I have been in a relationship with an Iraqi man for 2 years yet I have experienced and noticed some terrible things when it comes to his behaviour.
Specifically, I am wondering if I am being used, or if it is simply due to his culture. He has what I consider a split personality, yet his manipulation can be quite stupidly obvious sometimes when it comes to love. He is a nominal Muslim, meaning that he admits that he is not a strict Muslim or he would not be with me (non Muslim). I think he genuinely loves me, yet I find that he can be terribly cruel with his put downs of me, is extremely possessive and jealous, tells me how beautiful I am on one hand, yet ogles other women in front of me (which I hate) and his social media is full of provocative women. I am not unattractive, nor insecure so wonder why the hell he has to do this. If my social media was full of men, he would lose it. He cooks for me, is extremely generous yet phone calls etc are all on his time and when he wants. I do trust him, yet there is always something in the back of my mind because people have told me that Arab men cheat. He has never given me a reason to doubt him, he is always where he says he is going to be, I have met his family, he loves to spend time with me and always tells me that he wants me to 'believe him'... but sometimes I wonder why he insists so much.
He is extremely romantic, yet sometimes I think it's all just a way to manipulate me into staying with him when I am ready to leave because another thing he does is punish me by withholding love or affection when something small get's into his head.
I am totally devoted to him, his children and his hobbies, and often I think "what the HELL am I doing?" and then he is his charming incredible self and I remember how great he can be.
Specifically, I wonder if lying is part of their culture when it comes to love? He is so good at it and he does it so often, about little things. It bothers me.
Can anyone clarify?
Specifically, I am wondering if I am being used, or if it is simply due to his culture. He has what I consider a split personality, yet his manipulation can be quite stupidly obvious sometimes when it comes to love. He is a nominal Muslim, meaning that he admits that he is not a strict Muslim or he would not be with me (non Muslim). I think he genuinely loves me, yet I find that he can be terribly cruel with his put downs of me, is extremely possessive and jealous, tells me how beautiful I am on one hand, yet ogles other women in front of me (which I hate) and his social media is full of provocative women. I am not unattractive, nor insecure so wonder why the hell he has to do this. If my social media was full of men, he would lose it. He cooks for me, is extremely generous yet phone calls etc are all on his time and when he wants. I do trust him, yet there is always something in the back of my mind because people have told me that Arab men cheat. He has never given me a reason to doubt him, he is always where he says he is going to be, I have met his family, he loves to spend time with me and always tells me that he wants me to 'believe him'... but sometimes I wonder why he insists so much.
He is extremely romantic, yet sometimes I think it's all just a way to manipulate me into staying with him when I am ready to leave because another thing he does is punish me by withholding love or affection when something small get's into his head.
I am totally devoted to him, his children and his hobbies, and often I think "what the HELL am I doing?" and then he is his charming incredible self and I remember how great he can be.
Specifically, I wonder if lying is part of their culture when it comes to love? He is so good at it and he does it so often, about little things. It bothers me.
Can anyone clarify?
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Is Lying part of the Culture?
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