this post was submitted on 01 Jul 2024
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No Stupid Questions

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Today, before taking an Uber home, she sent me a text wanting me to be downstairs on the street to greet her as the Uber arrives. I read it and told her that yes, I'll be there. I didn't notice any further text because I was in the middle of something.

Later, I hear the door opening and went to our door to greet her, she was furious and refused to talk to me. I realized I forgot to turn my phone back from silent mode after work today. I told her that it is my bad, she still refused to talk to me. At this point, things are still normal for our relationship, she would usually become willing to talk after a while.

I usually go to sleep at 22:30 and she knows, so I thought we'd sort things out tomorrow and went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night (later I found out it was 1a.m.) to her standing next to my bed (we sleep in separate bedrooms), and she began asking a series of pointed questions: "What would you do if you found out that I was gone?", "What would you do if the CCTV on our street is broken by chance?", "What would you tell my mother if I went missing?", "If I was actually kidnapped, would you kill the guy for me?"

You know, the usual. I thought she's just angry at me still and wanted to vent, so I went along with her for the time being: "I'd be very worried and look for you everywhere", "I'd sue the city", "I'd tell your mother exactly what happened and say I'm sorry", and "I'd kill the guy who kidnapped you".

She grumbled and asked a few follow-up questions, like "if you're planning to kill the guy, what would you do with our cat?" But at this point, I think she's finding it difficult to stay angry at me. I tell her again that I'm sorry I missed her text, and that next time this happens, she should just call me to make sure I see her text, but she left soon after without acknowledging my apology.

I know I'm in the wrong for missing her text. Not trying to argue otherwise. My question is, am I really responsible if someone kidnaps her between getting off the Uber and getting into our apartment complex? Is she trying to guilt trip me into thinking her anger is justified or am I really a horrible, kidnap-facilitating bad person for missing a few texts?

Edit for context: we live in a pretty safe city that ranks top 10 in the world on low crime rate. Also, thank you all for educating me on what gaslighting actually means. It was 2 in the morning when I posted this, I did not have the energy to find the answer myself.

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[–] billwashere@lemmy.world 10 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The “be on the street to greet her as her Uber arrives” is a giant red flag by itself. It’s about her controlling you. You should run, believe me.

[–] SturgiesYrFase@lemmy.ml 4 points 4 months ago

Classic coercive control, what used to be called brainwashing. It's emotional abuse.

[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 9 points 4 months ago

yes you would be responsible!!!!1!1!! you'd be sent to jail with the same sentence as the kidnapper whether they catch it or not!!!

Of course not. I would brush this off thinking your GF is probably not even 20 years old yet. The situation sounds a bit immature. I would be concerned if she's older than 25 and making that scene though, it sounds like a very large red flag. Now, perhaps she's been through some trauma that would explain the behaviour, if that's the case you may want to consider professional help.

[–] olafurp@lemmy.world 9 points 4 months ago (6 children)

It sounds like she was concerned about the Uber driver and didn't feel like you didn't make her feel safe. I think it's an overreaction on her part but it's still real feelings.

You can't win those arguments, you just have to stay calm and say that you're sorry for not coming down as she was arriving. Then maybe ask if the driver made her feel uncomfortable or whatever.

She doesn't want answers, just empathy and a feeling that you care about her safety.

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[–] Hikermick@lemmy.world 7 points 4 months ago

She was trying to rattle you. Next time answer ridiculous questions with ridiculous answers

[–] lvxferre@mander.xyz 6 points 4 months ago

You're probably better off trusting your guts, and the guts of people around you, than what anyone in the internet says about this matter. Including me.

That said: I don't think that she's either gaslighting or guilt tripping you. I think that she's simply feeling insecure.

[–] riodoro1@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

I know I'm in the wrong for missing her text. Not trying to argue otherwise.

Totally wrong to have your own life. You’re not her legal guardian. You do have responsibilities but constant undivided attention is not one of them.

[–] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

My main question is why are you already sleeping in separate bedrooms at this point?

[–] mortemtyrannis@lemmy.ml 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

One of many reasons; people are shift workers and keep different hours and don’t want to disturb each others sleep when alarms go off/they get out of bed.

[–] RyanLiu@lemmy.world 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I worked night shift for a year or two, that is indeed why we started sleeping in separate bedrooms. Right now, our schedule is still a 1-2 hours apart, enough for us to want to sleep in separate bedrooms.

[–] RinseDrizzle@midwest.social 3 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Absolutely wild lmao. I understand how it starts with opposite schedules but damn. My girl clocks in an hour earlier than me but also wakes up at least a couple before me for her morning ritual. I literally don't even hear her alarms at this point. You know I'm getting them cuddles.

Although hard to be encouraging getting them cuddles here -- your tolerance for intolerable behavior from your significant other is beyond what I'd endure. Obviously just seeing a small slice of the relationship, but yeah nah I don't play like that.

After a few relationships my tolerance for bullshit drama is mighty low. Love my chill gal who down to earth and behaves like a reasonable adult.

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[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 6 points 4 months ago

Her standing by your bed and behaving like that is childish and she's demonstrating manipulative behaviour.

[–] FeelzGoodMan420@eviltoast.org 5 points 4 months ago
[–] solrize@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago

I'll leave the psychological analysis to others but when I'm in a text discussion that needs synchronization (e.g. pick someone up at the train station), I usually respond to incoming texts as soon as I see them, e.g. with "ok", unless I'm driving and the person is expecting me. Even if I'm driving, I'll hear the incoming text buzz the phone, so if I think it needs immediate attention I'll pull over and look at it. So lack of such a text response within a few minutes could indicate "follow up with a voice call".

[–] norimee@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Has any of you guys commenting even thought that they live in an overly dangerous place and she was genuinely scared?

Of course, waking him in the middle of the night was over the top and maybe a red flag, but anxiety can do that to you.

What would you do if the CCTV on our street is broken by chance?

Who has CCTV in a residential street, that isn't dangerous to walk through? Nowhere where I live, but I've been to some sketchy parts of Manila for example where my local friends would freak out at the thought of walking home from the corner alone. ("Oh my god, do you have a death wish? You can't let them drop you anywhere that isnt directly your actual door! Someone will kidnap or kill you!")

I think her behaviour was somewhat understandable if she was genuinely scared and felt let down by him because he seemingly didn't care for her safety.

We all act irrational sometimes when we are scared, that doesn't mean everyone has a personality disorder or someone even suggested schizophrenia. Seriously people! Cut others some slack for some irrational emotions every now and then.

OP, tell your girlfriend that you love her and care about her and that you'll make an effort to be more thoughtful of her safety and her fears in the future. Because this just might be it. She felt unsafe and that you didn't care if something happens to her. She probably had these thoughts on a loop in her head since she got home.

[–] Skankboot@sh.itjust.works 9 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

would you kill the guy for me?

You know, the usual.

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