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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

How could I not see this?

152 replies

Wtfareyou · 25/12/2019 01:57

Hi there,

I am a new poster and looking for some support or words of wisdom as my head is fried from a situation I have found myself in. I'll try to explain as well as I can

I moved to another country on a secondment for a year and am now half way through. I have a great friend who I met through the organisation we both work for, although we dont work directly with one another. He lives in the city where I have been seconded to, and he and his partner have been so hospitable and helpful with my transition here. As it is so far from home he invited me to spend Christmas with his extended family in a much more remote part of the country, a few hours by plane. The is a very beautiful place and it was very kind of him to include me. I am there now.

Now, prior to me even coming to the country my friend (let's call him James) would often mention that he thought his youngest brother (let's call him Jack) and I would be great together, even if just for some fun. We have both been single for a while, mid thirties, quite driven when it comes to our careers and not necessarily looking for a relationship but also not entirely opposed to the idea. He lives in this remote location, and I got to meet him twice a few months ago when he was visiting family in the city I'm based. We had a great night out with James, and had another evening out, after which Jack and I got together. All good, we clearly fancy each other and have a good laugh together. He goes back to his remote town and I don't think too much about it. A week or so later he starts texting me about an international sporting tournament we are both following, and there's lots of banter about this, all good. I quite like him but am wary of getting to invested. Our texts start becoming more frequent and some sexting also starts. Again all good, it's super hot, fun etc. I tell him James has invited me for Christmas and does he mind, check with James too that it's definitely okay with everyone. But yes, all good, of course, more fun.

I really look forward to hearing from him, the texts become more frequently, daily in fact. And we start to talk about more personal things, call each other cute little names. He sends me good night texts. He generally starts the conversations each day, and talks about how excited he is to see me, what he'll be cooking etc. If anything I start feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of communication as I'm busy and have lots to do with work and life. But figure it's better he's so enthusiastic than the other way round since I'm going to a completely new place with all his family We have a couple of tipsy phone calls not long before I'm due to arrive and loads of texts about how excited he is.

James, his partner and some other family aren't arriving until Christmas eve, but I have the time to go a few days early and spend some time seeing the beautiful surrounding area and generally chill out. Jack says that he will pick me up from airport and will take me to see and do all this great stuff. I'm staying in a hotel nearby, and so is James and his partner once they arrive, as there will be other family at Jack's from Christmas eve onwards.

I get there, very excited and kind of nervous. He meets me, we're both a little bashful but start chatting, he takes me to my hotel. We go for some food, few drinks. Enjoy the hotel facilities, chat away for hours. He seems a bit shy for all his sexy texts, but that's all fine. He's fairly blokey and a bit rough round the edges you might say but we have similar views on some things and both work with marginalised groups. We hook up, fall asleep, all good. Though I notice he doesn't like to be close in bed, all fine.

Next morning I'm awake early, he likes his sleep. Once he is waking up we're chatting a bit about the day ahead. I'm horny, after all this time I was hoping for lots of hot sex but he's clearly not up for it, not responding to any advances by me. Ok, maybe not a morning person. We have all these plans so he gets up, heads home to change etc and will pick me up asap, which he does. We're on a long drive, I'm happy enough. Spend the day doing stuff. He seems standoffish, even though he's spending all this time with me and going out to dinner etc. He starts saying I'm slamming the car door a bit hard, and to stop 'staring' at him. I'm just looking at him when I'm talking to him etc in the car. I start feeling quote homesick and a bit vulnerable somehow. Perhaps I become a little quiet, but I'm also enjoying the beautiful scenery as we drive. He starts making comments about me sulking or having no chat, and then when I try to start conversation he'll make a sarcastic comment that shuts down what I'm saying. Or when I respond to something he says or asks he'll say 'I didn't ask for an essay' or 'didn't want your life story'. It's starting to make me feel shit and I feel tearful, wondering how I should act to make things go smoothly. Sometimes I don't quite hear what he says as he speaks quickly or under his breath, or not looking at me, and then gets rolls his eyes when I ask him to repeat himself. When I say oh ok sorry or whatever he then says something like 'oh lighten up I'm just joking, jeez you're hard work' or something like that. He kind of snaps at me once or twice.

