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BF going through my phone

  • 19-08-2009 1:54pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭


    My bf is was going on a business trip for a few days and had to be up early this morning around 5am.

    So when his alarm went off this morning he turned it off quickly and got up. I was kind of half awake but kept my eyes closed as I was snoozing. I was sort of opening and closing my eyes and watching him get ready as I wanted to make sure I gave him a kiss goodbye. Then he did the stangest thing, he unplugged my phone and went to the bathroom. he was there for about 10 mins and tbh I didn't know what to think. I considered that he might be putting a funny reminder in my calendar or something for me to get while he was away. When he came back he held it behind his back.

    I don't know why I did but I closed my eyes and let him put it back thinking I was asleep. I knew he'd be really embarrassed being caught in the act and I just didn't want to do it to him really.

    So when he left I had a look through my calendar and there was nothing, he had left it just as he found it.

    I am a bit bothered by the invasion of privacy but I could forgive him and tbh I have nothing to hide. What really hurts me is that he felt the need to do this.

    I haven't said anything to him and I don't know if I should?


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,044 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    Ask him what he was doing and if he says nothing then tell him that you would consider anyone going through your phone as an invasion of privacy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,598 ✭✭✭✭prinz


    There's two ways of looking at it this IMO..

    One, what was he doing, invasion of privacy kind of thing - perfectly legitimate, and something that should be sorted out, so yeah definitely like Thaedydal, I would be all for asking him straight out.

    Two, why does it really bother you that much, we don't know how long your relationship is or how serious it is but personally my gf messing about with my phone wouldn't even register tbh she often has my phone playing games, looking at pictures etc, sure she could be going through my messages but what of it, I have nothing to hide from her in there, I just see being in a relationship as significantly altering your 'private sphere'. I mean yeah it if it's some stranger, but it's your boyfriend. Trust works both ways.


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 42,361 Mod ✭✭✭✭Beruthiel


    prinz wrote: »
    personally my gf messing about with my phone wouldn't even register tbh she often has my phone playing games, looking at pictures etc, sure she could be going through my messages but what of it, I have nothing to hide from her in there, I just see being in a relationship as significantly altering your 'private sphere'.

    Not everyone does.
    There is nothing to hide on my phone. Yet my OH knows he will loose a limb if I were to catch him going through it. I consider that a big invasion and I would certainly have no interest in going through his.
    I have a big thing about boundries and space and the respect of both.
    If someone is going through your phone at 5am in the morning and hoping you don't notice, they are up to something.

    Personally OP, I would tell him you saw exactly what he was doing and you want to know why he did that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,057 ✭✭✭MissFlitworth


    I have no probs with my boyfriend messing round with my phone in front of me, but if he was taking it into the jacks with him when he thought I was asleep to go through it I'd be a bit nonplussed to say the least. Not because I have any problem with him looking through what's on it, but because I'd have a massive problem with the sneakiness of doing it behind my back and also because I'd want to know what he thought was on there.

    I'd definitely say it to him, even just so he knows you know that he's been doing it. Sometimes when you're doing something you know you shouldn't be doing you need someone to tell you that they've noticed to help you break out of the habit! if you think you're getting away with it a a sneaky look can turn into full on obsessive checking of stuff


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 46 itsadeathtrap


    jez women go through phones emails post etc. but thats ok women are just nosie.... look the guy went into the bathroom maybe he wanted to play the games, maybe he text some, (no credit on his own phone). if this bothers you so much comfront him....


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 515 ✭✭✭GigaByte


    My bf is was going on a business trip for a few days and had to be up early this morning around 5am.

    So when his alarm went off this morning he turned it off quickly and got up. I was kind of half awake but kept my eyes closed as I was snoozing. I was sort of opening and closing my eyes and watching him get ready as I wanted to make sure I gave him a kiss goodbye. Then he did the stangest thing, he unplugged my phone and went to the bathroom. he was there for about 10 mins and tbh I didn't know what to think. I considered that he might be putting a funny reminder in my calendar or something for me to get while he was away. When he came back he held it behind his back.

    I don't know why I did but I closed my eyes and let him put it back thinking I was asleep. I knew he'd be really embarrassed being caught in the act and I just didn't want to do it to him really.

    So when he left I had a look through my calendar and there was nothing, he had left it just as he found it.

    I am a bit bothered by the invasion of privacy but I could forgive him and tbh I have nothing to hide. What really hurts me is that he felt the need to do this.

    I haven't said anything to him and I don't know if I should?


    I have one of those Pocket PC phone thingy's and my girlfriend is on it all the time! She can even read my emails on it if she wanted to without me knowing but I've no secrets or anything to hide from her so I don't care.

