My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Relationships

Online dating gameplaying - what the hell?!

55 replies

carouselle · 02/01/2014 16:13

I'm a long term lurker, first time poster, hoping for some insight and wondering how on earth to get my head around this...

Bit of background, I'm in my late twenties, my DP died suddenly in 2012, which resulted in me moving back to my home city to be closer to my family. The first year was dreadful, but gradually I picked myself up, felt ready to date again. I didn't really know many people my age in the area so decided I'd try OD (Match.com) I met a few people, but no one who really captured my attention until I got talking to one man.

He seemed extremely genuine, with a similar outlook on life and interests as myself. He was articulate and a good listener and emails soon progressed to long phone calls every evening. We exchanged lots of photographs and he was exactly my physical type, as he said I was to him. Due to a 100-mile distance between us, it was a month before we were able to meet up, by which point a bond had formed and tension had escalated to the point where we couldn't wait to see each other.

The night before I went down to see him, he messaged me "I hope you're the reason I joined Match, you seem to have everything I'm looking for, I hope that doesn't scare you," and "my instincts are usually right and they're telling me you are what I've been searching for."

Anyway, we met up and I felt instant chemistry and he told me that I was exactly how he imagined I would be. One thing led to another and we eventually ended up back at his house and spent the night together. Everything felt right and natural if a little surreal and as we lay in each other’s arms before we went to sleep, he told me that he was never going to let me go.

In the morning, I jumped in the shower and he told me that he was popping out to pick us up some breakfast. I was on cloud nine, so after about 40 minutes when he hadn't come back and I spotted a note addressed to me on the coffee table asking me to check my phone, I hoped that it was a nice surprise. When I checked, I was really shocked to find a message that said: "I don't feel that spark and I won't pretend I do, I will be away 4 most of the day. 4 both our sakes it would be better if you were gone when I return."

I was dumbfounded - fair enough if he didn't feel a spark, but a) why lie that he did and act in such a convincing way that he did? and b) why not have the guts to tell me to my face??! He didn't seem like a player - was this all really an elaborate ploy to have sex with me? If so, it seemed like such a ridiculous effort!

I phoned him, but he wouldn't pick up so I sent a text asking if he could at least clarify why he acted in such a baffling manner. All he would say was that he would answer my questions later, but for now I must get out of his house - he'd given his keys to a friend and the friend was coming over in an hour to make sure I'd gone!! I left, with really no idea how to get to the train station from his house in this unfamiliar city, feeling utterly duped and shell-shocked.

Anyway, that was two weeks ago. I sent him one more message reiterating that I would appreciate some answers, to which he ignored. Obviously I have no desire to see this man ever again, but this has really floored me. He was the first person who I had feelings for since DP died. I'm usually such a good judge of character. I can't believe that someone apparently so lovely could be such a coward. I feel like I've lost faith in my judgement and wonder whether this is normal for online dating? Right now I feel like taking myself off to a nunnery and not bothering ever again ?

OP posts:
Report
Leverette · 02/01/2014 16:18

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Joysmum · 02/01/2014 16:20

The trouble with expecting people who behave like shits to have a valid reason for doing so is that they never will have. People who behave like shits mostly do so because they are shits and even even he gave you answers you could never get away from that fact.

The old cliche of 'it's not you, it's me' is dead right in your case. You're lovely and you had the misfortune of getting tangled up with a complete shit.

I hope you can move on and learn to enjoy the dating experience rather than looking for mr right.

Report
Only1scoop · 02/01/2014 16:25

What a nasty piece of work he was to do that!Hmm I would bet its not the first time he has either.

Report
Chyochan · 02/01/2014 16:26

Sure there are players but this guy sounds totally barking!
Your well rid.
I guess all you can do is thank your lucky stars you met this loon only once irl.

Report
Wallison · 02/01/2014 16:28

He sounds like a cruel and self-absorbed manipulative shit and I wouldn't be after him for any explanation because nothing that he says will make what he did any better. I'm really sorry you had such a lousy experience but honestly you are better off out of it; you don't want anything to do with someone who would behave in such a way. And it really isn't anything to do with you or what you've done wrong, so don't beat yourself up on that score. He's just a twat.

