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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Had to delete/block a guy before date after too many red flags

103 replies

struggling13 · 17/11/2023 19:13

Was speaking to a guy for around a month initially on a dating app and then on whatsapp/insta, everything seemed to be going well had a few facetimes and spoke often on the phone etc. Was supposed to be going on a date with him tonight however I had to cancel and delete him off everything due to what I think is valid concerns, my sister thinks I should've maybe still gone on the date.
The concerns include, he lied about his age on his profile which I didn't find out about until this week he said he was 35, he is actually in his 40's (I'm in my mid 20's). On the phone to him on tuesday evening we were casually talking about exes and he confessed he had stalked a previous ex stating when she broke up with him he hacked her Facebook, phone and emails and would park outside her house to make sure she hadn't moved on ( admittedly he did say it was 10 years ago and he had been to therapy since then) but it just gave me a really bad feeling in my stomach when he said it. Lastly on the first facetime I noticed he looked alot older/not quite like his profile photos and for what would have been the date he kept insisting to pick me up from my house, I was obviously unsure after his stalking admission and he kept pushing for my address quite persistently. Although not a mother, I do care for my disabled younger sibling here and felt it fair not to put them in danger if he turned out to be a looney. Was I right to trust my instinct by cancelling the date yesterday and blocking him off everything (mainly as he had admitted he could hack phones location etc) or did I act abit hasty?

OP posts:
Catza · 17/11/2023 19:26

Disturbia81 · 17/11/2023 19:24

Nah it's gross, means he wants younger women. Get rid OP, he's far too old for you. Enjoy your 20s!

Not an issue, I like older men 😉

Comedycook · 17/11/2023 19:26

He literally told you he was a stalker....well done for believing him.

LylaLee · 17/11/2023 19:27

(1) an older man seeking a less experienced partner.
(2) a liar
(3) someone who in the past has been bold enough to break the normal rules of society
(4) an abuser
(5) it seems like he was testing you. Seeing what shit you will put up with
(6) any normal adult understands why you don't tell an online date where you live. He was pushing boundaries.

You don't owe anyone a date.

Even one of these is enough to end contact with a stranger.

Going forward don't drag out the online talking. You will become invested. Meet asap. (Not this guy, I just mean meet within a couple of weeks max).

Inyourwildestdreams · 17/11/2023 19:28

Well done for trusting your gut @struggling13 👏🏼 Plenty more fish in the sea and all that. Nobody has time for stalkers 😅

Block, delete and move on 😊 I’d also make sure your Instagram/FB etc are set to private (if they’re not already 😊) just incase 😊

LylaLee · 17/11/2023 19:29

struggling13 · 17/11/2023 19:25

To be honest I hadn't fully told her all of the stalking stuff I just said he admitted to acting abit crazy at breakups. And in his defence not that he deserves it he stated he did it because she randomly moved out one day whilst he was at work and changed her numbers and kept refusing to talk to him. Even reading that now makes me think wtf. I had only spoke to him twice briefly since Tuesday evening as I was trying to process everything together and woke up this morning with a really bad feeling abit him.

Sounds like someone fleeing a bad situation.

RaisinsOfMildAnnoyance · 17/11/2023 19:29

Block, ignore, move on. You are 100% right to do so.

My advice to anyone reading this thread is to never tell a man his red flags are showing. He'll learn to disguise them better next time. Let him stew.

watchyourfriends · 17/11/2023 19:30

I probably would have just messaged and said you weren’t feeling it any more and then blocked.

ChannelNo19EDT · 17/11/2023 19:30

Don't feel bad. That was the tip of the icebergvill bet

fortifiedwithtea · 17/11/2023 19:32

So many red flags. OP you did well to trust your instincts

Huwipulotu · 17/11/2023 19:33

Well done. Unequivocally the right thing to do.

what a creep.