    Why don't you just ask him, instead of wasting your time posting here, no one is going to know what reason he had for using your phone only him.

    If I had a suspicious mind like you, I'd be thinking like you.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    It does seem a bit odd to bring your phone into the bathroom.
    Assuming he took it to read your messages (obviously not proven), it seems like the actions of a suspicious person. You said he's going away for a few days, do you think there would be any reason for him to suspect that you might be up to something while he's gone?

    I am a very open person and wouldn't care if my OH looked through my phone, or used it or whatever, but i would find it strange if he was hiding the fact that he wanted to look at it. I would presume he didnt trust me and was trying to catch me off guard or something...
    I would definately ask, it's going to bother you if you dont and if that kind of mistrust and non-communication starts, it can get way out of hand very quickly, better to nip it in the bud...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    We're together almost a year, living together about 3 months.

    I don't have a suspicious mind at all, I'd always try to give people the benefit of the doubt and I'd have no problem with him doing anything with my phone if he was upfront about it. In fact my first thought was that he was going to out a reminder with some funny/romantic message for me to get later but I've gone through my calendar for the next month.

    It's also a pocket pc so it has my calendar, emails, fb & bebo accounts as well as all the usual phone stuff, it basically records my whole life.

    It's the fact that it was very obvious that he was trying to hide it. And as i said before I'm not too worried about the invasion of privacy, I'm worried that he doesn't trust because that can't be good.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 144 ✭✭damienmcd


    I'd never be comfortable with someone going through my phone even though there's nothing on it that I would feel the need to keep hidden. It's the pure fact that it's my phone and nothing to do with anyone else. Complete invasion of privacy here so say something to him.

    You're obviously uncomfortable with him going through your phone. Maybe he's been in relationships before with someone who would have no problem with this or maybe he thought nothing of it. But if it makes you uncomfortable, like so many other things, it can be thrown back during an argument and that's only going to make things worse.

    These are the sort of things that need to be sorted out if you intend to make the relationship last.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,884 ✭✭✭Eve_Dublin


    I would be annoyed OP and like yourself, I'd be annoyed because it MIGHT indicate that he didn't trust me a 100%...or else it could be completely innocent and he's just curious and trying to find some juicy, gossipy but not necessarily incriminating texts...a bit like someone leaving their diary out and not resisting the urge to have a sneaky look (not that I personally ever have...but I had the chance...). It depends on the circumstances of your relationship. It might not mean he doesn't trust you, it's probably just something to pass the time while he's on the loo.

    Still sneaky behaviour though, childish but forgivable and he shouldn't have done it without asking. I'd leave it if I were you, to be honest. Unless you feel there are trust issues in your relationship and things have been a bit hairy lately (you gave no indication that this was the case), then try and forget about it. I can personally see why he might do this (as I said, just to pass the time) and how it could be misconstrued as something more serious. Blowing it out of proportion could cause acute embarrassment and more hassle than it's worth, imo.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,518 ✭✭✭OS119


    OP, there are only three possible explanations.

    1. he wanted to use an application on your phone that his doesn't have - internet, credit to send an SMS etc... problem is, he did it in a way that suggests he doesn't know the difference between 'your things' and 'his things'. and even 50 years into a marriage there's still 'your things' and 'his things'... (if i need to use my wife's phone - as i did in not dissimilar circumstances to call a taxi to the airport at 5am - i ask permission, i do it in front of her, and i do it for the minimum time neccessary to make the call. not fcuk off downstairs with it!)

    2. he doesn't trust you, and went looking through your phone for incriminating evidence. if he doesn't trust you what was he doing in your bed?

    3. he's a very controlling person who, even if he has no reason to think something is amiss, believes he has the right to trawl through your phone (contacts, call log, SMS, calender, web-browser etc...) just because he's bored.

    none of these are nice things.

    challenge him on it - and make sure he knows you want this conversation right the fcuk now (for me this would be akin to finding another blokes boxer shorts in my wardrobe) - and if you aren't entirely happy with his explanation have his stuff in black bags asap.

    trust, and the display of trust, is the absolute foundation of any relationship.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,598 ✭✭✭✭prinz


    OS119 wrote: »
    if i need to use my wife's phone - as i did in not dissimilar circumstances to call a taxi to the airport at 5am - i ask permission, i do it in front of her, and i do it for the minimum time neccessary to make the call. not fcuk off downstairs with it!)......
    ....trust, and the display of trust, is the absolute foundation of any relationship.