There are nice men out there, and I'm sure you'll find one. Incidentally, I've found the trick with online dating is to arrange to meet up sooner rather than later - that way, if they're not suited to you or there's no spark or whatever, you haven't invested too much in what should be the getting-to-know-you stage. However, that's advice for another time. For now, lick your wounds, delete his number and walk around with your head held high safe in the knowledge that whatever happens you are a much much nicer person than he is.

Report
MasterP0 · 02/01/2014 16:29

OMFG, how HORRIBLE! What a FUCKTARD! OP sadly I've had a similar experience a while ago, we planned a weekend getaway, first night there were candles, wine, it felt so right bla bla bla, we wake up, he turns around and says "I just have to tell you, there's just no spark"

I felt like someone had punched me hard in the stomach, and I had to pretend the rest of the weekend like we were just friends, meanwhile I wanted to stab him 67 times and feed him his dick!!!!! He's VERY lucky I'm a SANE woman, hahahaha!

Weekend ended, I ERASED him from my life, felt like disinfecting myself (On some level I felt I'd been raped), I never contacted him again, got over it, 3 weeks later he's sends me a friendly text, I ignored and deleted, WANKER!

You WILL get over this, DO NOT let him define your love life, free yourself from the shackles. He's a COWARD, and I have every faith Karma will sort him out. I just REFUSE to give up on love because of wankers like him, NOT all men are bastards! Take time out, lick your wounds, and get back out there, plenty of fish in the sea! GOOD LUCK

Report
CosyTeaBags · 02/01/2014 16:35

Oh OP I'm so sorry, what a complete and utter bastard.

I agree with Joysmum - it's not you, you had no chance of judging his character correctly since he was just wearing a mask the whole time.

My interpretation of this was that he didn't quite feel a spark, but went along with things to save face with you rather than admit it. He might be well versed in spouting this over the top, romantic shite and it just came naturally to him.

Then took the utter cowardly bastard's way out. What a callous thing to do - at the very least, he could have just seen the date through and called it off once you had left (still would have been horrible, but to just leave you in the house and then demand that you leave is just... Shock )

My advice to you is please don't assume that this is how all people on OD act. You could just have easily met an arsehole in a bar. It's not OD that made him an arsehole, it was him.

Don't give up, just take it slowly, cast the net out there and chat to a few new guys (if only to cheer you up and take your mind off this one). And make sure you don't contact him ever again - he clearly has no regard for your feelings and won't ever give you the answers you crave.

Don't spend another second of your time allowing this man to make you unhappy. There's a whole world of lovely guys out there just waiting to make you happy.

Flowers

Report
handfulofcottonbuds · 02/01/2014 16:42

carouselle - firstly I would like to say how sorry I am that your DP passed away.

Secondly, what a completely nasty, manipulative man to have done this to you. There are no answers, there is no explanation apart from he is a bastard to do that to you. I'm glad you got home safely.

Try and move forward and forget this a.hole.

Report
spindlyspindler · 02/01/2014 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dirtybadger · 02/01/2014 16:43

What a bastard!

I have never heard of anything like that. Maybe cutting contact after 'the deed' but not turfing you out of the house as soon as it was done with via text message.

I wouldn't be surprised if he comes home one day to find someone slightly less dignified than you has taken a number 2 on his bed. I hope they do :)

Report
CosyTeaBags · 02/01/2014 16:52

I wouldn't be surprised if he comes home one day to find someone slightly less dignified than you has taken a number 2 on his bed. I hope they do Grin I bet OP is now kicking herself that she didn't think of that. Or the photo of his toothbrush trick...

Report
HairyGrotter · 02/01/2014 17:04

Holy fuckballs, that dude is a colossal cunt.

His behaviour is NO reflection on you, he was clearly out to get what he wanted, premeditated and manipulated.

Take only one thing from this experience, that being he's a massive, giant, cowardice prick of a soul.

Take some time out, I met my fiancé online, there are good guys out there, but it's about finding your way round the jebends

Report
Dinnaeknowshitfromclay · 02/01/2014 17:13

Carouselle. How did you resist the urge to dial the Australian speaking clock and leave the phone off the hook and/or put the plug in the bath and leave the taps running full bore? You are a saint indeed! :)

Report
LividofLondon · 02/01/2014 17:33

carouselle, so sorry to hear about this bastard Angry I can't add anything to what other posters have said, so here's Thanks
.