Lovemychair · 17/11/2023 19:35

Its refreshing to hear a woman being sensible tbh.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 17/11/2023 19:36

ChannelNo19EDT · 17/11/2023 19:30

Don't feel bad. That was the tip of the icebergvill bet

Exactly this - if this is what he was being open about before meeting you just imagine what he’s kept to himself!!

3sausagedogs · 17/11/2023 19:36

A lie is a lie! Why lie about your age? Starting a relationship on an untruth is a massive red flag!! I think you did well to trust your instincts and block him! Also was his name Dan by any chance? I dated a phone hacking guy called Dan!! He was in his 40s

Jewelspun · 17/11/2023 19:39

Lying about his age?

What a pathetic loser.

Probably wears a toupee, lifts in his shoes and stuffs a couple of socks down his underpants.

You did the right thing.

YellowBelly23 · 17/11/2023 19:41

Well done for trusting your gut. Sounds like you've dodged a bullet

Ladyofthepond · 17/11/2023 19:42

Well done op, you 100% did the right thing! Online dating is a minefield but whatever happens ALWAYS trust your gut instincts- we have instincts for a reason.

It may be worth making sure any other social media profiles (Facebook etc) are private in case he tries to contact you on other platforms, and if you’re still matched with him you can usually report the profile on any apps you matched on.

May your future dating life be filled with plenty of green flags!!

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 17/11/2023 19:42

Sounds as if his ex had good reasons for leaving. You did the right thing, OP.

AllTheWatersTurnedToClouds · 17/11/2023 19:43

she randomly moved out one day whilst he was at work and changed her numbers and kept refusing to talk to him.

That sounds to me like she was scared of him

Tiredmum100 · 17/11/2023 19:49

struggling13 · 17/11/2023 19:25

To be honest I hadn't fully told her all of the stalking stuff I just said he admitted to acting abit crazy at breakups. And in his defence not that he deserves it he stated he did it because she randomly moved out one day whilst he was at work and changed her numbers and kept refusing to talk to him. Even reading that now makes me think wtf. I had only spoke to him twice briefly since Tuesday evening as I was trying to process everything together and woke up this morning with a really bad feeling abit him.

There was obviously a reason she left like. I wouldn't say that's in his defence. If anything, it sounds to me like she was scared and finally got away. You've made the right choice, OP. Sadly, I don't believe men like him will change.

Howtosolveit · 17/11/2023 19:50

Wow. Absolutely the right decision. To be honest OP it is a bit concerning that you are even doubting it. You have done the right thing. Your sister is giving you very bad advice and should not get a voice in your decisions in future.

Shivermetimbersmearty · 17/11/2023 19:50

RaisinsOfMildAnnoyance · 17/11/2023 19:29

Block, ignore, move on. You are 100% right to do so.

My advice to anyone reading this thread is to never tell a man his red flags are showing. He'll learn to disguise them better next time. Let him stew.

This is so true. And needs to be a mantra on MN.

I can’t thinks of situations where they just get better at hiding their red flags for longer, and their manipulation is far more subtle as they get more practiced at it.

Thepossibility · 17/11/2023 19:51

Jesus if that is the stuff he is openly admitting to you have to wonder what other creepy shit he's done.
Your sister has given you spectacularly awful advice. Your safety is more important than any man!

Dacadactyl · 17/11/2023 19:52

If you honestly have to ask this on here, I think you need some therapy.

YADNU.

Laurdo · 17/11/2023 19:55

NearlyMonday · 17/11/2023 19:17

Tell him why you are blocking him, then block him

Na I wouldn't tell him. Let him carry on parading all his red flags for other women to see so they don't end up with a crazy stalker either.

EmmaEmerald · 17/11/2023 19:56

Laurdo · 17/11/2023 19:55

Na I wouldn't tell him. Let him carry on parading all his red flags for other women to see so they don't end up with a crazy stalker either.

Agree.

i think on this occasion, he told you the tip of the iceberg so he could say "you were warned" after doing something awful.