I'm feeling awful by this point but he still seems to want to spend all this time, makes plans to watch a movie at his, still no physical touching at all, not even much eye contact. We go back to my hotel for dinner, some wine. After this we are relaxing on my balcony area and I want to figure out what's going on, so I ask him if I've done something wrong, as he seems very different to his text messages and I'm feeling a bit flummoxed by the whole thing. He immediately gets aggressive, says I'm criticising him, he's been a gentleman taking me everywhere spending time with me even opening doors Hmm. When I ask about the whole lack of intimacy he says he 'doesn't do affection or feelings' that what you see is what you get with him. That he doesn't do relationships because it's always this sort of shit with women. I say it's important to communicate about whatever is going on, and I'm not criticising I'm trying to understand him and where he's at, and Im just asking for the same consideration. He completely shuts me down, says nope, not happening. I even get visibly upset trying to explain how I feel, and being homesick and vulnerable as my dad isn't well etc. About which he was so sweet and kind in messages before I came. He won't have any of it. Says he does listen what more do I want. This is all very aggressively said all whole refusing to even look at me. I'm flabbergasted. Manage to start talking about something else. To be honest I want to bolt, but am essentially trapped in this remote area with him as my only transport. I figure it's best to try and carry on as normal as I actually feel a bit afraid of him. Also my friend arrives in a couple of days and I don't want to create any drama or be labelled difficult.

We carry on the night as if nothing happened. I even sleep with him again though it feels as if it's to keep the peace or something. I hope that maybe tomorrow will be a bit better, but know it won't. Odd thing is he is still making all these plans and I'm not away from him for more than an hour, when he goes home to feed the dog and change before another day trip. Why not just leave me to it? I also feel I can't ask to have some time along as that will be seen as being precious or moody or ungrateful, and I'll be punished somehow. Which is definitely what it feels like for trying to have an open honest conversation.

Maybe I should mention I'm well educated and speak and dress fairly nicely I suppose, unlike him perhaps. I couldn't care less what someone's background is, just whether they are a good person. There have been a few words I've used he has not understood and immediately just calls me posh and takes the piss etc.

So as you can imagine the next day was worse still. Everything I said he shit down or took the piss out, all u derived the guise of joking around. And when I went quiet or said something about the weather or being tired or whatever he would say 'oh is that you whinging again'. Yet won't leave to be on my own. Honestly, it's so exhausting and upsetting. I've never experienced behaviour like this before. I could go on with the rest but right now I'm just so shocked and sad.

Because the rest of the family has arrived I'm finally now on my own in the hotel for a bit so can regroup a bit.

Please can someone help me figure or what the hell is happening? Or just some kind words of support from someone who understands this?

OP posts:
Thelnebriati · 25/12/2019 15:11

''my friend (let's call him James) would often mention that he thought his youngest brother (let's call him Jack) and I would be great together, even if just for some fun.''

There's your answer. Your 'friend' at work is a misogynist, he set you up with his brother. He will say it was 'just a bit of fun'.
It looks like part of their 'fun' was convincing you there was a relationship.

Wtfareyou · 25/12/2019 16:17

I must say my friend is a good man. Intelligent, kind and sensitive, much like his partner. But after being around his family I honestly think he has a major blind spot as the one gay brother. He dealt with a lot of shit coming out when he was young, and I think he's just glad to be accepted and understood now by his family. The other men dominate the conversation. Their mum doesn't have much to contribute or certainly isn't really given any real credence. The two oldest children of another (also brutish) brother are girls, and he gets them to do everything in terms of looking after the two younger boys etc. I'm not sure James can truly see he has been conditioned to accept his place. I think his partner does though.

I'm back at the hotel now. Finally. Did my best to avoid almost any conversation or eye contact with Jack, shut him out for the most part. Came back with James and his partner... Jack and I didn't even look at or acknowledge each other as we left. I can't believe this is normal?!

Oh...and then I get a text message a few minutes later asking me to let him know I got back safe. What the actual fuck? Xmas Hmm

I'm going back to Perth btw

OP posts:
Newmumma83 · 25/12/2019 16:29

Just tell James jack is not for you
Tell jack the same when back in Perth if he Doesn’t realise he has cocked up.

I think he felt he was punching above his weight with you and compensated by trying to knock you down ( dick head move guy is not a keeper )

RandomMess · 25/12/2019 16:30

Thank goodness you are escaping tomorrow!!!!

Pinkbonbon · 25/12/2019 16:36

Pft, delete and block. He's cottoned on that you are happy to be bolting and his ego can't take it.

PicsInRed · 25/12/2019 16:55

Another one not the least bit shocked this was Australia.

