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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

A bit of fun or a red flag?

108 replies

Baguettecat · 19/03/2025 21:15

I'm mid-40s, divorced 6 years with three primary age school children. Not been in a relationship, not dated since leaving husband (history of psych\ and emotional abuse). Work part-time and kids with their father alternate weekends. I have felt lonely at times and yearned for physical intimacy though frankly I also largely enjoy my space and am protective of my family and myself, and I just don't meet men in my work and hardly socialise.
I joined a gym a year ago and have enjoyed an exercise class led by a young, stunning man (the class is fun and the eye candy was a bonus!). This man looks like he's in his early-mid thirties max, is not from the UK and seems isolated here socially. He invited me for lunch and honestly I didn't read too much into it he'd asked me when chatting after class about my 'fitness goals' (I don't have any) so I imagined he wanted to talk fitness and food. A bit naive but honestly, whilst I am not unattractive and do look younger than my age, I haven't looked after myself much and don't make an effort to the gym (think 10 year old leggings and bra etc). I went to lunch straight after the class without make-up, unwashed I had two hours but I worked on my laptop, whilst he showered and turned up looking slick!

Ugh! Struggling to get to the point!

Over lunch, he seemed visibly nervous, shared a lot about his personal life and past relationships (fathered 4 children from 2 mothers, all overseas) and married out of convenience to get his visa to this country the relationship he says is over and they sleep in separate rooms etc he says he's attracted to me and recalled the first time we spoke, things I did in\ out of class and got very excited when I said I thought he was very attractive too. I've said I'm not interested in a relationship-- honestly he isn't someone I see myself with in any serious way though it would be fun to mess around and maybe finally have sex with a gorgeous, sweet and safe man. But but but I will check if his wife sees the relationship as over and is aware of his intention to be with other people (he was v honest and bit too open in sharing so I feel he would be honest) and I've said that I'm not interested in anything serious though am I unreasonable to be excited about this man?

He messaged straight after our lunch, and a few more times today and says things like 'I miss you' and that frankly have put me off--is this love bombing? He guessed my age as late twenties (generally guessed more like 30s but I put that down to him being younger). I do wonder if he thinks I have money or can help him support his kids abroad. He said he'd like to meet my kids and I was direct in saying no as I don't think that's appropriate, though can't tell if he's naive, a bit dim or a potential perp in disguise.

Otherwise, he is pretty much happen book. Works all hours, is serious and enthusiastic about all things health and fitness (we both like cooking and eating so that's been a mutual topic of interest at the gym). Logistically I don't know when we would find time to meet and where --i have an elderly tenant who is home a lot and he has his wife. He has a wife. That in itself is off putting enough.

Am I getting myself into hot water?

No kids with his wife.

I'm unreasonable: nip this fantasy in the bud before it gets messy or\ and dangerous

I'm reasonable: have fun with this man. Needn't be serious and you deserve a bit of hot sex. It's been too too too long.

OP posts:
TheCompactPussycat · 20/03/2025 08:43

DuckieDodgyHedgyPiggy · 19/03/2025 21:30

In your shoes, I probably would go for it, if it was clear he understood it was just a bit of fun.
Not sure why he wants to meet your kids, though. Maybe he just likes kids and misses his.

You're kidding right?

If he misses his kids he could just go back to the country he left them in.

Lindy2 · 20/03/2025 08:43

He sounds like a right sleaze ball to be honest.

4 children he doesn't see and isn't even in the same country as, 2 different mothers of the children, a wife in the UK he used to get a visa (and is probably still sleeping with despite what he says).

Apart from being good looking, I'm struggling to see any attractiveness that isn't just looks.

I'd say give this one a swerve. It's not worth the effort.

Writerbiter · 20/03/2025 08:45

It's like one of those stories that ends up in Take a break (is that still going?). He's probably just fishing around for someone who falls for his "sob" story. He's probably tried it with a few other ladies at the gym too.

Annettecurtaintwitcher · 20/03/2025 08:46

Run, run as fast as you can. More red flags than a communist party convention.

