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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

BF dismissive, shrugs at me, had a go

113 replies

Calling · 02/06/2025 16:34

I went on a French city break with my BF and I just don't know what to make of his behaviour some of the time. He turned unpleasant to me and I would value some advice about what happened, please. I just saw something emerge that stunned me and I feel punched in the stomach.
We met in the city where I went there before him and I was telling him about the things I had seen, but he wasn't really responding in his usual way, v probably because he had just been very busy and he said that he was very tired. So when he played up, I put it down to that.
We were enjoying a meal when he picked up his phone and took a call for about 15 minutes, then didn't say sorry. Usually we agree never to do that because we say it is rude during a meal in a restaurant.
He has a habit of butting in when I am asking a waiter about the menu and BF justified that by saying that his French is better than mine (it is) but I enjoy the interaction and practice. He continued to do that, despite my asking him not to.
When we were checking out, I put borrowed plug adapters on the hotel front desk and he said "you need to hand them back" - which I was doing, obviously. I diffused the situation by saying "no, I am going to take them home with me" and he shouted at me "no, you can't do that, they don't belong to you!". I was stunned that he shouted at me and patronised me like that. In fact there were other examples of him patronising and also dismissing me.

We went to a cafe in a garden and he went off to buy coffees. I found seats and was chatting to a v nice couple. I couldn't see BF and waved. Eventually, BF returned with a face like thunder. When the couple left, he had a real go at me,
"you should not have chosen to sit with your back to where I was, I was looking for you, its not what couples do, I sent you a text" and went on. He was really angry. It was a mistake of mine.
When we queued to get into a restaurant, he offered to queue for me in the heatwave while I sat in a shady cafe and he would phone me. I got his phone calls but there was no sound so I sent him a text to say what's happening. Then I got up and found him at the head of the queue and he just had a furious go at me: "you didn't answer texts, I waited and now we have to stand aside waiting for the man to let us in'. Why didn't you answer my texts? I said "again, you are accusing me without looking at things. I sent you texts! He showed me his texts and he had sent them by WhatsApp not by text as we had agreed (issues with my phone). He didn't say sorry.

The last day, we met for lunch and he seemed in a better mood and he said he had had a good explore, then I said you seem in a much better mood, that you had not always been and eventually I said that I was upset by his behaviour to me. I really tried hard to have a non-blaming discussion. He said you should have raised them at the time and I said it doesn't matter, I'm raising it now, it's my right to say when I want to". He said things like he was ok with having an argument and I said look, I virtually never have one, I am telling you my feelings, if you want an argument you pick on someone else. He said "I used to be like you, never expressing my feelings", I replied "I have just been telling you my feelings! I am really upset that you shouted at me." I carried on and then he just shrugged in a dismissive way and I pointed that out and he shrugged again dismissively.

I said that I had been upset and cried but he offered no comfort or compassion.
I have been feeling numb ever since I got home (we live apart and not in the same area).
Sorry for the longish post. Is his behaviour enough to leave him? I have a lot to lose by doing so, he had been v supportive before.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/06/2025 09:03

It is not easy to leave these types because you may well be hoping that you will still find the right combination of words to make him apologise fulsomely or behave better towards you like he did in the early days. Or that your love can somehow fix his pain, crap childhood etc. It is a no on all counts here; these types of men hate women, ALL of them.

He loves the power and control he has over you and that is what abuse is all about. It is not about communication or a perceived lack or and nor is it a relationship issue.

dontcryformeargentina · 03/06/2025 09:12

He doesn’t like you very much, does he? You are used as a punching bag. Don’t waste your time with him.

Calling · 03/06/2025 19:15

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/06/2025 09:03

It is not easy to leave these types because you may well be hoping that you will still find the right combination of words to make him apologise fulsomely or behave better towards you like he did in the early days. Or that your love can somehow fix his pain, crap childhood etc. It is a no on all counts here; these types of men hate women, ALL of them.

He loves the power and control he has over you and that is what abuse is all about. It is not about communication or a perceived lack or and nor is it a relationship issue.