    Sorry but I'm not seeing the slightest shred of trust there. You have to ask permission to just pick up your wife's phone to call a taxi :confused: to me that's just plain odd tbh. Whatever happened to 'what's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine'.. lordy..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,518 ✭✭✭OS119


    prinz wrote: »
    Sorry but I'm not seeing the slightest shred of trust there. You have to ask permission to just pick up your wife's phone to call a taxi :confused: to me that's just plain odd tbh. Whatever happened to 'what's mine is yours, and what's yours is mine'.. lordy..

    i ask permission because a) its hers - in the same way i wouldn't just rifle through her purse because i wanted £20, and b) i'm a polite person who asks if its ok do do something even if technically i probably don't - they're called manners - and c) its also so that she knows i'm not doing anything underhand with it, it demonstrates that i'm not going through her messages and that i'm not indicating that i don't trust her.

    the house is ours because we both bought and use it, the phone is hers because she bought it and she uses it. easy distinction.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭meditraitor


    on first read it looks like a trust issue, and depending on the seriousness/openess of your relationship this can either be no big deal or a massive intrusion.

    But it could also be something he is planning which he needs numbers you have that he doesnt, have you a birthday coming up? maybe he wants to call your father/friends to tell her/them he is going to ask you to marry him, and is planning a party for you. Did it myself ;-)


    Personally I adore and respect my misses so her looking at my phone does not even register and visa versa. Its only a phone.

    below is usual PI post but maybe (hopefully not)
    He might have trust issues and you may have some communication difficulties which is normal in most new/adolescent(ish) or damaged relationships and were one or both of the partners might have other personality/phycological issues (perfectly normal, we are human and lack perfection after all) but this can be ironed out with some good old fashioned talking..
    Give it a go :D
    Dont worry about it too much


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 497 ✭✭castle


    There is a chance he is cheating and even though he loves you this could be the case.
    So if he is cheating he thinks that maybe you are to,he might be hoping to find something on your phone to justify why he is cheating,like double psychology people do funny things when they cheat.
    Now of course this is just a theory but might be worth checking out ,ie go thought his phone.
    Does he always have his phone on him around the house if it rings does he rush to get it.
    Are sure it is a business trip?
    Best of luck


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,598 ✭✭✭✭prinz


    OS119 wrote: »
    i ask permission because a) its hers - in the same way i wouldn't just rifle through her purse because i wanted £20, and

    Apples and oranges here, but I'll roll with it. Let's say your wife is out and you order a take away but then you remember when it comes you've no cash, but there's some in your OH's coat pocket or something you wouldn't just use it and tell her after the fact, oh by the way I used €20 for dinner or whatever...:confused:... Or after you've gone to the airport at 5 am you couldn't just talk to her later and say 'i used your phone this morning...' simple as. Asking her permission and then having to stand in front of her while you make the call and consciously keeping it as short as possible is just overkill tbh. Making a mountain out of a molehill. That sort of existence would drive me nuts, it would be like sharing a house with a flatmate and not a spouse, do you do separate food shopping?
    OS119 wrote: »
    b) i'm a polite person who asks if its ok do do something even if technically i probably don't - they're called manners - and

    Thanks I'm well aware of manners. I'm a very mannerly chap myself as it happens.
    OS119 wrote: »
    c) its also so that she knows i'm not doing anything underhand with it, it demonstrates that i'm not going through her messages and that i'm not indicating that i don't trust her.

    That's not something that I think should even be a factor. It wouldn't even cross my mind if I saw my OH with my phone. I trust her, she trusts me, we don't need to continually remind each other of that fact.
    OS119 wrote: »
    ...the house is ours because we both bought and use it, the phone is hers because she bought it and she uses it. easy distinction.

    Do you ask her if you can listen to a CD she bought? Or a DVD? I can't even begin to imagine what life would be like if my OH and I had to ask permission to use things belonging to the other. Where does it end? :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,518 ✭✭✭OS119


    i don't have to ask, i like to ask.

    for us there's a clear deliniation between ours and mine/yours, phones, purses/wallets and laptops the latter, pretty much everything else the former.

    i always have cash on me, my phone is always charged and i have a spare laptop - so i have to work pretty hard to need to use any of those things, and we deliberately have separate 'life strands' and rigorously respect each others privacy, so if i absolutely have to use her phone/laptop/purse i feel like i've moved outside our normal boundaries, and personally, when you have an ability/opportunity to delve into the 'separate' bits of your OH's life then i think you should feel a bit awkward.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,328 ✭✭✭cafecolour


    Do you have a more advanced phone than him or anything? Since to me it more reads like he grabbed your phone to surf the web/play a game while he was taking a dump. Did the toilet flush after he came out of the bathroom?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,025 ✭✭✭muboop1


    cafecolour wrote: »
    Do you have a more advanced phone than him or anything? Since to me it more reads like he grabbed your phone to surf the web/play a game while he was taking a dump. Did the toilet flush after he came out of the bathroom?