BobbyBiscuits · 20/03/2025 08:51

It's not normal for him to say he wants to meet your kids. He already told you he wasn't into exclusivity so why the sudden urge to meet your family?
And he has a wife (a wife!!!!) who he admits he didn't really love and married in order to get a visa. How charming of him. He's morally bankrupt and you've already got suspicions he's after your money.

Stop going to his gym class and block his number.

Bumpitybumpbumplook · 20/03/2025 08:54

You won’t be the only woman ….

MissDoubleU · 20/03/2025 08:58

Bumpitybumpbumplook · 20/03/2025 08:54

You won’t be the only woman ….

100% this.

He sounds like a slimy sleazy prick and besides being attractive, I can’t understand how your vagina hasn’t dried up around him.

”My wife is a bit of a downer, so I sleep on the couch” Translate, my wife is depressed I spend all day pursuing women in my fitness classes. I still sleep with her every chance I get though.

StrawberryDream24 · 20/03/2025 09:02

Chuchoter · 20/03/2025 07:40

Ask yourself why someone so good looking and young is interested in an older woman who's only just started getting into shape?

One thing and one thing only. An easy shag because you'll be grateful.

That's the cold hard truth and I've seen it a million times. He'll work his way through all the older women and they'll all be too embarrassed to complain because they fell for his charms.

If actually say he's lining up a safety net for his wife ....it sounds like it's not going well.

She may even stop cooperating with his visa application.

He's probably thinking he needs a back up sponsor.

StrawberryDream24 · 20/03/2025 09:07

a wife in the UK he used to get a visa (and is probably still sleeping with despite what he says)

I have had relationships with two foreign men who did not tell me they were married. When I found out - through other means - they both claimed it was it for a visa and they weren't together. One claimed she'd done it as a friend.

The only time she rang him (the "friend") while I was there he made excuses to get me to get out of the car we were in. He clearly couldn't risk me being heard on the background. So, not a friend.

The other guy also seemed to be "with" his wife. They may even have had kids together whom he lied about toy face when I asked him if he had any kids.

I would doubt any man who's cohabiting with a woman but claims they're separated.

I would doubly doubt any man who married for a visa and says they are not together in any way.

StrawberryDream24 · 20/03/2025 09:10

It's not normal for him to say he wants to meet your kids.

He's love bombing and trying to get established as a serious boyfriend - probably cause he may need another UK visa sponsor in the near future.

SonK · 20/03/2025 09:10

Never get involved with a married man, no matter what he says.

I understand it can be tempting and he sounds like a charmer with the facade he is putting on, but that's all it is.

As women, let's be more considerate to eachother x

Riversof0tter5 · 20/03/2025 09:11

StrawberryDream24 · 20/03/2025 09:07

a wife in the UK he used to get a visa (and is probably still sleeping with despite what he says)

I have had relationships with two foreign men who did not tell me they were married. When I found out - through other means - they both claimed it was it for a visa and they weren't together. One claimed she'd done it as a friend.

The only time she rang him (the "friend") while I was there he made excuses to get me to get out of the car we were in. He clearly couldn't risk me being heard on the background. So, not a friend.

The other guy also seemed to be "with" his wife. They may even have had kids together whom he lied about toy face when I asked him if he had any kids.

I would doubt any man who's cohabiting with a woman but claims they're separated.

I would doubly doubt any man who married for a visa and says they are not together in any way.

Edited

"toy face" is a wonderful typo
these men look for their next "toy face" indeed

SonK · 20/03/2025 09:12

Writerbiter · 20/03/2025 08:45

It's like one of those stories that ends up in Take a break (is that still going?). He's probably just fishing around for someone who falls for his "sob" story. He's probably tried it with a few other ladies at the gym too.

This - he has definitely tried it on with other women

StrawberryDream24 · 20/03/2025 09:13

My wife is a bit of a downer

I'd probably be a bit of a downer too if I was married to a man who'd used me for a visa and was trying to shag women at the gym he works at.

