Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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:
Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 08:10

@Sparklecats

This isn't about what you would expect your husband to do. If you have a marriages based in sexism, that's up to you. We don't all live in relationships where the woman isn't expected to be heard, and so the man is expected to step in and speak for her.

This man has been rebuffed, and the woman who rebuffed him is comfortable with the situation. Nobody needs to step in to look after her, because she's not a child, and she's fine.

If op has a problem with the situation, he needs to talk to his wife, adult to adult, about the discrepancy in their points of view. 'Oi mate, get your hands off her, she's mine!' is very 1970. Society has outgrown that stuff, even if your relationship hasn't.

Sparklecats · 18/03/2024 08:37

@Watchkeys do you know what, ordinarily I would agree with you. But my point was for this man he IS behaving like in the 1970s - I do not believe he will respond to the wife - in fact he isn’t as he is doing this repeatedly and is disregarding her rebukes. It will escalate. The husband needs to do something.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 18/03/2024 10:15

' I felt her diversion, gulps and lack of eye contact were seemingly untruthful. I may went to far '

you are bullying your wife

DadSpeaking · 18/03/2024 10:26

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 18/03/2024 00:18

Who knew the female friend first ?
You or your wife.

Jointly. Lived next door. Then met him after her marriage ended.

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 18/03/2024 10:30

I don't know why you would want to go on holiday with him.

I mean, I've heard of cuckold fetish of course, but not sure it applies here.

Sharshar001 · 18/03/2024 10:45

I'd have to say you have approached this all wrong. Yes 100% not your wife's fault. But I also get where your coming from.

Because its now causing friction between the two of you you should have a conversation with this guy and his wife But its very important don't lose your cool. These are your friends.
Let the air settle between you and your wife. Reassuring her that you believe her and are gutted it's came to this. Once you are over it but before you go away with this couple let your wife know your going to explain to this guy and his wife that his over zealous exploitations (aka jokes) are making you and your wife uncomfortable and could he stop doing it on that basis. Don't come over as an ass be cool. Perhaps have this conversation on a friendly meal as double couples so it's just you 4. Then this guy has the opportunity to behave (which his wife will now ensure don't happen and probably they will have a harsh conversation after your meal) and be friends , which a normal bloke will do or he can go himself.
And you can find some new mates to hang about with.

Thisistyresome · 18/03/2024 11:09

So she lies to you? And gaslight’s you?

You should have posted this with the gender swap. Everyone would be telling you to leave “him ” (her).

This guy disrespects you publicly but she is fine with it. He deliberately tries to irritate you, she is OK with that. Are they mutual friends that you met or did she first encounter him and then you became mutual friends?

If as other have claimed her reason for keeping the comment secret is “it would upset you” then she now knows that her actions are now causing the upset. He makes creepy comments to her and she is ok with it. She knows you don’t want to go away but she tries to shame you in to going.

She is not “blameless” in this situation, she may be incompetent in social situations but that is different. She should have identified that this guy is a problem and moved to avoid him. But she instead claims that he is a good guy to slobbers over other women at his fiancé's dads wake.

MoonWoman69 · 18/03/2024 11:19

Well said @Thisistyresome 👏🏻

Thisistyresome · 18/03/2024 11:31

If this is “banter” and that is all ok, in your wife’s estimation, then suggest you will join in and always refer to him as “sleezy John” or “creepy John” on all occasions whether he is drunk and exhibiting the behaviour or sober.

If this is a social situation where the “banter” dynamic is the norm, it needs to apply in all directions.

Regardless of what your wife thinks just say you are not going on the holiday at Easter, that is the end of it. Ignore the gaslighting and just hold firm. If she goes then that says plenty.

Having read the other posters who are throwing accusations of “insecure,” “bullying,” “over emotional,” “out of order,” “weak,” etc. Perhaps you should have opened with the fairly obvious fact no one seems to mention. This bloke has obviously cheated on your friend. If he slobbers over other women at his fiancé fathers wake and makes constant inappropriate sexual comments that he dresses up as “banter” he will hit on other women in other settings and occasional they will say yes.

I guess your wife has not communicated to your mutual friend that her fiancé’s inappropriate sexual behaviour makes her uncomfortable? What is the upside of this? The behaviour continues. When the friend actually realises he has cheated on her she may also hear stories of your wife being “overly friendly” with him at her dad’s wake, friendship over…

Those blaming you are not really not looking a few steps ahead.

Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 11:58

Sparklecats · 18/03/2024 08:37

@Watchkeys do you know what, ordinarily I would agree with you. But my point was for this man he IS behaving like in the 1970s - I do not believe he will respond to the wife - in fact he isn’t as he is doing this repeatedly and is disregarding her rebukes. It will escalate. The husband needs to do something.

So, everyone must be dragged back to 1970s sexist behaviours, because one person is? And if he punches OP, OP has to punch him back, rather than behaving like an adult and walking away? And if he throws a custard pie at OP, OP has to go get a custard pie to throw back at him, instead of behaving like an adult and walking away?

The way to deal with a dickhead isn't to become a dickhead. Dignity would dictate that OP and his wife need to present a united front, and walk away from this guy. If they can't do that, OP's grouse is with his wife. Nobody needs to 'step in' to speak for anybody else's boundaries.

Janiie · 18/03/2024 12:40

Thisistyresome · 18/03/2024 11:09

So she lies to you? And gaslight’s you?

You should have posted this with the gender swap. Everyone would be telling you to leave “him ” (her).

This guy disrespects you publicly but she is fine with it. He deliberately tries to irritate you, she is OK with that. Are they mutual friends that you met or did she first encounter him and then you became mutual friends?

If as other have claimed her reason for keeping the comment secret is “it would upset you” then she now knows that her actions are now causing the upset. He makes creepy comments to her and she is ok with it. She knows you don’t want to go away but she tries to shame you in to going.

She is not “blameless” in this situation, she may be incompetent in social situations but that is different. She should have identified that this guy is a problem and moved to avoid him. But she instead claims that he is a good guy to slobbers over other women at his fiancé's dads wake.

This.

The pair of them are behaving atrociously. She is either having a fling with him aready or will be soon if nothing changes.

Cancel the holiday. Avoid the 'friend' at all times and see how things go. Good luck.

cerisepanther73 · 18/03/2024 13:02

@DadSpeaking

I know exactly what you mean,

Many a shitty 💩 type of person guy uses this type of so called humour to disguise deep seated flaws, insecurities and deflect nefarious intentions or thoughts,

This guy is getting a kick out of winding you up he is immensely insecure and obviously a bit jealous that you are with your wife,
and wishes he was in a way,

I amagine any acctractive female would get the creepy treatment from this low life man,

the best thing to do is to when you come across him and within ear shot of him,

Is to say how lucky you are to be with such a woman as your wife,
and laugh in his face 🤣 or and have a huge big grin like a Cheshire cat,
and you could say how happy satisfied your wife is too,
As being part of the banter,

He will not like it that's for sure and try to be dismissive to your comment,

He could try and amp things up a bit more after that,

But least you have got the message across to creep man,

He is very insecure and feels inferior , even threatened by your ability to acctract your wife,
There's something about you that makes creep man feel threatened by yourself

Sparklecats · 18/03/2024 13:05

Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 11:58

So, everyone must be dragged back to 1970s sexist behaviours, because one person is? And if he punches OP, OP has to punch him back, rather than behaving like an adult and walking away? And if he throws a custard pie at OP, OP has to go get a custard pie to throw back at him, instead of behaving like an adult and walking away?

The way to deal with a dickhead isn't to become a dickhead. Dignity would dictate that OP and his wife need to present a united front, and walk away from this guy. If they can't do that, OP's grouse is with his wife. Nobody needs to 'step in' to speak for anybody else's boundaries.

Oh dear god @Watchkeys

This particular man does not respond to a female telling him no.

Before the situation escalates and he sexually assaults the wife.

I suggest the husband have a word.

Ideally they should not have contact with this couple at all, they are bad news.

Springisroundthecorner · 18/03/2024 13:17

This guy sounds like a pervy creep - I wouldnt be going on holiday with him!

Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 14:07

This particular man does not respondto a female telling him no

And so he had his wicked way with her?

'Dear god'. How patronising. You don't know best, @Sparklecats , and everybody is entitled to their viewpoint without your rolling eyes and negative judgement.

I think women should speak for themselves, and walk away if someone doesn't listen. You think that sometimes women need to men to speak for them because women somehow are incapable of dealing with men. Let's agree to disagree, and I'd imagine that most women in 2024 would also disagree that men ever need to be a voice for women.

NicholJO · 18/03/2024 14:23

Hi op I'm sorry but your wife as a mouth she should tell him to back off I'm not saying its her fault he sounds like a knob but if this was happening to me ever infront of my ho or on my own I would open my mouth to him and give him a good gob full to leave me alone or maybe your wife likes this dirty knobs attention

Whataretalkingabout · 18/03/2024 14:29

But who is to know what really occurred? We only have the opinion of the male OP. Maybe he is exaggerating everything and is actually completely paranoid about his wife being friends with another man. This happens more often than nought.

