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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is it acceptable to say another women is more attractive because she’s younger?

139 replies

Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 20:32

After a year and a bit of OLD after losing my husband of 20 years I’ve had enough. I’ve met one full on narc, one womaniser, one very socially introverted and the other still in love with his ex. Plus not to mention about 50 more that have wasted my time texting just to fizzle.

so I went on Chat GPT and it told me to detox from all men for minimum of 6 weeks. Block all ex’s and dating apps. Apps had been deleted since October anyway. I’d just started and an American man added me as a friend on Instagram he’s 32 I’m 41. We’d been commenting on the same post. He described himself as very chilled out and nonchalant. Texts every day for a month but at times it’s been a bit slow or long I In-between due to time difference. Lately we started phoning each other most days, he has talked about having a fair few ex’s but has never lived with anyone, he lives with his mum and brother as rent is expensive. He’s says it’s his fault all previous relationships have ended as he didn’t prioritise the women’s needs. This was so refreshing compared to men here. If there is a pause in text time he will explain where he’s been and apologise.

he mentioned a few of his ex’s were Asian . So to cut a massive long story short, I’ve tried to end it a few times as I keep thinking logically where would-it go? I have 4 kids here 3 teenagers, I’m in my last year of nursing school. He has twice said I wish you all the best if you don’t think it will work I’m not going to convince you if your mind is made up but I’ve expressed that I think it could.

he’s also said a few times that he hopes I’m attractive to him. Plus he gushes if I say I’m starting to miss it when we don’t speak. We have a lot of jokey banter.

last night after a 3 hour phone call I said he was very cute and he said “ my looks?” I said no your personality but yes obviously I do think you’re good looking. I don't think he’s anything special I’d say a 5/6 at most but I like his personality. Then I flipped it and said “do you think I’m cute as you’ve never said”. So he phones me and said “ do I think you’re cute?” Then he said let me think about it, then he said mmmmm yes for a 41 year old but not compared to a 27 year old. I was gobsmacked, I asked what he meant and said I get loads of attention and he said yes what do men say? You’re attractive or you’re attractive for your age? He said everyone knows a women’s prime is in her 20s you can’t expect to compete. I didn’t try to compete. He said my body and long blonde hair would bump me up when I’m out that’s why I’d get attention. But he said if you looked at the face of a 24 year old and yours hers would be bette. He said if he was out with me, people would say I was attractive for my age but would say she’s 9 years older. He said if he was out with a 27 year old they would just say he was out with a 10 🤦‍♀️

every conversation is pretty much a debate. He said to me the other day that all parents have a favourite kid. When I said I don’t he said I was lying. He hasn’t got kids so he can’t know. He said from what other people have told him and what he sees he believes it’s true.

I messaged him this morning to say I was deeply offended and he said he understood and he was sorry he made me feel like that. I said that doesn’t really help to put my mind at rest. I said you could have just said I’m attractive but why the comparison and I said I just worry that he thinks I’m too old for him and every year I’d have an expiry date. He said he never said that ever but will let me think what I like.

I then left him a voice note saying I know he is a bit emotionally guarded and doesn’t like showing vunerabikity but sometimes I need reassurance especially when you’ve insulted me. I said if you message or ring me I’ll take it you want to build something still if you don’t then it’s a no. He’s had me on read for 4 hours. I’m really upset how that all turned so fast.

that was not a normal response from him was it? The more I think about it the weirder it goes. He’s also said he has no trouble cutting people off as he doesn’t feel stuff or even if he does he can still just walk away. Is this avoident behaviour? .

OP posts:
Pinkissmart · 08/03/2026 21:23

Omg, this whole ‘avoidant behaviour’ BS.
Why put a label on ‘asshole’?
This guy is a dick, move on

Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 21:24

Whoinvented · 08/03/2026 21:22

Eh- I’ll be blunt- why are you wasting time with this?! He lives abroad- he’s probably a cat fish or a scam and not real. This isn’t a real relationship- dear god move on and stop this 😅

He’s not that fit, I said a 5/6 max, it was the conversation I liked. He is real we FaceTimed and spoke for hours/weeks

OP posts:
fatphalange · 08/03/2026 21:25

The whole thing is a massive time killer anyway. Why are you spending your valuable time on messaging and ringing some guy who lives in America? Even if he ticked every single box and wasn’t living up to his douche bag opening line of being ‘nonchalant’, it’s a non-starter regardless. He’s just fucking about with you and you’re lapping it up…but I can’t see why?? Maybe you’re avoidant or you have a history of setting up situations with people who are unavailable but I don’t see what this colossal waste of time could bring to your life in any enriching way.

