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I have been having a relationship/friendship with a man since May 2009. A few months ago, I was very ill and?

when he called to say he was coming over, I said I was sick and really didn't want to get him sick, he insisted on coming over, saying he had already been exposed anyways. After a number of hours, I was ready to climbed into bed and even though I gave him many hints ("gee, I am so sick, all I want to do is go to bed" "I am SO TIRED" and then finally "Enough! Its time to call it a night"). The night ended badly with him leaving pouting. He claimed to have been embarrassed and unwanted (DUH!) and said he saw a side of me he wished he had never seen (never explained what he meant). I ended up finding out I had congestive heart failure in addition to having had a cold/flu. Since he pouted like that, and I was not feeling well, I did not bother calling him for some time. When we finally did talk, he was very sorry he didn't know how sick I was (I don't think that should have had anything to do with his apology). We seem to be having more problems lately, he gets his feelings hurt, instead of talking about it, he pouts and says I should know how badly I have hurt his feelings and so on, even though he does not communicate this directly. Frankly, I find his pouting more disturbing than his lack of understanding of what the situation really is (ie I told him not to come over, I was sick, he insisted and pushed his way here anyways). He has always been helpful around the house, fixing things, hanging lights, doing light plumbing and so on, until about 3 weeks ago. At which time, he has taken to sitting at my dining room table reading my paper, books and magazines while I make dinner, do laundry and so on. No big deal, but I have come down with another cold and when I mentioned that an upstairs sink was leaking (one he had fixed previously) he told me to call a plumber. I was dumbfounded! He has never talked to me like that and I felt very uncomfortable with him after that. When he finally left that evening, even after telling him I was sick, tired and wanted to go to bed, I simply said it was time to call it a night and he left strained and pouting. I emailed a short time later asking why he talked to me like that and if he had something he wanted to get off his chest, surely it was better for us to get that out into the open and discuss it, rather than ruin a good friendship/relationship. He claimed he was simply being flip and that it must be me who had the issues and something to get off my chest. Since being sick, I figured I would leave this alone till I felt better, at which point he emailed me saying he hadn't heard back from me within 24 hours and questioning why I waited till he left to say something. I did say something, and just so you all know, I fixed the sink myself in 20 minutes. When I came downstairs (he was still sitting at the dining room table) he asked what I did, I said I called myself a plumber and fixed it myself. He sat there another 4 hours while I did laundry and blew my nose and coughed. I fixed NO LUNCH and NO DINNER as I was not hungry and was at a loss for words as what to say, if anything to him. Now I want to end this relationship and be done with this emotional blackmailer and layabout and am weighing the pros and cons. I think this is a fatal flaw he has and it won't get better. My Mom thinks I should tell him what I don't like about what he is doing. I am disturbed that when I was sick originally, he knew it and chose to come over anyways, despite me having asked him not to, and then when I had to just tell him it was time to go, he pouted and refused to talk to me, at which time I let him be until I was feeling better. We are not kids, I am 52 and he is 56, hardly children, although you might not know it by how we are acting. The reason I was originally attracted to him to begin with was he was terribly sweet, helpful and made himself useful around the house. I reciprocated by feeding him nightly, sewing his clothes and doing things for him also. Now he just sits around waiting for the dinner bell, talking this way to me and pouting when he thinks he has been slighted in some way. I have not been able to have a decent conversation with him over these things because of how he reacts, even though I try and speak from the heart, he accuses me of being mean, spiteful, humiliating him and embarrassing him. I say I can't think of a nice way to tell someone who has wore out their welcome, doesn't seem to be able to pick up on normal social cues and can't take a hint without a sledgehammer attached, to go home, stay home and to not talk to me like that. I emailed him back saying I would get in touch with him when I feel better. I don't feel like this relationship is going in a good place, and his handyman ways, while helpful, have taken a back seat. I do not need someone to feed who doesn't help out around the house and wants me to act like a wife, while acting like a baby himself. It is like having a sullen teenager in the house. Sulking, pouting an

Update:

He doesn't have a key to my house. I have not demanded he fix anything, he offered, I accepted. He had cleared the sink of a clog two days before and after he was done, it leaked where he had taken apart the pea trap. I did not DEMAND he fix it, simply let him know it was leaking. It required NO COMMENT and nothing flip from him on ANY LEVEL! I did not mind cooking for him or doing things for him, as long as he was doing the same for me. It seemed a fair exchange for both of us. I don't feel I need to do anything for him if he is unwilling to do the same for me. I think hanging about with someone for hours on end when someone is ill, is just plain taking advantage of that persons good nature, kindness and expecting favors when none have been rendered is rather nervy at best. I do not know if I should end this or try to work through this, I am on the edge of either way. In the beginning, we had lots of fun working on things TOGETHER, doing things, going places, etc. Not now.

