Redditor Asks If They Are In The Wrong For Prioritizing Their Work Over Their Partner's

"My meeting takes precedence."

Filip

• Published in Interesting
• September 9, 2023

In relationships, issues often appear from differences in partners' perspectives and expectations. While disagreements are natural, communication and understanding each other's needs are the only way to overcome them.

And that's where compressions come into play. Rooted in mutual respect and empathy, they should provide a solid solution for both partners.

But, in this story, it was impossible to make a compromise, so a Reddit user reached out to the Reddit community asking for opinions. The OP explained they work entirely remotely, whereas their partner has adopted a hybrid work model.

There are two work desks in their home, but only one is equipped with a monitor. Despite the partner getting the financial means from their employer to purchase home office equipment, they delayed buying a second monitor for around six months.

Therefore, they become accustomed to using the OP’s monitor when working from home. But both the OP and their partner have jobs that frequently require the use of a monitor.

And this arrangement has been mostly fine until recently. They both had important, overlapping meetings.

The monitor was non-negotiable for the OP since their laptop lacked a camera, making it pivotal for virtual interactions. That day, they had a significant meeting involving project funders.

On the other hand, the OP's partner also had an urgent meeting scheduled with another department. The OP expressed their need for the monitor and mentioned the partner's delay in buying their equipment as the core cause of their conflict.

However, the partner proposed finding a temporary compromise. Although the OP agrees with the compromise, they can't help but feel that this issue would have been avoided if their partner had purchased the monitor in time.

The OP feels torn between understanding and frustration and wonders if they were too harsh towards their partner.

The OP asks:

The OP explained their partner uses their monitor when working from home:

But the problem is that the OP needs a second monitor regularly:

Recently, they had overlapping meetings, and both needed the desk:

But the OP said they will use the monitor since it's theirs:

It's not prioritizing their work over their partner's, it's setting boundaries

Also, the partner got the funds for the needed equipment

Some people have to pay for the equipment themselves

The OP is right

"They’ve simply been too lazy or whatever to get one."

He immediately needs to buy the monitor, and that should be the end of the discussion

Open communication is the key to a successful relationship, but setting boundaries is also important. And while compromise is a foundation in any relationship, there are instances where compromise might not be possible.

The OP relies on their monitor for crucial work tasks due to their laptop's limitations, while their partner had plenty of time and resources to acquire their own monitor. If they had bought it, it would have prevented this situation.

It is reasonable for the OP to feel frustrated, and they are not in the wrong for taking the monitor.

Filip