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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

Why can I not just attract a nice normal guy!

24 replies

Winterwonderland10 · 08/01/2020 13:10

I've been single 3 years. Ex was abusive and ended up in a refuge. Worked on myself alot in these past 3 years and I have good self respect and alot better confidence. I just seem to attract idiot though. The last guy I dated I had to call the police for harassment. The one before that had numerous issues. Guys I've just texted have got in a mood if I don't reply quick enough.

Yesterday a guy messaged me who I went to school with. Haven't seen him in about 10 years. We have just been chatting and he is asking me questions already such as what are you looking for? What's your type of guy? Saying he hates being single and loves being in a relationship. I mean he is being too much! He's just come out of a 8 year relationship and is coming across needy and desperate.
Why do I attract these men!!!? Where are the nice normal ones. I would say I'm just a normal women who's a single parent. Do these men think I'm an easy target and think in desperate for a man. Because I'm really not, I'll happily hold out for a decent guy.

OP posts:
12345kbm · 08/01/2020 13:45

Have you done the freedom programme or any kind of counselling for people who have been in abusive relationships?

Do you know about the 'shark cage'?

Have you done any work on boundaries, spotting red flags etc?

Other women do attract these types, it's just that they spot the red flags early and don't let them through their 'shark cage'. They listen out for red flags such as talk about 'psycho exes', calling women demeaning names, inflexible gender stereotypes about men being head of the household etc

They take their time getting to know people, everyone, not just future boyfriends, one step forward and two back if there are red flags. They dump and block quickly and don't give second chances.

Perhaps you should keep away from men for a while and do some work on yourself. Just remember, it's not you, they are not attracted to you specifically, they are like vermin looking for a way in somewhere, anywhere.

Aquamarine1029 · 08/01/2020 13:51

Do you think it's possible that you are ignoring your instincts and immediate red flags with these men? You then involve yourself with them only to discover your first ignored impression was correct?

YasssKween · 08/01/2020 13:56

Do you think it's possible that you are ignoring your instincts and immediate red flags with these men? You then involve yourself with them only to discover your first ignored impression was correct?

I think this is really likely OP.

Have you stopped messaging the current one who is too intense for example? Or are you letting it rumble on even though you're uncomfortable?

Learning to allow yourself to be the one who stops things is so important.

Too often we forget that having, and sticking to, our personal boundaries is not rude. It's healthy and important.

We are taught to be nice and not make things awkward. Continuing to speak to people who don't make us comfortable isnt nice to anyone involved and also makes things more awkward in the long run.

Practice saying no / disengaging.

Thanks
Winterwonderland10 · 08/01/2020 16:40

Have done the freedom programme but begun a programme while in the refuge. Didn't finish it though as I moved out. I've read various book on abusive. I know the cycle. I know the tactics. I've done in depth research about these type of men because I want to avoid at all costs. I am so much quicker and better at spotting them. I've blocked a couple of guys who made things awkward if I didn't reply quickly.

However with the guy who harassed me I had an instinct about him. I finished it after the 3rd date but my mum got in my ear and said to give him a chance giving up on him early. Now my sister is telling me to go with the flow this other guy and get to know him. It seems my family make me feel maybe i am being unreasonable even though my instincts tell me otherwise. Then I have doubt that maybe I should give them a chance. I've told them I've blocked guys and the reasons and they laugh and say I'm being ridiculous.

I haven't heard of the shark cage? What's that?
I have messaged this other guy back I asked back what he looks f0r in a person. His answer "funny and bendy". I won't be replying anymore

OP posts:
TomPinch · 08/01/2020 17:08

Do you think it's possible that you are attracting nice guys but haven't noticed? Or, alternatively, you are putting them off in some way? It stands to reason that one or the other must be happening.

I remember reading somewhere that people who have been in abusive relationships can give off signals that deter others- except abusers who ignore them. I not know if that's accurate though.

12345kbm · 08/01/2020 17:08

It sounds like you're doing well and your instincts are spot on. It's very easy to think it's just me but it's not. Lots of women get into abusive and dysfunctional relationships and there's nothing wrong with you. Abuse is always the fault of the abuser.

It sounds like your family of origin may be responsible for you second guessing yourself, don't. Perhaps think about therapy to look at that and 'unpack' it. Trust yourself. You are responsible for your own safety, stop justifying yourself or explaining.

The Shark Cage is a domestic abuse tool developed by psychologist
Ursula Benstead to empower women who find themselves in repeated relationships with domestic/family violence perpetrators.

According to Benstead, the world is a big beautiful ocean filled with lots of harmless friendly fish, as well as dangerous predators. To survive in this ocean, you need a good Shark Cage. People aren’t born with Shark Cages – we build them with the help of the people around us when we are young – our caregivers and everyone we come into contact with during childhood contribute to the quality of our Shark Cage.

If we are taught through words and actions that it’s not acceptable for people to shout at us or call us names, that’s one bar in the Shark Cage. If we are taught it’s not acceptable for people to hit us, that’s another bar. If we are taught it’s not acceptable for people to touch us in ways that make us uncomfortable that’s another bar. When all the bars are in place, sharks bang up against them and find it hard to get close enough to bite.

Think about going back and completing the Freedom Programme and well done for getting out of your abusive relationship. This man sounds as though he's fishing around, looking for easy prey, he's probably contacted lots of women. Just block and ignore.

MattGuy23 · 08/01/2020 17:19

Most 'nice' guys are less attractive/arrogant. Most good-looking/successful guys know it and are, therefore, arrogant and conceited. They are also used to getting what they want. The problem is that being super confident and good-looking is attractive to most women - and most men.

