Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Wife says I have a problem. More arguments

160 replies

DadSpeaking · 16/03/2024 18:42

We have some friends that we regularly meet up with 6/7 times per year. His wife is lovely and her husband is too..except when he has had a lot to drink. My wife says he just very friendly and what he does is just banter and I over react. But I feel he oversteps the mark and he makes me feel uncomfortable each time. But it seems now to be getting a little worse each time.

This week we attended a funeral and went to the wake where there some.drinking after..I was there with my wife and not drinking. His fiancee was very busy with the people so we were left more with him chatting. He was his usually multiple huggy self but nothing I was concerned with at that point. He always focuses his chat towards my wife rather than engage both as a couple.

I left to get the car and move onto the wake house. His fiancee went in another car and he came out with my wife and 3 other from the wake going back. We didn't really know these other so realtive strangers. He always seems to manage to be in a position where he is near my wife but this could be me of course. There was too many for the run, 5 but instead of my wife going in the front of her own car. He manoeverd his brother in law to the front(who was going to walk the short journey) and sat in the back saying to my wife she could sit on his knee. She didn't but thankfully but squeezing in on the end of the seat but they were all squashed together her sort of tilting into him sort of side on.

As we drove on he announced to me and the 3 strangers. That he could feel all my wife's bumps and he was really enjoying it. I was dumbstruck and the joke as my wife calls it was met with complete silence In the car.

We went into the house and I didn't want to say anything or cause a fuss at wake house. We stayed for maybe another hour. Where he kept coming up putting his arm around my wife and hugging etc saying how lovely she was. His fiancee was off again so not around as normal (to keep him in check). He did this again only this time telling me I was punching above my weight. Done in a jokey way but I felt less jokey and more of a dominance show. He the. Turned around to fa e her front showing his back to me and was almost in a kissing position where he proceeded to whisper into her ear. I thought this all very strange but could not cause a fuss at such a sensitive place.

He did this a final time again up close and personal. I don't know what he said in her ear..but my wife was slightly taken a back. Before saying "you wish." We announced we were leaving to collect our kids.

I was quiet on the way back and as this normally would result in argument I said nothing. But as time passed I began to get more upset l over..so I raised it with her and said I wasn't happy about all that gone on with him and asked what he whispered to her. She said that he had just whispered a joke that she couldn't remember now. It was nothing hardly worth remembering. It made no sense to me that a. She couldn't remember and it could have been a few words which would have been difficult as a joke. Maybe insulting but that would invoke the surprised and 'you wish" response.

I really wasn't bothered and held my wife at no fault at all, I just felt he was taking advantage of my wife's good nature and wanted to know what was said. By the reaction and words I was already guessing exactly what he said..If she just told me we could have just moved on..

I now started to get concerned and pressed more, I felt her diversion, gulps and lack of eye contact were seemingly untruthful. I may went to far and said I felt she was lying to me that she did know because she could recall everything from the evening except this specific bit. She just kept brushing off as a joke she couldn't remember or why she had said that to him.

Cut to now. We are really arguing, she is telling me I am totally blowing this out of proportion it was all just banter and screaming at me to drop it. Now she denies even saying you wish and being shocked at all, despite admitting prior she had said it to the joke he had whispered.

This has gone from her being totally not to blame for anything to now having major concerns by me why she may or may not be lying to me.

She is telling me just drop it. But there is this nagging instinct as I had witnessed first hand it all was not right.

We are going away with them in Easter and I don't want to go..she is now saying I am being ridiculous. Am I..I am at a loss what to do!! I feel I can't ask her anymore but I feel I need to get to the truth.

Help

OP posts:
PoochiesPinkEars · 16/03/2024 20:27

Agree, tackle him not your wife. But quietly and confidently and with her knowledge in advance that you intend to do that she can also have your back even if it is just through her body language (stand by you).

KrushedIvy · 16/03/2024 20:29

He's testing the waters. End this so called friendship. I bet he will try something even more physical with your wife next . You are feeling angry because this man had got one over on you at the expense of your wife .He is not your friend. He's a bully .

jannier · 16/03/2024 20:49

DadSpeaking · 16/03/2024 19:00

I am not screaming at her. Just asking her but as I feel the responses are less reassuring but actually causing more problems. If she just said he was being a perv we could have just moved on. But the less honest she seems to be the more I am becoming sensitive as to why she isn't being open about it.

She didn't really discourage anything at all but then I think she is a very nice person and less street wise with men.

So you don't trust her or you think she should have made a scene at the funeral. Or you have issues and make things up like a controlling partner who thinks no man can talk to HIS wife....and now your blaming her and saying she's in need of protection as the little woman.
She probably knew you were going to keep on and blow it up and you have.
Why are you going on holiday with a man you don't trust?
Ask your wife if it upsets her if it doesn't grow up.