    I'm not saying he isnt going through texts etc...

    But if my gf was asleep beside me with a nice iPhone on the bed side table for example, and i needed a poo...

    Definitely nick hers to listen to some music while browsing through facebook! might not even sign her out first, because we likely have same friends added, so be a simple matter to check up on all i want without signing her out.

    I wouldn't wake her up to tell her, because to be honest, waking her up for something that takes 5 mins... i would just feel bad! Waking her up to ask her if i can use her stuff while going toilet... i'd be kicked!

    I'd assume she wouldn't care and go with it!

    I'm just giving myself as an example, that it might not be so sinister!

    Also, do you really care if he went through your stuff?
    Unless he went through it with the mindset to check up on you(ill admit its hard to know) and didn't just view it as something to read while he was in there.

    I wouldn't see a problem with that as long as its not overly possessive of his phone, and he would let you do same to him... If he felt he need to check ur stuff... bad!

    But honestly, you will never know unless you ask him!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    on first read it looks like a trust issue, and depending on the seriousness/openess of your relationship this can either be no big deal or a massive intrusion.

    Personally I adore and respect my misses so her looking at my phone does not even register and visa versa. Its only a phone.

    Him looking at my phone is no big deal. I feel the same way about my bf and again normally it wouldn't register.

    What registers is the fact that he tried to hide this and do it sneakily.
    below is usual PI post but maybe (hopefully not)
    He might have trust issues and you may have some communication difficulties which is normal in most new/adolescent(ish) or damaged relationships and were one or both of the partners might have other personality/phycological issues (perfectly normal, we are human and lack perfection after all) but this can be ironed out with some good old fashioned talking..
    Give it a go :D
    Dont worry about it too much


    We're certailnly not adolescents and we have never had any sort of trust issues. We have a fantastic relationship and are very happy together. We talk about absolutely everything and I will definitely bring this up with him when he returns.
    There is a chance he is cheating and even though he loves you this could be the case.
    So if he is cheating he thinks that maybe you are to,he might be hoping to find something on your phone to justify why he is cheating,like double psychology people do funny things when they cheat.
    Now of course this is just a theory but might be worth checking out ,ie go thought his phone.
    Does he always have his phone on him around the house if it rings does he rush to get it.
    Are sure it is a business trip?

    I trust my bf 100% and I am certain that he is not cheating. I wouldn't dream of going through his phone to check up on him(not that he'd have any problem with me doing anything with his phone, I often play with it in front of him) and I don't think that is very good advice. That is a very unhelpful and unfounded speculation you are making. And yes it is definitely a business trip, it's a meeting with potential clients that I set up.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    muboop1 wrote: »
    I'm not saying he isnt going through texts etc...

    But if my gf was asleep beside me with a nice iPhone on the bed side table for example, and i needed a poo...

    Definitely nick hers to listen to some music while browsing through facebook! might not even sign her out first, because we likely have same friends added, so be a simple matter to check up on all i want without signing her out.

    I wouldn't wake her up to tell her, because to be honest, waking her up for something that takes 5 mins... i would just feel bad! Waking her up to ask her if i can use her stuff while going toilet... i'd be kicked!

    I'd assume she wouldn't care and go with it!

    I'm just giving myself as an example, that it might not be so sinister!

    Also, do you really care if he went through your stuff?
    Unless he went through it with the mindset to check up on you(ill admit its hard to know) and didn't just view it as something to read while he was in there.

    I wouldn't see a problem with that as long as its not overly possessive of his phone, and he would let you do same to him... If he felt he need to check ur stuff... bad!

    But honestly, you will never know unless you ask him!

    No I don't really care if he went through my stuff. He isn't overly posessive of his phone at all, nor am I of mine. He did try to hide it when he returned though, he was trying to check if I was awake of asleep before putting it back.

    I do trust him and I'm not all worried about that, I would be very hurt if he didn't trust em though


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭meditraitor


    Him looking at my phone is no big deal. I feel the same way about my bf and again normally it wouldn't register.

    What registers is the fact that he tried to hide this and do it sneakily..

    I can only go on what I read and if you dont mind me quoting
    My bf is was going on a business trip for a few days and had to be up early this morning around 5am.
    I certainly wouldnt wake the queen up at 5am to ask her could I use her phone.......



    We're certailnly not adolescents and we have never had any sort of trust issues. We have a fantastic relationship and are very happy together. We talk about absolutely everything and I will definitely bring this up with him when he returns...

    Thats great, so why worry?


