Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

He said this right after sex.

293 replies

pinkpeta · 22/09/2025 05:18

I have a male friend. We are quite close. We’ve been having sex on and off for a decade now. In that time I have put on weight. 20kgs to be precise. He knows I’m unhappy with my weight. In this time he’s lost weight and is probably in the best shape of his life. I am trying my hardest to lose the weight.

Last time we had sex, we talked about it a few days later and he said something to the effect of “there was a point where I held on to your stomach and I thought “oh s* that big”. He wasn’t joking.

I hang up almost immediately. I haven’t spoken to him since. He called me about 20 times that day.
how would you have reacted to that? I feel very hurt and I think what makes it worse is that I can’t speak to anyone I know about it because it’s so embarrassing. Strangely it’s made me feel very isolated and upset.

This doesn’t mean I won’t ever speak to him again but I’m just processing my feelings and want to know what others think.

OP posts:
pinkpeta · 22/09/2025 21:55

Nestingbirds · 22/09/2025 21:24

My friends are all English and have always lived here, and I’ve never known anyone entertain FWB in real life. I am not convinced this is the reality for 95% of women here. It’s certainly not considered healthy or optimal. I thought I would add this post, because it’s a very recent idea and one that hasn’t gained much traction.

Thank you for your comment but respectfully can you take this Fwb discussion to your own post if you’d like to discuss hook up culture more. Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
Jtfrtj · 22/09/2025 21:48

Nestingbirds · 22/09/2025 21:24

My friends are all English and have always lived here, and I’ve never known anyone entertain FWB in real life. I am not convinced this is the reality for 95% of women here. It’s certainly not considered healthy or optimal. I thought I would add this post, because it’s a very recent idea and one that hasn’t gained much traction.

Of course, I in no way intended to imply that all British women have FWB. I too have British friends and they are all very classy women.

But outside of my friendships and on the internet, I have heard a lot about the dating and sex culture over here.
As I said in my other post I do not understand this general theme that expecting men to be chivalrous and pay for dinner it a terrible negative thing that only a gold digger would do, but having casual sex and one night stands is seen as fine and normal? Surely, the latter is more problematic? I am still adjusting clearly.

Nestingbirds · 22/09/2025 21:24

Jtfrtj · 22/09/2025 20:10

How exactly am I a prude because it’s not the norm in my culture to have sex with male friends? You are aware aren’t you that most of world live a more conservative lifestyle in comparison to UK culture (a tiny island), but you’re narrow mindedness implies you think you’re the majority.

My friends are all English and have always lived here, and I’ve never known anyone entertain FWB in real life. I am not convinced this is the reality for 95% of women here. It’s certainly not considered healthy or optimal. I thought I would add this post, because it’s a very recent idea and one that hasn’t gained much traction.

IControl · 22/09/2025 20:24

I have never met a woman who has openly stated she is having a relationship with an FWB.

In real life it is not a great badge to wear openly.
Only on MN do they shout it from the rooftops.

It seems to be a cheeky little term created especially for mature women who think they are enlightened beings.

Never hear men call relationships FWB.

Jtfrtj · 22/09/2025 20:10

phase2onwards · 22/09/2025 18:57

There are some very prudish and prissy posters on this thread.
FWB can be a very enjoyable experience. In my case, over 30 years ago, I did not have a big connection with his personality although he was very likeable, but my gooodness, he was good in bed. He served a purpose at the time and gave me quite an education 🤣

How exactly am I a prude because it’s not the norm in my culture to have sex with male friends? You are aware aren’t you that most of world live a more conservative lifestyle in comparison to UK culture (a tiny island), but you’re narrow mindedness implies you think you’re the majority.

Iheartlibrarians · 22/09/2025 19:41

phase2onwards · 22/09/2025 18:57

There are some very prudish and prissy posters on this thread.
FWB can be a very enjoyable experience. In my case, over 30 years ago, I did not have a big connection with his personality although he was very likeable, but my gooodness, he was good in bed. He served a purpose at the time and gave me quite an education 🤣

Since it hasn't served the OP's purposes, which very reasonably include "not being very hurt by him thinking he doesn't have to treat me with respect and courtesy", I question the relevance of your comment.

Still, always nice to have an opportunity to dismiss everyone else's different opinions as being proof they're less sophisticated than you.

whataweekImhaving · 22/09/2025 19:28

Goditsmemargaret · 22/09/2025 06:10

I had a friendship like this between the ages of 19 and 35 then 45 to now. I always thought it strange when people gave our friendship a sex related description, we were pretty good friends, met each others partners, no jealousy or weirdness or flirting outside of the few flings during single times.