DadSpeaking · 16/03/2024 20:52

Queenofcarrotflour · 16/03/2024 19:33

I think the man was totally inappropriate. But I also don't think it's great that your wife seems oblivious to his inappropriate behaviour. It might be that she is trying to see the best in him and just brush it off as the thought of him being a perv is uncomfortable.

But because of this whole dynamic I would definitely not enjoy going on holiday with them - sounds like he will just keep pushing boundaries and the whole thing could turn quite unpleasant.

I agree, he will keep pushing the boundaries. I tried to talk to her to say if he was willing to say something so sexually horrible to you. It's not a joke and he holds you in no respect for you.

OP posts:
Watchkeys · 16/03/2024 20:54

I don't blame my wife and totally trust her

So, in a sentence, what's your problem?

Azandme · 16/03/2024 21:01

jannier · 16/03/2024 20:49

So you don't trust her or you think she should have made a scene at the funeral. Or you have issues and make things up like a controlling partner who thinks no man can talk to HIS wife....and now your blaming her and saying she's in need of protection as the little woman.
She probably knew you were going to keep on and blow it up and you have.
Why are you going on holiday with a man you don't trust?
Ask your wife if it upsets her if it doesn't grow up.

This.

You really think your wife is some silly little woman who doesn't know what "men" are like...

How patronising.

WalkingaroundJardine · 16/03/2024 21:03

I agree - you should be confronting the boundary pushing guy.

It seems to me that your wife is trying to stop things getting out of hand but is struggling to do so. Is she good friends with the others and therefore she is trying to stop things from imploding to the point that friendships have to be ended?

Deadringer · 16/03/2024 21:03

He sounds like an awful knob, and while his carry on is not your wife's fault, I feel she should recognise to some extent that his behaviour isn't on. I definitely wouldn't be going away with them at Easter, or any other time.

Gcsunnyside23 · 16/03/2024 21:07

The man is a pervy prick and you need to say something directly to him. But your wife is at fault also as she sees nothing wrong with his actions and won't let you both leave a situation that if reversed I'd say she would not be impressed with. And no I'm not blaming her for the pervy man's actions but she isn't discouraging him and isn't maintaining distance, if anything she's sticking up for him. How would she feel if it were you in her position and a woman was acting like that with you?

AyeupDuck · 16/03/2024 21:07

There is another thread about a leery bloke who made comments recently and the BF did not stand up for her nor think it was a problem. Everyone had sympathy for the woman. He is a bloody perv who is crossing boundaries just the same as the bloke in the other thread.

DadSpeaking · 16/03/2024 21:08

WalkingaroundJardine · 16/03/2024 21:03

I agree - you should be confronting the boundary pushing guy.

It seems to me that your wife is trying to stop things getting out of hand but is struggling to do so. Is she good friends with the others and therefore she is trying to stop things from imploding to the point that friendships have to be ended?

Edited

I think that his behavior is not appropriate but she doesn't think it is. That it's just banter.

I want to address it but she thinks I'm blowing it out of proportion. Encouraging the holiday even to happen

OP posts:
Artapplicapplications787 · 16/03/2024 21:11

Op I haven’t rtft but I think you are misdirecting your anger at your wife and not at this awful “friend”
whom you need to approach directly, when he’s sober, and tell him calmly but in no uncertain terms that his behaviour towards your wife is inappropriate and unwanted and that he needs to cool it. If he accepts responsibility, apologises and reins it in, then fine. But if he doesn’t (which is probably more likely) then you need to end the friendship.

It seems obvious to me that your wife couldn’t make too many protests at a wake so just tried to diffuse the situation as best as she could and she was trying to calm you down by minimising it all. I can’t really blame her for that and nor should you.

Garlicking · 16/03/2024 21:16

I want to address it but she thinks I'm blowing it out of proportion.

Oh, dear. I'd assumed she was just a bit limp, not that she likes being sexually harassed!

OK. Then, against my own feminist ideals, I strongly suggest you adopt the Protective Spouse position. Don't physically assault the guy - that way, he wins - but do slap him down & call him out verbally - every time, coolly and clearly. When he's near your wife, insert yourself between them. Ask his wife, with sympathy and interest, in front of her husband and your wife, how on earth she copes so well with his lecherous innuendoes at other women.

And book your twerp of a wife on an assertiveness course for women!!

NancyPickford · 16/03/2024 21:18

I wouldn't be going on holiday with them. I think you've taken on board the comments you got on here. However, if his behaviour is like that on holiday you may well have strong words with him, or worse, and that will just make for a disastrous holiday. I'd be just distancing from them altogether, he sounds horrible.

MMmomDD · 16/03/2024 21:22

You DO have a problem…
this -
‘I feel the responses are less reassuring but actually causing more problems’…

Your issues are yours to deal with - she has not done anything. She should not need to be reassuring you of anything 🤷🏻‍♀️….

And also - you seem to assume a really patronising stance talking about your W as some ‘attractive lady with poor boundaries’ - that it seems up to you to educate her to uphold.
All to cover up your clear feelings of inadequacy.
Pathetic, really.

