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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

He gives me the ick

183 replies

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 07:15

I’ve been dating a guy that I met through OLD on and off for 8 months, he’s wonderful and amazing and we could have an amazing life together but I just can’t shake this feeling that he gives me the ick, massively.
He’s so kind and generous and totally in love with me and I can’t put my finger on the issue and I’ve tried so hard to get over this feeling but we’re meant to be spending the day together today and all I can think is dread that he’s going to come to my house and going to want to sleep with me, the thought is filling me with dread. The day out is going to be fun and I love his company, but the chemistry part, that was there at the start seems to have gone. He does some things that really bug me and although I’ve brought them up before, he stops for a while but is starting again.

For example, I’m 37 and he’s 43 and when we go out in public, for dinner etc he tries to full on kiss me at the table, he strokes my face and hair, not a gentle stroke but it’s like a full hand sliding down my face and ruining my make up, it makes me physically recoil!
we went out to the cinema the other night and I said I was just going to get up to use the ladies half way through the film and he came with me and waited outside the toilets for me, I felt like a child.

Is this the sign that I need to break up with him or can I get over the ick?! I would love to stay friends but I tried that before in December but he doesn’t want to do that and would rather go no contact.
is it kinder to just end the relationship?

OP posts:
MightAsWellBeGretel · 09/03/2025 11:01

biscuitsandbooks · 09/03/2025 07:55

He sounds awful. Not sweet in the slightest - more controlling and possessive.

I agree! It gives me the creeps reading all this.

End it, OP. At least you're never going to bump onto him as he lives a way away! Don't waste any more months of your life on someone who makes you feel physical repulsion!

ArtTheClown · 09/03/2025 11:05

He sounds like a controllilng fruitloop. But even if he genuinely was a lovely man, if you're not actually attracted to him, why are you with him?

ZorbaTheHoarder · 09/03/2025 11:08

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 10:52

Yes!! I caught him doing it once in the middle of the night, stood next to the bed just staring at me!

Not good - weird and unhealthy!
Just rip the plaster off, and end it, OP, preferably by text.

In a phone conversation, he will go all out to convince you that you are making a terrible mistake...

TeaRoseTallulah · 09/03/2025 11:09

I’ve been dating a guy that I met through OLD on and off for 8 months, he’s wonderful and amazing

He doesn't sound wonderful or amazing at all!

Daleksatemyshed · 09/03/2025 11:12

@MarioJumbo it seems sweet at 17 because you're naive and have little experience, I'm sure the Op's more sensible than that 😂

ThankULord · 09/03/2025 11:43

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 07:59

He is the sweetest, kindest, most generous man, he’s really not got a bad bone in his body.
I did try to end it a while ago though, when he got jealous over some PT sessions I was having with a guy, where he wanted me to drop into conversation things like ‘my boyfriend has those trainers, that watch’ kind of thing. I felt like he basically would like me to walk around with a t shirt saying I was taken.

OP, c'mon 😂.
Are you serious? The first part of your post about him being the.sweetest...etc does not match up at all with his horrible, possesive, controlling, psychopathic behaviour of how he was with you having a PT.
Dump him.
Else you will be with him long enough to see the 'bad bones' he has in his body.
I don't think it will be a great experience.

curtaintwitcher78 · 09/03/2025 12:42

Aw shit have I invested in another 'Blackpool strip club' thread?

MaryQueenofDots · 09/03/2025 12:47

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 10:52

Yes!! I caught him doing it once in the middle of the night, stood next to the bed just staring at me!

Is this for real? 🤔

curtaintwitcher78 · 09/03/2025 12:57

MaryQueenofDots · 09/03/2025 12:47

Is this for real? 🤔

I'm getting that 'head against a brick wall' déjà vu

JHound · 09/03/2025 13:03

When you say “on and off” what does that mean.

Normally I say give it a chance as chemistry can develop. But if it has not after 8 months that is unlikely. However if you have been more “off” than “on” potentially there is still a chance.

I would tell him to stop wiping my face though. And the waiting for you outside the toilet is beyond “ick”. It’s slightly disturbing behaviour imo.