The reason for the ten year gap was during our final fling it's like he forgot I was his friend and behaved very thoughtlessly. I didn't want to speak to him, he kept trying. I didn't intend for it to go on so long but weeks then months passed and then I thought why should I work to get past this hurt feeling. I truly believe that some men see you differently when you're a person they have sex with - that's all they see. I didn't realise he had become one of them.

We became friends again due to very unusual circumstances and I'm enjoying his company but I would never ever get intimate with him again.

This man has hurt you. Give it time and decide if you miss him enough to talk it out. Never sleep with him again.

Edited

@Goditsmemargaretim interested in this. Could you give some examples of how he was thoughtless?

I have long thought that men treat women differently (less respectful?) when they start having sex with them but it’s not universal and I find it hard to put into words.

whataweekImhaving · 22/09/2025 19:20

I find the level of intimacy some people have with people who aren’t even friends so strange.

Block and move on

phase2onwards · 22/09/2025 18:57

There are some very prudish and prissy posters on this thread.
FWB can be a very enjoyable experience. In my case, over 30 years ago, I did not have a big connection with his personality although he was very likeable, but my gooodness, he was good in bed. He served a purpose at the time and gave me quite an education 🤣

EBearhug · 22/09/2025 18:26

Gloriia · 22/09/2025 13:58

Sorry he upset you op Flowers.

This is why so called 'fwb' arrangements are inadvisable imo. Men just use women for sex and as they aren't emotionally invested they think they can say what they like.

FWB arrangements can also involve women using men for sex.

All people are capable of making rude and tactless comments, men and women (my mother certainly did) - parents, siblings, children, friends, partners, spouses... it's a personality thing, not a particular type of relationship thing.

Thelankyone · 22/09/2025 16:37

IControl · 22/09/2025 14:39

I in no way said men cannot be friends with women.

The male friends I have are kept at a civil arms length or kept in a professional capacity, I have never slept with them. No one can buy me with offers of emotional support or practical help.

Let's be honest most FWB's have a secretiveness to them. In 90% or more there are either 1 of the parties if not 2 in another primary relationship.

The majority are side pieces.
I don't care for the term FWB and to be fair it's mainly the women who name their relationships this, men tend speak less kindly about the name of it.

Anyway it's not an argument about that, it's about someone having sex and then mocking the female by joking about grabbing the fat on her body.

Extremely cruel, there is no way I would ever allow them to view my body again, his comments smack of comparison against other women.
Disgusting.

This is a bit ott. He wasn’t grabbing her fat and mocking her after sex. St least read what she wrote. And she’s not a side piece, neither is he. They are friends, long term, who occasionally have sex. There is no romantic feelings, it is a physical act, and nothing more.

Jtfrtj · 22/09/2025 16:36

Ruby1985 · 22/09/2025 07:40

Which is even worse! Who has sex with a ‘friend’ for ten years !

Welcome to the UK. Where you will be labelled a gold digger for not accepting a second date with a man after he did not pay for your coffee, despite him asking you out. But on the other hand, a woman can let her male “friend” / f*ck buddy casually use her body without any effort from his end, and this will be celebrated as female liberation. It’s a very confusing place.

In my home country, while we’re not conservative to the point where we wait for sex until marriage (we’re not overly religious, and there is a dating culture) the men are expected to be chivalrous, plan appropriate dates and pay for them before they can even think about sleeping these women. When I’ve expressed this expectation, I have been told on more than one occasion that this is a form of prostitution! I have spoken to friends back home about this and none of us can comprehend. Is this not minimal decency you should expect from a man before sharing the most intimate act you can do with another human being?

I could never imagine having a friendship with a man where we have some ‘banter’ at the pub then go for a casual f*ck. It’s quite grim. I don’t mean to offend anybody, it is just my views.

And before anyone starts to yell that women aren’t used, they enjoy sex too. This, I have no doubt. I also have needs and masturbate regularly, but I believe we should refuse to share bodily fluids with a man who has not demonstrated any effort or genuine intentions towards us. We don’t have to act upon every urge we may feel, we’re human and have been socially conditioned to act with decorum. It’s what sets us apart from animals.

IainTorontoNSW · 22/09/2025 15:57

@pinkpeta

I'd pretty much agree with the majority here ... that you need to cease the sexual side of your relationship, however minimal and occasional it might be. Show him you're not a doormat for his ill-thought comments.

