Geez, it's called "common courtesy". Someone important to your girlfriend is - by definition - important enough to you to deserve politeness.

You've shown your girlfriend a big, fat red flag. Selfishness is unattractive. If you don't learn something from this, she would be entirely right to dump you.

I find myself wondering how old LW is. My oldest son, who shares with me certain characteristics of Asperger's Syndrome but more so, is often largely unaware of the importance - or even the existence - of social niceties, despite our best efforts to inform him. At 19 or 20, I could envision him doing something similar. At 26, he'd just want to very badly.

I would have had similar feelings, but would probably not have acted upon them. I still feel that way, frequently; I've developed coping techniques. I don't suffer fools or bores gladly. But I suffer them.

There is also the possibility, of course, that LW is neurotypical, but just an asshole.

Selfishness is unattractive.

And immaturity. Nobody is saying you HAVE to be interested in her parents, LW. You just have to look like you are. They're probably bored/annoyed with you, too, they're just to mature and polite to dick around on their phones in front of you.

If it's really hard for you (introversion, short attention span, any of the issues Grey Gost mentioned), or if her parents are difficult, visit a LOT/stay for entire weekends, it's totally OK to give your girlfriend some "alone time" with them while you leave the house to "run an errand," "get some work done," "take care of a commitment." Then go somewhere and play on your phone or do whatever you need to do to decompress until you have dinner with them.

I do this sometimes with my husband's parents so that, when I am with them for a long stretch, I can be 100% present, engaged and polite for topics like, "What our friend's new wife wore to church", "Don't you think you guys should have a bigger house?", "Our favorite waiter at our favorite restaurant is no longer working there and now we need to find a new restaurant that also has chairs we like," "You'd look nicer if that shirt was a different color", and "Hasn't auntie so-and-so gotten fat?"

I agree with everyone that he was boorish.

However, that isn't his question, is it? He asked if he was wrong to give his wife an honest answer about why.

"I told her that I think her parents are boring. I was just being honest. She got really mad. Am I supposed to lie about being entertained by her parents?"

I missed that too Treadwell.

Girlfriend should realize she's wasted a lot of time on an immature ass that doesn't care that what is important to her should be important to her mate.

Move on. Odds that this one is your "soul mate" just exploded. If this has to be explained ...

No, you are supposed to be the kind of guy who sucks up and deals and is able to charm people who are likely to influence is future.

I hate when people say "I'm just being honest!" (often accompanied by a look of mock-innocence), and expect that will erase whatever predicament they've gotten themselves into. In this case, LW's girlfriend should be thankful that his "honesty" has exposed him as an immature, socially retarded ass, and she should make her decisions about the future of that relationship accordingly.

Honesty can be accomplished tactfully. Maybe instead of "your parents are boring," LW could say,"It's just hard to talk to your dad for 4 hours about golf when I don't golf. And when I try to change the topic, he goes right back to golf. Any advice?"

If he is incapable of that kind of tact (or doesn't want to BE tactful), he has to deal with the consequences without whining about it. Or find a girlfriend who finds that charming (good luck).

Reminds me of a line from the 1965 musical, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever:

A secretary says something cruel (but true) to her boss, claiming that "honesty is the best policy."

The boss replies, "No, *kindness* is the best policy. Honesty is a killer."

Half a century later and this concept still hasn't caught on? Sheesh!

After nearly a dozen near death experiences, plus a couple other issues, I have no patience for small talk and meaningless banter.

But even I wouldn't sit in the same room while ignoring them while on my phone

I knew a guy who did this NOT trying to sabotage his relationship, then was devastated when his gf broke up with him. Apologize to her if you want to stay.

I don't think the LW was actually the boyfriend; I just can't imagine someone so incomprehensibly stupid as to admit to "being on my phone the whole time", then compounding that with telling her that he was bored, and then scratching his head wondering what he may have done wrong.