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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be upset by my friend's response to the man I am dating?

102 replies

lilyflowerbloom · 15/08/2019 20:49

I have been dating this man a couple of months now, and I am absolutely smitten. He's like no man I've ever been with before - he's really kind, and easy to talk to. He's also super respectful. He knows that a lot of my exes have not been so nice (for example one of my exes shared photographs of me to his friends when we had an argument Sad ). I have had men hit me, sexually assault me, control and bully me. I have a tendency to rush into things, and have irrational fears that someone will cheat on me (which, looking at my history isn't that irrational!), and constantly feel uncomfortable in relationships because of that.

Anyway, the bottom line is that he has been really respectful and kind with taking things slowly. We've planned for a weekend away in a couple of weeks. When organizing it, he asked me whether I felt comfortable sharing a hotel room with him, or whether I wanted to stay in a room on my own. He said I didn't need to decide right now anyway and that he didn't want to pressure me. We continue talking on the phone as we would usually do for the next hour or so. I had such a warm feeling after he said that though, I finally felt like someone actually cared about me and not trying to get me into bed Blush I told him I appreciated what he said so much when I met him for a coffee today and he said "I just really like you, I don't know how else to act" and "I don't want to ruin this". Again, I felt so positive! He's told me he's not dating anyone else and he's told his friends about me/I'm meeting one of them on Sunday.

I was speaking to my friend about it tonight. She is my best friend, have been close since we were about 15 (so 15 years!). She has witnessed my piss-poor relationships and always encouraged me to strive for better! I told her about the hotel room comment and she basically said "that's so weird, you haven't had sex after 6 weeks? are you sure you're not just friends?" I was a bit stunned so didn't really say anything apart from something pathetic like we kiss/cuddle etc. and she laughed a bit. She also told me to "check for the red flags" - but to me, there isn't any. The only red flag I can see is that we possibly talk too much - by that, I mean if he rings me for a chat it can go on for an hour and a half. And we meet up every Saturday for the day and the evening. Is that too much time?

She then was speaking about a man she was seeing who hasn't contacted her in 12 days because he is at a music festival. She was really stressing about it, thinking of all these reasons as to why he hasn't text her. I just said, whatever reason there is, I think you deserve more. She said, "what like what you have?" and laughed.

Now, I am doubting myself. - is that a weird thing he said to me about the hotel room? I genuinely think it is a nice request, I've known men in the past to want sex on the first date! Is it weird not to have sex after 6 weeks of dating??

AIBU or mostly, am I being naive?

OP posts:
messolini9 · 16/08/2019 10:25

("Not having sex six weeks in is perfectly normal")
It's odd. Because I don't think it is.

Your opinion doesn't make it odd, @bluntness. It's just one view.
As evidenced by the several PP on the thread who don't find it odd in the least.

Progressing to sex more quickly clearly suits you. But this isn't about what you are comfortable with, it's about what the OP is comfortable with. She's had several relationships that started a lot more quickly, but went bad - so with this man, she is taking it slowly. The quality of the relationship is more important to her this time than just jumping the guy.

Calling that odd, when the OP already has a 'friend' to undermine her, is plain unhelpful. It's not your relationship, & it's certainly not "odd" for merely failing to conform to your view of what is acceptable for you in the early stages of dating.

BossAssBitch · 16/08/2019 10:26

Your friend is jealous, she is used to you having a shit time in relationships and your new-found happiness has thrown her. Ignore her but if she continues being negative, call her out on it.

messolini9 · 16/08/2019 10:29

It's odd. Because I don't think it is. Not for people in their thirties who haven't really gone past a kiss and a hug in six weeks.

Last guy I slept with was 31.
He waited 6 months to get into bed with me, while remaining exclusive & committed.
He's not odd either.

Bluntness100 · 16/08/2019 10:33

Your opinion doesn't make it odd, @Bluntness100**

Of course. But this is a forum. The only things posted are opinions. We are allowed to have differening opinions. I don't do majority rule or run with the pack. If I have a different opinion I shall state it.

You need to deal with that. Or come off public forums.

xoxoluna · 16/08/2019 10:37

Your friend sucks. Hmm She's jealous that you found a lovely man while she's stuck with a man who haven't contacted her for 12 days. I would share less of your relationship with her so she can't bring you down anymore.
And no I don't think the hotel comment was weird. Good luck with this man, OP!

MountPheasant · 16/08/2019 10:40

@something2say has nailed it IMO

messolini9 · 16/08/2019 10:50

You need to deal with that. Or come off public forums.

But you didn't state your opinion.
Stating an opinion is, e.g: "well I like it in blue best".
It's not "if you don't like it in blue, you are odd".

Nobody on here is calling you "odd" for wanting your relationships to progress to sex before 6 weeks. Because that would go beyond having an opinion, that would be an ad hominem attack.

dollydaydream114 · 16/08/2019 11:07

I mean if he rings me for a chat it can go on for an hour and a half. And we meet up every Saturday for the day and the evening. Is that too much time?

No, seems normal to me in a new relationship - it's not too much time at all.

Your new boyfriend sounds really nice and I agree with others that your friend is a bit jealous. I don't think it's weird that you haven't had sex. It would be weird if he clearly didn't want to, but from what you've said it sounds like he definitely does, but just doesn't want to push you into anything - particularly if he is aware that you've been abused by partners in the past.