>> In this time he’s lost weight and is probably
>> in the best shape of his life. I am trying my
>> hardest to lose the weight.

If you've considered you're trying your hardest to lose weight and you're just "marking time" or getting even bigger over time, you have to investigate yourself and your motives and commitment.

Have you engaged your GP in your quest? Have you been referred to a nutritionist or dietitian? Do you walk or swim or cycle five or six times per week. Have you tried to follow a moderate dumbbells exercise programon youtube or tiktok? Heard of the website www.myfitnesspal.com ?

Do you keep a journal or diary to record what's going in your mouth and how much you are exercising? Do you have a cose friend or relative that you can be accountable to (report to) about your consumption and exercise?

Can you afford more protein? Fish? Eggs? Chicken? Lean beef? Can you wean yourself down to very small amounts of bread, rice and potatoes? Have you thought about the concept of giving up sugar medium-term or long-term?

As my nutitionist used to say: "there's nothing you can eat or drink that tastes as good as the confidence of having to buy smaller clothes."

Private message me if you want to describe the help or ideas you need.

MyFitnessPal

Reach your health, fitness & weight goals with MyFitnessPal, the #1 nutrition tracking app. Macro & calorie calculator, food tracker, and fasting app in one. Download today!

https://www.myfitnesspal.com/

Strangerthanfictions · 22/09/2025 15:11

pinkpeta · 22/09/2025 05:24

*i should also add, he messaged too and said “i guess your phone is broken or something” when i didn’t answer the rest of the calls he messaged again saying “oh i guess it’s still broken”. He knows it isn’t. He has seen by posts on socials and I’ve seen his so he knows it’s fine.

If he can't manage to say I think I might have hurt you and I'm sorry then I don't think you can trust him enough with your body as a sexual partner nor as a friend with your feelings. People say things unintentionally, although it's hurtful the fact he said it it could have signified his deep comfort, closeness and lack of inhibition with you however if he doesn't have it in him to even say, are you ok? Are you ignoring me etc when you're not answering even if perhaps he didn't twig he had said something upsetting at the time, then it just feels he's not as emotionally invested or caring enough for either of your relationships.

IControl · 22/09/2025 15:06

WalkDontWalk · 22/09/2025 14:46

You really think that's a rebuttal, don't you?

I don't care what you think.

That's the thing with monogamous couples that are truly truthful, they grow and age together without the comparisons of others, they feel safe and appreciate the aging and changing process.

Op threw herself into the comparison game.

He was unessesarily cruel.
Many women are hurt by FWBs.

Poodlelove · 22/09/2025 14:51

Text him and say that you are no longer in a position to have sex with him because you value your pride and you have wasted enough time on someone who has no intention of committing to a relationship.

WalkDontWalk · 22/09/2025 14:46

IControl · 22/09/2025 14:39

I in no way said men cannot be friends with women.

The male friends I have are kept at a civil arms length or kept in a professional capacity, I have never slept with them. No one can buy me with offers of emotional support or practical help.

Let's be honest most FWB's have a secretiveness to them. In 90% or more there are either 1 of the parties if not 2 in another primary relationship.

The majority are side pieces.
I don't care for the term FWB and to be fair it's mainly the women who name their relationships this, men tend speak less kindly about the name of it.

Anyway it's not an argument about that, it's about someone having sex and then mocking the female by joking about grabbing the fat on her body.

Extremely cruel, there is no way I would ever allow them to view my body again, his comments smack of comparison against other women.
Disgusting.

You really think that's a rebuttal, don't you?

IControl · 22/09/2025 14:39

WalkDontWalk · 22/09/2025 13:46

@IControl

You seem to be as deluded as the op.
Men will use any arena for extra sexual exploits, the gym, the office, tradesmen offering their services withan extra side helping, hobbyists shagging female hobbyists, customers, colleagues, the list goes on.
Many of them being too old for the nightclub meat market curcuit have to adapt to where females frequent when aging.
Take sex off the table and see how these friendships dissapear.
It's not that deep and it's not love at any level.

With a bit of editorly discipline you could have shortened this to 'straight men are not capable of friendships with women'.

That's not true. I'd only have to cite one instance to prove it's not true, but - just from personal experience - I can cite dozens.

@pinkpeta

So I'd say to the OP that you must, of course, make your own choice, and I hope that some of the advice here has been helpful. But always consider the worldview behind any advice you're offered.

