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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I presume this would bother you too… how can I phrase this to know one way or another? Can I even ask this?

219 replies

Howyoop · 25/09/2026 17:26

Met someone five times now. Really get on well, message a lot in between, lots in common. He’s around 10 years older, I’m 39 he’s 47.

He hasn’t had a serious relationship before. He told me this last night on our fifth date. I asked a little about it, he said he was painfully shy and has had insecurities which he thinks didn’t help. His three other siblings all been happily married for a long time with children.

He said he had liked a lot of people and there had been ‘brief things’ that hadn’t materialised as he hadn’t met the right person. I didn’t go into it more than that but now I am actually wondering if he’s never had sex before?

I don’t think I am being shallow wanting to know this. I am not sure how I would feel if it turns out he’s a virgin. I want to know before I see him again. How do I ask this? Can I even ask this? He’s been completely lovely and I don’t want to upset him or make him feel uncomfortable.

OP posts:
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changeme4this · Today 05:32

OtterlyAstounding · Today 05:21

I would hope that being a gynaecologist doesn't make a man good at sexually pleasing women! That's not 'experience', as he's hardly going to be practising getting his patients off, is he? Examining a vulva/vagina and sexually stimulating one are very different things.

You would hope though they know their way around and what ‘bit’ does what… I expect a mechanic to know how to drive a car etc

GoldenGirl85 · Today 05:25

Am I the only person that doesn’t see an issue with asking about someone’s sexual history. I’m straight up and direct. I would say you’ve mentioned your shy and I can see that but how shy? Have you had sexual relationships in the past? Not that this is an issue for me (well it would be for me) but just would like to know where you’re at.

OtterlyAstounding · Today 05:21

changeme4this · Yesterday 23:30

My opinion:

  1. It is no one’s business what a partner’s or potential partner’s sexual history has been unless there is some sort legal implication.
  2. ’more’ experience doesn’t necessarily make for a better lover. Many years ago my friend dated a gynaecologist and she said he was lousy in bed… 🤔

I would hope that being a gynaecologist doesn't make a man good at sexually pleasing women! That's not 'experience', as he's hardly going to be practising getting his patients off, is he? Examining a vulva/vagina and sexually stimulating one are very different things.

OtterlyAstounding · Today 05:19

PP are right that his lack of serious relationships is a serious red flag. It hints at major insecurities or personality flaws, weird kinks, the use of prostitutes, or an inability to establish a committed dynamic. Even if he's not a virgin he's going to lack experience in dealing with another person in a romantic relationship when it comes to disagreements and compromises, and that could get very frustrating.

Personally I'd ask him about his virginity out of sheer curiosity, but then I was blunt like that in relationships - and it worked out well for me.

Homealonelez · Today 04:58

What does it matter some people need a deeper connection before entering a sexual relationship I’m 60 and had two sexual partners so what difference does it make. If they had had a lot of different sexual partners you’d be asking is that a red flag? Just see where it goes stop trying to find something that probably doesn’t matter

stepoutoftime · Today 04:33

I know someone who had only 1 serious relationship in his early 50s onwards. He had had a few one-night stands but had made a decision in his late 20s/early 30s thst he wouldn’t marry and then even just ordinary relationships just didn’t happen for him.

This person was extremely fearful though, of getting caught in a relationship he couldn’t get out of. He was also scared of STDs and later of Covid, so for chunks of time he didn’t have much physical contact.

He had maybe 3 or 4 one/two night stands and then finally got with someone when he was older. Sexually inexperienced but not completely so.

iamnotalemon · Today 03:42

I’m a female in my mid 40s and have had very few serious relationships. It doesn’t mean I am weird or a ‘red flag’. It’s just circumstances.

EvieBB · Today 02:39

Scout2016 · Yesterday 23:09

He might be a disaster in bed. Same goes for any new partner.
You might be incompatible / he might he selfish / you might have to tell him what you do or don't like. Same goes for any new partner. Isn't it always a gamble?

Exactly. You won't know til you try. You might be massively compatible!

Greenhippos · Today 02:32

Has he been paying for sex? That would be my first assumption not no sex in his life.

I would want to know as I don’t believe you can buy consent.

Calliopespa · Today 01:59

Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 21:37

Gift horse?? Some ineperienced nearly 50 year old CBA at my age to teach a bloke from scratch. .

No thanks

He'd probably be quite energetic by comparison. All the fun of novelty.

Calliopespa · Today 01:56

Howyoop · 25/09/2026 17:31

Do none of you think that would be totally weird to be a virgin at almost 50?!

I think it would be a relief when dating.

No STDS ... no chandelier swinging to keep up with.

