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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what three dots might mean in this context?! (lighthearted)

91 replies

Margot78 · 15/02/2023 20:40

My incredibly good looking neighbour helped me restart my car today and also gave some kind advice when he heard about my terrible day. He was so sweet and the first time I’ve kind words in a long time. So I know I’m overthinking and projecting by fancying him even more! I texted him a thank you and replied “Any time...
Take care”. What could those three dots after anytime possibly mean? I thought three dots meant words have been left out, so what more might he be hinting at?! Anyone who suggests he just accidentally hit the full stop three times will be ignored 😁

OP posts:
Ineedsleepandcoffee · 15/02/2023 21:25

It sounds like he helped you in more ways than one today so I would assume he is alluding to that i.e any time you need car help or an ear to listen or advice or other things a friend might help with.

Original poster
Margot78 · 15/02/2023 21:29

But it’s supposed to suggest omitted words! Why has everyone abandoned the rules of punctuation?!! It will lead to anarchy I tell you.

OP posts:
MaverickGooseGoose · 15/02/2023 21:33

Overuse of ellipses, it doesn't mean anything bar that he doesn't want to put a full stop or xx

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 15/02/2023 21:33

Margot78 · 15/02/2023 21:29

But it’s supposed to suggest omitted words! Why has everyone abandoned the rules of punctuation?!! It will lead to anarchy I tell you.

Maybe they replace (anytime) You.Want.Me.

sorry… not helpful.

ivegotthisyeah · 15/02/2023 21:33

To be continued...

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/02/2023 21:35

Mamette · 15/02/2023 21:08

I’m envisaging some sort of hoop-La activity

Show quote history

Oh, that's a recipe for disappointment if a pineapple ring fits.

gazpachosoupday · 15/02/2023 21:37

it means Anytime.... now?

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 15/02/2023 21:41

@NeverDropYourMooncup ita what you do with it, not the size…

Rinkydinkydoodle · 15/02/2023 21:42

What age is he?

I have younger pals who laugh at the fact that older men (like, forty plus, depressingly) who pursue them via text tend to favour the ellipse. Perhaps it’s meant to be …

insouciant…

?

Original poster
Margot78 · 15/02/2023 21:47

He’s late forties. Looks slightly too reserved for pineapple ring hoopla, maybe it’s something to work towards.

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 15/02/2023 21:48

He means...
Any time...
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' to see you again
Winter spring summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there...

Original poster
Margot78 · 15/02/2023 21:50

There wasn’t that many dots, don’t be silly now.

OP posts:
Changemaname1 · 15/02/2023 21:53

If this was me I’d have said “ no problem “ in response to your initial message if I was being polite and “ anytime … “ complete with dots to flirt

the … indicating you are very welcome to more of my time type thing

however the take care throws a spanner in the works . So sorry op I’m no help at all really ! 😁

Merangutan · 15/02/2023 21:59

See, I read the … as slightly flirty. I teach English and I do overanalyse punctuation.
‘Any time.’ = abrupt
‘Any time!’ = cheery
’Any time…’ = more to be said

‘Take care’ isn’t something I’d read into as being final.

If he spent a whole helping, why not pop round with a bottle of wine as a thank you. And hope he invites you to share it 😉

Merangutan · 15/02/2023 22:00

*while, not whole!

Teenagehorrorbag · 15/02/2023 22:04

I always put a few dots after every comment and then usually an emoji or an exclamation mark. But equally I would use it to put a gap between two slightly separate comments. I absolutely never mean there are words left out - sorry.

But I am a middle aged Mum and I know that youngsters have a whole different way of communicating. If he is 23 then my practices are probably completely irrelevant.....Grin

Teenagehorrorbag · 15/02/2023 22:06

Oops - just saw he's not 23. There you go.....Smile

EarringsandLipstick · 15/02/2023 22:06

Wouldn't see this as flirty at all.

I hear you on the grammar / punctuation issue OP - but I'm fond of an ellipsis, and in my case, it's an effort to soften a message / be friendly ... (😉)

parietal · 15/02/2023 22:07

Merangutan · 15/02/2023 21:59

See, I read the … as slightly flirty. I teach English and I do overanalyse punctuation.
‘Any time.’ = abrupt
‘Any time!’ = cheery
’Any time…’ = more to be said

‘Take care’ isn’t something I’d read into as being final.

If he spent a whole helping, why not pop round with a bottle of wine as a thank you. And hope he invites you to share it 😉

agree with this - I think the ... can be an indication of wanting the conversation to continue, that this is not the end of this set of messages.

EarringsandLipstick · 15/02/2023 22:10

I think the ... can be an indication of wanting the conversation to continue,

I think that is a massive reach. It would never mean that for me.

I'm slightly alarmed. I messaged two old friends today (male) that I'm not in contact with loads, and ... were used. It was definitely only stylistic!

Mamette · 15/02/2023 22:16

NeverDropYourMooncup · 15/02/2023 21:35

Oh, that's a recipe for disappointment if a pineapple ring fits.

Show quote history

Very true

pictoosh · 15/02/2023 22:18

Don’t think it’s flirty, sorry. The ‘take care’ politely ends the whole exchange. I could be wrong of course but that’s how I read it.

Mamette · 15/02/2023 22:19

think the ... can be an indication of wanting the conversation to continue,

Sending more texts and ultimately asking OP out on a date would be more of an indication of wanting the conversation to continue imo.

Why are we assuming that this man cannot type actual words or emojis and has only three measly dots with which to convey his passion? It isn’t a telegram ffs

Crostimosti · 15/02/2023 22:19

Anytime...definitely flirty...

Take Care...definitely not...

But, having said that, the Anytime could be a toe dip into flirtiness and the Take Care just a slightly awkward sign off. If he'd just left it as Anytime...that might be a bit forward (he prob doesn't know you're full situation I'm guessing)

Queenofheart · 15/02/2023 22:19

rothbury · 15/02/2023 20:46

It means he loves you…

😂😂😂love it