Having difficult conversations

Hello, So I recently spoke up for myself with an FA. I’m now worried that I burned a bridge. They have a habit of forgetting when we have had to meet to the point where I’m waiting for them all day, they promise to do something and it never ends up happening. Anyways, I had some time sensitive things to take care of that require his help. I reached out to him being friendly before I knew of this deadline, he didn’t respond. Then I found out about this deadline so 3 days after the first message I asked if he was busy. No response for 4 days. Then I messaged him still being friendly but asking if there was a better way communicate with him like a regular quick phone call or something. He then was like— you can’t chastise me, I’m not your buddy. I waited 3 days and sent a message explaining the whole deadline and why I felt it was important to keep in touch just for a couple of weeks. I apologized for reaching out so frequently, thanked him for getting back to me. He had mentioned indirectly to treat him like everyone else. So I said, with other people if they’re too hard to work with I just stop working with them. Then asked if he would like his role to go to someone else (to take it off his plate.) (he’s kind of hated this role always but kind of basically did it to help me.) Anyways… I think my intention was for him to understand where I’m coming from. It is so hard for me a LOT directly as a consequence of him not getting back to me and he puts me in really difficult situations a lot. I never complained because he was always just doing me a favor but I wish he knew how devastating and stressful it is for me when he can’t do simple tasks in a timely way. It’s not like a minor inconvenience, it’s delays things by months, it’s wastes hours and hours of my time. I have to partially act in his role without it having the capability to do so. I’ve never complained about it but more often than not I feel like I’m working against him and that causes a lot of resentment in me. That’s why I messaged him asking for a better way to get in touch with him. Because I’d rather feel I’m working with him and we are on the same team rather than me always trying to work my hardest against him— an immovable rock who is in my way. I tried to say that in a concise and kind, objective way… but I wonder if I just burned a bridge and he won’t see my perspective anyways because he feels disrespected. I just don’t know what to do anymore. I of course don’t want to burn the bridge but the resentment is getting too high for me and I felt like if there was anything else I would lose all respect for him completely. I really don’t understand why me asking him what works for him (I even offered to do whatever works best for him!) is being taken as me revoking his man card!! Like, what? I’m asking you as an adult to come up with a solution together and he basically flat out refused and said that I’m disrespectful by asking or expecting him to budge or change at all and that I am being unreasonable. It’s like the more I try to be compassionate and kind the more he thinks I’m disrespecting him. So maybe if I’m rude to him he’ll feel respected. Clearly kindness is going nowhere fast.

Posted Jun 13, 2025, 3:51 AM UTC

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