When a man flirts in front of his wife 👎

I met with clients today and the husband was a little flirtatious and it’s something I cannot stand when the wife is there. He was older, in his sixties. I left the meeting early and my coworker who finished the meeting just commented how the husband couldn’t keep his eyes off me. I’m mortified that a man would behave like that in front of his wife. It made me feel awful. Luckily it was a one time meeting and I’ll never have to see them again.

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Adogslife · 61-69, M

It’s business. Anything beyond a smile isn’t appropriate, regardless of what you’re wearing. It’s his job to maintain a sense of decorum.

swirlie · 31-35

@Adogslife
It's actually his wife's job to teach her husband when he doesn't know any better behavior than he demonstrates, which he probably learned at home from his own father while growing up as a kid living in an abusive household.

If his wife isn't doing her job, then you cannot expect a macho buffoon to learn on his own through osmosis, what his own father never taught him about having respect for women.

Adogslife · 61-69, M

@swirlie It’s certainly beneficial for her to let him know that his actions are hurtful. Beyond that, I’m not sure she’d hold much blame for his ignorance/insensitivity.

swirlie · 31-35

@Adogslife
Well, the truth is that no woman can hold any blame whatsoever for a man's ignorance and insensitivity. His lacking in those attributes are not about her but are strictly about him. Her job is to make him aware of his shortcomings by introducing consequences for non-compliance to their relationship. Her job is not to be his mother or his psychologist.

Adogslife · 61-69, M

@swirlie And perhaps not be in the relationship altogether…

swirlie · 31-35

@Adogslife
That would actually be better. I understand how everyone likes to flirt in our own spaces, on our own time, but to have a guy's flirtatious nature put in his wife's face like that... even just once, is grounds for cutting him loose and setting him free. Not vindictively, just effectively.