Boyfriend thinks I'm sheltered

Being sheltered means being protected from unpleasant realities of life.

It doesn't really make sense to call you sheltered just because you're prudent. Maybe if your boyfriend had paid more attention in school he'd know the difference.

Tbh, it sounds like it's the only way he has of massaging his own ego - pretending that failing out of things is the same as gaining life experience, and that he's therefore more 'worldly' as a result of his failures.

Not being sheltered doesn't mean having a kid at 20. In some ways I'd argue that his failures don't necessarily even mean by default that he's "street smart".

He sounds far less intelligent than you. Are you sure this guy is good for you if this has driven you to make a post on TSR?

When he jokingly puts you down just 'joke' back and put him down. Simple, either he'll realise what he's being doing and stop or get upset, in which case you explain that it upsets you too.

Why are you even with this loser....?!

It sounds sad but he's the only person that I've felt real chemistry with. We've been together for 3 years (with ups and downs, of course) and he's my best friend, so it's hard to walk away.

You've been together since you were 19...You didn't really give it much of a chance to find chemistry with anyone else. He just seems like a bit of a waster if I'm honest, plus the fact he's had a kid. No one should have to be a step mum at your age!

Basically, I'm really irritated that just because I haven't put a major foot wrong in life, my boyfriend seems to think I'm sheltered and it really grinds my gears. He knows it does but doesn't seem to think anything of teasing me about it, despite my protestations.

I'm 22 and doing a Master's right now and have had pretty good grades and responsible roles throughout my education. My family isn't wealthy but we know how to save and I'm quite sensible financially as a result. BUT I've lived away from home for years, lived abroad, and can party until the cows come home.

He, however, didn't do as well at school, dropped out of college, had a kid at 20 and has no savings to his name at the age of 29. He's also not as experienced culturally, and in some ways, I've opened his eyes to the world....so shouldn't that make me LESS sheltered?

It's just really rubbing me up the wrong way that he jokingly puts me down because of it, just because he cares less about things. How can I re-word this to him without sounding too upset about it? (He'll only tease me more for letting this get to me)

When he jokingly puts you down just 'joke' back and put him down. Simple, either he'll realise what he's being doing and stop or get upset, in which case you explain that it upsets you too.

He is doing it because it touches a nerve, not because it's true. He's obviously getting some enjoyment out of doing that and knowing that it is winding you up. So tell him completely seriously that enough is enough, the joke ends here, and if he has any respect for you then it is not to be brought up again. Up to you what you do if he then continues, knowing that you consider the topic to be both disrespectful and closed.

You sound charming.

Basically, I'm really irritated that just because I haven't put a major foot wrong in life, my boyfriend seems to think I'm sheltered and it really grinds my gears. He knows it does but doesn't seem to think anything of teasing me about it, despite my protestations.

I'm 22 and doing a Master's right now and have had pretty good grades and responsible roles throughout my education. My family isn't wealthy but we know how to save and I'm quite sensible financially as a result. BUT I've lived away from home for years, lived abroad, and can party until the cows come home.

He, however, didn't do as well at school, dropped out of college, had a kid at 20 and has no savings to his name at the age of 29. He's also not as experienced culturally, and in some ways, I've opened his eyes to the world....so shouldn't that make me LESS sheltered?

It's just really rubbing me up the wrong way that he jokingly puts me down because of it, just because he cares less about things. How can I re-word this to him without sounding too upset about it? (He'll only tease me more for letting this get to me)

That's just what I thought! I told him last week (when he last said it) that just because I hadn't made a major life mistake yet that it, it doesn't mean that I'm sheltered. He just kept disagreeing and laughing at the fact that he thought I was irritated by it.