There are obviously exceptions to the rule, but this holds the vast majority of the time.

ohwheniknow · 08/01/2020 17:20

So maybe the next step in your recovery is having confidence in your instincts and ignoring your family who are evidently less well informed and dangerously incapable of spotting warning signs (based on encouraging you to resume things with someone you later had to call the police about).

I would stop telling them the details since they're undermining your confidence. You'd think by now they might have learnt their assessment skills are crap but yours are very accurate!

ohwheniknow · 08/01/2020 17:22

You can do the Freedom Programme more than once, if you think it would be helpful.

Winterwonderland10 · 08/01/2020 18:16

@TomPinch yes i thought that i could be attracting nice guys but havent noticed or giving off bad signals. I think my defensives are so high because of whats happened in the past 5 years. Not only my abusive ex but the dating and men i have attracted in those years have really damaged me. I know i dont let my guard down and i think i can come across as unapproachable and an ice queen. Its automatic now though, i really don't know how to stop it.

thanks @12345kbm i know the reason behind this is my family. Its toxic and dysfunctional. My parents relationship was and is still abusive. So i grew up thinking that was normal until i had my DS and begun questioning. I have been in and out of counselling the past 3 years and im currently back in to get to the root. I've only just begun again and start again next week after the christmas break. The shark cage is a really good thought.

@MattGuy23 i do have a type and it is normally the arrogant best looking guy in the room. I think its because i'm shy i like them to make the conversation. I totally agree with you however that most not all are arseholes.

@ohwheniknow i've stopped telling my mum now, think i will begin to stop telling my sister. Their views on relationships arent the best.

OP posts:
TobyHouseMan · 08/01/2020 18:51

Change how you choose your men. Are you choosing them because of certain physical traits you like, such as big arms, flat chest etc? Maybe try a few dates with men you would normally pass over and see what happens?

My personal experience with women is the more attractive they are the more likely you are to have problems, and I suspect the same is true for men.

Peanutbuttermouth · 08/01/2020 19:20

It sounds like you're doing really well tbh. You got yourself and your ds out of an abusive relationship, called the police on the guy who harassed you, and are able to identify what makes you uncomfortable with the other guys. You are way ahead of many women, especially given your family background. Well done, keep trusting your instincts, protecting yourself and your ds, and ignoring your family's opinions. Eventually a good man will come along and you will recognise him. The unfortunate truth is that there are many arseholes out there. They're everywhere. So I really do think you're doing just fine.

ScreamingLadySutch · 08/01/2020 19:24

This is a free public service announcement

(no finger pointing: I am drawn to intelligent, complicated men. Its why I stay single)

www.chumplady.com/?s=fix+your+picker+

user1497207191 · 08/01/2020 19:24

Where do you "find" these men? Similar "types" of men will do similar things and go to similar places. If you're always looking in the same place, it's no surprise you end up with the same kind of men.

Winterwonderland10 · 08/01/2020 20:59

@TobyHouseMan yes i normally go for a big muscular alpha type guy. I don't know why i'm just attracted to this.

@Peanutbuttermouth thank you. I've worked so hard to spot the red flags and it has become so much easier. Years ago i would have ignored so many.

@user1497207191 most have been through social media or OLD. One through work. Its hard to get out and about as im a single parent. I would like to meet people face to face but its harder now

OP posts:
Winterwonderland10 · 08/01/2020 22:03

Ugh the guy from my school has messaged me again even though I didn't reply to his last message. He said "how do you not looked no different after all these years, you haven't aged and it's annoyed me". So he's been looking through my pics and I feel like her negging me into reply to him. He is going to be blocked!

OP posts:
Closetbeanmuncher · 08/01/2020 22:11

i do have a type and it is normally the arrogant best looking guy in the room

And there in lies the problem.

Closetbeanmuncher · 08/01/2020 22:14

I think it's a good idea to block him, the funny and bendy bit especially made me a bit nauseous.

Overall I think refine your type to align with your long term life goals and you will see a different outcome.

Winterwonderland10 · 08/01/2020 22:20

Closet yes i know, i'm trying to change this though. I have now blocked him on all social media. He's trying to be sexual already and its been 1 day. Not a good sign. Also dont like he said i annoyed him, no laughing face no lol. I can see he would not make a good boyfriend at all!

OP posts:
Closetbeanmuncher · 08/01/2020 22:48

He's trying to be sexual already and its been 1 day

"Taxi" 😂

Winterwonderland10 · 09/01/2020 07:13

😂 yes exactly. This guy had no clue how to talk to a woman

OP posts:
rowrowrowyaboat · 09/01/2020 08:15

Finding a nice normal guy these days is like finding a needle in a haystack these days. Sounds like your doing all the right things to me, keep your boundaries high and block/delete as soon as you feel your instincts kick in. The dating scene is difficult (more so as a single parent ime) and unless youv done it you dont really get it. Best of luck op x

BraveGoldie · 09/01/2020 12:12

Sounds like you are doing great OP - building your self awareness and awareness of these guys all the time and redefining your boundaries to be much safer. When you are doing that you naturally look for a bit of validation, and unfortunately it sounds like your family provide the opposite. Stick to it - you are doing really well.

I love the idea of the shark cage.... I hope I am giving my daughter all the right bars, but I am going to think about that consciously from now on....

Winterwonderland10 · 09/01/2020 21:11

row it certainly is finding a needle in a haystack. It's so difficult. I refuse to be the person I was in my early 20s. And now I know what I want and deserve.

Thank you @bravegoldie yes that's it a bit of validation would be nice but they don't see it like I do. They never have. So I'm not sharing with them and going to go with what feels right.

So where abouts are good places to meet nice normal guys?

OP posts:
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