JHound · 09/03/2025 13:04

Oh no…this is disturbing. I would end it.

swingandtrampoline · 09/03/2025 13:32

I was dating someone who cried in the pub when I arranged a surprise cake for his birthday, something small and a small gift. Got the ick because I never cry for anything. And then on the way home on the tube he lent behind me where he was erected. I pulled my self away and sat on the empty seat. When I got home he expected me to allow him to stay over I said I had family coming early in the morning and would speak to him later as I was tired. I shut the door and ended it with text the next day as I thought I couldn't deal with the drama since he cried for his birthday cake god knows what he will do in public if I dumped. If you get the ick, there's no turning back. Gently but firmly end it giving no hopes because they get obsessed as well. That guy I dated I had his mum on fb contact me begging to get back together with him. Yuck. Lucky escape for me.

Isthiswhatmenthink · 09/03/2025 13:40

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 07:59

He is the sweetest, kindest, most generous man, he’s really not got a bad bone in his body.
I did try to end it a while ago though, when he got jealous over some PT sessions I was having with a guy, where he wanted me to drop into conversation things like ‘my boyfriend has those trainers, that watch’ kind of thing. I felt like he basically would like me to walk around with a t shirt saying I was taken.

Jesus Christ. You have got to end it. He’s given me the creeps, and this controlling possessive streak is one fuck of a red flag.

Please get rid of him. Don’t stay friends.

EnjoythemoneyJane · 09/03/2025 13:48

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 09:45

I don’t want to hurt his feelings, that sounds pretty pathetic of me.
His behaviour isn’t controlling or possessive I don’t feel, it’s more like a puppy dog following me around feeling I get from him.
I cancelled seeing him for the 2 weeks because I just couldn’t face it, I know I hurt his feelings there and I’m not being fair on him.
I have cancelled today and I will speak with him properly later on this evening.

The puppy dog “I can’t get enough of you” thing is a form of emotional manipulation. “I’m so sweet and into you, you’d be cruel and ungrateful not to go along with what I want” - whether that’s being wheeled around a restaurant in some weird territory-marking ritual, or being instructed what to say to other men to indicate you’re ‘taken’, or having him paw and tongue you in public even when you’ve told him it makes you uncomfortable.

Possessive, creepy and rooted in insecurity - as every single type of abusive behaviour is, and if you carry on with him all this shit will only get worse. He doesn’t care how you feel about any of it, he’s only interested in getting his own needs met. When behaviour that’s basically about bulldozing through your boundaries is disguised as flattery and puppy love, it’s much harder to resist.

Men who are genuinely lovely don’t fill you with dread, OP. Ever.

AlphaApple · 09/03/2025 13:52

🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

Omg end it now! He sounds like he has ishoos

Bigcat25 · 09/03/2025 13:58

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 07:59

He is the sweetest, kindest, most generous man, he’s really not got a bad bone in his body.
I did try to end it a while ago though, when he got jealous over some PT sessions I was having with a guy, where he wanted me to drop into conversation things like ‘my boyfriend has those trainers, that watch’ kind of thing. I felt like he basically would like me to walk around with a t shirt saying I was taken.

That is not sweet or kind at all. It's very weird and controlling. Your PT is very unlikely to hit on a client, that he doesn't realize that doesn't speak well to his judgement. He seems to treat you more like a possession than a person.

BornSandyDevotional · 09/03/2025 14:04

You're being fundamentally disingenuous by seeing him. You're using him. Let him go and be with someone who actually cares for him. If I had my time over, other than conception, I wouldn't be with a man at all though. So I am probably a bit jaded!

Chachacha25 · 09/03/2025 14:46

Op what does ‘I will speak to him properly later this evening’ mean?

If it means you are going to end it then plan what you are going to say. Even write it down to give you confidence. You need to be determined to stick to it as he won’t want to accept it.

If it means you are going to open up a discussion then I don’t think that’s a good idea. You will still be with him dreading sex in a year’s time.

arethereanyleftatall · 09/03/2025 14:51

If this man didn't give you the ick, i would be seriously worried about you. He is an utter creep, and it's beyond belief that you didn't spot this and finish it months ago. To the point that I actually think you're joking the more you post.