This should be some sort of a MN sticky post.
You go through the nonsense of wondering whether you can change him, analysing what you did, said, wore, even how your eyebrows were, FGS. That is all to no avail. You help him with his childhood issues and analyse yours, because of course that made you dysfunctional.

He says that his mother was a narcissist and that his sister bullied him and that is probably true; perhaps he has issues with women as a result - or maybe this, or maybe that, or maybe... in the end you get tired out and just can't take it any more.

OP posts:
Calling · 04/06/2025 21:32

He has tried to get in contact, leaving messages, when I have been out and about.

I plan to meet him for a meal, as usual, then tell him that it's not working for me anymore, or some such words.
Who knows, he could have found someone else already. Fine. I know what he will miss!!!

OP posts:
NCtoavoidsniggering · 04/06/2025 21:39

Chin up. Next time you get taken to France will be better 😁

Clarabell77 · 04/06/2025 21:51

Calling · 02/06/2025 16:56

Communication has improved, but clearly not enough.
We have been together for about 8 years.
I should have looked out for him better at the cafe, I did, but not enough.

There is a back story in that we went out many years ago and re-connected. Before we originally split up, things went pear-shaped and he was very unpleasant and I finished it. I keep thinking about that time and wonder whether this is the same, building up to leaving me, but he has really improved since then, until now.

8 years! I read it like you’d only just met. Lots of misunderstandings and communication issues for an 8 year relationship.

He sounds very uptight and I couldn’t be doing with that.

Calling · 04/06/2025 21:58

NCtoavoidsniggering · 04/06/2025 21:39

Chin up. Next time you get taken to France will be better 😁

Thanks!

I can go on my own: Eurostar and Airbnb in cheap areas and supermarket salads.

OP posts:
Calling · 04/06/2025 22:01

Clarabell77 · 04/06/2025 21:51

8 years! I read it like you’d only just met. Lots of misunderstandings and communication issues for an 8 year relationship.

He sounds very uptight and I couldn’t be doing with that.

Therefore, there must be underlying issues, which are unresolved. I don't think that they can be.

OP posts:
Clarabell77 · 04/06/2025 22:12

Calling · 04/06/2025 22:01

Therefore, there must be underlying issues, which are unresolved. I don't think that they can be.

I agree. It doesn’t sound very pleasant.

NCtoavoidsniggering · 04/06/2025 22:50

Calling · 04/06/2025 21:58

Thanks!

I can go on my own: Eurostar and Airbnb in cheap areas and supermarket salads.

No!
It’s illegal to go to France (or Italy) and eat supermarket salads!

Calling · 05/06/2025 21:55

NCtoavoidsniggering · 04/06/2025 22:50

No!
It’s illegal to go to France (or Italy) and eat supermarket salads!

Who am I to break such a terrific law enabling gastronomic delights? 😆
In fact, when I have dumped Mr Mansplainer, then I might plan an Italian trip and have a delicious meal. I could even eat a pudding course.

OP posts:
Calling · 05/06/2025 21:59

I have just remembered that he said that he received something of an advance from someone who used to be on the BBC often, whom I think has retired from the BBC now, so he is probably mansplaining to her... That is fine, off you two go.

OP posts:
Calling · 05/06/2025 22:01

dontcryformeargentina · 03/06/2025 09:12

He doesn’t like you very much, does he? You are used as a punching bag. Don’t waste your time with him.

Sadly, this must be true. My pride is very dented, but only temporarily. I am channelling my survivor and strong woman mode,

I have been through worse.

OP posts:
Calling · 05/06/2025 22:05

I am waiting for when we arrange to meet again, to tell him it is over. I really want this to be done soon. I have been too busy to talk to him.

OP posts:
Fedupandstressed · 05/06/2025 22:08

Calling · 05/06/2025 22:05

I am waiting for when we arrange to meet again, to tell him it is over. I really want this to be done soon. I have been too busy to talk to him.

Just text him.

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2025 22:10

As I read this, I was praying "Please don't tell us that you live with him."

Leave.

Netcam · 05/06/2025 22:16

Calling · 02/06/2025 17:48

We have been together again for 8 years and there was a long gap in between.

What stuns me is his behaviour to me. I wonder whether we have been getting on fine otherwise, discussing communication and things much better than we did, years ago.