He'll catch on soon enough. It's only teenagers and sleazeballs who really believe there are magic skills that can't be taught to most with a bit of direction!

He sounds wasted on you tbh ...

changeme4this · Yesterday 23:30

My opinion:

  1. It is no one’s business what a partner’s or potential partner’s sexual history has been unless there is some sort legal implication.
  2. ’more’ experience doesn’t necessarily make for a better lover. Many years ago my friend dated a gynaecologist and she said he was lousy in bed… 🤔
Franjipanl8r · Yesterday 23:22

Howyoop · 25/09/2026 17:32

I was going to ask in a message not face to face and say of course he doesn’t have to share if he doesn’t want to

Are you a teenager? Why would you do something so immature?!

Scout2016 · Yesterday 23:09

He might be a disaster in bed. Same goes for any new partner.
You might be incompatible / he might he selfish / you might have to tell him what you do or don't like. Same goes for any new partner. Isn't it always a gamble?

EvieBB · Yesterday 22:21

Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 22:08

I think I will stick with my long term partner ( 10 years) and his 35 years experience previous to me thanks

Well yes, me too, I have a lovely husband of 20 years and no complaints there thanks but if I was in op's position I wouldn't judge someone for being a virgin.

Losing my virginity (at age 18) was mind blowing and we stayed together for 12 yrs. We just clicked sexually immediately.....and that could be the same for OP. You don't know until you try!

Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 22:08

EvieBB · Yesterday 22:06

It doesn't take long to learn lol!
It comes naturally with the right person. One time and you're off and it could be really fun teaching them....you could be missing out on a lot of fun

I think I will stick with my long term partner ( 10 years) and his 35 years experience previous to me thanks

EvieBB · Yesterday 22:06

Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 21:37

Gift horse?? Some ineperienced nearly 50 year old CBA at my age to teach a bloke from scratch. .

No thanks

It doesn't take long to learn lol!
It comes naturally with the right person. One time and you're off and it could be really fun teaching them....you could be missing out on a lot of fun

Summerhut2025 · Yesterday 21:54

Just because he hasn’t had a serious relationship doesn’t mean he’s a virgin. He’s my age we all shagged about in the 90s there was nothing else to do. If you take things a step further you’ll soon find out either way, if he knows what he’s doing then he’s not a virgin and just hasn’t met the right person, if he’s far too nervous and fumbly then yeah he’s probably a virgin, but I doubt it.

Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 21:37

EvieBB · Yesterday 17:56

He's soon learn tho! You might be hugely compatible. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth I say....

Gift horse?? Some ineperienced nearly 50 year old CBA at my age to teach a bloke from scratch. .

No thanks

GabriellaFaith · Yesterday 21:31

Howyoop · 25/09/2026 17:31

Do none of you think that would be totally weird to be a virgin at almost 50?!

Or high standards or religious reasons or romantic wanting the right person or anxiety...

TwinklySquid · Yesterday 20:42

It seems like there’s two things that could have happened:

  • He was painfully shy, and never really had much experience because of this.
  • To have got to this age with little experience implies a red flag.
I’d go slow. I’ve dated both types of the above. It can take a while to get to the bottom of it. In my experience, a man who hasn’t had a lot of experince in dating at an age isn’t a good thing. They don’t get the grown up stuff at all. Does he have his own place? That could be a saving grace.
ForNoisyCat · Yesterday 20:41

Howyoop · 25/09/2026 17:32

I was going to ask in a message not face to face and say of course he doesn’t have to share if he doesn’t want to

I don’t think it should matter if he is a virgin. Yiu can teach him. But definitely yiu should not ask by text - you are likely to push him away completely.

Mcoco · Yesterday 20:37

I would wait for him to bring it up and meanwhile enjoy your dates.

Missj25 · Yesterday 20:07

TotaleclipseinFrance · Yesterday 19:09

Huge red flag.
Sorry but it just is.

Not just being a virgin but no serious relationship.
He may very well be a nice guy, no matter, it's just too weird, OP.

You've only had 5 dates, there's nothing really to give up yet, just let him down gently.
Somebody should tell him not to mention the no serious relationship part, it just makes him sound strange.

Yes this is harsh but true.

Yeah I get what you’re saying too , unless they’re players & he clearly isn’t .
You don’t think it’s possible he just has been misfortunate , & has never met anyone he clicked with ?

Missj25 · Yesterday 20:02

Imonmyownhere · 25/09/2026 17:33

Noooooooooo!

Absolutely NOOOO !!
Do not ask him this , seriously OP !!
I’m sure he’s not anyway , he told you he’s met women but nothing has ever materialised into a relationship.
He’s just never met anyone he’s clicked with .
If everything is going well & you like him , why fuck it all up 🤷🏻‍♀️