through social media to look at women. We had a massive row about it a couple of years ago. He swears he's changed, deleted all apps etc. I constantly veer between mistrust and indifference, tbh, with the occasional dose of "pick me" thrown in. We have tried to work on our relationship. He says all the right things - tells me he finds me attractive, doesn't want anyone else etc. Mostly we get on well. We have a laugh, regular sex and flirt with each other, enjoy each others' company.

Today, adult DS's girlfriend was in our home and I watched, stunned, as DH openly stared at her breasts and down her top. He was trying to do this weird side eye thing but it would be clear to a blind man that he was clearly staring, DH not exactly known for being subtle. For some reason, this has completely tipped me over the edge. I am full of rage but I can't express it because he will deny, deny, deny. Obviously I don't expect DH to walk around with blinkers on. It's perfectly natural to notice people. But this was such a blatant gawp at her chest, coupled with the fact that she's likely to become our DIL (they are mid-20s and have had the conversation) that I actually feel a bit sick and angry that he would objectify her in this way too.

I'm sure some of you will tell me to give my head a wobble. And to be fair, if there wasn't the past history of seeking out younger women then I would be able to laugh and think "sad old git, you've got no chance!". But instead I just feel angry and also really pathetic and sad. I was about to type something about how I take care of myself with fitness, diet etc but then I thought that actually even if I didn't that wouldn't excuse him looking elsewhere.

OP posts:
TheoTheopolis23 · 16/06/2023 17:27

Some people don't really ogle, some people ogle discretely, and some people ogle really cringe worthily obviously.

I have to say the non oglers and discrete oglers are more likely to be female than male.

Your h is clearly an obvious ogler. That is very uncomfortable for their partner. Their partner has the difficult choice of leaving them and hoping to meet another partner who is not an obvious ogler/gasper (or not having a partner) or of putting up with his cringe behaviour.

TheoTheopolis23 · 16/06/2023 17:30

*gawper

TheoTheopolis23 · 16/06/2023 17:33

It sounds like you don't want to leave him so ....

Fwiw, a bit of an aside but I don't thi k him doing that means he would try to shag her/have a relationship with her (or anyone he does it to); it's just a animalistic, automatic gawping/staring behaviour at any "thing" that represents the opposite sex (or same sex if gay). I don't think they necessary think they have a chance or even that they would try to gave a chance.

Pumpkintopf · 16/06/2023 17:37

I find it disgusting that he would look at any woman like that tbh but especially his son's girlfriend. Yuck.

INeedAnotherName · 16/06/2023 17:38

I think the rage you are feeling is not because he did it so obviously. It's probably not even because she is so young in comparison. It's because she is the equivalent to daughter. It's got a feeling of incest about it.

No advice. Well, apart from the usual. You seem to have been banging your head on the proverbial brick wall for years and this is your "reward". I'm sorry.

lljkk · 16/06/2023 17:41

2/10

Peradventure55 · 16/06/2023 17:42

I know know know how terribly pedantic it is, but the word is discreet
Thanks.

cassiatwenty · 16/06/2023 17:43

It's just disrespectful

DoubleTime · 16/06/2023 17:45

Sorry to hear this EdinaMonsoon, I can see why this is the straw on your back of the whole issue. How did DIL -to-be handle it? Some men think they are being subtle when they are not, she was probably well aware.
Perhaps rather than have a go from your perspective, you ask what will he do if she stops coming round and gives him as the reason to your DS.

mbosnz · 16/06/2023 17:50

I feel for you, your prospective daughter in law, and your son. Some men, unfortunately, are disrespectful, entitled, totally unself aware, pigs.

TheoTheopolis23 · 16/06/2023 17:51

I was about to type something about how I take care of myself with fitness, diet etc but then I thought that actually even if I didn't that wouldn't excuse him looking elsewhere.

I don't think being attractive, in good shape etc. stops a partner from looking at other attractive people of their sexual orientation.

How discretely they look, however obviously makes it more or less uncomfortable for their partner.

TheoTheopolis23 · 16/06/2023 18:05

I think the rage you are feeling is not because he did it so obviously. It's probably not even because she is so young in comparison. It's because she is the equivalent to daughter. It's got a feeling of incest about it.

This is a good point.

It's even more cringey & uncomfortable because she's your son's partner and very likely to be your dil.

TheoTheopolis23 · 16/06/2023 18:11

Men like this don't change - my uncle was shaking his head and laughing incredulously at my late grandfather ogling another uncle's wife's cleavage when she leaned over him/towards him - while he was in hospital essentially going downhill and incapacitated. He couldn't believe he was still gawping at her cleavage (was really obvious to my uncle).

determinedtomakethiswork · 16/06/2023 18:13

He's a disgusting pig. I knew a guy like this and his next step was to put a camera in the bathroom.