"I wouldn't be surprised if he comes home one day to find someone slightly less dignified than you has taken a number 2 on his bed. I hope they do"
I hope they do too Dirtybadger Grin My first thoughts were what I would like to do to his place, (hopefully) not enough to get me arrested, but enough to make my mark...

Pouring milk and/or piss on the soft furnishings, in places he won't notice until it starts to stink!
Piss in anything edible/drinkable that I could hide it in.
Any prawns found in his freezer would end up in weird hidden places Grin
I wouldn't do anything in reality, but take great joy thinking up stuff like this and only hope that if he pulls that stunt with another woman that she's a complete nutter who will go to town on him.

Report
mammadiggingdeep · 02/01/2014 17:37

You are a saint...I'd have used his toothbrush to clean the toilet before I left, you know, just to be a good house guest and clean up before I left.

What.a.cock

Report
Dinnaeknowshitfromclay · 02/01/2014 18:28

Oh if only Match.com had a feedback system like Ebay eh?

Report
Dinnaeknowshitfromclay · 02/01/2014 18:29

Oh if only Match.com had a feedback system like Ebay eh?

Report
Dinnaeknowshitfromclay · 02/01/2014 18:30

Sorry pressed twice. doh!

Report
fiftyandfab · 02/01/2014 18:48

you are indeed a saint...my first thoughts on reading your OP was I'd have spent the hour before the mate with keys arrived doing unspeakable (and unattributable to me) things to his house! He'll get his for sure....karma is a bitch Smile

Report
carouselle · 02/01/2014 18:58

Thanks so much for all your lovely responses - I know there's nothing I could have done differently and posting here has made me realise that there really is no point expecting a logical explanation from someone so irrational! I'm sorry to those who have encountered similar twunts Sad

Rest assured I will absolutely NOT be making any effort to contact this man again. I do wish that Match.com had a feedback system - kind of like Trip Advisor, only I'd call it Twit Advisor Grin

I've had a good laugh thinking about the kippers I could have shoved down the back of his radiator, or the hair removal cream I could have squirted in his shampoo bottle!

I was semi-tempted to leave his front door open when I left, but he shared the house with a friend who was away for the weekend, so I decided against it!

Before I left I did read a card on the mantlepiece which appeared to be from his sister, saying "sorry you're having such bad luck dating, chin up"! Makes me wonder what bullshit he'd spouted to her, or who'd wronged him so badly he decided to take it out on me?! He told me he'd only met up for coffee with a couple people prior to our date! Lying dickhead!

OP posts:
Report
teamcupcake · 02/01/2014 19:05

OMG! That is about the worst online dating story I've ever read. What a nasty and cruel piece of work that man is! Poor you, OP. That must've been horrendous. I can't even imagine Angry.

Sorry, not much of a useful comment, but I hope you don't give up as you sound lovely (with an intact sense of humour).

Report
chateauferret · 02/01/2014 19:11

I hope you dialled the Speaking Clock in Australia from his landline and left it off the hook before you left.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Thetallesttower · 02/01/2014 19:12

I agree with everyone, I've met a few players in my time, and heard stories from friends, but that's BAD, he's horrible.

He didn't even need all that elaborate stuff, he could have just texted saying let yourself out and then at a later time just agreed not to meet up again.

I have started to think of online dating as fantasy dating, it's just not real, all those cosy chats online or on the phone don't let you see the person and I think it can be harder to tell if they are stringing you along- that's why most people do say meet up pretty quickly if possible, although with a 100 mile distance.

Who would do this? Your only comfort can be that he's an utter twat and clearly won't be a great catch for anyone, as if he is this callous and unfeeling towards someone he was chatting to and bonded with for a month, then he's just not a nice person.

You need to keep your chin up, not him. OOOOh, I feel annoyed on your behalf.

Report
Aussiemum78 · 02/01/2014 19:15

Twit advisor....it could be a thing. A place to post feedback and wanky profiles.

Any web design people out there?

Report
rainbowfeet · 02/01/2014 19:20

Goodness me I've come across some twunts through online dating but this guy takes the biscuit.. What a nasty user!! Hope for him what goes around comes around & someone breaks his heart & stamps on it in the future!! Angry

I hope you can see this guy is the one with the problem & you were just duped by him.. Please move on & try not to let him put a dampner on future happiness!!

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.