Limer · 20/03/2025 09:14

Thank god you've woken up and smelt the coffee here @Baguettecat

Probably also worth mentioning to the other ladies in his class, I bet some of them have also been approached and told they look like they're in their mid-20s! He sounds like a right player.

crackofdoom · 20/03/2025 09:14

I would say your attraction to this man is definitely a sign that you need some no strings fun in your life. Just not with this one- beware, there are strings! 😬

StrawberryDream24 · 20/03/2025 09:19

There's way too much going on with this guy to have him as your no strings, bit of fun partner.

He's a visa geezer.

He's living with his wife and you have no idea of the true situation between them.

He's very very full on .... Probably because he wants a back up visa sponsor.

He possibly also wants someone to make living in the UK less expensive and more comfortable for him. That might be one of the reasons he's so keen to meet your kids; the possible obstacle of "my kids don't know you" to him moving in with you at sound point. "They know me, we get on great, I'm fond of them" etc.

His situation is precarious - visa wise - if this wife decides to end the relationship/ not continue to say he's her spouse and they are together for the foreseeable future. He's casting around for solutions to that.

I'd also imagine the two mothers of his kids would have interesting things to say about him.

He sounds like his MO is to use his looks and "earnestness" to get what he wants out of women.

Fishandchipsareyum · 20/03/2025 09:23

AVOID this man at all costs!

Missj25 · 20/03/2025 09:46

I’m all for fun but not this guy ! !
Asking could he meet my kids would give me the ick & saying he misses me 🤮
A wife in the background somewhere , fuck that !
I know it’s nice to have intimacy & you haven’t had that for a long time , busy life with kids & feeling as though your life is so hum drum so his attention then is exciting & flattering but I’d 💯 let this guy go ..
Think about what you want & join a dating APP 🤷🏻‍♀️

CordialVsSquash · 20/03/2025 09:49

I mean, the good thing about this guy is that he has spelled out his many problems to you. So you wouldn’t be going into this mess blind. That’s nice of him.

ladyofshertonabbas · 20/03/2025 09:50

Doesn’t found right. Does he need a visa to stay in your country? Sounds like my ex who did.

WithLoveAnyone · 20/03/2025 09:54

Oh yuck, no. He sounds like trouble

Slimy gym instructor.

I joined a gym and it was a class of just two of us and the instructor (early 30s max) clearly fancied the other lady in the my class of two. I felt so so awkward with all the flirting and him trying subtly to get me to join a different class, I presume so he could have one on one time with this woman.

The whole thing just felt super uncomfortable and I really wanted to say to her 'run for the hills', but she seemed flattered by his admiration. It was all really cringe.

I'd avoid.

I am actually wondering if you are this other lady from my gym class and if he's the instructor!!

Bumpitybumpbumplook · 20/03/2025 11:18

MissDoubleU · 20/03/2025 08:58

100% this.

He sounds like a slimy sleazy prick and besides being attractive, I can’t understand how your vagina hasn’t dried up around him.

”My wife is a bit of a downer, so I sleep on the couch” Translate, my wife is depressed I spend all day pursuing women in my fitness classes. I still sleep with her every chance I get though.

The “my wife isn’t / doesn’t” anymore is the world’s oldest cheater excuse.

One friend, the man said “wife & I went on a trip to exotic location, she got an insect bite and hasn’t been the same since. She was in a coma and her brain is gone, I’m so lonely”

Turns out she was completely normal wife living in country with the kids. He had a flat for working in the week.

MissDoubleU · 20/03/2025 12:09

Yup. The most common one is “My wife and I are purely platonic, it is a marriage of convenience and I sleep on the couch.” Which is kept up fine and the OW has no suspicions until the wife very happily announces she’s pregnant.

Will never believe a man in these circumstances.

Riversof0tter5 · 20/03/2025 12:16

I still begin falling for the Earnest / Sensitive / Sad game. It may not even be a game. It might have become second nature.

It's not a desirable trait in a partner. Though it tugs on heartstrings.