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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ex asking me to go on hol to rekindle but hinting for me to mostly pay for it

82 replies

ughhhh2022 · 22/07/2022 10:52

Name change as a bit outing with friends on here, but past user. My ex who I was with for 1 year has moved back to Turkey from UK a month ago. He was working in hospitality in UK for his family here 2 years, but had had enough of customers being rude / racist etc and never seeing the light of day with all the hours hospitality involves. He is a trained actor and so decided to move back home to rejoin his agent there, which he has done, but has only had 3 auditions so far, which to me sounded more like extra work than proper roles. So = no income from that so far. Still early days as he has been out of the game a while.

As an aside, we have had loads of drama since he decided to move back and told me in April. Dropping me / back on again. He wanted to try and work things out and we have been back and forth and struggled to let go of each other as the feelings are still there. He got in contact a few weeks back to say he had decided he wants to be with me for sure, then a week later says he has a plan... I can fly to Turkey to see him end of Aug and we can have a hol together and start things again. But it was not in his city where he stays, he wanted me to fly to a resort place. The flights were extremely dear from UK like £500, but when I checked what it would be for him it was just 70 odd pounds to fly. He also said at first "would you prefer a 5* hotel or a private villa with a pool?" followed by "BUT it is expensive..." then comes oh I need to tell you something "I can't spend money like I used to...". It becomes clear he has had this hol idea but expects me to mostly fund it? I asked how long, could we do a week, as my kids were going away with their dad 7 days then, but he says no he can only do a few days. I then say can't really justify going away in that situation: the toll on me flying 5 odd hours each way for just 3/4 days plus about £1k unplanned spending. Could be winter fuel bills, kids new uniforms etc. He has no kids so maybe does not understand... plus I have already had a few breaks this year so hol budget maxed.

He then seems quiet and says oh I can see you in xxx city, in UK when I come in Sept. I had no idea he was coming back then so ask why and he says because I need to to keep my visa etc (so not to see me 🙄) literally weeks later he would be here after end of aug but tries to spring a hol on me.

AIBU to feel this is cheeky? I have suspected him of being a bit of a taker in the past, very eager or pushing to book expensive restaurants in past when it was my turn to pay, but always cheap lunch/cheap place usually when his turn. The only thing that makes me doubt him being a taker is that he took me away one weekend for my birthday and paid for everything and spoiled me. But otherwise, he was like that 90% of the time.

This latest thing has really riled me. I worry his acting career won't work out and in Sept he will be back and asking for help if I start subsidising him now? He also made a few odd comments just before he left like, oh if you send me money to Turkey it will be worth more due to rates etc. I just laughed as we had never mentioned me sending him money and I assumed it was a joke. He and his brother who is still in UK send their family money. He currently lives rent-free in a property their family own so just needs money for living.

Do not suspect wife etc as I have met his parents when they visited. But thinking if really wanted to see me and had low funds why not just invite me to where he lives so just paying for flight. Unless his motive was to go on a paid for hol and not to really see me... :( he even sent me links for places they were 1k just for accom, feel really sad about this, but want to not be naive! Why would you send someone 1k hol links if you were struggling to go away or even suggest it?

He hasn't messaged me since Mon, as apparently I had offended him in some way (I was away with a friend on a pre-planned hol!) but he does this then gets in touch again.

OP posts:
GreenManalishi · 22/07/2022 12:03

If he was already a massive tightwad when he was here and earning decent money, he's going to be off the scale grabby as an unemployed actor. Let him go, don't touch it with a bargepole.

NiftyFiftyPlus · 22/07/2022 12:03

Hi Op
I’ve been going to Turkey for around 20 years and have seen many British women in your situation. You know you are being used for financial gain and possibly a visa. Also had conversations with a few young waiters who quite blatantly told me they wanted either British or Dutch women to marry.

Please step away and block this fraudster before you loose more money and self-respect. You deserve so much better.

ughhhh2022 · 22/07/2022 12:03

howshouldibehave · 22/07/2022 11:49

I was just thrown by him asking me on this trip and then sending me those links for 1k places and then saying he would struggle to pay much!

