Sometimes I think it can be part of a power play in the relationship, a bit of ‘she’s given up first therefore I’m stronger because I stood my ground’. My father was called ‘the boss’ by my soft and lovely mum and he would do this relentlessly when she didn’t do what he told her or not up to his unreasonable standards.
What would happen if you don’t give in and don’t resolve it? Would the world come to an end? Perhaps you jump in to fix it before he works it out and fixes it himself. Do you need to be patient and see what happens.
If you keep reacting the same way at the same speed of decision then you will keep getting the same result. Try changing your response, it might give him a jolt to change. Good luck and let us know how you get on.