JFDIYOLO · 09/03/2025 15:15

dread that he’s going to come to my house and going to want to sleep with me, the thought is filling me with dread…. I didn’t miss him in those 2 weeks and responding to his messages was more out of politeness.

You don't want to be with him, do you. You've got the ick, you're concerned about some of his behaviour AND you don't miss him when he's not there.

he tries to full on kiss me at the table, he strokes my face and hair, not a gentle stroke but it’s like a full hand sliding down my face and ruining my make up, it makes me physically recoil!

Physical dominance is something controllers do, especially when it's clearly unwelcome, disguising it as affectionate caring behaviour. He's showing you that it's not just the makeup on your face that he could ruin.

I said I was just going to get up to use the ladies half way through the film and he came with me and waited outside the toilets for me, I felt like a child.

You aren't allowed off by yourself - this is a forerunner of when you won't be allowed out with friends, family, go to work, go shopping without him ..

He stares at me out in public …
I also noticed in the cinema, that he wasn’t watching the film but just staring at me! … (Does he watch you while you sleep?)Yes!! I caught him doing it once in the middle of the night, stood next to the bed just staring at me!

Surveillance of his property. Admiring what he owns.

he wanted to walk me round the restaurant… it kind of felt like he was just walking me around to show me off … kind of a ‘she’s mine’ feeling … he got jealous over some PT sessions I was having with a guy, where he wanted me to drop into conversation things like ‘my boyfriend has those trainers, that watch’ kind of thing. I felt like he basically would like me to walk around with a t shirt saying I was taken.

And demonstrating to any other male that you have an owner and that you had better reinforce that fact.

Run, love. Run like the fucking wind.

Evaka · 09/03/2025 15:23

You say you can't put your finger on the issue and then list a range of batshit behaviour. Parading you around a restaurant, pawing your face, staring at you instead of watching a film and following you to the jacks are all mad behaviours. Get rid.

outerspacepotato · 09/03/2025 15:32

"I did try to end it a while ago though, when he got jealous over some PT sessions I was having with a guy, where he wanted me to drop into conversation things like ‘my boyfriend has those trainers, that watch"

The sweetness and kindness is covering insecurity and control issues and possessiveness. These are big red flags plus he's a bit creepy with the face stuff and wanting pda like a teen.

End it now. You dread him coming over and don't want to have sex with him. You've got the ick and he's got issues, to put it mildly.

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 09/03/2025 15:37

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 10:52

Yes!! I caught him doing it once in the middle of the night, stood next to the bed just staring at me!

Good fucking lord. Every post with extra info on what he’s doing just makes him look worse. I can understand how some women might find all of this sweet (especially if their confidence is low or if exes didn’t treat them well) but this is an unbalanced relationship and there are clear signs that he’s got some issues with jealousy (his behaviour re your PT), idealisation (the endless staring) and not giving you space to even go to the toilet.

CeffylCoch · 09/03/2025 15:46

Jesus, don't see him again. I'm not sure why you are making yourself? get rid, he sounds awful

Teanbiscuits33 · 09/03/2025 15:47

Doubleunders · 09/03/2025 07:59

He is the sweetest, kindest, most generous man, he’s really not got a bad bone in his body.
I did try to end it a while ago though, when he got jealous over some PT sessions I was having with a guy, where he wanted me to drop into conversation things like ‘my boyfriend has those trainers, that watch’ kind of thing. I felt like he basically would like me to walk around with a t shirt saying I was taken.

He isn’t at all. He’s a walking red flag. He sounds like he’s suffocating and will turn up the controlling behaviour eventually. Nothing you’ve said gives the impression he’s the sweetest guy. That’s to butter you up. He’s weirdo. Plain and simple. At best, he’s acting like a possessive, overly tactile teenager because he has limited experience with women and he can’t believe he’s finally got a girlfriend, but that doesn’t excuse it and could definitely still be a reason for him to end up more possessive and controlling.