It's like a Jekyll and Hyde man. Yes I can put it down to stuff, but not what he did to me.

My exH was like Jeckyl and Hyde, it was awful. Now DH is completely different and I am so much happier. If you feel this way now without even living together see it as a red flag.

Calling · 05/06/2025 22:52

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2025 22:10

As I read this, I was praying "Please don't tell us that you live with him."

Leave.

Thank goodness, I don't. He did mention future plans,but I see now that these were a way of attempting to keep me on side.

OP posts:
Calling · 05/06/2025 22:56

MiloMinderbinder925 · 02/06/2025 16:44

It sounds like he was in a bad mood and very tetchy. What's he usually like? What's your communication like? Can you have a conversation this week and discuss it?

I think that is not likely, now that I have come to my senses and thank you to the wise folk of MN. From my point of view, I see now that he has been gaslighting. Yes, I contributed to the miscommunication, but now I believe that was partly due to my subconscious telling me the truth.

OP posts:
WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2025 22:59

Calling · 05/06/2025 22:56

I think that is not likely, now that I have come to my senses and thank you to the wise folk of MN. From my point of view, I see now that he has been gaslighting. Yes, I contributed to the miscommunication, but now I believe that was partly due to my subconscious telling me the truth.

You've probably been a bag of nerves.

Calling · 05/06/2025 23:26

Netcam · 05/06/2025 22:16

My exH was like Jeckyl and Hyde, it was awful. Now DH is completely different and I am so much happier. If you feel this way now without even living together see it as a red flag.

Edited

It's great that you are with someone who is completely different, you are much happier and are free of the awful Jeckyll and Hyde.

The red flags are clearly visible now. My soon to be ex could turn on the charm like a tap.

OP posts:
Calling · 09/06/2025 23:29

He called when I was available, finally, and we chatted. We sort of were like we were before, but I know that I was in two minds about calling it a day afterwards. I remember on MN that this does happen, that the woman gets pulled in again.
After some days of low mood, I have gone back to planning to leave him again.
We are due to meet this week, which is earlier than I had thought, so I have the chance to end it then. It's all horrible but it really is best to end it!

OP posts:
Calling · 11/06/2025 13:13

Update: we have arranged to have lunch tomorrow in a restaurant, as usual, so my plan is to tell him then. I feel its best to do it sooner rather than later.

I feel VERY nervous about his possible reaction, which could be one or more of:

  1. He turns on me and asks why and then I have to say, 'because of Paris', then he starts DARVO. I really don't want a DARVO. He can be very clever and the word is sneaky, really, and try and outsmart me. In that case, it's best to say 'unfortunately. it's not working for me any more' and bland stuff, and avoid a confrontation especially if he tries to start another argument!
  2. He has a right go at me.
  3. He was expecting it and handles it ok;
  4. He was not expecting it and feels blindsided, then tries to talk me out of it;
  5. He gets upset and says he will change;
  6. He cries... unlikely.
OP posts:
Calling · 11/06/2025 13:21

It's the not knowing how he will react that concerns me, now that he is Jekyll and Hyde. I really don't think that he will be violent, though, that I am sure of.
One thing is, he will be disappointed because it means no s.x from me or my help with his projects, both of which mean a lot to him.
I just don't feel that he is that fond of me right now(!), but useful to him. He says that he judges people on how they make him feel ... well, I messed up the cafe and restaurant situations, so he might be fed up and he just lashed out.

I have a niggling feeling that he might have got it together with the BBC woman (I have looked her up and that was enlightening).

OP posts:
MounjaroMounjaro · 11/06/2025 13:23

Why are you ending it in public? Why not do it using messages when you are safely at home? He's really awful. There's absolutely no point in having a boyfriend for so long unless he's a best friend, too. He should make you feel happy to see him, not dread him because you have to be careful what you say and do.

Just send him a message saying that Paris has made you rethink the relationship and you want to put an end to it now. There's no need for any explanations, really - he won't take any notice of them anyway. I would then message something like, "I don't want anything to be said - or read - in anger, so I'm going to block you for a week. If you want me to explain why I want to end the relationship after that, I'm happy to discuss it on the phone."

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