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Relationships

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New relationship question.

23 replies

VeryWetDriveHome · 10/12/2019 22:19

I started seeing someone 4 weeks ago. He is a friend of friends. We had seen each other out and chatted a couple of times previously but nothing more.

I have been single for a while; I don't 'date' and I wasn't looking to meet someone so it was a nice surprise. He has had a couple of flings but nothing serious since his LTR ended a few years ago. He doesn't 'date' either.

I met him on the Friday. He asked of he could take me out over the weekend so we met for lunch on the Sunday and have been on around 9 or 10 dates since. Some of these have been evenings/days out and a couple were overnight where we spent from the middle of the afternoon to the following evening together. No expectation of sex although it has happened. He's quite happy for us to go out with no mention of it or to stay in where it happens but without pressure. We only message to arrange/confirm dates/plans - so no lovebombong or intrusive messages. It's nice. And also messaging would he unnecessary because we see each other every 2-4 days anyway.

We went out at the weekend with a group of mutual friends - we arrived and left together and spent most of the evening together although we both spent time talking to others.

He is lovely and I really like him. Trying really hard not to catch feelings mind! But he is so sweet. He cooks for me; looks after me when we're together; runs me baths...

I'm mid 40s, he is early 50s. Apparently, I am supposed to have a conversation with him at some point to establish the nature of our relationship although I'm told we need to have been dating for around 3 months by this point.

If I'm perfectly honest, I find the idea of spending time and having sex with someone for 3 months before you/they decide if it's a 'relationship' or not to be pretty unpalatable. I'm not 20. I dont have all the time in the world and my time is precious. Neither do I feel that I want to be in a 3 month job interview where I'm permanently auditioning for the role of 'girlfriend' and, I suspect, he would feel similarly.

We are already assuming we will see each other again rather than asking of the other would like to go out next week. And we have made a few loose plans for things we will do over the next month.

I'm seeing him tomorrow and, tbh, I kind of want to know how he sees this; what he thinks of me... I'm ok with him being undecided but someone said to me at the weekend, "oh, so you and X are an item now? Nice one. That's lovely" and I didn't know how to respond! I guess I'd just like to know where I stand. But equally don't want to look am idiot for asking!

Any advice?

OP posts:
WatchOutLurkerAbout · 10/12/2019 22:23

"He is lovely and I really like him."

"We are already assuming we will see each other again rather than asking of the other would like to go out next week. And we have made a few loose plans for things we will do over the next month."

"I kind of want to know how he sees this; what he thinks of me... I'm ok with him being undecided but someone said to me at the weekend, "oh, so you and X are an item now? Nice one. That's lovely" and I didn't know how to respond! I guess I'd just like to know where I stand."

I think I'd pretty much string that into a more coherent sentence and see where he stands. You're being totally reasonable asking, no pressure just this is what I'm thinking id like to know what you're thinking and let's go from there.

Pipandmum · 10/12/2019 22:24

You'll just have to ask him what he thinks. You know how you feel. Just say something like you really like him and would like to become exclusive. See what he says. At worse he'll say he wants to keep things casual and open, at best he'll agree.

Crazypanda85 · 10/12/2019 22:29

It's always hard when you aren't 20 having this discussion!
I would personally just phrase it that you really like where this is heading and that you are enjoying his company .... I think the conversation will take a natural flow with regards to the future.

When I asked my now husband if he was looking for a serious relationship (after dating for 6 months) he answered "yes, of course" my response "what with me?" He's never quite let me live that one down Grin

VeryWetDriveHome · 10/12/2019 22:30

Thanks. I don't think he'd want to keep things casual and open as he isnt 'dating' anyway. But yes I probably just have to bite the bullet and ask!

One of his mates told me at the weekend that he'd said he was really happy he'd met me.

I'm already exclusive. I wouldn't be anything else.

My concern isn't really whether he's seeing anyone else - I'm as confident as anyone can be that he isn't. But I'd like us to be 'boyfriend and girlfriend'; i suppose I'd like to know whether or not we are starting a relationship or whether he just enjoys my company a couple of times a week!

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VeryWetDriveHome · 10/12/2019 22:31

When I asked my now husband if he was looking for a serious relationship (after dating for 6 months) he answered "yes, of course" my response "what with me?"

Tbh that's me too!

If I'm not told something explicitly, I won't just assume it!

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Crazypanda85 · 10/12/2019 22:45

It definitely sounds like all the signs are there he wants the same things as you ! You could always suggest him coming along to something your invited to in the near future and say "but I'm not sure what I'd even introduce you as....."

cue long lingering gaze at him

VeryWetDriveHome · 11/12/2019 04:41

Thanks. I just can't imagine how I'd phrase it!

Or remember why I can't remember having this conversation with anyone before!

