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Overheard at the Leisure Centre

(74 Posts)
Lathyrus3 Sun 09-Mar-25 14:00:34

I was having a coffee when a two men sat at the table next to me. Couldn’t help hearing their conversation.

They both had bowls bags with them and had obviously come from the carpets or whatever the indoor bowls place is called.

It emerged that one of them had been playing in a match and the other one had been watching. He’d brought his bowls with him because although his wife was happy for him to play matches she got fed up when he watched the other club matches rather than spend some time with her.

So he told her he was playing and took his bowls bag to bolster up the lie. They both thought it was very funny and a good thing to do because it stopped her being upset.

I really didn’t like what I’d heard. I couldn’t bear my closest person to lie me like that. But I’m aware that I don’t always see things the same way as others.

Just wondered how other people would feel if they were his wife.

Deepf Mon 10-Mar-25 15:03:31

Without knowing the complexity of his marriage how can we judge? I challenge anyone who says they have never told their partner a white lie

theworriedwell Mon 10-Mar-25 14:56:22

Granmarderby10

This is my thinking on the matter: What a waste of sandwiches and a waste of time for whoever made them.🙂

Well they aren't wasted if someone who needs them is enjoying them.

theworriedwell Mon 10-Mar-25 14:54:03

Lathyrus3

Just me then.

I’m not very good with pretending and lies. Rather have it all out there 😬

I think you have to be reasonable then. Why should it be ok for him to play but not ok for him to spend the same time watching? I'm going to bowls should cover it but if she won't settle for that it's on her.

Nightsky2 Mon 10-Mar-25 14:48:37

DH is going to visit his friend tomorrow, long drive. I wish he’d go more often as I’ll have a nice long day at home to myself.

People do need space from each other, I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have time to myself so I go out quite often as DH likes being at home. I play a lot of bridge so out for 3 or more hours a few times a week.

We’ve been married for 55 years and do we tell each other little lies, I know I do particularly when he asks me how much money I’ve spent😁

Lathyrus3 Mon 10-Mar-25 14:33:03

Gwyllt

At least he wasn’t making excuses to go to the pub or other possibly less savoury activities

You see there isn’t any difference to me.

It’s the deception that matters, not the activity.

Lathyrus3 Mon 10-Mar-25 14:31:19

Ah well. I didn’t take to either of them. It felt to me like he was getting as much or more pleasure from having fooled her as he was from watching. Laughing together about it. Naughty boys.

But I did say at the start I know I see things different from the majority. Lies don’t seem to bother most people as much as they bother me.

Gwyllt Mon 10-Mar-25 14:30:23

At least he wasn’t making excuses to go to the pub or other possibly less savoury activities

Missiseff Mon 10-Mar-25 14:22:18

That's hilarious 😂

4allweknow Mon 10-Mar-25 14:20:59

Wonder what else the man isn't allowed to watch unless he's taking part eg football, tennis, F1, a choir singing, children playing. For goodness sake let the man have friends and an interest.

Colls Mon 10-Mar-25 14:00:49

Lathyrus3

Just me then.

I’m not very good with pretending and lies. Rather have it all out there 😬

If she can discuss amicably I would agree. But presumably they have discussed it already and his preferences have been ignored.
Often his sort of behaviour is the only way to cope with passive aggressive people without resorting to potentially destructive ultimatums. Whatever the background, it's very sad.

Usedtobeblonde Sun 09-Mar-25 18:52:42

I have a family of followers Grandmaderby even if they are on the bottom of the league.
I think their fortunes will change now🙁🤭

Granmarderby10 Sun 09-Mar-25 18:30:05

……..and so much for Derby County FC. Usedtobeblonde😅 don’t really “do” football myself but “Up the Rams!”

Granmarderby10 Sun 09-Mar-25 18:23:24

This is my thinking on the matter: What a waste of sandwiches and a waste of time for whoever made them.🙂

Witzend Sun 09-Mar-25 18:14:04

ViceVersa

MayBee70

Good for him I say. Why should she stop him from doing something that he enjoys just so he can ‘be with her’. How selfish. People shouldn’t be joined at the hip.

Yes, I agree.

Me too. Each to their own, but I never understand those couples who have to do everything together. My parents did, after my father retired, and TBH I think it made it that much harder for my mother after he died.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 09-Mar-25 18:06:29

Living life best way he could eh utbb?
That’s one story that I know will lodge in my brain forever!

Usedtobeblonde Sun 09-Mar-25 17:45:03

This is obviously a long time ago.
My Godmother was crippled with RA.
Not much treatment was available then.
She was in constant pain and her hands were gnarled ,she could hardly do anything.
Her H who I called Uncle was a lovely man and looked after her so very well.
His only outing after retirement was to go to watch Derby County play football every week , home or away, all through the football season.
After my GM died it transpired that he had never been to football at all.
He had been having an affair for years and he very soon married her.
They had both been happy with the arrangement and had been prepared to wait it out.
I admired them both for that.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sun 09-Mar-25 17:39:47

Another Velcro couple.

Willow11 Sun 09-Mar-25 17:33:04

Some bowls matches can take place every day of the week.
Was he going out every day. Was she fed up of being on her own.
Having to do all jobs at home. Did he help out or just go bowling.
Context is everything. Sad that he had to lie.
But we have only a small snippet.

Oreo Sun 09-Mar-25 17:19:45

Olivia51

We have two men in our walking group who are clearly very under under the thumb. One starts to panic after two hours and says if he’s much later he will “get into trouble”. The other one never joins any of our evening socials as he says he’s “not allowed”. Is it really worth being married if you are so controlled? And if it were me, I certainly wouldn’t admit it!

Astonishing isn’t it? Where do women find these men, I want one!😆

Oreo Sun 09-Mar-25 17:18:09

Babs03

I’d just be glad my OH was out from under my feet for a while. Is no big deal. Whilst he was out pretending to play bowls, she could very easily have been lounging at home with a friend eating choccies and quaffing Prosecco. Only to put on an harassed look when he returns and say she has spent the whole afternoon slaving away.
Little white lies often keep married couples from killing each other 🤣🤣

😁very true

ViceVersa Sun 09-Mar-25 16:59:20

Everybody lies. And those who say they don't are lying to themselves.

Olivia51 Sun 09-Mar-25 16:50:57

We have two men in our walking group who are clearly very under under the thumb. One starts to panic after two hours and says if he’s much later he will “get into trouble”. The other one never joins any of our evening socials as he says he’s “not allowed”. Is it really worth being married if you are so controlled? And if it were me, I certainly wouldn’t admit it!

LucyAnna5 Sun 09-Mar-25 16:43:44

I think married people lie to each other all the time, and maybe that's why they stay together? I think honesty killed my marriage

I agree with kittylester - that’s not a good basis for a good marriage. I (we) value honesty and respect - and humour and love……

Rula Sun 09-Mar-25 16:37:56

I think it's perfectly fine.

kittylester Sun 09-Mar-25 16:35:24

I think married people lie to each other all the time, and maybe that's why they stay together? I think honesty killed my marriage

It might have killed your marriage but I totally disagree!