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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

He Didnt Believe Me

220 replies

JoeyP67 · 07/05/2024 06:53

My partner and I returned from a meal out earlier tonight
I was calling it a "date nite" . We'd had a nice time.
Once home, he reached for an already opened bottle of red and found it empty.. and this is what happened next.
Him "oh. Its empty"
Me " oh, is there any white?"
Him "yes"
Me "then why don't you drink that then ?"
I disappear upstairs for my warm socks and come back down.
He has a glass of white in his hand and approaches me , kisses me on the lips , says "I love you (I thought he was being romantic) then follows it up with "but dont feel you have to manage my drinking".
Me "I'm not" ....
He looks at me. I'm confused.
Me "what are you trying to say?"
Him "you poured it down the sink...
Me : "what ? no I didn't..."
He goes on to tell me I had poured the remains of the open red wine down the sink. I protest my innocence. I make myself a cup of tea and he calmly goes puts the tv on. Calls out what would I like to watch ? I am feeling both foolish (for thinking he was being romantic with the kiss) and angry at his accusation and judgement of me. I go sit next to him. He makes small talk about the t.v program. I am upset at what just happened so I calmly open up.
Me :: "I feel upset at what just happened there. I thought you were being romantic saying you loved me because I looked nice in my dress ...but really there was was something else behind it ...::"
Him: :" yes there was, I did think you liked nice in your dress but I was doing it to start the conversation off (about the sink pouring) nicely. "
I ask in future for him to just be direct and ask me, not fool me with a kiss first.
I tell him again I didn't do it.
He firmly believes that I had. His proof ?..... that he ran his finger over the plug and there was red on it..also that the bottle had been moved from where he put it. so, it's a fact he says, and all I have to be is honest.
I protest my innocence.
I can't believe his calmness. He says maybe I forgot that I did it. I seriously wonder if hes right and maybe I had forgotten but I am sure I didn't do it. I get upset and ask him not to play games with me getting me to think I've done something I haven't..
He refuses to back down. He sways between staying calm with his "facts" and getting agitated with me for pushing back saying stuff like "who was it then ? the fairies...?"
I ask him " why would I suggest you drink the white if I've a problem with you drinking" ? "Why wud I throw the red away to then offer you white? "
But none of it makes any difference. For me, we had a lovely meal out, I really made an effort to look nice and I cudnt believe he wanted the night to end on his mistrust. I said that I had told him the truth and that he had made the choice not to believe me. I felt like the rug had been pulled from under my feet. Said that I loved him and why would i lie to him ? He said it was because I was "2 dimensional". He turned the telly off and didnt want to entertain me talking about it.
He said "just drop it. I"d forgiven you while you were stood at the bottom of the stairs" I started to get a bit hysterical. He still wasnt listening to me and his comments were making it worse. I said I had nothing to be forgiven for. He got up to get ready for bed but then returned downstairs. He slept on the sofa. I said I didn't want the night to end this way and asked if he had created the tension purposely to avoid sleeping with me. He said no.
Im so tired. I have to be up again at 6.30am. He upset me so much my emotions are only just calming down 4hrs later. Hes slept soundly.

I really could do with some careful and honest advice here. Any one else been in the same situation? What do I do about this ? Am I being too sensitive about this? or is his behaviour way off the mark? I don't know how I feel going forward....

Ps ' We been living together since 2020.
Thanks
Joey

OP posts:
Dollenganger333 · 10/05/2024 17:20

I immediately thought he must be a heavy drinker and that the accusation about pouring it down the sink was gaslighting and then I read your subsequent posts which confirmed it.

I don’t think this is a healthy situation for you.

Nuttyputty · 10/05/2024 17:33

Clearly got a drinking problem, when he's this paranoid over it. And yeah everyone else commenting is correct. Hes a gaslighter!

Dweetfidilove · 10/05/2024 18:02

This made for a deeply uncomfortable read.

Forget logging and run.

At best, he forgot he’d drunk it - AWFUL!
At worst, this is upper level gaslighting- DANGEROUS!

