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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

“Pillow Princess” jibe unfair?

228 replies

Thestoryof · 24/06/2025 09:25

Been seeing my BF/partner for almost a year. We were talking about keeping things fresh and he said last week that in the spirit of honesty he’d mention that he thought I was a bit of a “pillow princess”.
I thought this meant someone who doesn’t put the effort it in bed. As far as I’m concerned I do. I’m always very well groomed, sometimes dress up for him, have no issue at all going on top and always give him oral as part of foreplay. It’s pretty vanilla generally but I think I’m generous and never expect to receive anything I wouldn’t give back.

He said he meant that he spends ages going down on me whilst I just lie there. There is some truth in that, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable. Our normal sex involves that for a while (not ages IMO) because that’s how I orgasm. Then afterwards we have PIV so that he gets his.

I kept my upset to myself when he said these things but we have had sex twice since and I secretly timed things to see if he was being mad or I was (maybe I was mad to time things!). On both occasions he went down on me until I came but it was for under ten minutes. We then had PIV for about five minutes until he came, once with him on top the whole time and once with me on top at the end.

Is this “pillow princess” behaviour? It’s not like he’s down there for an hour then I just lie back and think of England.

OP posts:
namechangedforvalidreasons · 24/06/2025 12:45

Actually this just popped into my head, with you feeling ‘less than’ - a fella criticising me because I couldn’t come with him on top. I thought I had something ‘wrong’ with me. Nope. Google coital alignment technique. Everyone is built differently and PIV may not float your boat full-stop but I met a guy who was brilliant at this and it was a game-changer. It’s slow and intimate rather than bunny-punching. Your BF may want to think a bit harder about the mechanics of PIV….

Americano75 · 24/06/2025 12:47

I'd be tempted to put the pillow over his face.

KPPlumbing · 24/06/2025 12:48

4PawsandATail · 24/06/2025 12:42

Bit weird how you just lie still and silent like a corpse.

Bit weird that he won't learn how to get you off with PIV. Foreplay is great by surely you want to experience mutual climax from PIV?

You do know that the majority of women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm? I'm amazed there is an adult out there who doesn't know this.

usedtobeaylis · 24/06/2025 12:48

scoobysnaxx · 24/06/2025 10:43

Is it just me who doesn’t think 10 minutes is that long? 😂

Nope. I also can't believe so many women are immediately putting her actual pleasure on the back burner over 10 minutes. As if it's so unreasonable for him to put in ten minutes for HER.

usedtobeaylis · 24/06/2025 12:49

Doggymummar · 24/06/2025 10:46

It's bloody ages, I would orgasm in less than a minute this way and once I have my brain switches off and I can't bare to be touched anymore. If my partner took ten minutes I would think he was really bad at it. But maybe I have a lot of nerve endings or something.

It's definitely not a race though is it?

DaisyChain505 · 24/06/2025 12:49

There’s nothing weird or abnormal about this. Women take longer to orgasm than men and it’s alot tricker so therefore can take a while. He should want to be making the effort to make sure you’re pleasured during intimacy as well as him.

As for the being quiet, not everyone is screeching like a banshee during sex and that’s absolutely normal.

ruffler45 · 24/06/2025 12:51

A few "left a bit", "right a bit" "harder", softer" would not go amiss when receiving oral would show he is doing something you like and want it done again.

Silence is not always golden

mrsmiggins78 · 24/06/2025 12:54

If it hasn't yet been a year and you already have a set routine, the next 50 years are going to feel awfully dull

Cardinalita90 · 24/06/2025 12:54

I agree with the poster who said it sounds (from admittedly the limited info we've got) like as a couple you have a routine that doesn't involve much spontaneity. Why don't you have a fun discussion about how to mix things up or fantasies - reset a little.

messyhouses · 24/06/2025 12:54

regarding making a noise and all that
I’ve never made a noise, except when I orgasm, and it just to inform him not to bloody move position or I’ll lose the moment 😂

IberianBlackout · 24/06/2025 12:55

Maybe he just needs more reassurance that he’s doing well - you don’t need to moan, maybe a comment every now and then to keep him going.

My bf is very, very silently and even though I know why (we’ve talked about it numerous times), it does get under my skin every now and then. Maybe that’s what’s going on with your partner.

DiscoBob · 24/06/2025 12:55

So he's blaming you for taking ten minutes to come? It's mainly his fault, but I'd say you should guide him on how to make it happen sooner if possible.

And he's instigating oral anyway, so unless your 69-ing idk what else you can do but lie back and enjoy that part?!

Maybe he wants more kinkier stuff? Have you tried toys? Maybe try and do massage etc as foreplay to build up the sexual tension?

I'm not saying you should do anything you don't want to. But I think my jaw would hurt and my neck if I gave oral to either sex for ten minutes!

Harrysmummy246 · 24/06/2025 12:57

Thestoryof · 24/06/2025 09:50

Maybe. But I really like it! I no longer own a vibrator but when I have in the past it’s been functional but nowhere near as enjoyable as oral sex.