James isn't that nice. He served you up on a platter to his brother, knowing full well what these guys are like - from his own experience and from how he has seen his own mother and female family members (and likely female schoolfriends etc) treated. He knew all this and still allowed you to travel out into the outback to be at this gus mercy. I would guess he was trying to find favour with his brother by finding him a woman. You and your welfare were irrelevant to the equation. Not nice, not a nice guy.

Are you sure Jane's isn't sending some of those texts - the nicer seeming ones?

heartyrebel · 25/12/2019 18:20

The only nice Australian men I've met were from Tasmania Grin.

JustASmallTownCurl · 25/12/2019 18:46

@heartyrebel

The only nice Australian men I've met were from Tasmania

That is SO weird! I was literally about to say the same thing. Mine had a name that began with R. And he was GLORIOUS. Still a friend (across the globe obviously) now after dating a good five years ago and probably one of the nicest people I've ever met.

GoodDogBellaBoo · 25/12/2019 18:59

I thought straight away that you must be in Australia..

heartyrebel · 25/12/2019 19:05

It reminded me of MAFS Australia 2019 where heidi was talking about her tough upbringing and Mike says "I'm not your therapist" Hmm

Lucky escape OP.

deepwatersolo · 25/12/2019 19:19

When I first read the thread I could have bet you were talking about some place in the Alps. Nice scenery, and tone deaf, self centered god awful men - sounded like my experience when growing up. Then OP mentioned swim suits and it clicked: She must be in Crocodile Dundee's part of Australia! Wink

Yahboosnubsme · 25/12/2019 19:22

You poor thing, it's definitely not you. I'm glad to hear you have a plan to get away from this horrible man.

Prettyvase · 25/12/2019 19:57

Also thought it was remote Ozzy man syndrome, my experience of ill educated insecure toxic man toddlers who swagger and put women down to make themselves feel better, usually totally misogynist and racist to boot.

Ha! You would have intimidated him op, especially if you are well educated, have a wide vocabulary and a good job!

AllyBamma · 25/12/2019 22:20

Welcome back to Perth OP (I’m here too!), I hope your Boxing Day is much more pleasant.

Oh, and he’s texted you because he wants the record to reflect that he’s a ‘nice guy’, making you look like the irrational one for leaving and not replying. It’s all a game, don’t play into it.

BumbleBeee69 · 25/12/2019 22:34

Christ OP, you sound like an amazing woman and I am so glad to read you have managed to get an earlier flight out of there my lovely.. reading that original post I could feel my anxiety levels increasing for you... I'm in Scotland and I believe you are 12 hours ahead, so I hope you are already on your flight ... good luck

NoMoreCricketDartsOrFootball · 25/12/2019 23:05

Yes people let’s label all 11 million or so Australian men as misogynistic man-babies....

I must be weird, having met numerous decent ones during my 43 years living here Hmm

Funny how the most misogynistic, emotionally crippled men I’ve ever dated have been the English ones...

Sorry to derail but seriously people!!

finnmcool · 25/12/2019 23:08

No more cricket, the impression I have from this thread, is people talking about their personal experiences, just like you did.

finnmcool · 25/12/2019 23:09

*Nomorecricket

bottlenose301 · 25/12/2019 23:18

Wow just read all this. Glad you're away from him and never have to see him again. He sounds awful.

Ohyesiam · 25/12/2019 23:21

Op, I find myself feeling very motherly and protective towards you. I want to know when you are easterly outta there!
Chalk it up to experience, you will certainly have learned loads.

HollowTalk · 25/12/2019 23:37

I think your ally is going to be James' partner. I hope you post back tomorrow to say you're getting on the plane. We are all rooting for you!

LittleWing80 · 25/12/2019 23:44

Dont tell them you’re leaving until you are at the airport or even better on the plane. Let us know you’re safe and out of there tomorrow please!

Fefifofaff · 26/12/2019 01:15

Did you get out ok OP? Awful situation.

AllyBamma · 26/12/2019 01:51

No more cricket, the impression I have from this thread, is people talking about their personal experiences, just like you did.

Thank you for that @finnmcool I believe everyone has overstated that our negative Aussie man encounters are from our personal experiences Hmm

Ritascornershop · 26/12/2019 02:15

He sounds astoundingly like my exh (who is from a city in southern England). Exh and I had a long distance relationship for years and he was lovely in letters, fine in holiday visits, fucking nightmare within days of being married. Also wouldn’t look me in the eye when speaking to me, called me a baby and pathetic if I cried when he was being an utter bastard, etc.

It’s not you, it is most definitely him. Sorry it was such a disappointment and wrecked your Christmas. You’ll be back in your own space soon to recuperate.

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