    I trust my bf 100% and I am certain that he is not cheating. I wouldn't dream of going through his phone to check up on him(not that he'd have any problem with me doing anything with his phone, I often play with it in front of him) and I don't think that is very good advice. That is a very unhelpful and unfounded speculation you are making. And yes it is definitely a business trip, it's a meeting with potential clients that I set up.

    Again, why are you worrying?

    Its only a phone and you love and trust this guy.. you should have spoke to him at the time if it is eating away at you enough to post your feeling on an internet forum.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,598 ✭✭✭✭prinz


    Him looking at my phone is no big deal. I feel the same way about my bf and again normally it wouldn't register.
    What registers is the fact that he tried to hide this and do it sneakily.
    muboop1 wrote: »
    I wouldn't wake her up to tell her, because to be honest, waking her up for something that takes 5 mins... i would just feel bad! Waking her up to ask her if i can use her stuff while going toilet... i'd be kicked!

    This is fairly spot on IMO. Are you sure you're not just confusing him trying to be quiet and not disturb you, with being sneaky..


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 515 ✭✭✭GigaByte


    prinz wrote: »
    This is fairly spot on IMO. Are you sure you're not just confusing him trying to be quiet and not disturb you, with being sneaky..

    Good point prinz, if there's one thing that we can definitely tell without needing any explanation is that the OP is been sneaky by pretending to be a sleep the whole time from the moment he got up to the moment he got back.

    If I wake up and my girlfriend is going to be away for awhile I'd not be "pretending" to be sleeping until they leave???


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    GigaByte wrote: »
    Good point prinz, if there's one thing that we can definitely tell without needing any explanation is that the OP is been sneaky by pretending to be a sleep the whole time from the moment he got up to the moment he got back.

    If I wake up and my girlfriend is going to be away for awhile I'd not be "pretending" to be sleeping until they leave???


    I wasn't "pretending" anything, I was awake but snoozing, I was trying not to fall back to sleep because I wanted to give him a kiss goodbye. When he got back I was awake, I could see that he was trying to hide the phone from me and was acting awkward, so I closed my eyes for 30 seconds. I thought he'd have put something funny or romantic in my phone so I didn't want to spoil the surprise for him.

    I didn't check the phone to see what he'd doen til after he left.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,884 ✭✭✭Eve_Dublin


    I wasn't "pretending" anything, I was awake but snoozing, I was trying not to fall back to sleep because I wanted to give him a kiss goodbye. When he got back I was awake, I could see that he was trying to hide the phone from me and was acting awkward, so I closed my eyes for 30 seconds. I thought he'd have put something funny or romantic in my phone so I didn't want to spoil the surprise for him.

    I didn't check the phone to see what he'd doen til after he left.

    Really OP...if you're not worried, then what IS the problem??

    Sorry...just read your post above...your worried he doesn't trust you. I think you know you have to speak to him then. Everything else is just speculation on our part.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,540 ✭✭✭finbarrk


    castle wrote: »
    There is a chance he is cheating and even though he loves you this could be the case.
    So if he is cheating he thinks that maybe you are to,he might be hoping to find something on your phone to justify why he is cheating,like double psychology people do funny things when they cheat.
    Now of course this is just a theory but might be worth checking out ,ie go thought his phone.
    Does he always have his phone on him around the house if it rings does he rush to get it.
    Are sure it is a business trip?
    Best of luck

    This is probably the most likely explaination unfortunatley for the op. Make sure to give an odd check to his phone if you can ever get your hands on it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,884 ✭✭✭Eve_Dublin


    finbarrk wrote: »
    This is probably the most likely explaination unfortunatley for the op. Make sure to give an odd check to his phone if you can ever get your hands on it.

    Really? Jaysus talk about assuming the worst about someone!! :pac: Personally I feel if you don't think in your gut that you've anything to worry about with regards to your relationship, then you probably don't.

    I personally (but I've no idea...more speculation) think that he was whiling away the minutes messing with the programmes on your fancy phone while he was taking a (excuse the crudeness) dump. End of. Innocent until proven guilty and all that jazz...giving the person you trust and love the benefit of the doubt is a sign of a healthy relationship.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 750 ✭✭✭VaioCruiser


    People who have relationships with each other are generally extremely naive when it comes to 'managing' their relationship, in my experience and opinion. Not a lot of thought goes into it and as a result many run into trouble like this. Especially where people are dating and allow their passion to control their brains.

    It is a complete fallacy, in my view, for people to have this expectation and entitlement that their partner's life be an open book to them and that their partner must immediately terminate any contact with previous boy/girl friends and people they may have an attraction to but do not intend to have a relationship at the moment etc etc etc.