I think the communication thing is key. I don’t want him thinking I’m selfish. I don’t want to be selfish! I honestly thought I wasn’t taking an unreasonable amount of time or behaving oddly. Maybe I am.

Many of us really like it but don't expect it, especially not every single time. What you are describing seems pretty disconcerting in terms of lying there silent with no feedback to him. He's telling you that's not really what he wants. I can't imagine being silent really, really can't.
Your sessions also sound pretty 'formulaic' to me.

usedtobeaylis · 24/06/2025 12:57

I feel really sad for you here OP. You're not doing anything wrong but because you're not doing any kind of performance, your own pleasure has to go on the back burner, and it's other women suggesting It to you. It doesn't matter if anyone else thinks it's 'boring' except you and your partner and if he does - well then the choice is either for him to just deal with that like an adult for your pleasure, or for you to acknowledge you might not be completely compatible. What SHOULDN'T be on the table is for you to forego something you clearly, clearly enjoy just because he thinks you take too long, as if he's the one and only thing that matters here. There is NOTHING wrong with you.

Stravaig · 24/06/2025 13:00

It does sound a bit single minded and linear. Let's do this one thing only until you come, the switch and do this other one thing until he comes.

I'd imagine more kissing and touching and nipple play and some stroking and oral on you, and on him, some penetration, all interspersed, back to more kissing, stroking, nipples, oral, penetration, whatever, from both, on both, in multiple positions, along with whatever sounds and speech come naturally.

Basically, keep raising the arousal level of both partners simultaneously, and only focus solely on one if/when needed to finish. It's a communication, an ever-changing expressive conversation/dance/melody/exchange of pleasure, not a this-for-that transaction. (Except when it is.)

Caveat: I'm not a big fan of oral, giving or receiving, so that factors in for me.

PinkArt · 24/06/2025 13:00

It sounds like he'd like you to be a bit more active/ proactive in bed. You definitely don't need to become a moaner if you aren't one naturally, but like other posters I'd be a bit weirded out if I was giving a blow job for 10 mins and getting no kind of reaction. Could you chuck in a few more 'that feels amazing's etc without losing your orgasm? Or more touch? Sounds super twee but holding hands with him when he's going down is an amazing connection.
You also said he can then do what he likes and you're happy with whatever. Does he want you to initiate the what comes next sometimes?
Calling you a pillow princess isn't nice, but it sounds like he feels like he's doing all the work and you're happily there, but just there.

NattyFox · 24/06/2025 13:00

Can't believe I'm writing this but I let dh know when I'm close from oral and then we both finish from PIV, maybe something worth trying.

bongsuhan · 24/06/2025 13:04

PinkArt · 24/06/2025 13:00

It sounds like he'd like you to be a bit more active/ proactive in bed. You definitely don't need to become a moaner if you aren't one naturally, but like other posters I'd be a bit weirded out if I was giving a blow job for 10 mins and getting no kind of reaction. Could you chuck in a few more 'that feels amazing's etc without losing your orgasm? Or more touch? Sounds super twee but holding hands with him when he's going down is an amazing connection.
You also said he can then do what he likes and you're happy with whatever. Does he want you to initiate the what comes next sometimes?
Calling you a pillow princess isn't nice, but it sounds like he feels like he's doing all the work and you're happily there, but just there.

This could be it... how is the "mental load" of sex divided up? Are you being active in saying what you would like/what he should do?

Gymbunny2025 · 24/06/2025 13:06

KPPlumbing · 24/06/2025 12:48

You do know that the majority of women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm? I'm amazed there is an adult out there who doesn't know this.

and also that corpses can’t orgasm 😂

SporadicMincePieMuncher · 24/06/2025 13:09

There's a lot of speculation on this thread but what needs to happen is for OP to ask her partner what he meant by the comment, and what if anything he'd like her to do more (or less) of.

I suspect it's a badly worded request for more vocal appreciation, (something that's almost universal in porn so if he watches that he'll think that's normal) but you can't have a conversation dealing with that until you establish if that's what he means.

TriesNotToBeCynical · 24/06/2025 13:09

4PawsandATail · 24/06/2025 12:42

Bit weird how you just lie still and silent like a corpse.

Bit weird that he won't learn how to get you off with PIV. Foreplay is great by surely you want to experience mutual climax from PIV?

The 1960s called, to ask for their meme back ...

sammylady37 · 24/06/2025 13:10

So he's blaming you for taking ten minutes to come? It's mainly his fault, but I'd say you should guide him on how to make it happen sooner if possible

Why should it be sped up and why is it anyone’s ‘fault’ that the op requires 10 mins of oral stimulation to orgasm? Ten minutes. Hardly an eternity and IMO & IME, a very reasonable time to spend on oral. It’s not asking much to devote ten minutes of time to your partner’s sexual pleasure. Since when is the aim of sex to orgasm as quickly as possible? The journey can be very enjoyable, not just the destination.