WtP · 16/06/2023 18:16

Years ago my father brought a cup of tea up for my then girlfriend & I in bed. She was somewhat spilling over the duvet and I noticed him having a good look while traversing the bedroom.
He was a good honest man and I don't blame him for having a look.
It was my mum that played away from home and broke the family up with someone else 5 years later.
He was never a player but just a bloke that got a bit of an eyefull that morning. Don't accuse every man that just looks of being a monster

NoSquirrels · 16/06/2023 18:16

I'm sure some of you will tell me to give my head a wobble.

I won’t. It sounds awful. Did your DS’s girlfriend notice? Poor her. She’ll think her prospective FIL is a creep - and rightly so. Did your DS notice?

Wherestheheatwave · 16/06/2023 18:17

Someone did that to me at my wedding. A friends boyfriend who she later married. It’s revolting. I would be disgusted if it were my partner, especially a future daughter in law.

BenandGerrys · 16/06/2023 18:21

OP,
The clue is here - As background: DH has form for extensive porn use and scrolling through social media to look at women.

So why are you surprised?

He sees women as commodities for his sexual enjoyment, and it doesn't matter who they are - family or not.

Be prepared for a whole lot more of this sort of behaviour.🙄

perfectcolourfound · 16/06/2023 18:48

I'm shocked at the people who think this OK or 'normal'.

We can all clock an attractive person. Most of us do it instantaneously and move on. Noone else would notice.

But to to treat a guest in your house, your son's gf, someone young enought to be your daughter like that.... well it makes me wonder how obvious he'd have been (and what else he'd have done) if it hadn't been at home / with his wife around / his son's gf.

I feel for you. I feel for your son's gf.

Fannieannie63 · 16/06/2023 19:57

I’m sorry op, how completely cringe worthy and embarrassing/disrespectful. Definitely have it out with him and ensure he knows that everyone present saw. Tell him it has to stop immediately. Without shouting. Explain calmly and evenly why you will not tolerate school behaviour again. Good luck.

Fannieannie63 · 16/06/2023 19:58

tolerate such behaviour

sorry I’ve had a stroke x

SummerVino · 16/06/2023 20:11

How awful for everyone concerned, your son, particularly his gf if she noticed, and you as your husband leers at a woman in your own home. WRONG WRONG WRONG.

FuckNuggets · 16/06/2023 20:27

WtP · 16/06/2023 18:16

Years ago my father brought a cup of tea up for my then girlfriend & I in bed. She was somewhat spilling over the duvet and I noticed him having a good look while traversing the bedroom.
He was a good honest man and I don't blame him for having a look.
It was my mum that played away from home and broke the family up with someone else 5 years later.
He was never a player but just a bloke that got a bit of an eyefull that morning. Don't accuse every man that just looks of being a monster

No one has accused him of being a monster. He does have form for porn use and looking at other women on social media though. Do you think this is normal behaviour? Because it's absolutely not.

TheoTheopolis23 · 16/06/2023 21:02

As background: DH has form for extensive porn use and scrolling through social media to look at women

He sounds like a bit of a sleaze really.

I don't mind moderate porn use. That doesn't sound moderate (?)

Scrolling through SM to look at women is a step further (to me anyway) than random, "anonymous", distant porn actresses... If it's "models", even worse if it's women you might know/see/encounter.

EdinaMonsoon · 17/06/2023 01:09

Thank you for all your responses. It’s helped me get a sense of perspective: one which isn’t entirely different from when I originally posted this thread, sadly.

I think @INeedAnotherName has summed it up perfectly: to watch your husband letch at a woman who is in all likelihood soon to become your DIL is just awful because of the implication of incest. It’s an absolute deal breaker for me.

And for those who have said it’s sleazy: 100%.

I deliberately stepped away from the thread after I posted in order to clear my head emotionally and physically. Having returned 5 hours later and read the comments I am more certain than ever that I cannot accept this any longer.

There’s no point in trying to explain it to DH. He will deny or say that I am seeing stuff that isn’t actually happening. But more than his responses, I simply cannot be bothered. It’s pathetic and futile and I don’t want to play out this crap anymore. For the first time I feel empowered and calm and understand that nothing needs to be said. I simply need to do: ie leave him. Just typing those words makes me feel calm and in control of myself and my emotions. I won’t ever tell DS what I saw today - I don’t think he noticed it (nor future DIL) because DS would have gone batshit if he had (zero filter: and understandable in such a scenario). It’s enough for me to know that DHs words are outweighed by his actions and I don’t want to deal with them any longer.

OP posts:
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