Tollington · 08/03/2026 21:25

Why are you investing so much time with somebody that lives in another country?

Can’t you find somebody closer to home?

It just seems totally pointless

TheBlueKoala · 08/03/2026 21:29

He's a manchild living at home with his parents. You got children already why do you want to fuss around with this loser?

Everlil · 08/03/2026 21:33

Why did you tell him you found him good looking if you don’t? You brought up the ‘attractiveness’ issue, and pushed him to say how he felt. At least he’s being honest with you, he said he’s not going to bother if you stop messaging and he found you attractive, but not as attractive as people his age. Yes, might be not what you want to hear, but at least he’s being transparent.

I don’t understand why you’re bothering with this as a potential love interest when there is nowhere to go with it?

If I was chatting to a 70yr old man who said I was attractive, and asked me how I felt about him, and I said he’s was good looking, but personally I found people my own age more attractive - would that be as bad? I’d just be being honest.

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 08/03/2026 21:33

Neither one of you is coming out of this smelling of roses @Pluto5 ! You appear to be playing the 'pick me' dance, and trying to prove how attractive and desirable you are, and how many men fancy you! And he sounds like a player, and a bit of an incel as someone said... Values women only on their looks and youth. Makes me wonder why he bothered with a woman a decade older really.

He is entitled to find younger women more attractive though. It's not always true however.... I don't think attractiveness is age dependent personally, but some do. Like some think being slim = good looking, and being fat = unnattractive. (Also not always true.)

Kindly, you need to stay off looking for men for longer than 6 months. Sounds like you need a 2-3 year break. If someone comes along, then great, but stop looking! Also, as has been said, why bother with someone who lives in another country?! That's never going to work long term.

ImmortalSnowman · 08/03/2026 21:59

Why on earth would you send anyone screenshots of your inbox showing you get men messaging you? That's massive attention seeking @Pluto5.

Most women tend to not check such messages or lockdown their accounts to prevent getting them in the first place. It's odd that you haven't.

VanityUnit66 · 08/03/2026 22:06

He’s trying to neg you. And it looks like it’s working. Put him in the bin…

Ihatetomatoes · 08/03/2026 22:09

bumptybum · 08/03/2026 20:36

It may or may not be avoidant behaviour but it is 100% arse hole behaviour.

Why are you still even talking to him. Block. Move on. Don’t get stuck in the intermittent reinforcement loop.

This.

He's one for the bin. Move on @Pluto5 you deserve better.

Mingspingpongball · 08/03/2026 22:11

He’s winning right now. You expect to be chased - he’s refusing to do that. Guess he went up from a 5/6 on his appearance to 10/10 on ability to gain women’s attention…

Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 22:30

Everlil · 08/03/2026 21:33

Why did you tell him you found him good looking if you don’t? You brought up the ‘attractiveness’ issue, and pushed him to say how he felt. At least he’s being honest with you, he said he’s not going to bother if you stop messaging and he found you attractive, but not as attractive as people his age. Yes, might be not what you want to hear, but at least he’s being transparent.

I don’t understand why you’re bothering with this as a potential love interest when there is nowhere to go with it?

If I was chatting to a 70yr old man who said I was attractive, and asked me how I felt about him, and I said he’s was good looking, but personally I found people my own age more attractive - would that be as bad? I’d just be being honest.

i didn’t bring up the attractive issue it’s because he was always fishing for compliments. So I was fed up of saying he was nice looking. He’s not ugly but I couldn’t really say you’re average.

the issue is this preference it’s the fact that I asked a straight forward question do you think I’m cute and he said yes for my age. No
nedd to say for my age. Plus I look early 30s so not as if I’m a typical looking 49 year old., I’m baby faced.

OP posts:
Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 22:33

ImmortalSnowman · 08/03/2026 21:59

Why on earth would you send anyone screenshots of your inbox showing you get men messaging you? That's massive attention seeking @Pluto5.