AgentJohnson · 10/05/2024 18:21

Oh dear, he’s a problem drinker who can’t admit he’s a problem drinker.

This isn’t going to get better, he’s groomed you for the past 4 years into believing that he doesn’t have a problem. He’s finished the open red and has either forgotten he has or he’s gaslighting you, whatever the reason, the version of him that isn’t like this isn’t waiting around the corner.

Hopingtobeaparent · 10/05/2024 18:25

How odd! Agree with others about the gaslighting. Why would you put the bottle back then anyway? Surely, if you poured it away, you’d have then rinsed it and put it for recycling?

Search back on other things, seemingly small and insignificant at the time, where he’s done similar, or backhanded compliments, put downs, etc., they all paint a picture. He seems tetchy about his drinking being monitored, he probably suspects it’s becoming a problem? Have you make comments? Can understand the being annoyed with it though. Agree to disagree? I’d keep an eye on his behaviour towards you a bit more now though.

Boysgrownbutstillathome · 10/05/2024 18:28

He's a narcissist, run for the hills!

No1toldmeaboutit · 10/05/2024 18:50

was he already a bit drunk? If so then I’d say his reasonable judgement could be a bit clouded

No1toldmeaboutit · 10/05/2024 18:52

Maybe i drink too much but now i’ve read your replies I would say 4 bottles over a 4 day period is not that much and I wouldn’t be happy if someone had opinions about me drinking unless I was getting totally wasted every night and causing a scene every time

PinkyFlamingo · 10/05/2024 19:08

You do realise keeping "logs" of his abusive behaviour behaviour is a bit odd, just why would you do this rather than get out now?

justasking111 · 10/05/2024 19:10

No1toldmeaboutit · 10/05/2024 18:52

Maybe i drink too much but now i’ve read your replies I would say 4 bottles over a 4 day period is not that much and I wouldn’t be happy if someone had opinions about me drinking unless I was getting totally wasted every night and causing a scene every time

Really, I'd be on the floor and the headache.

SeriaMau · 10/05/2024 19:39

What a bastard. Men are such vile creatures. Time to move on. You deserve so much better.

WalkingaroundJardine · 10/05/2024 19:48

No1toldmeaboutit · 10/05/2024 18:52

Maybe i drink too much but now i’ve read your replies I would say 4 bottles over a 4 day period is not that much and I wouldn’t be happy if someone had opinions about me drinking unless I was getting totally wasted every night and causing a scene every time

My body wouldn’t cope with that much alcohol. I’ve heard that people who are heavy drinkers build up a tolerance for consuming large amounts and so they don’t get as drunk so quickly.

mandlerparr · 10/05/2024 19:48

So, he drank the entire bottle, forgot or just doesn't want to admit it, and is now trying to gaslight you into thinking you poured it out?
And you can still be a heavy drinker and an alcoholic with dry days. He just hasn't reached daily drinking stage yet.

Megifer · 10/05/2024 20:23

PinkyFlamingo · 10/05/2024 19:08

You do realise keeping "logs" of his abusive behaviour behaviour is a bit odd, just why would you do this rather than get out now?

You doubt yourself. Men like this are very good at making you do this.

Keeping a log can give you confidence youre not going mad.

NewAtThisSingleStuff · 10/05/2024 20:24

A lot of people have posted about whether this has happened before etc and I think that is a valid point. I just wanted to add that I lived with someone for many years who fell into exactly this pattern. We had a lovely night, all felt warm and rosy and then....a reason would be found for why I ha upset him regardless of if it made any sense to me or in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. He'd make a big deal out of something whilst simultaneously appearing calm, magnanimous and appearing to play it down for my benefit. In my relationship, there probably would have been red wine around the sink but he would have put it there.

I'm not saying this is what is happening, there could be many explanations. But I would (as kindly as possible) as you to reflect on whether you regularly feel confused about the truth of events, whether you are regularly 'disbelieved', whether there is a frequent tone of 'you've messed up here, but I Forgive You' and whether small things are regularly made into a big deal while you are simultaneously being told they aren't a big deal. If you are regularly doubting your recollection or response to things, please take a moment to reflect on that.

