He says he's keen but im not so sure - what do you think?

[Celia24]

Met on an app, hit it off and spoke most days until the first date, and very occasionally every other day.

The first date went well (from my pov). He seemed a bit shy and guarded at times but mostly we had great conversation and I felt really safe with him. Lots of laughs too and he contacted me right after the date.

Now a few days after the first date contact dropped dramatically. Eventually I thought I was being ghosted and essentially sent an 'all the best' message. He replied straight away saying he was sorry, it was a temporarily busy period which would be over soon and he was really keen to see me again.

So he said let's set a date now & threw out some options. I replied 2 days ago but 48 hours later I've heard nothing from him.

Why would a guy say he was very keen if he is this unresponsive? I'm finding it hard to match his words to his actions right now.

@Dotcheck I don't think it'd make a difference. While I'm a tough nut at work, I'm a sensitive person personally and have been since childhood. I don't think it's a part of me I can change.

It hurts to be strung along and disrespected. Surely that's a normal response? I'll get over it soon no doubt but I still feel angry.

I'm sick of men behaving this way. I've never left someone I was dating or ghosted, ever. @SmirnoffIceIsNice you're right, I've spent enough energy on the guy.

I get it, it hurts, so don't allow him to hurt you all over again if say he reaches out, you trust him again and then he does a repeat.

Take the hurt and turn it around. Don't turn on yourself 💪. Let him go from your concerns. Don't question yourself xxx

I think that’s a fair point. This barely counts as bad behaviour in the shark tank that is OLD.

Don't allow him to string you along.

Q Why does he say one thing but does something different?

A Because he can, because you're giving him the message you're still there on the end of your phone and he's playing cat-and- mouse.

He has zero Investment - if he did care he would have a proper conversation or if he's busy he'd say "hi @Celia24 can I call you at 8pm?" Simple, job done, no games or faff. He's enjoying the entertainment.

After starving you of attention, he'll suddenly turn on the tap, shower you with affection and then back to ghosting you. He's a knob

Unbelievably, he got back in touch today! Said he didn't want to ghost & that he'd felt anxiety around replying late and then forgetting to reply.

He said his life is a mess at the moment but that he'd had a lovely time on the date and would like to keep in touch for meeting up again down the line if I'm open to it.

I was stunned! Never received a 'not ghosting' message from a guy.