Most women tend to not check such messages or lockdown their accounts to prevent getting them in the first place. It's odd that you haven't.

I put them in the archive bin as they won’t stop popping up. I was telling him how annoying men are.

OP posts:
AcquadiP · 08/03/2026 22:50

There are good reasons he's 32 and still living with mum other than, allegedly, the high cost of rent. For starters, he can cut people off at the drop of a hat, he's told you that. It could be avoidant behaviour or he could just be cold and ruthless. And he's ageist; and about as tactful as a flying brick.
What a prince. I wouldn't give him any more of my time.

LemonAir · 08/03/2026 23:00

Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 22:30

i didn’t bring up the attractive issue it’s because he was always fishing for compliments. So I was fed up of saying he was nice looking. He’s not ugly but I couldn’t really say you’re average.

the issue is this preference it’s the fact that I asked a straight forward question do you think I’m cute and he said yes for my age. No
nedd to say for my age. Plus I look early 30s so not as if I’m a typical looking 49 year old., I’m baby faced.

You don’t sound like a 49 yo woman either.

Catladywithacat · 08/03/2026 23:05

He’s weird so he is saying every 27year old on earth is more attractive than every 41year old.

wherearethesnacks · 08/03/2026 23:12

Are you 49 or 41? You've said both. If 49 I can imagine why a 32 year old would say you look good 'for your age'.

I wouldn't be wasting time on this 'relationship' where you haven't even met.

MxCactus · 08/03/2026 23:19

When I was younger I used to always say "you look good for your age!" To older people and never even realised it was an insult until I hit my 30s... Maybe he's just clueless and or rude

PollyBell · 08/03/2026 23:21

Keep your self respect and move on, why do women keep on letting themselves be treated this this is it desperation?

SpringIsSpringing2026 · 08/03/2026 23:22

Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 20:47

I just can’t get my head around how sweet and lovely he’s been and very consistent for 4 weeks. All day every day, him chasing; him adding me, him constantly engaging.

I just can’t wrap my head around how bizarre it was. It’s like if someone asked if I thought J lo was attractive I’d say “ yes, and she looks great for her age” I wouldn’t said yes but compared to a women in her 20s no.

I have cheese older than how long you've known him.

i get it's disappointing, but walk away NOW, he will only bring you heartache.

MmeWorthington · 08/03/2026 23:24

FGS!

Why have you left the ball in his court, and hanging on his decision as to whether he wants to ‘build something? ‘ Block him!

And then wonder why you are focussing on men’s attraction to you, sending him messages from your DMs etc. Ugh!

He is a twat. And obviously not a keeper when you have teen kids and he is young, immature and lives in another country. What is all his about?

k1233 · 08/03/2026 23:26

Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 22:30

i didn’t bring up the attractive issue it’s because he was always fishing for compliments. So I was fed up of saying he was nice looking. He’s not ugly but I couldn’t really say you’re average.

the issue is this preference it’s the fact that I asked a straight forward question do you think I’m cute and he said yes for my age. No
nedd to say for my age. Plus I look early 30s so not as if I’m a typical looking 49 year old., I’m baby faced.

Are you 41 or 49?

The level of contact and effort for 4 weeks seems very scammer to me. You're also coming across as very focussed on your appearance and linking that to your worth.

Your JLo example you said she looked good for her age. So you're saying the same as him by adding the "for her age" qualifier.

Final thoughts. It's been 4 weeks, is that correct? Every discussion is turning into a debate. Doesn't that piss you off? Could you realistically do that for the rest of your life? Keep in mind he's trying to impress you at the moment. What do you think normal would like? Just an argumentative, contrary person. I don't think many people have those traits at the top of their sought after list.

YourSassyPanda · 08/03/2026 23:28

I think he wants you insecure. Think of why that might be.

Unfenced · 08/03/2026 23:28

Pluto5 · 08/03/2026 21:24

He’s not that fit, I said a 5/6 max, it was the conversation I liked. He is real we FaceTimed and spoke for hours/weeks

So you wasted a full month of your life on a man you didn’t find attractive and who lives on another continent listening to him banging on about liking young Asians? Seriously, OP?

MsSmartShoes · 08/03/2026 23:34

If I were you I’d accept that most men are weird and hard work, Someine wise on here once said that OLD in your forties is like going to the tip to look for the least broken thing.