    This kind of entitlement/ expectation has become part of the culture of dating and marriage and in my view it is not just wrong - it creates a situation where failure is more and more likely because modern life involves so much interaction with other people, and relationship are complex.

    By creating this open-book situation it is human nature that one partner will feel limited/trapped/controlled by it and there the seed is sewn for eventual trouble down the line.

    Does it cause every partnership to fail ? of course not. But in my view it creates a completely unnecessary and unwarranted and unnatural state between two adults and narrows the chances of a successful relationship from the start.

    I have found that smart and mature people who have learned from mistakes they make in life learn to adopt a 'respect' state with their partners where they allow them to have their own life as part of their exclusive commitment, their own privacy for the adults they are. They have learned that we all need our independence, our ability to live certain parts of our lives as independent adults and then as part of that independence, chose to share it with our partners. This respect relationship creates space for partners to breathe and in my opinion creates relationships that have a much much higher chance of succeeding in the medium and long term.

    My two cents

    All the best.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 42 redapple


    People who have relationships with each other are generally extremely naive when it comes to 'managing' their relationship, in my experience and opinion. Not a lot of thought goes into it and as a result many run into trouble like this. Especially where people are dating and allow their passion to control their brains.

    It is a complete fallacy, in my view, for people to have this expectation and entitlement that their partner's life be an open book to them and that their partner must immediately terminate any contact with previous boy/girl friends and people they may have an attraction to but do not intend to have a relationship at the moment etc etc etc.

    This kind of entitlement/ expectation has become part of the culture of dating and marriage and in my view it is not just wrong - it creates a situation where failure is more and more likely because modern life involves so much interaction with other people, and relationship are complex.

    By creating this open-book situation it is human nature that one partner will feel limited/trapped/controlled by it and there the seed is sewn for eventual trouble down the line.

    Does it cause every partnership to fail ? of course not. But in my view it creates a completely unnecessary and unwarranted and unnatural state between two adults and narrows the chances of a successful relationship from the start.

    I have found that smart and mature people who have learned from mistakes they make in life learn to adopt a 'respect' state with their partners where they allow them to have their own life as part of their exclusive commitment, their own privacy for the adults they are. They have learned that we all need our independence, our ability to live certain parts of our lives as independent adults and then as part of that independence, chose to share it with our partners. This respect relationship creates space for partners to breathe and in my opinion creates relationships that have a much much higher chance of succeeding in the medium and long term.

    My two cents

    All the best.

    Well put. I totally agree.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 185 ✭✭dblennon


    Firstly IMO the cheating theory is the most unlikely situation.

    I had a situation recently almost exactly like the one you described.

    up early, short on time, needed a dump, wanted to check emails/ confirm time of flight. GF in bed grabbed her Iphone to check these items as mine was in the Kitchen.

    Realised as I was comming out of the bathroom, that taking her phone like that was pretty stupid so I half hid it and dropped it back where it was.

    She still ate me at the time, but more for taking her phone into the Jax than anything else.

    almost certainly what happened.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,442 ✭✭✭Firetrap


    Lots of theories... OP if you want an answer to it, you're going to have to ask him. It's odd behaviour.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 497 ✭✭castle


    I trust my bf 100% and I am certain that he is not cheating. I wouldn't dream of going through his phone to check up on him(not that he'd have any problem with me doing anything with his phone, I often play with it in front of him) and I don't think that is very good advice. That is a very unhelpful and unfounded speculation you are making. And yes it is definitely a business trip, it's a meeting with potential clients that I set up.[/QUOTE]

    If you read my post, I never said he was cheating but it was just a theory.
    I know a few people who said through the years I trust my OH 100% never a reason not to trust them, and guess what they where wrong.I always remember a guy saying to me years ago, unless you are with someone 100% of the time then you can ever be 100% sure.
    People have been married over 40 years and only find out after their OH's death that they actually lived double lives etc, google it.
    We all like to think our OH is 100% and maybe yours is and I hope he is.
    But if my OH went through my phone when they thought I was asleep I would think it was odd and if you are happy to ignore the fact then that is up to you.
    But I am open minded as to many people in this world cheat.
    What makes one person so much better that they would not cheat given the chance,
    But you should bring it up asap don't walk on egg shells and don't dress it up as you don't want to embarrass him, you should embarrass him he snooped through your phone.
    I could not stand and pretend that my OH did not go through my phone if you can then you are a better person than me.
    When the smoke comes they is usually some fire be careful
    I suggest you start using a password for your phone.
    Best of luck


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    If you read my post, I never said he was cheating but it was just a theory.
    I know a few people who said through the years I trust my OH 100% never a reason not to trust them, and guess what they where wrong.I always remember a guy saying to me years ago, unless you are with someone 100% of the time then you can ever be 100% sure.
    People have been married over 40 years and only find out after their OH's death that they actually lived double lives etc, google it.