What did you reply though when he said that? I would have said, ‘there’s no way I can pay for something like that!’ and wouldn’t have discussed it any further. Did you discuss flying to stay with him for a holiday?

I was just a bit thrown tbh and was wondering if he really meant it, was actually getting ready for an early morning flight for a long planned and budgeted for trip with a friend. He knows I have already been away this year too -- taken the kids on 2 x holidays on my own so far and all not cheap, and he knows I do not earn mega bucks, so how could he expect me to fund a last min hol!! Mind boggles...

OP posts:
zingally · 22/07/2022 12:04

He's taken you for a jolly old ride, and continues to do so.

He's a chancer, with no intention of making a relationship with you work in any serious sort of way. And now he wants a free holiday! He's nothing but a long-distance cock-lodger. It's time to distance yourself from this man.

For what it's worth, coming from a stranger, there's something about your post (although I can't quite put my finger on what) that makes me think you're possibly quite vulnerable? Low income, disabled, MH issues, unstable employment, any of those. Maybe, just for now, distance yourself from the whole dating scene for a while. Step back and focus on solely you and your kids for a bit.

BryceQuinlan · 22/07/2022 12:07

Come on.

You're a grown woman with children. Surely you can see this for what it is?

ughhhh2022 · 22/07/2022 12:15

zingally · 22/07/2022 12:04

He's taken you for a jolly old ride, and continues to do so.

He's a chancer, with no intention of making a relationship with you work in any serious sort of way. And now he wants a free holiday! He's nothing but a long-distance cock-lodger. It's time to distance yourself from this man.

For what it's worth, coming from a stranger, there's something about your post (although I can't quite put my finger on what) that makes me think you're possibly quite vulnerable? Low income, disabled, MH issues, unstable employment, any of those. Maybe, just for now, distance yourself from the whole dating scene for a while. Step back and focus on solely you and your kids for a bit.

Thanks @zingally I think I am vulnerable in the sense he has eroded a lot of my confidence this year by breaking up with me / chasing me and same again but saying how much he loves me. He certainly did act very loving when we were together, but he is an actor 🙄The silly thing is I have a lot going for me on paper, but for some reason this treatment / situation really hurts me and makes me feel low, because when we were together the love felt really real. I must have self-esteem issues due to all this. I was on my own ages before I met him and am happy in own company. Maybe I just need to rebuild my confidence

OP posts:
FetchezLaVache · 22/07/2022 12:16

Why are you so passive? You give absolutely no indication that YOU want to rekindle things, it's almost as if you somehow feel you owe it to him to give it a go because it's what HE wants. Aren't you sick of the drama and the cock-lodging? You are allowed to cut him loose, you know.

StrangeCondition · 22/07/2022 12:18

Is there any reason why you won't tell us your ages?

SpeckofDustUponMySoul · 22/07/2022 12:22

Why did we need to hear the massive back story about his work? No-one cares.
Block him and move on.

ughhhh2022 · 22/07/2022 12:22

NiftyFiftyPlus · 22/07/2022 12:03

Hi Op
I’ve been going to Turkey for around 20 years and have seen many British women in your situation. You know you are being used for financial gain and possibly a visa. Also had conversations with a few young waiters who quite blatantly told me they wanted either British or Dutch women to marry.

Please step away and block this fraudster before you loose more money and self-respect. You deserve so much better.

He has a visa through his own means. So tricky, as I hate myself to say oh it is Turkish men etc, as I would feel bad saying that, everyone is their own person. His brother is in the uk and has several restaurants and English wife and kids who he supports himself, so clearly not the same. But I know what you mean about the situation, because economically things over there are very bleak! And lots of people cannot see a way out. He even said himself how terrible it is there financially yet he went back for stage acting... one of the worst paid jobs ever! Turkish men do have such a bad rep, I feel so sorry for the genuine ones.

OP posts:
ughhhh2022 · 22/07/2022 12:26

FetchezLaVache · 22/07/2022 12:16

Why are you so passive? You give absolutely no indication that YOU want to rekindle things, it's almost as if you somehow feel you owe it to him to give it a go because it's what HE wants. Aren't you sick of the drama and the cock-lodging? You are allowed to cut him loose, you know.