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daisychain01 · 11/12/2019 05:11

Could you say something along the lines of "do you see us having a longer term future together?" It's to the point, nicer than asking "are we an item" and shows him you're thinking about the relationship in a more permanent way.

PinkMonkeyBird · 11/12/2019 12:28

I'm in a new relationship and we've just gone with the flow. I think it is good to have some clear boundaries, but not set in stone.

We decided to be exclusive pretty quickly and have acknowledged it is a relationship. That's it for now and I'd say in 6 months time, I'd want to have the 'do we have a more committed future together' conversation.

He said in previous relationships he was always second guessing, but with me it is different and he knows what he wants. We are definitely 'together'. I'm late 40s and he's early 50s - he hadn't had a relationship in a long time and resigned to never meeting anyone. I am a year out of a (shit) LTR and wasn't looking for anyone either. So far we just fit together very well and it all seems natural with no issues.

In your case I'd definitely be honest with him and ask him to confirm if you two are exclusive. From everything you've written it does sound like you both are!

yips · 11/12/2019 12:43

It doesn't take 3 months to decide whether you want to be with someone! With DP that conversation happened after 2 weeks and didn't feel rushed, but he did take the lead - I probably wouldn't have brought it up so soon myself.

MsNobodyHere · 11/12/2019 13:01

DP and I messaged a lot as well as seeing each other so it was easier to have those conversations. Mind, he did the asking as we had just assumed we were in a relationship etc and hadn't stated it outright, it was quite quick, about a month I think. He said we had just assumed and it made me think, he was right. So he asked if I wanted a future with him, which I did. He had also told me before he wanted me in his life permanently so I did know anyway and neither of us are the dating around types either.

It sounds like your new man does like you and is on the same page. I bet you are worrying for nothing and he is probably having the same thoughts!

VeryWetDriveHome · 11/12/2019 17:00

Thanks. Yeah the conversation seems to be something the kids do or when people are multi dating online.

He took me out and introduced me to another group of friends and they seemed to be aware of my existence before I met them.

I'm seeing him tonight so I'll say something then. I just know that I'll relax more once I've spoken to him - whatever he says! At the moment, I just feel very uncertain and don't want to assume in either direction so I'm constantly second guessing what I should say etc.

OP posts:
VeryWetDriveHome · 11/12/2019 17:02

PinkMonkeyBird

I'd be very surprised if he said he was seeing anyone else. It's more that I don't know whether he sees me as his 'girlfriend' or someone he's just 'seeing'. I guess...

OP posts:
VeryWetDriveHome · 11/12/2019 17:02

He might not feel a conversation is necessary!

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mondaypolomint · 11/12/2019 17:46

You never know, he might be waiting for you to say something.

1forAll74 · 11/12/2019 17:57

I can't for the life of me, understand why you need to have such a conversation with this man. It all sounds a bit needy, It seems that all is going well for you both in this relationship.so this is all you should concentrate on.

People of your ages, should surely know about romance and love,and how you feel, without having to ask silly questions,as in, "where do I stand! etc.

Dery · 11/12/2019 18:20

“I can't for the life of me, understand why you need to have such a conversation with this man. It all sounds a bit needy, It seems that all is going well for you both in this relationship.so this is all you should concentrate on.”

This.

Why do you need a label? Sounds like it’s going very well indeed - why not just let it continue to unfold? If someone asks again, perhaps you could just say you’ve been seeing a bit of each other and leave it at that.

Groovinpeanut · 11/12/2019 19:08

"Apparently I am supposed to have a conversation with him"

Is he the one who has said this?

sunnydays78 · 11/12/2019 20:07

I think asking the question is absolutely fine. Not asking could end up with you thinking your heading somewhere but he’s on a different page altogether.

lifeisgoodagain · 11/12/2019 22:20

Very similar position, just feels so right. He's already talking about stuff months away so I know he's serious but unlike you I'm spending hours on the phone because we don't live close.

Katgurl · 11/12/2019 22:34

Hmmm. It sounds like it is going great.

Could you say to him that you've really enjoyed spending time with him so far and it's been so nice and unexpected. Then ask him where would he like to see things going with you two or something like that?

I assume some third party told you to need to not assume he's not dating elsewhere? I would work on this assumption that he isn't but still have a chat about what the future might hold.

VeryWetDriveHome · 12/12/2019 20:02

Katgurl

Thanks. That's probably the sort of thing I should say.

He isn't dating anyone else. He hasn't dated anyone for a few years. It would be a pretty big coincidence for him to meet someone and start dating them at the same time as me!

His closest friends (who are also friends of mine) told me. The other group of friends I met said it was about time he met someone. So unless all these people are lying to me...

OP posts:
VeryWetDriveHome · 12/12/2019 21:14

Is he the one who has said this?

No. It's on every single 'new relationship' thread for a start - that the conversation should happen at some point! 😁

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