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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dating Thread 80

999 replies

UrsulaBuffay · 23/08/2014 15:38

As we were saying...

OP posts:
AndCatMakesThree · 07/09/2014 20:34

Jarlin, I'm so sorry to hear what happened at your meeting with Slow. I'm not surprised you're feeling gutted. I'm feeling quite angry with him. If he still didn't think he could give you what you wanted, what on earth was the point in asking to meet up with you again? Did he think after a break from him you'd be prepared to accept less?

I think you did the right thing going to meet him. If you hadn't gone, you'd always be wondering what he might have said. But I can also understand how you feel you've lost him all over again, and have to go through all the hurt and pain again.

How are you feeling now?

newstart, has he contacted you yet?

BeforeAndAfter · 07/09/2014 20:35

Knitted I'm sure there are plenty of women who claim to go to the gym but they don't realise that there's a difference between the cafe at the gym and the bit with the exercise machines... I'm also confident that more women than men post professional 'light-enhanced' pics than their male counterparts. I have read a few male updates where they've met a woman who is unexpectedly 20 years older...

The converse does happen I just think think that generally when a women sells herself as better/younger than she is it's desperation and/or a cry for help [cliche]. I think that when blokes do it, most of them really think they will rock your world... in a good way Confused

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 20:52

Jarlin That's dreadul! Sad Even if he had no idea how you felt (I'm sure you'd told him before though... Hmm) what exactly did he think this was going to achieve?! You must be devastated Sad Actually, I can imagine, only too well, just how awful you must feel right now.

You're not worthless. You're worth a hell of a lot more than he deserves, that's for sure. Flowers

Before Actually, what you said about my brother made a lot of sense. You're right. I do need to start standing up for myself a bit more. It is 'my role' to just take it.

I'm not going to tell you I won't tackle him. Because I did. This evening in fact because he was being rude to me in front of the children. I think it's the first time I've stood up to him ever. And I did it discreetly.

He didn't like it. He upped the ante. He ended up standing in a restaurant shouting and throwing personal insults at me. So I got up and left with my children without paying my half of the bill which meant he's covered the lot. Even his wife was telling him to stop.

He'd already been rude to her.

I've blocked him on my phone and on email. I have no desire to speak with him. He operates a 3 strikes and you're out rule with his friends. Well I think he's just activated mine.

Jarlin · 07/09/2014 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeforeAndAfter · 07/09/2014 21:24

Folk aw, don't block him for ever. When your anger has subsided engage your brain; your brother is the product of the same behaviour patterns as you - he just manifests it differently. Take the high road, think it through and then fight back with understanding, love and empathy - even if he can't.

Show your children (especially your daughter) how to set boundaries, reinforce them for family and enforce them for optimistic non-family members.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 21:40

I appreciate and understand what you're saying, Before but I'm not really angry. I'm very sad. But I've had a lot of bullies in my life over the years. I do have crap boundaries - I just take whatever shit is thrown at me whoever it's from.

His intention tonight was to punish me for standing up to him by humiliating me in front of a roomful of people at a place I frequent regularly.

I tried standing up to him quietly and discreetly and he upped the ante. By shouting insults at me in front of my children.

There have been a number of incidents over the years. I'm not strong enough to fight back with understanding, love and empathy. I need to protect myself.

Springheeled · 07/09/2014 21:49

New here- had some dates with someone but wasn't ready- he's texting daily and I'm finding it too much though I'm sure many others would welcome that, after the relationship I had it's just way too much pressure. Please could anyone tell me how to say politely but firmly that it's no for me? I'm stressing out and can't find the words.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 21:51

Jarlin I can imagine it's only a very small comfort though. Sad

Before The thing is, he learnt from the master, so it was like listening to my mother - it was my mental health ("something wrong with you"); it was my loveability (my ability to sustain a relationship); my general worth (belittling me by insulting my professional capabilities). All because I asked him not to speak over me when I was talking because it was rude.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 21:53

Spring I think, after one date, I'd just say that I'd realised I wasn't ready to date and leave it at that.

BeforeAndAfter · 07/09/2014 22:03

Spring I'd just go back to him and lie - along the lines of : "I enjoyed our dates but I don't feel the spark. I'm really sorry and hope my words don't hurt you but I wish you luck in the future. All the best and happy hunting"

I deliberately avoid giving them any chance of changing my mind so I avoid language like 'feel' and ' think' and I wouldn't talk about deciding not to go on another date in case he tried to persuade me otherwise.

BeforeAndAfter · 07/09/2014 22:10

Folk I can't even begin to imagine what that was like.

Jarlin I'd have contacted him too. I have to say, at least he's honest. Small comfort but better than the alternative of being strung along. I'm still Sad

LittleBlueMouse · 07/09/2014 22:10

FolkGirl, when I said men make pragmatic decisions and settle, I really meant men of a certain age, thinking in terms of marriage/children/mortgages and the like. Of course some men might settle for less than their ideal and keep one eye on what else is out there, no doubt some do. But there is no reason to think that you are more or less likely to be the one a man simply settles for. You are very harsh on yourself.

Jarlin He sounds like a bumbling buffoon, did he not realise what message he was giving when he instigated contact again. Maybe he genuinely doesn't realise this. If he really is this unable to empathise or act in a way that takes account of how his actions/words effect those around him, he would never be an easy man to have a relationship with. On the other hand if he read and understood your email and knew he didn't feel the same, or had reason to think he might not, then the decent thing would have been to have stayed away. Very naughty. ((hugs)) you deserve more, well done you for standing firm, it would be a daily hurt to continue with it I'm sure.

Single sounds like fun. They say men are like buses, may hay and all that.

BeforeAndAfter yes, I am fine with everything else, friends always ask my advice and I don't seem to struggle with anything else. Actually come to think of it, I don't normally flail around so much with self doubt and nerves about doing the right thing, just with MrC. I must think on this. Its not right to feel like this, its not as though my life depends on my ability to say the right thing to just one man.

newstart quiet for a while...hope its because he has texted

Jarlin · 07/09/2014 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 22:25

Just feeling very sad and alone now.

I just wish there was someone in the real world who gave a shit about me. Just one person. That's all.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 22:28

I can't sort things out with my brother. He knows too much. He knows all my weaknesses, all my sadnesses, all my fears and he is prepared to throw them all at me, in public, in front of my children. In front of his wife and his child. And with the slightest excuse.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 22:30

Jarlin I hope you're treating yourself with kindness this evening. argh, 10.30 already!

LittleBlueMouse · 07/09/2014 22:34

folk we do Smile I don't have any siblings and I can't say I feel like I'm missing out! I think I would have done the same, at least in the short term because I would fear receiving more abuse via phone/email. Maybe you need to place some distance between you and him while you concentrate on yourself.

knittedknickers · 07/09/2014 22:40

Oh FolkGirl, I am so sorry, your brother is a bully and sounds EA. My ex used to do those things to me (though only when alone, never in front of others so nobody could ever witness his cruelty though I understand how horrible it must have been for you being shouted at like that in public). I bet your friends love you and you sound like a fantastic mother to your children so I bet they love you unconditionally. I am so sad for you - you have been through so much lately but it does sound like you've turned a corner and I have only admiration for you for standing up to your brother when you knew how he is capable of behaving xx

BeforeAndAfter · 07/09/2014 22:45

Folk I think your XH gives a huge shit about you. It's strange but I cannot reconcile the EA man you were in a relationship with with the one who was there with tea, crumpets and kindness when you came back from your break up with recent ex.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 23:42

Before You're right. My exH has been amazing in that respect. It's like he's gone back to being the friend he was when we were teenagers.

I've said often that I don't think he intended to be EA. He had his own demons, and his own reasons for being with me. He was frustrated by my family issues, frustrated by me and my weaknesses, under his own stress at work, worried about his own parents... But amongst many more things, I've been called a "fucking cunt" more than once. I've had the wall next to my head punched more than once. And when I locked myself in the bathroom to get away from him, he kicked the door in. He supported me emotionally and practically through my degree, but also made it clear that if I didn't complete it, he'd leave me. Etc... But that's all in the past now.

i've said all along that I believed he was fond of me, which is why we got together. My mother made me homeless after I ended up back at home when my fiance dumped me after cheating when I was pregnant. I spent a year in a hostel, essentially. I was lost, lonely and terrified. He felt very protective over me and my child. He did the decent thing, because it was what he needed to do. I was scared and lonely and so I let him. But he didn't love me like a boyfriend/partner/husband should. And I didn't either. Not really. We just needed each other. And the resentment that grew from that situation led to the EA.

He's had a lot of CBT. He's realised a few things and apologised. He's said he doesn't hate me and he still cares. I suppose I feel the same.

He's still quite capable of being unpleasant if he wants, and i'm careful not to rock the boat. But if I don't, then he's a great support.

Plus. He knows I have no one else. He's doing it for the children as much as for me.

FolkGirl · 07/09/2014 23:51

knitted My brother is just as damaged as me. But just as I've internalised all my demons, he projects his out into the world. Just such a shit situation.

I just feel like I've failed at all of it. Failed as a daughter, failed as a sister failed as a family, failed as a mother because I haven't provided my children with a family, failed as a wife, failed as a woman, failed as a person... it doesn't seem to matter how hard I try, I fail.

Perhaps I'm just trying too hard to succeed at the wrong things.

newstartforme · 07/09/2014 23:58

Hi all
Well he did text me and we did meet..
He looked different from his picture !
Not at all what I had built up In my mind :/(.. Hmm pleasant enough but something def missing :-(.. Tbh I think he felt the same so I don't expect this to go further.... But I am glad I went :-) as I would have just worried I had missed the "one" if there is such a person.. Lol and I forty !!
Oh well I'm not giving up yet :-) tomorrow's a fresh day :-)

FolkGirl · 08/09/2014 00:01

Glad he texted and you met up, new. Shame it's not going to go anywhere, but you sound pretty upbeat about it all, so I'm guessing you're not gutted Grin

As we say here, onwards and upwards....

namechanger77 · 08/09/2014 06:33

Morning all,

I hope Jarlin and Folk are both feeling a bit more better today???

I had to block another last night, for getting on my case about answering his messages immediatley. I have added a photo (wow that changed things :) ) and added some more info.

Had a nice chat with a man who I may be meeting Wednesday, we discussed Zombies so he will be zombieman and another who is very local to me, he seems nice as well.

IMNOTYOURBABES · 08/09/2014 06:42

Hello, I posted a while back after my date with MrWrongEmail. Although lovely, I don't feel that elusive spark. Hopefully things will fizzle out - Neither of ur are big on texting/talking.

I hope Folk & Jarlin are ok. Men can be odd creatures, I don't really understand them.