    Yes and I am telling you that your theory is in-correct and I most certainly will not be checking his phone as you've suggested. I've known plenty (& gone out with 2) cheating assholes and I can tell the difference. My OH is not cheating, and I trust my own judgement more than some anecdotal evidence about other people you've found on google.
    But if my OH went through my phone when they thought I was asleep I would think it was odd and if you are happy to ignore the fact then that is up to you.

    I'm obviously not ignoring the fact, if I was would I have posted here?
    What makes one person so much better that they would not cheat given the chance

    Integrity, consideration, respect for others, willpower, all of which my bf has by the bucketload.

    But you should bring it up asap don't walk on egg shells and don't dress it up as you don't want to embarrass him, you should embarrass him he snooped through your phone.
    I could not stand and pretend that my OH did not go through my phone if you can then you are a better person than me.

    Well I guess I am a better person.
    When the smoke comes they is usually some fire be careful

    Melodramatic or what
    I suggest you start using a password for your phone.

    I'll do no such thing, I have nothing to hide


    I will be collecting my bf in an hours time, it's the longest period we've spent apart in the last 12 months so I have a nice evening planned. I will ask him tomorrow why, but tbh at this point I've come to the conclusion that there will be a perfectly reasonable explanation


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,649 ✭✭✭✭CDfm


    Probably playing games or something or a momentary lapse of judgement.

    On my phone or email there is nothing my kids or GF can't access.

    no big deal.

    my gfs phone is password protected and she changes her email password etc. Im not bothered.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 497 ✭✭castle


    CDfm wrote: »
    Probably playing games or something or a momentary lapse of judgement.

    On my phone or email there is nothing my kids or GF can't access.

    no big deal.

    my gfs phone is password protected and she changes her email password etc. Im not bothered.

    If he was playing games he would not have tried to hide the fact that he took the phone now would he,

    OP you said,,I've known plenty (& gone out with 2) cheating assholes and I can tell the difference. If that is the case then you would sell a million books in the morning if you put that in writing,
    I just get the feeling that other stuff has happened that you have decided not to post here which is your right,
    I have a password on my phone and believe or not I have nothing to hide but I do like some privacy and I am not tied at the hip with OH though sometimes it feels like it.
    I am not here to get up your goat but just don't be narrow minded, don't be one of them who says My BF would never do that,do this etc
    If you bury her head in the sand guess what,you don't see anything.
    There is a saying that you should put no one high on a pedestal because no one can live up to those expectations .
    You sound quite young so thread carefully.
    Do try to catch him of guard when you bring it up just in case(no warning)
    Best of luck,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    castle wrote: »
    If he was playing games he would not have tried to hide the fact that he took the phone now would he,

    OP you said,,I've known plenty (& gone out with 2) cheating assholes and I can tell the difference. If that is the case then you would sell a million books in the morning if you put that in writing,
    I just get the feeling that other stuff has happened that you have decided not to post here which is your right,
    I have a password on my phone and believe or not I have nothing to hide but I do like some privacy and I am not tied at the hip with OH though sometimes it feels like it.
    I am not here to get up your goat but just don't be narrow minded, don't be one of them who says My BF would never do that,do this etc
    If you bury her head in the sand guess what,you don't see anything.
    There is a saying that you should put no one high on a pedestal because no one can live up to those expectations .
    You sound quite young so thread carefully.
    Do try to catch him of guard when you bring it up just in case(no warning)
    Best of luck,


    No Castle NOTHING else has happened. If you have some sort of sixth sense it is failing you on this occassion.

    I am not at all narrow minded, nor am I some niaive youngster, I am a 28 year old woman. I don't have my boyfriend on anysort of pedestal. No-one is perfect and I certainly don't think he is. We are all prone to periods of insecurity which in the worst case scenario is what this is.

    Please stop posting in this thread, your paranoid delusions are not at all helpful and I take offence to you suggesting that my bf may be cheating on me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I trust my bf 100% and I am certain that he is not cheating. I wouldn't dream of going through his phone to check up on him(not that he'd have any problem with me doing anything with his phone, I often play with it in front of him) and I don't think that is very good advice. That is a very unhelpful and unfounded speculation you are making. And yes it is definitely a business trip, it's a meeting with potential clients that set up.

    But you should bring it up asap don't walk on egg shells and don't dress it up as you don't want to embarrass him, you should embarrass him he snooped through your phone.
    I could not stand and pretend that my OH did not go through my phone if you can then you are a better person than me.

    Well I guess I am a better person.

