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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

Unwanted attention WWYD

18 replies

Pocketcalculator · 13/11/2018 10:34

After I left my ex-P I contacted a few friends I share a hobby with to let them know why I'm not around anymore. I had to move out of the area, so will no longer see them. One of them is male and in his late 60s, we would often have chats about common interests. He has been emailing me to ask how I am since the split (quite traumatic) but I'm not very happy with the undertone of his emails. They have become a bit over familar and gushy towards me. I'd updated him on my impending move (don't worry I haven't given an address) and to let him know I was doing ok. His last email worried me as he said "I'm signing off now, but could talk to you all night". I feel a bit creeped out by it: a) he could be my bloody father as he's in that age bracket. I'm really not into older men at all and b) he is married!

I don't want to be nasty, but I want to gently say 'back off' please. Any ideas or shall I just keep any further emails far and few between with simple updates? WWYD? I really could do without this!

OP posts:
GreenandBlueButterfly · 13/11/2018 10:46

Stop answering any messages?

Ragwort · 13/11/2018 10:49

You’ve moved away & won’t be seeing him anymore at your joint hobby so just stop replying.

SpoonBlender · 13/11/2018 11:02

Don't ghost him, that's twatty. Woman up and tell him that you're not looking for a relationship, or if you're brave enough tell him directly not to flirt with you because he's married and old enough to be your father.

Kennycalmit · 13/11/2018 11:08

Just tell him to stop?

Aquamarine1029 · 13/11/2018 18:00

Tell him to stop and then don't respond again. Block him if necessary.

Adora10 · 13/11/2018 18:04

Really easy, just ignore the old creep.

cowfacemonkey · 13/11/2018 18:05

I don’t thinking ghosting a man who’s married and sending inappropriate messages is twatty. The onus is on him not to be a creepy twat.

I would probably just not reply but then I’ve just had a creepy message from a past male friend. I agonised over the best response but finally settled on ignoring and have no intention of having any further contact. Not my job to teach him how to behave towards women

Butterfly44 · 13/11/2018 19:31

I have one of these!! Not moved away...same street ....but he will say comments. I tend to ignore or laugh it off and change subject.
Mine is very Benny Hill behaviour ...I just think it's his era. I'm not worried he'll do anything or try and creep into my house or anything! He's harmless. I'm sure he does it with others. He just happens to know you are single and in his mind he's not 60! Probably enjoying being "the ear" to a younger pretty lady! And married....I would bet if you ever asked he'd say like brother and sister Grin

Honeyroar · 13/11/2018 19:43

Start talking about how you've met someone else you fancy at work?Or mention how great it is to have a good platonic friendship?

When I met my husband one of my male friends sent me a text saying he was sorry I'd met someone and had been hoping I'd go out with him. It was a bit awkward. I sent him a text saying I thought of him as a really good friend, but nothing else, and hoped we could continue as friends without awkwardness. It was never mentioned again by either of us and we remain friends 15 years on. He's probably closer to my husband than me now.

sheet82 · 13/11/2018 19:44

Oh god just ignore the idiot.

fannyanddick · 13/11/2018 21:36

Could you reply -
Not sure what you meant by 'could talk all night' and 'xyz' but just to be clear I appreciate your support as a friend. I am focusing on myself at the moment and not interested in any flirtations or relationships. Apologies if I have got the wrong end of the stick but just wanted to lay my cards straight.

Blunt but clear!

HereIgoagainxx · 13/11/2018 21:39

Geez, what an absolute creep.

Just ignore and block. He's likely the sort that would get off on a reply from a younger woman - even if it was an insult.

merville · 13/11/2018 22:42

Don't bother with the big speech - might be counterproductive. Just drop out if contact or, if you're feeling mischievous, say everyone at your hobby had been so supportive, you could never have gotten over things and moved on to meet a lovely new boyfriend far faster than you'd ever imagined.

merville · 13/11/2018 22:44

You don't know if itll work out but long term married people like him are an inspiration.

PolytheneSam · 14/11/2018 07:58

"I'm sorry I'm not interested"

Cawfee · 14/11/2018 08:51

Just don’t answer. No need to make mountains out of it

Pocketcalculator · 14/11/2018 13:38

Thanks all who have replied. I don't want to ghost or block him as that would be unkind. I think Butterfly44 has hit the nail on the head, he's an older man who is clearly flattering himself. I had another email from him today just asking how I am and to tell me about something hobby related. I replied very briefly saying work was extremely busy etc, to thank him for being supportive and I hoped everyone (the group) is doing ok. It was very straightforward and not open to interpretation. I will just leave it now and if he does come back with anything else untoward, I will outright pull him up on it.

OP posts:
pallasathena · 14/11/2018 22:15

Stop being so nice and adopt a different, assertive, 21st Century feminist approach. You need to find your inner warrior and stop all this people pleasing crap.
Really....it gets you nowhere these days to be so bloody accepting. And anyway, what's the worse that can happen? He doesn't like you anymore?
So what OP!!

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