I have been in a somewhat similar situation to you - I had a succession of terrible relationships, including one with a man who was exceptionally controlling, narcissistic and manipulative and one who was physically violent and obsessively jealous. My other boyfriends had simply been selfish and immature and there were a lot of arguments and disappointments and I was essentially always the one who had to fix things. When I met my DP sixteen years ago, it was genuinely a revelation. I had honestly had no idea that a relationship could be so easy and harmonious. I was actually a bit startled by how kind and gentle he was and also how straightforward he was (no playing stupid mind-games like playing it cool to undermine me, etc). I had never had a relationship like that before. About six months in, I suddenly realised we'd never had an argument and I was properly amazed. No wonder I stayed with him.

dollydaydream114 · 16/08/2019 11:10

@Bluntness100 - 'This is not how I would do things' is not the same as 'This is odd'.

The OP stated that her boyfriend is aware that some of her past relationships have been abusive. Therefore it is not odd that she would be cautious about sleeping with him, and not odd that he would be considerate towards her in that respect.

Nowisthemonthofmaying · 16/08/2019 11:26

I don't think it's that odd - my husband and I didn't sleep together for a couple of months after meeting (and this was only a few years ago). Sometimes it's nice to wait!

PurpleTigerLove · 16/08/2019 11:28

He sounds lovely. You don’t need to jump into bed with him straight away . She’s probably jealous .

Scorpiovenus · 16/08/2019 11:35

yea she is just jealous this man really is into you to and willing to wait this long, and she was never good enough to wait for or she is really easy.

Someonetookmyusername · 16/08/2019 11:51

I wouldn't take relationship advice from someone who's beau has been incommunicado for 12 days and she hasn't dumped him yet.

mamansnet · 16/08/2019 12:21

He sounds lovely, OP. Your friend doesn't. Do come back and let us know how your weekend goes!

lilyflowerbloom · 16/08/2019 12:35

@Bluntness100

Thank for your perspective. You are entitled to your opinion!

Our dating is long-distance with about a 2 hour journey in between.

Over the 6 weeks we have met 6 times. First date we didn't kiss because I felt too shy, second date we kissed, third date we kissed again/cuddled, fourth was the time we nearly had sex, and the other two times I have seen him have been in public where sex is kinda frowned on! The last two times have been in his city, and I've had to travel back home for work.

This man does want to have sex and has made it pretty obvious on numerous occasions that this is where the "relationship" we're having is going.

And as PP have pointed out, this man is aware of quite graphic sexual assaults that have happened to me, and has been open with the fact that he doesn't like one night stands, and hasn't been "sleeping around" since his 20s.

It's ME who is setting the pace for the sexual element of the relationship. I have had sex with men within the hour of meeting them. But to me, I really like this man. I don't want to present that false me of overconfidence and overt sexuality, because he seems to like me for me. I was all ready to do that - but, within the first date all that facade kind of went away.

It's quite sad (in my opinion) that you think this behaviour is "odd". I think he is respectful and gentle. I would more readily label the man who wanted me to give him a blowjob in his car after our first date as "odd" Confused

Also, my AIBU was not related to the oddness of my wait, but rather whether my friend was unreasonable. Now, if she had said "you know what, you might want to think about whether there are any issues" rather than "that's weird" and laughed, I would have thought it was a reasonable comment.

Her aloofness paired with the guy she is "dating" going AWOL doesn't to me signal genuine concern.

OP posts:
lilyflowerbloom · 23/08/2019 17:30

I just wanted to check back and give everyone an update and thank you all for your advice !

We had a mid-week break this week before the BHW, and we've just got back, before our weekend break next week ...

We DTD! (many many times!)

Nothing abnormal to report at all, great sex & even better break!

He may have even said something (extremely) cringey like "it was worth the wait" Blush

OP posts:
leomama81 · 23/08/2019 23:42

Yay!!!! 👏👏👏 sounds wonderful OP, glad it's all working out for you.

northernknickers · 24/08/2019 18:01

💃💃💃 happy dancing here for you OP 🥳

SavingSpaces2019 · 24/08/2019 18:30

Sounds like she's used to viewing you as the 'lesser' person in comparison to herself - and she can't bear to see you doing 'well'.
Jealousy - and bitterness at her own 'bad' relationship - is being projected onto you.
It's like she feels as though she should always at least be seen to be 'better' than or 'one-up' you.
I had an ex-friend like that....

SavingSpaces2019 · 24/08/2019 18:33

Your bf sounds like a sweet, caring and considerate person....who's also comfortable sharing his feelings/fears with you.
He's making a conscious effort to put your needs above his own desires.

I'm still looking for that kind of man - does he have any single brothers? Grin

AnnaSteen · 24/08/2019 18:44

That’s great OP! I’m glad you weren’t put off by comments like that by @Bluntness100. Just because someone thinks something is odd (your friend / @bluntness100) doesn’t mean it is! They are obviously colored by their own experiences! My experience is more similar to yours! My now DH and I didn’t sleep together for 2 months of meeting up for dates twice a week. I didn’t think it was weird at all. It was right for our relationship - and I say this as someone who has no history of bad relationships or being hurt by men! Continue to trust in yourself and go with your instincts! Hope the relationship continues to go well Smile

Di1979 · 24/08/2019 18:52

This reply has been deleted

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Amiable · 24/08/2019 18:55

Yay Lily! Sounds like you've got a good'un there. (I've reported above post from Di btw)

Lovemenorca · 24/08/2019 19:02

If we presume she’s a very good friend

Then could it be that given your history - she’s sceptical and concerned about anything and everything re your love life?

BuildBuildings · 24/08/2019 19:05

I think given your past experience you have probably developed good instincts. If this feels right and special go with it. I think your friend is being unfair and judgemental. 6 weeks really isn't that long to wait for sex. She's being quite unsupportive.