I'd also ask if anything else was going wrong in his day, week or life. Another huge pattern for me was when he had a bad day at work (or elsewhere) and, after taking some time to think about it, manage to create a reason why his bad mood was my fault.

Deise · 10/05/2024 20:26

Megifer · 10/05/2024 20:23

You doubt yourself. Men like this are very good at making you do this.

Keeping a log can give you confidence youre not going mad.

not at all odd. wholly sensible.

OldPerson · 10/05/2024 20:32

So to clarify the facts. Only two of you live in the home right?

So either you drank or threw away the wine?

Or he drank or threw away the wine?

Only you know the answer to that one. But you know the answer.

Assuming you're not a complete nutcase or the person with the problem - it sort of suggests he's the nutcase or person with the problem.

And how did you two get together after Covid 2019 started - expecially if you're living together by 2020?

And how well do you know his family or his past?
How well do your family and friends know him?

His actions suggest he's a manipulator. I'd be genuinely scared if I was you.

ChocandYoga · 10/05/2024 20:43

I’m so sorry this happened and ruined a nice evening for you. Do you think he might have drunk too much and just got hooked on to a weird thing? You have done absolutely nothing wrong. Maybe if he brings it up again say clearly but firmly, ‘I didn’t pour away your wine, it’s hurtful to me that you think I would and I feel our evening was spoilt by it, I think this is a silly conversation / argument and I won’t be entertaining it any further.’ Be matter-of-fact, don’t let him upset you with his silly game. I know this is easier said than done ♥️ I’m thinking of you

Fanofbrianbilston · 10/05/2024 20:48

Have you been watching Emmerdale by any chance?

justasking111 · 10/05/2024 20:55

Fanofbrianbilston · 10/05/2024 20:48

Have you been watching Emmerdale by any chance?

Has he?

BobbyBiscuits · 10/05/2024 20:57

He must have drunk it himself, or you did? I can see why this is annoying as I've been in a similar situation. But it's not the hill to die on. I'd simply say I didn't pour it away, end of. He can think what he likes.
It seems odd he thought that though. Have you poured booze away before, has he a drinking issue? Otherwise I'd say he's just being stubborn in his belief like a lot of people can be. In isolation it's annoying, but if he's usually nice then maybe it was just one of those stupid misunderstandings on his side. You're definitely not in the wrong though.

TheFormidableMrsC · 10/05/2024 21:15

Fanofbrianbilston · 10/05/2024 20:48

Have you been watching Emmerdale by any chance?

Funnily enough, I thought the same.

ontheflighttosingapore · 10/05/2024 21:26

SeriaMau · 10/05/2024 19:39

What a bastard. Men are such vile creatures. Time to move on. You deserve so much better.

Agreed most are vile

notanotherusername21 · 10/05/2024 21:52

He's got an alcohol problem. High tolerance, heavy drinking, it's "fine" because he has dry days... if he's having a bottle of wine four nights a week, that's a lot, but I bet it's more. I've seen this behaviour before and it escalates. I would bet money that he drank a lot when you were out, on top of whatever else he'd had that day, and he's drunker than you realise (but can mostly hide it, because he's used to a lot) and it makes him punchy. Really sorry OP but I have zero tolerance to this stuff now because it's horrible for those living with it. And the gaslighting - the denial - is a big part of it. You don't deserve this and you can't fix him.

Mummy2024 · 10/05/2024 22:19

No1toldmeaboutit · 10/05/2024 18:52

Maybe i drink too much but now i’ve read your replies I would say 4 bottles over a 4 day period is not that much and I wouldn’t be happy if someone had opinions about me drinking unless I was getting totally wasted every night and causing a scene every time

Is this a serious post? 4 bottles of wine over a 4 day period is a serious issue... that's over 40 units in a 4 day period. The healthy limit is 14. Now I'm not saying everyone sticks to 14 myself included, but if your post wasn't tongue In cheek then I would seek help, sooner rather than later... getting absolutely wasted and making a scene comes before the liver develops resistance, so actually not doing that after large amounts of alcohol is probably more of a concern tbh

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