Sharshar001 · 18/03/2024 14:30

They are a couple, work together and tell the dude to back off or f ck off 🤔 it's not rocket science

Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 14:33

Sharshar001 · 18/03/2024 14:30

They are a couple, work together and tell the dude to back off or f ck off 🤔 it's not rocket science

And if they don't agree with each other? Not everybody's boundaries are the same, are they?

Sharshar001 · 18/03/2024 14:38

Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 14:33

And if they don't agree with each other? Not everybody's boundaries are the same, are they?

Well then they aren't a couple and no point being together. You don't allow your partner to be made uncomfortable in any circumstances regardless of what her boundaries are.
Once they have spoken to this dude he may reassess his actions who's to tell? No one unless they address it they won't know. But if the wife wants to carry on as it is. Then fine carry on, on her own.
You are either a couple or a single with different boundaries ain't ya?

Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 14:51

Well then they aren't a couple and no point being together

@Sharshar001

So if a couple disagree on a boundary about something, they should just split up?

Sharshar001 · 18/03/2024 15:00

Watchkeys · 18/03/2024 14:51

Well then they aren't a couple and no point being together

@Sharshar001

So if a couple disagree on a boundary about something, they should just split up?

Yes in this instance not petty stuff but other people and sexual prowess and flirtations etc because that will never change

PoochiesPinkEars · 18/03/2024 15:22

Sharshar001 · 18/03/2024 10:45

I'd have to say you have approached this all wrong. Yes 100% not your wife's fault. But I also get where your coming from.

Because its now causing friction between the two of you you should have a conversation with this guy and his wife But its very important don't lose your cool. These are your friends.
Let the air settle between you and your wife. Reassuring her that you believe her and are gutted it's came to this. Once you are over it but before you go away with this couple let your wife know your going to explain to this guy and his wife that his over zealous exploitations (aka jokes) are making you and your wife uncomfortable and could he stop doing it on that basis. Don't come over as an ass be cool. Perhaps have this conversation on a friendly meal as double couples so it's just you 4. Then this guy has the opportunity to behave (which his wife will now ensure don't happen and probably they will have a harsh conversation after your meal) and be friends , which a normal bloke will do or he can go himself.
And you can find some new mates to hang about with.

Agree with this except the do it over a meal part... If the conversation doesn't go how you hope that would be too awkward all round.
Better to say you need a chat, go round for the chat over a cuppa, say the drunken humour isn't appreciated and needs to stop. You value their friendship (eye contact with her not him for this point as it's her friendship that's stopping you binning him off) and that's why you're risking the conversation even though it has potential for awkwardness.
See what they say. Maybe just say I'll leave you to think about it and make your departure politely.

DadSpeaking · 19/03/2024 10:28

Whataretalkingabout · 18/03/2024 14:29

But who is to know what really occurred? We only have the opinion of the male OP. Maybe he is exaggerating everything and is actually completely paranoid about his wife being friends with another man. This happens more often than nought.

I am completely comfortable around my wife and other good men to laugh joke and be merry. But when a you know he is a sleeze and his intentions are to get a kick out my wife. I do have an issue (not with my wife). Even if she can't see that.

I guess the issue here really is saying "I can feel all your wife's bumps and I am really enjoying it" is a boundary breaker for me. Clearly not for him and DW sees as just banter.

But I am being told I am in the wrong. How do we really know what went on? This one is easy 5 other people in the car heard him. The rest of what he did was maybe only seen by myself. But it may be safe to assume if he is capable of doing that, he may be capable of continuing on.

OP posts:
DadSpeaking · 19/03/2024 10:31

DadSpeaking · 19/03/2024 10:28

I am completely comfortable around my wife and other good men to laugh joke and be merry. But when a you know he is a sleeze and his intentions are to get a kick out my wife. I do have an issue (not with my wife). Even if she can't see that.

I guess the issue here really is saying "I can feel all your wife's bumps and I am really enjoying it" is a boundary breaker for me. Clearly not for him and DW sees as just banter.

But I am being told I am in the wrong. How do we really know what went on? This one is easy 5 other people in the car heard him. The rest of what he did was maybe only seen by myself. But it may be safe to assume if he is capable of doing that, he may be capable of continuing on.

To add. The reason for the post is check my own moral compass..am I wrong here... Is this something that is acceptable to most people and I am out of touch and becoming out of order.

OP posts: