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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

Casual sex confusion.

253 replies

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 10/10/2015 14:30

Ok. Will try to keep this as succinct as possible.

Met man around three years ago. Felt an intense chemistry between us but he was married so obviously nothing could happen. He admitted having feelings for me, things all got a bit fraught, I felt angry and guilty and consequently my behaviour became a little unhinged. I realised we were crossing a line even discussing it, so broke off all contact. I know I didn't behave well and should not have let things get even that far. I was in a terrible place at the time (not trying to excuse myself, just adding some context).

About a year ago he tried contacting me. This time I was in a much better place in terms of self esteem and was swift in shutting him down, telling him if he was still married then I would not contemplate any contact whatsoever between us.

Very recently I discovered through a mutual acquaintance that he had been separated for a while. And in a weak moment I contacted him. He seemed so pleased to hear from me - he has been living apart from his wife for a year, says he is in a good place, and the conversation quickly turned to when we met and how we felt about each other. The intense physical attraction had been mutual he said. He had "wanted me so much" but had not been prepared to engage in an extra-marital affair (as neither had I). But now he was single so was I going to come to him or would he come to me?

He was pretty quick off the mark and the first one to bring up the idea of us getting together. I at first expressed reservations: 1) That it was entirely possible that we would meet and no longer feel the same about each other, and 2) That I had been hurt and confused before and didn't want to go through the same again. That I had had romantic as well as sexual attraction to him and so was wary of having my feelings hurt.

He said he understood and that despite having been separated for a year was probably not ready to commit to anything other than "good times". I had a think about it and replied saying, "Well look, I want good times too" (I do - it's been a long time for me) "so let's just have a weekend together, see how it goes (after all we may no longer even fancy each other) and then if it looks like things are going to get too complicated at any point we always have the option to knock it on the head?"

He says yes. Of course he wants to see me so let's do that. And let's see each other as soon as possible. He is hellishly busy but will get back to me with a weekend he can do asap. I say great. Can't wait.

That was a week ago. And I've heard nothing since.

I'm not asking for advice on a plan of action. I've already decided I will not contact him. If he wants to see me he will contact me, and if he doesn't then me contacting him to ask whyyyyy won't help and will just be humiliating.

But I would like some help trying to understand. I have agreed to giving a casual relationship a try. And I really am honestly prepared to give it a try. He doesn't have to want me for a girlfriend - I just really really want to finally consummate this attraction between us (the thought is so exciting I can barely contain myself). If that's all it is then ok. I can deal. But now it seems he doesn't want to and I just don't understand. Why would any man who wanted any woman as much as he says he did me, not want to have sex?

Did I imagine this chemistry? Impossible I think - those kind of sparks can't be faked. He is lying that he felt it too? Is he just busy and taking his time making plans (in which case why isn't he more enthusiastic?) Is he worried that it will inevitably result in some kind of negative fall out? And if he has changed his mind, why doesn't he just say?

I refuse to go crawling to him for answers and so have posted here. Thank you for reading. Would appreciate all and any thoughts.

OP posts:
Orangeisthenewbanana · 13/10/2015 12:40

cheers, exactly. The guy OP is talking about is showing as much disregard for her as that website twat shows to the women he writes about. He doesn't want anything more than sex on his terms, but can't be arsed to have that conversation with you. I'm really sorry OP, but contacting him will probably only fuel his ego and prolong your uncertainty Sad

brokenhearted55a · 13/10/2015 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 13/10/2015 13:33

Broken I'm 40 and should know better, I know.

I haven't messaged him. I've been in the gym all morning training clients and myself, and after reading all your replies I definitely won't make any further contact. You're all right. Any contact is just an attempt to make something happen.

Blodss I think your post probably hits the nail on the head. It is difficult to accept this truth though. I will never understand why he said all the things he did if that is the way he feels. I don't behave like that. For example an ex lover who I have had on and off contact with over the years recently got back in touch with me and I was pleased to hear from him as I would like us to be friends. We chatted for a while and then he started to turn the conversation towards more intimate matters. At no point did I tell him how much I wanted him (because I don't). Nor did I make half a plan to get together with him (because I have no desire to). What I said was that him talking about that stuff made me feel uncomfortable because I wasn't interested in any kind of sexual relationship with him, and could he stop please?

I just don't see what's so hard about not stringing people along.

OP posts:
brokenhearted55a · 13/10/2015 13:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CheersMedea · 13/10/2015 13:58

I just don't see what's so hard about not stringing people along.

But he's not stringing you along is he?

What happened was:

  • you got in touch with him (he hadn't hunted you down)
  • you said told him that you had romantic attraction to him, didn't want to get hurt and didn't want "to go through the same thing again"
  • he told you that he wasn't ready to commit and just wanted good times (for which read sex)
  • THEN you do a blinding U-turn and say "well I'm for good times too. how about a weekend."
  • He says (basically) "too busy. I'll call you." and then doesn't.

That isn't exactly stringing you along is it?

At best it's an indication of fairly luke warm interest and rudeness in failing to call you. It's not like he said "darling I love you and I'm super keen". He TOLD you he didn't want a relationship, immediately after you said you did want a relationship.

Stringing along is pretending an interest in a relationship when there is none; that is not this situation. He told you he was just about casual sex and you said "OK". Casual sex is casual. It involves people changing their mind with no need for an explanation.

The absolutely only reason you think of it as "stringing you along" is because he has been occupying your head rent free ever since. You have over invested mentally in the promise of sex with a man you strongly desire and are infatuated with. If you were seeing other men you were interested in you wouldn't have given it a second thought.

Blodss · 13/10/2015 14:12

Cheers I agree and that is exactly what I said in my post too.
Sorry Fish but at the end of the day he is not interested in you. If he was you would know about it. He would be phoning and texting you to arrange a date. A date though not a dirty weekend. Men are generally easy to read if you take away the bullshit. If they want you they will be all over you if they are not interested you will be building castles in the sky in your own head.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 13/10/2015 15:09

This feels really crap Sad

Why couldn't I have just left things how they were? Can't ever resist poking the sleeping lion - that's my trouble.

I contacted him again in one weak moment. I knew even then it was a bad idea. And I've hurt myself and bashed my confidence all over again.

OP posts:
SouthWestmom · 13/10/2015 15:15

Has he said no then? That's probably helpful in the long run to have a black and white answer. You can get on with getting over him.

donajimena · 13/10/2015 15:21

How about a bit more role reversal for some perspective
A man you were attracted to (note the past tense ) contacted you out of the blue for some possible dating/relationship
You no longer are atrracted to him so to let him down gently - rather than be clear and concise as we all should but are often not - you say I'm not looking for a relationship or anything serious.
He then says oh ok I'll give a casual fling a go.
You'd run a mile wouldn't you?

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 13/10/2015 15:29

Yes Dona I would, but that's not exactly how it went. It was him that turned the conversation to sex, and him that suggested meeting up to begin with, not me. I do take your point though.

No, Noeuf, he's just ghosted.

OP posts:
SnakesandKnives · 13/10/2015 15:37

Just as another consideration.......

He was married for 15 years and you didn't have an affair....and you say he's been separated for about a year? Would it be fair to say that unless he had the easiest divorce/split ever he may also be emotionally fragile

I don't think men have some sort of monopoly on emotionless relationships. They are also full of all the same questions and 'Insecurities' as women surely? He may well like you, and also be unsure where to go with it...or downright scared. He may not know how to approach this, or how to approach the communications side.

This site sometimes seem to assume that women have loads of questions and worries whilst the related man is effortlessly swimming through a sea of casual sex and guilt free fwbs - which I think is monkey balls personally.

He may not be any better at this than you.

brokenhearted55a · 13/10/2015 15:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SouthWestmom · 13/10/2015 15:41

I've just reread the op.

Three years ago you both get a bit hot under the collar and you get cross and act irrationally.
A year ago he contacts you and you express non interest
Recently you contact him, he suggests you meet up (in a bit of a lets shag way) and you say you want True Love which he doesn't. You suggest a dirty weekend to see how it goes.
He goes quiet after saying yes.

If he is a nice ish bloke or thinks he is nice, he won't want to get entangled with leading you, having sex with you, when it might get messy emotionally.
I think it's clear he saw you as shag potential, you made it clear you aren't and now he's backed off.
The only bad behaviour from him would be if he took you up on your offer, I think.

CheersMedea · 13/10/2015 16:58

I agree with this post above by Baconyum which could do with a repeat:

I'd lay money the reason you've not slept with or had a relationship with anyone else in the last three years is because of how you feel about him, consciously or unconsciously.

If you are still that into him after 3 years, that is really quite a high level of being into someone.

I contacted him again in one weak moment. I knew even then it was a bad idea. And I've hurt myself and bashed my confidence all over again.

This is what I meant when I said that that level of attraction/infatuation is hard to ignore. For a lot of people (women especially) they will just have to pick the scab because of the "what IF" fantasy thinking and not wanting to have regrets.

I would also lay money on the fact that if he contacts you in a few months, maybe having a dry spell and wondering if you are still up for it, you would probably see him and sleep with him - even though you know in your heart it will hurt in the end. Mind you as the saying goes better to regret something you did than regret not doing it.

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 13/10/2015 17:12

It's not true that the reason I've not had a relationship in three years is because of him. There's been a couple of almost rans and a few dates here and there, but mostly I've been deliberately single for personal reasons. Neither have I spent the last three years obsessing. Months pass where I don't give him a passing thought. I don't know why I suddenly contacted him recently. But doing so bought dormant feelings flooding back.

What is true is that if he ever contacts me, there will always be a danger of me seeing him and sleeping with him, yes. I have said no to contact in the past when I was in a good space but I can't guarantee always having that willpower.

A part of me feels like I hate him for having this hold over me, but I know I am responsible for my own feelings and behaviour and that it's not his fault. its' my stuff.

OP posts:
CheersMedea · 13/10/2015 17:16

I don't know why I suddenly contacted him recently

It may have been subconsciously on your mind and although you think you haven't been single because of him consciously, deep down it's because subconsciously no one measured up to him and the chemistry you felt.

It's weird that you had a sudden urge to contact him and acted on it if there was no subconscious attachment.

Of course, you maybe totally correct and it's nothing to do with him. But all I'm saying is "I wouldn't rule out subconsciously that's what was going on with you"

Gabilan · 13/10/2015 17:43

I contacted him again in one weak moment. I knew even then it was a bad idea. And I've hurt myself and bashed my confidence all over again.

Rule number one when trying not to contact someone: delete their number and burn/ eat/ shred and throw to the wind any piece of paper on which it is written. And block on FB and all other social media channels. That means the only way contact can occur is if they have kept your number and they call you.

Personally I think waiting for the man to make a move first is sexist nonsense but in this case, the ball was in his court anyway. Standing the other side of the net waving your racquet around is not attractive.

Gabilan · 13/10/2015 17:44

Oh and I have prolonged periods of being single - well over three years. It's not a subconscious hangup about anyone. I just prefer being single to any of the men I've met over the last few years.

DisillusionedGoat · 13/10/2015 18:09

I personally don't agree with the better to regret something you have done, than something you haven't

My life would have be much less of a car crash if I had not done avoided certain people and situations.

Sometimes it is important to protect oneself from probable harm.

DisillusionedGoat · 13/10/2015 18:11

not done certain things and avoided

DisillusionedGoat · 13/10/2015 18:21

As I get older, I have found it gets inreasingly difficult to shrug of emotional pain, especially when I could have avoided it.

I imagine that you are feeling a bit bruised Fishfingers, please don't be too hard on yourself. You're like many of us, I act first thing later. Flowers

donajimena · 13/10/2015 18:36

Ah I see! Apologies. I also find it helps to read through other threads where people question behaviours etc. You can see more clearly what is and isn't acceptable behaviour. It changes your whole way of thinking. If mumsnet had been around 20 years ago it would have saved me a whole lot of heartache. So many wise women (and men) on here

Baconyum · 13/10/2015 18:53

No I'm sorry not buying it. Even at a subconscious level possibly you've been 'waiting' for him.

As for my compartmentalization I don't think it can be taught I also don't think it's necessarily something to aspire to. I've only been in love once in my life, thought I was in love a 2nd time and have experienced limerance too. But I've also been the one people have fallen for and not felt the same back and they've not believed me. That I can assure you is almost as horrible as not having your feelings returned. The worst was turning down a proposal from a guy who was lovely but just not for me.

Sex is not love but I think a lot of people (not just women) confuse the two (I personally think the term 'making love' doesn't help).

Prior to fwb/fuck buddies being a thing I look back now and realise that this was what some of my 'relationships' were and when the situation ran its course I dumped them or they dumped me but there was no big drama because there were no real feelings beyond friendship. Often we stayed friends.

In this case OP I think you should delete all possible ways you can contact him. Then you're less vulnerable to acting in a moment of weakness. I also agree with a pp who said about HE may be going through a shit time too.

There's no such thing as an 'easy' divorce/separation especially if there's kids involved. He may be protecting himself and there's nothing wrong with that!

Also OP I think it would do you good to be completely single for a while, say 6 months. No dates, no sex just take time to know yourself and what you really want. Clear your mind. I get the feeling you're one of those people not completely comfortable with that and it would be good for you to become so. Flowers

fishfingersinmysandwiches · 13/10/2015 19:37

I've already been single for years. No sex for years. In the last six months or so I've been on a few dates but for at least two - three years before that - nada. I've been happy single. Happier than I am now, that's for sure! But before that I was one of those women who was never without a man in her life - not since the age of about 14. The break did me good.

Thanks again everyone. It feels a bit self indulgent obsessing about this - I do have a real life with work and friends and family to lead, honest! But all your replies are helping me and if it wasn't for this thread I would have done something regrettable with regards to contacting him by now.

OP posts:
fishfingersinmysandwiches · 13/10/2015 19:39

Also, I don't want to go on and on to real life friends about it. I'll tell them about it once but then I don't want to be a bore, you know?

So I'm here boring the arse off you lot instead Grin

OP posts:
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