This is bad, isn't it?

[NotNowMaryJane]

Long story short. Back on dating scene after very long term relationship. Been talking to a man (he made first move).. seems nice..we've exchanged pictures and he keeps saying "I quite like you ".."I quite fancy you".. while I don't expect utter delight (I'm not all that, very very far from it) the use of the word "quite" makes me think he possibly doesn't really like me...it bothers me.. Thoughts?

You're definitely overthinking this.
Quite can be used in different ways. You could say something was 'quite brilliant' for eg, and it would mean absolutely brilliant.
But even if he meant 'quite' in the 'starting to fancy you' sense, what would be wrong with that? You haven't even met each other yet, it would be a bit full on to be going all out at this point!

'Quite' can be used in these two different ways. He's obviously using it in the second way, otherwise he wouldn't bother saying that he likes/fancies you at all...

Same for me. We are West Country. Is it regional?

It would be a compliment but he’s trying not to be too over the top.

Now I’m wondering if people have been misinterpreting me all these years!

He hasn't met you in person, so I'd be more worried if he said he was extraordinarily keen on you.
From someone who met their DH through online dating, I'd use the online part to weed out weirdos or anyone with poor grammar ( there was quite a crossover ) but meet them as quickly as possible.

You want a partner not a penpal.

I'd be put off by anyone saying 'I (quite) fancy you' or 'I (quite) like you' - at this very early stage I would only want to hear 'I'd like to meet you' or 'I'd like to chat'.

The whole passing comment in that way is <bleurgh> IMO. Rather than the word quite.

I did a teaching English as a foreign language course and the teacher taught me the meaning of ‘quite’ changes depends on where you put the stress in the sentence when speaking.

I QUITE like you = I like you a bit
I quite LIKE you = I like you a lot

Obviously impossible to convey this in a typed conversation!

If you haven't met him, I'd let it go as how could he know if he likes you. If you have met him I'd start texting back
"That's quite a mixed message"
"You're quite underwhelmed by me"
"I'm quite sure I'm still assessing...... "

What words do you use with him?

Doesn’t it depend on what she’s saying to him?

This would be my take too. I would take it as a positive

Thanks everyone. Like I said it's been a long time (over 30 years) and the dating world has changed so much..I haven't a clue. We haven't met, but he has also now said I'm lovely and he can't wait to meet me. Means nothing I know. There's no ick at the moment and no inappropriateness, but if there is I will be polite but gone.

How does he know if he "quite" likes you? You haven't met! Not surprised you got the ick over it. It's smacks of player vibes to me. I'd proceed with caution.

If a guy I'd not met said that to me before we'd even met I would have thought bleugh, shut up, you just made yourself sound creepy/desperate/sleazy. And not bothered to pursue it.