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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I just an ego boost?

66 replies

ContraryMaryRises · 27/06/2019 11:21

Please can someone help me get my head around this. Google hasn’t helped me with it.

A man I really like has been seriously flirting with me for a year, giving me the impression that he’s interested in me but making up excuses whenever I suggest meeting up alone. He always seems to have a really good genuine reason but doesn’t immediately come back with an alternative date. However he does suggest meeting up in a group and we have done this several times and always have a great time. Basically every suggestion that I make is met with a no. It’s always on his terms.

However, we get on extremely well. He calls me about once a week for long chats and we have deep interesting conversations. We text about every 2-3 days.

I’m very attracted to him. We have a mutual male friend who I am 100% sure hasn’t spoken to him about me but this mutual friend is annoyed because he thinks that DF (friend) is just after an ego boost.

I did think at one point that DF was attracted to me as there was lots of intense eye contact, welling up from him, etc. However it hasn’t amounted to anything.

He’s a great catch but isn’t necessarily the most conventionally handsome guy. He’s also quite shy around women.

So I have decided to accept that he’s not attracted to me or else he would make a move. I think our friend could be right in that he just wants me as an ego boost.

The thing that I don’t understand is why would someone do that? I wouldn’t string along someone I like (and I know that he definitely likes me as a friend). Is it because he’s insecure? I’m not remotely insecure myself so I just don’t get the psychology of it. If you are enjoying the attention of a man you have no intention of being with, please can you explain it to me?

Thanks

OP posts:
Moomin12345 · 28/06/2019 22:14

*loves to keep his ego nourished.

Angypangydee · 28/06/2019 22:25

Tbf to the guy he hasn’t made any explicit promises that he hasn’t kept though?

OP when I was in situations like this when younger I actually think it wasn’t just them who was the commitmentphobe right playing games - it was both of us?

I mean I would get caught up in these obsessions with someone I had a couple of good dates or a snog with for AGES as a way of avoiding proper emotional intimacy - it was like the fantasy and the overthinking and the angst was what I needed then?

Sort of like crushing on One Direction - it’s “safe” because then I didn’t have to give energy to a full on relationship (which was fine it was what I needed at the time)

I mean I can understand maybe “giving one special person time to develop and get round to meeting” over a couple months say, rather than getting onto Tinder and having a new date every fortnight. If that’s your style.

But a year of just crushing on one person who doesn’t want to meet in Costa for 25 minutes (rather than dating others - with OD there’s no excuse now) means that deep down you probably don’t want a proper real life connection at this moment in time?

Ginger1982 · 28/06/2019 22:26

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Cookiecookiecookie · 28/06/2019 22:28

Get yourself a hot date ASAP . And let him know about it.
His loss
He’s really playing you and lapping up the attention .

UnicornRun · 28/06/2019 23:14

Sorry has everyone missed the first post about welling up?? Wtf?? He wells up when he sees you? Is this some kind of weird novel you're trying to write OP?

Ginger1982 · 28/06/2019 23:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ginger1982 · 28/06/2019 23:19

Oh no, I actually got that wrong. Silly me! It's all just so confusing...

ContraryMaryRises · 28/06/2019 23:41

Sorry, to clarify, we were parting and saying goodbye to each other and weren’t going to see each other for ages and he got a bit teary that’s all. Never been like that since.

OP posts:
ContraryMaryRises · 28/06/2019 23:46

Do you not chat with him about past/present relationships OP? yes but I think he knows a lot more about me than I do about him. He’s had about 4 girlfriends. I know that at least 2 of them broke up with him to his hurt and surprise. I don’t know how the other two ended.

OP posts:
ContraryMaryRises · 28/06/2019 23:50

did he wait for them to make the first move?
I’m not sure. I know he definitely asked one of them out himself.
How did he treat them?
Again I’m not sure but at least 2 broke up with him.
Does he still 'see' any of them?
No. He’s very anti staying friends with exes.

OP posts:
motherofcats81 · 28/06/2019 23:58

PP had it right recommending the site baggagereclaim.co.uk - about why we fall for emotionally unavailable men and why the connection we feel can seem so strong.

I really do recommend it OP, I think you will really recognize a lot of your situation in it. The writer Natalie Lue also has a great book which you can get as a PDF - Mr Unavailable and the Fallback Girl. Changed my life.

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 29/06/2019 08:49

Moonmin12345 and motherofcats81 are giving some top advice.

I also agree you should rip the plaster off and just ghost him.

ContraryMaryRises · 29/06/2019 09:59

I have just bought Mr Unavailable and the Fallback Girl. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
Socksontheradiator · 29/06/2019 12:32

So pleased you bought the book. I found it so helpful!

motherofcats81 · 29/06/2019 12:33

Me too! I think you will find it very eye-opening. Well done OP

ContraryMaryRises · 29/06/2019 12:47

Thanks. I really appreciate the advice. The book is looking helpful already.

OP posts:
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