I did feel very close to him, he is the person I have spoken to most days for the last 12 months or so. So it is like a loss of a person. I had some hope he just needed to try this and might come back to his stable job with his brother after his realisation that things are not better over there. But as you say, I am just worn down now from his drama and him constantly throwing curve balls!

OP posts:
ughhhh2022 · 22/07/2022 12:27

StrangeCondition · 22/07/2022 12:18

Is there any reason why you won't tell us your ages?

Oh sorry missed that one, I am just a few years older, both in mid 30s.

OP posts:
ughhhh2022 · 22/07/2022 12:30

GreenManalishi · 22/07/2022 12:03

If he was already a massive tightwad when he was here and earning decent money, he's going to be off the scale grabby as an unemployed actor. Let him go, don't touch it with a bargepole.

You are right!

OP posts:
ihavenocats · 22/07/2022 12:37

So he's offering to rekindle you being his doormat? Sounds great, when you lying back down? How exciting, really pleased for you.

Cakecakecheese · 22/07/2022 12:42

Why are you even in contact with him? Block and work on improving your self esteem so you don't waste anymore time on losers.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 22/07/2022 12:53

Just because you're both in your mid 30s, he probably thinks as you already have kids/been married you won't want more. He might also think as you can support yourself and your kids (maybe with help from an ex-H) that you have extra spare money to spend on him.

He'll be getting pressure from his family to marry and settle down but will stall this for as long as he can. Same with the acting, it looks great on paper but it's not really a viable profession, even the ones I do know over here have had it hard and some of the actors I know now do a lots of voice over work/coaching acting students/teaches.

The sponging off you and his family whilst he was here would be a major turn off for me. Yes, some Turkish men (mostly the ones who work and live here) are ok and hard working but a lot (I know a Turkish/German woman who told me this) do see English/Western women as cash machines and easy to flatter/get money from.

I'd be running from this man as fast as I could and not looking back once.

SuperCamp · 22/07/2022 13:04

If he is unemployed why can’t he do a whole week ?

He is full of bullshit on every issue.

Send him money, indeed! I guess his his brother’s wife has turned off the tap he needs to find another source to leech off.

OP: find new friends, forget the romantic fantasy, listen to your instincts (you knew he was a cheap skate over dates!), and prioritise your kids. How dare he ask for your subsidy, FFS.

Scout2016 · 22/07/2022 13:16

Are you being unreasonable to be pissed off that a man who has dumped you several times, only took you on cheap dates and expected steaks in return, who says he loves you but didn't even mention he'll be back in the country soon or make any plan to see you, now wants you to fly to his home country and pay for him to stay in a fancy hotel of his choosing under time specifications that suit only him?
No, you are not being unreasonable. Dump him and stay rid.

Scout2016 · 22/07/2022 13:18

You've slso said he's making you feel low and knocking your confidence and self esteem. That's not someone worth having around.

Naunet · 22/07/2022 13:26

He’s an EX, an EX - what are you doing?!! Cut this man out of your life, he’s adding nothing.

Testina · 22/07/2022 13:29

I’m surprised he hasn’t succeeded as an actor yet, as he’s clearly good at it.

pasturesgreen · 22/07/2022 13:30

You'd be completely unreasonable to continue to entertain this nonsense!

Can't you see the masses of red flags? He's your ex, so start thinking of him as an ex and put a stop to all this unnecessary contact you're still having. You won't move on otherwise.

2bazookas · 22/07/2022 14:04

He wants to shag you for free in a 5* bed with room service.

Then you'll go home and he can carry on shagging whoever he usually does.

If he's exceptionally good in bed, accept. Or, choose your own holiday country and buy an escort boy for less money.

momtoboys · 22/07/2022 14:15

Do not waste one more minute on this man. Complete waste of your time.

HollowTalk · 22/07/2022 14:39

Come on, OP, you've been taken in by this man. Think of it as him wanting you to spend your children's money on him. He likes his luxuries but someone else pays for them, don't they? Even that holiday he did pay for - he benefited from that, too - it's not like he bought you something which was just for you.

He sees you as a cash cow and if he did make it in acting you wouldn't see him for dust.