The worldview expressed above - by @IControl - not only suggests that you're on a loser going forward, but implies that you always were, and you made a mistake a long time ago, whatever good things that this bloke has bought into your life. Because, you see, if it weren't for the intermittent sex, he'd never have been your friend in the first place. Apparently.

Edited

I in no way said men cannot be friends with women.

The male friends I have are kept at a civil arms length or kept in a professional capacity, I have never slept with them. No one can buy me with offers of emotional support or practical help.

Let's be honest most FWB's have a secretiveness to them. In 90% or more there are either 1 of the parties if not 2 in another primary relationship.

The majority are side pieces.
I don't care for the term FWB and to be fair it's mainly the women who name their relationships this, men tend speak less kindly about the name of it.

Anyway it's not an argument about that, it's about someone having sex and then mocking the female by joking about grabbing the fat on her body.

Extremely cruel, there is no way I would ever allow them to view my body again, his comments smack of comparison against other women.
Disgusting.

pinkpeta · 22/09/2025 14:23

mirrorsandlights · 22/09/2025 10:26

What puzzles me is that you’ve been having sex with him for ten years, you talk 2-3 hours a day, he is supportive and has helped you with your children. You clearly like each other. So why isn’t he your boyfriend? If he isn’t boyfriend material, then why are you sleeping with him and spending so much time with him. Surely this would be stopping you having any meaningful relationship with someone that could be your life partner. This isn’t a goady post, I am genuinely interested.

When I first met him, we sort of tried to date then but we were both very immature in different ways. I was also just getting out of a very toxic on off thing so mentally I wasn’t ready. So that kind of started the casual sex and then I had to move away for a yr in 16/17. When I came back I quickly got into a relationship with someone who was a “better prospect” long term. We were together for 3yrs. So in that time we became good friends. We’ve never been single at the same time until now. But our lives have gone in completely different directions, they don’t align well enough. Plus I have kids. He has none, I want to be with someone with kids because I really don’t want any more.

OP posts:
pinkpeta · 22/09/2025 14:08

Butteredtoast55 · 22/09/2025 08:07

I'm in the camp that thinks he made a thoughtless, unkind and stupid comment to someone he sees as a good friend and is relaxed around. I also think there's a slight possibility that he genuinely thought your phone was broken when - to him - it cut off suddenly and he couldn't get hold of you. However, I'm sure the penny has dropped by now and hopefully he's reflecting on what he said. I do think you should talk to him, tell him how upset you were and that he needs to think more carefully about what he says.
I also think you should ignore the posters talking so negatively about him using you, and I say that as someone who is quite prudish about casual sex. From your posts, you have a good, long lasting and supportive relationship and it's been your choice to have sex with him from time to time, not just his. You can now exercise the choice not to and decide whether the rest of your friendship with him is worth maintaining. I'd speak to him, see if he truly apologises then make the decision from there.

It’s clear you’ve actually read and understood most of my replies. Thank you for your comment

OP posts:
CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 22/09/2025 14:05

He’s not worth shagging ever again and I wouldn’t bother trying to remain friends with a man like this, it’s really that awful. He’s a tactless, rude dickhead.

pinkfluffybirds · 22/09/2025 14:02

Sometimes people say silly things and if he is a friend and you feel that comfy enough to be naked with him - maybe he just messed up and lost himself.

You both know you’re a big girl - sometimes men can be thoughtless.

I said that all to say that I probably wouldn’t sleep with him again.

I know you said you’ve been trying your hardest to lose weight but maybe this will give you that extra boost of motivation.

Gloriia · 22/09/2025 13:58

Sorry he upset you op Flowers.

This is why so called 'fwb' arrangements are inadvisable imo. Men just use women for sex and as they aren't emotionally invested they think they can say what they like.

WFHforevermore · 22/09/2025 13:57

Ok, lets be honest here. It sounds like you do have something to hold onto around yr tummy, whilst it was rude to say it, its the truth isnt it?

You've been fucking on and off for years, the relationship isnt loving in the sense of a real partnership, he thinks of you as a friend,albeit a really good one and talks to you as such.

You should have told him in the moment it was rude! Or you should have told him on message. I doubt he even realises what he said.

ellie09 · 22/09/2025 13:54

Its funny how this boy, yes, I said BOY is ok with your weight when he is getting what he wants, and only brings this up a call, after the fact?

The fact is, saying that is extremely hurtful. Especially to an intimate partner whether you are committed or not.

If it was me, I would be telling him our arrangement is now off.

Believe me, getting upset over someone you're sleeping with who is NOT a committed partner, is not worth it.