Trainarmrestfairy · 24/06/2025 13:11

Is ten minutes (more like 8 or 9 when I’ve timed it) really that long? And yes I am pretty motionless and silent, but it does feel wonderful and he knows it does.

You've timed it!? Christ on a bike. Why are you timing it!?

I have to be honest, it doesn't really matter how much time you say 'that was great, I loved it,' because if you're not engaging in the act itself and just laying there (or timing it!) he's not going to feel that way.

It would be like giving a blow job and the man just laying there silently. For ten minutes. I'd find that weird as hell.

Thestoryof · 24/06/2025 13:12

sammylady37 · 24/06/2025 13:10

So he's blaming you for taking ten minutes to come? It's mainly his fault, but I'd say you should guide him on how to make it happen sooner if possible

Why should it be sped up and why is it anyone’s ‘fault’ that the op requires 10 mins of oral stimulation to orgasm? Ten minutes. Hardly an eternity and IMO & IME, a very reasonable time to spend on oral. It’s not asking much to devote ten minutes of time to your partner’s sexual pleasure. Since when is the aim of sex to orgasm as quickly as possible? The journey can be very enjoyable, not just the destination.

Yes, this. I enjoy the whole ten minutes, not just the last ten seconds.

He knows this. I am grateful to him for pleasuring me and giving me what I like best. I think I do the same for him.

OP posts:
VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 24/06/2025 13:14

OK, I reckon you've got two possible things going on here. I don't know which one it is, but I think I've played the part of your boyfriend in both these scenarios over the years.

First thing he might be referring to is that you're so quiet when he's going down on you. My DP is like this. Fingers, PIV, she's quite "enthusiastic", but oral she just lies there dead silent until she comes. And by god it's disconcerting. So much so that after about a year, I very rarely performed oral on her, because I thought it didn't do much for her. And for four years that went on because I assumed she preferred other things and she never asked for it. Until one day she cried and asked why I didn't want to go down on her. Turns out, she loves oral, but in order to enjoy it she really needs to concentrate, and that means silence.

Honestly, it's still disconcerting. I give DP oral all the time now, but it's for her benefit. Every other girlfriend I've had, oral was something I got pleasure out of as well. It was a turn on, feeling their movements, hearing the moans, that sense of escalation until she hit a peak. With DP, it's just repeat these actions until at some point out of nowhere she tries to pop my head with her thighs. It's the only time during sex when I've ever contemplated work, or the shopping. Don't get me wrong, I'll happily take 10 minutes of my mind wandering if it makes DP happy and the rest of our sex life is fantastic.

Possibility 2 is that he just doesn't understand the orgasm gap. Not properly. My ex before DP was like you @Thestoryof , in that she could only orgasm through oral, and sometimes it felt like oral was the only important part of sex for her. And frankly, it probably was.

Men get lucky, in that we orgasm easily, but conversely, that just means our orgasms are less impressive. An orgasm isn't the bit we're working towards, that we're hoping for, it's just the thing that happens at the end of sex. We don't have mind blowing orgasms, not usually anyway. No man has ever passed out from an orgasm, we don't lose the power of coherent speech, our eyes don't roll back into our heads. Not in the same way women do anyway. For us, an orgasm is just the slightly better feeling bit you work towards at the end because you know you're going to be too tired to enjoy sex if you carry on much longer.

Sex with my ex tended to follow a pattern, which sounds similar to what you have with your partner. Bit of foreplay, maybe a blowjob, I go down on her, she orgasms, we do PIV, I orgasm. And it felt a bit, not monotonous, but static. It felt like she wasn't interested in the foreplay, she wanted to get to me going down on her. Like that bit was for her, and then the PIV was for me.

With DP, and previous girlfriends, sex feels much more asymmetrical, and yet more like we're both enjoying all aspects of it. There's no following a script, a set of tickboxes to make sure we both orgasm. For DP and I, there is no pattern for our sex life. Maybe tonight she'll give me a blowjob and then roll over and go to sleep, or I'll do the same for her. Maybe it'll just be a bit of mutual masturbation, and we'll both orgasm. Maybe instead a 69 and some PIV. Maybe we'll have a full 4 course banquet and do absolutely everything. Or maybe we'll just have a few abortive attempts to fool around in between pillow talk before deciding we're both too knackered and decide to pick it up in the morning.

With my ex, the fact that she required something so specific to orgasm, made her that much more focussed on it, and made our sex life that much more restrictive in comparison. To be honest, we didn't go out long enough for it to become a problem, but if we had, it might've done.

For whatever reason, it sounds like you only managed to have half a conversation with your partner about this. You got the criticism bit without getting to the constructive bit. You need to talk to him again, and find out exactly why he thinks this is an issue, and what his ideas are to fix it. Maybe it's something simple, maybe it turns out you're completely incompatible. The only way to find out is by talking more.

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