Narcissism

[isin13955]

So my sister in law calls to say my cousin has just sadly passed away. It’s a long time since I saw my cousin and my wife had never met her. My wife comes into the room and asks, as she always does, who called. I tell her and she says what has that got to do with me as, obviously, my cousin wasn’t somebody close. How am I supposed to react calmly to such a comment? I despair sometimes!

[Hidden]

Were you emotionally close to your cousin? Perhaps you and your wife need to talk about her comment.

[Hidden]

It would appear that your wife is a socially inept and selfish individual lacking in social decency. From personal experience there is little you can do to enlighten her.

[isin13955 in reply to Hidden]

You’re probably right but I need to find an effective coping mechanism.

[Hidden in reply to isin13955]

I had these issues too with my wife. Now my ex wife. I found this the only effective coping mechanism unfortunately. Hopefully you won’t have to go through the same experience

[isin13955 in reply to Hidden]

About 5 years ago after yet one more tortuous holiday I said I thought we should divorce. She was being so aggressive towards me I thought she would jump at it, but her reaction totally shocked me. She collapsed in tears and ended up dissuading me. I can’t go there again!

[Hidden in reply to isin13955]

If you do you need to go through with it. Maybe she reacted like that because she needs you around to abuse? Some people do others down in a mistaken belief that it makes them stronger to compensate for their own inadequacies. I’ve been there and sympathise.