    Just a word of advice O.p, when you post a problem up here you have to accept all types of advice and opinions given. You asked the board because you were confused with your husbands behavior and because you COULDN'T pretend your O.H didn't go through your phone. Since we don't know your husband personally we can only speculate why he did what he did.. and if that means some members giving the opinion that your could be cheating (even then you know personally he's not), then so be it. It's better to just thank people politely for their (maybe somewhat misguided but well meaning) advice rather than jumping down their throats.
    I'm sure there's a perfectly logical explanation for why he brought your phone into the bathroom, maybe he wanted to use it and didn't want to wake you talking or txting. But if it bothers you so much, which it seems to then communication is the best policy.

    All the best!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 497 ✭✭castle


    No Castle NOTHING else has happened. If you have some sort of sixth sense it is failing you on this occassion.

    I am not at all narrow minded, nor am I some niaive youngster, I am a 28 year old woman. I don't have my boyfriend on anysort of pedestal. No-one is perfect and I certainly don't think he is. We are all prone to periods of insecurity which in the worst case scenario is what this is.

    Please stop posting in this thread, your paranoid delusions are not at all helpful and I take offence to you suggesting that my bf may be cheating on me.
    AS I said before best of luck and I really mean that(sleep with the angels OP)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,131 ✭✭✭MissHoneyBun


    So he looked at your phone, get over it and stop creating drama where there's none.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,884 ✭✭✭Eve_Dublin


    I've had a beer or two tonight but I have to ask....why in God's name did you post up here then if you're not worried??

    The lady doth protest too much??

    I'm sure all is well though....but you seem to know that already....and that's why you posted up here...kind of baffling... :confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I posted because I was afraid by bf didn't trust ME!! Not because I don't trust him, I KNOW that I can trust him.

    so for the record:

    1) I DON'T CARE IF HE LOOKS AT MY PHONE! I have nothing to hide, he uses it all the time when I'm around and I'm not the slightest bit bothered.

    2) I trust him completely and he is not nor would he ever cheat on me. He would break up with me before he'd do that as it is very much against his morals.

    3) I was bothered by the fact he tried to hide it as it made me think he does not trust me.


    I spoke to my bf this morning, turns out he was changing the "gay" ringtone I had assigned to him, he is not a fan of the village people and I just didn't notice he had changed it. Case Closed.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 809 ✭✭✭Terodil


    I spoke to my bf this morning, turns out he was changing the "gay" ringtone I had assigned to him, he is not a fan of the village people and I just didn't notice he had changed it. Case Closed.
    Haha, love it. I'm glad everything turned out alright. Wish I could show this to other people who doubt if they should or should not address issues that worry them. Way to go on communication, OP. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,884 ✭✭✭Eve_Dublin


    There ye go...I knew it was innocent!! Hurrah!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,442 ✭✭✭Firetrap


    That's good news - an innocent explanation that you'd have never thought of in a million years if you hadn't asked him :cool:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    I posted because I was afraid by bf didn't trust ME!! Not because I don't trust him, I KNOW that I can trust him.

    so for the record:

    1) I DON'T CARE IF HE LOOKS AT MY PHONE! I have nothing to hide, he uses it all the time when I'm around and I'm not the slightest bit bothered.

    2) I trust him completely and he is not nor would he ever cheat on me. He would break up with me before he'd do that as it is very much against his morals.

    3) I was bothered by the fact he tried to hide it as it made me think he does not trust me.


    I spoke to my bf this morning, turns out he was changing the "gay" ringtone I had assigned to him, he is not a fan of the village people and I just didn't notice he had changed it. Case Closed.

    Glad to hear it a happy ending, as long as this wasn't a cover up in case you had woken up and caught him red handed,
    People can be so clever when they want it,
    If you are happy that is all that matters


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 442 ✭✭puglover


    Glad to hear it a happy ending, as long as this wasn't a cover up in case you had woken up and caught him red handed,
    People can be so clever when they want it,
    If you are happy that is all that matters

    Gees what's with the doubting Thomas's. The OP knows the full story and her OH and is happy with the outcome.

    Trying to put doubts into the mind of someone who seems pretty secure and confident in her relationship is not helpful.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,012 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    puglover wrote: »
    Gees what's with the doubting Thomas's. The OP knows the full story and her OH and is happy with the outcome.

    Trying to put doubts into the mind of someone who seems pretty secure and confident in her relationship is not helpful.

    If that was the case as you suggest been secure and confident then she would not have posted here,this is just my opinion please don't shoot me for it,I say what I think if you want to say things only to please someone then so be it(not me)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 442 ✭✭puglover


    I call it as I see it, just have a look through my previous posts if you don't think thats the case


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