11 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Confront him again and make sure he understands that HE is the one who isn't open to communication. He needs to learn how to express his feelings and open up to you. If you don't have communication, you don't have a relationship.

    However, in my opinion, I don't think you should expect him to do the plumbing work in your house, while he shouldn't expect you to feed him. You're pretty much demanding something from him as he is demanding something from you, even indirectly.

    Hints would be nice, but you should ask politely or suggest in a friendly way.

    "The sink upstairs is leaking." That isn't good to say. That would be equivalent of him saying, "I'm hungry for lasagna." Or even just sitting there at your dining room waiting as if you'll cook for him.

    After confronting him about it again, if he can't understand or change, stop wasting your time.

    And let him know that, you don't want to find him magically appear or insist to be sit at your table again.

  • 1 decade ago

    There should be quality in a man to keep a relationship healthy, regardless age.

    Most important quality is, in my opinion, to Love, love within hold so many meanings > Understanding, Caring when you are sick and down. Making you smile in the darkest hours, holding your hand when you are alone.

    Love is also that feel when he is away you miss him. A source of Happiness, without it you are sick and sad and looking bad. I say if this type of feeling you have, then you shouldn't let him go. Because maybe it will be difficult for you Like another, because your heart will compare, and choose the one who first gave you these feeling.

    And at same time its a waste to spend time with someone who fails to be by your side when you are sick, its the time when you need him most, its the best example and test to know a guy if when you are down, he is suppose to uplift your soul and give you support =] one who does this is the guy who really loves you.

    I can overlook everything else as long my love tells me he loves me and kiss me and makes me soup for me and cuddle me. =]

  • 1 decade ago

    You don't need a user! You need to focus on you regardless of age.Get him out of your life as a friend.Yes a friend.Hes a negative person looking for a mother and a home.You need to surround yourself with positive people. Change all your door locks that have entrance to your home.Start going out to the movies,shopping,lunches and etc.Don't be home anymore.When you talk to him on the phone tell him that you don't want him to come to your home anymore that the friendship is over because you have no energy to put into one.If he starts telling you things on the phone hang up on him.Your right this relationship is not going in good path and not good for your health.Start your New Year with change, fun and happiness.

  • Alvie
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    When a guy tries to act as your husband, including keeping company for you when you are sick. And you tell him to leave. Then he probably feels like you've filed for divorce, and it's only a matter of time before he is permanently out of your life.

    It's not easy for anyone to break up a relationship. And that's why he is still sticking around with you, even though he probably already knows that his relationship with you won't last.

  • 1 decade ago

    wow that was very long, I know I am young only 17 but my mum dated someone who sounds very similar and he ended up living with us he started out nice then turned in to a total prick just expected things to happen an was a gambler then when my mum finally broke up with him after about a year and he was very abusive when leaving. After we finally got him out the house after about a month cause my mum forced him in the end I realized he was a manipulator an it sounds very similar to this man I suggest you point out his flaws gun leave him high an dry as he is a loser an will never change

  • 1 decade ago

    Sounds to me like you should just dump him, personally i think when he heard you were sick he wanted to try and help you and possibly cheer you up, but granted that he is likely a wimpOla he was either grossed out or bothered by it which i must say is very childish, it also sounds like hes just using you, if he truly cared about you he would have fixed it as soon as you said it was broken...

    now if you may, please help me...

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsZn3...

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    this guy needs to grow up. a lot. And I have a feeling that you are out of the teaching children business. Dump this guy. You can find better. And you deserve better.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    How does this guy keep getting in your house? Does he have a key? Do you LET HIM IN??? If you don't want to let someone in your house then don't. Or does he climb down the chimney if he can't use your door?

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I think he's too old to change something in his mind. So, if you don't like that. You may need find another guy.

  • 1 decade ago

    My advice. Stop wasting your time and find someone that respects you.

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