Watchkeys · 16/03/2024 21:25

I can't seem to win. If I smack him I am in the wrong because I am overreacting as she says to banter. But I don't feel its appropriate behavior to just do nothing. Can't win

Can you think of any other options? There are many...

pickledandpuzzled · 16/03/2024 21:27

Garlicking · 16/03/2024 19:53

But you can talk it through with her, and support her in maintaining boundaries.

You could even have a secret code for when she needs help shutting him down!

In the car, she could have said "Don't be such a creep!" If she really is THAT timid, she could give you the code so you can say "What the hell d'you think you're doing, Geoff? Apologise to my wife."

I think you'll both get better at this with a small amount of practice. It's basic assertiveness - he (or anybody) has NO right to be handsy, suggestive or intrusive with you. It's correct to assert your boundaries.

Pay attention to this one.

You aren’t respecting your wife- at all. She isn’t some bone for you to scrap over, or object for you to guard. She’s a living person with agency.

At the moment you are making her life harder. She has to deal with the creep while avoiding you kicking off as well. She’s trapped in downplaying it because you don’t know how to behave.

Your job is to back her up. You say to her, ‘that guy’s such a creep, I am sorry you have to deal with him. How can I help? Do you want me to say something? Shall we have a code word so I know you want to leave? I’d love to punch his lights but guess that would cause a fuss you wouldn’t like! Please tell me how you would like me to help.’

Topee · 16/03/2024 21:28

MMmomDD · 16/03/2024 21:22

You DO have a problem…
this -
‘I feel the responses are less reassuring but actually causing more problems’…

Your issues are yours to deal with - she has not done anything. She should not need to be reassuring you of anything 🤷🏻‍♀️….

And also - you seem to assume a really patronising stance talking about your W as some ‘attractive lady with poor boundaries’ - that it seems up to you to educate her to uphold.
All to cover up your clear feelings of inadequacy.
Pathetic, really.

This!

Garlicking · 16/03/2024 21:28

MMmomDD · 16/03/2024 21:22

You DO have a problem…
this -
‘I feel the responses are less reassuring but actually causing more problems’…

Your issues are yours to deal with - she has not done anything. She should not need to be reassuring you of anything 🤷🏻‍♀️….

And also - you seem to assume a really patronising stance talking about your W as some ‘attractive lady with poor boundaries’ - that it seems up to you to educate her to uphold.
All to cover up your clear feelings of inadequacy.
Pathetic, really.

I'm sympathetic to OP. It's clear his wife doesn't want Creepy to stop it.

He's asking her not to accept Creepy's intrusions; she's saying she doesn't mind them. That leaves OP with two options: step in, or stand there like a lemon while some other geezer slobbers over his wife.

Anameisaname · 16/03/2024 21:28

@PoochiesPinkEars offers some excellent advice. If I were you I'd take it

VillageOnSmile · 16/03/2024 21:29

I’m not sure your dwife is naive.

I’d have that sort of reaction. Freeze and fawn.
Its a protection mechanism.

And she might well be really worried to loose her friend (who is his fiancé after all) if she starts making a fuss (plenty of stories along those lines on MN).
She might well be worried of your reaction too - even if it’s just a clear ‘dont want to ever see them again - because … friend.

PelicanPopcorn · 16/03/2024 21:33

Don't argue with your wife about this- she's already had to deal with this guys pervy behaviour, she needs your support not your jealousy/competitiveness with this guy. She's obviously picked up on this vibe from you and is trying to minimize. If you'd handled this better you could both have been talking about how to handle the situation. Instead you're blaming her for the pervy guys behaviour and holding her responsible for your emotions and anger too. That's not fair. Have you stopped to think about how she's feeling?

Freakinfraser · 16/03/2024 21:33

You sound jealous and aggressive. And i for one wouldn’t be having it, your poor wife. Get a grip on uourself. Your wife is a grown woman and she knows the truth and is in control.

it’s so offensive all this she’s naive shit. She’s in control. You are not.

VillageOnSmile · 16/03/2024 21:36

Also I have to agree that it seems you have more issues with another man being too ‘close’ to your dwife than you’d like than about the impact this man (and you!) has on her.

It’s all about how you dint like him being too close, doing this and that. And btw what did he say to you??

You seem to come across as jealous but also quite paternalistic, not thinking your dwife can actually realise the guy oversteps her (or is it yours?) boundaries etc….

catsnore · 16/03/2024 21:41

Jeez. Women have to deal with creeps like this all the time. Generally no one else steps in so women have to deflect the behaviour in a socially acceptable way. Your wife knows this and is telling you to back down as she already dealt with him and it's really not worth dragging it all up again.

Don't go away with them and subject her to more shit like this.

Do stand up to the guy and call his behaviour out in front of everyone else. Don't allow him to make sexual comments to a car full of people with no one saying anything back.