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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

Did I really do something wrong or have I just dodged a huge bullet?

35 replies

orangelucozade · 30/04/2020 23:04

Met a man on POF around a month ago. We have been speaking on WhatsApp and over the phone since then but have been unable to meet due to the current situation. We've been getting on really well and seem to share a lot of the same interests. The plan is/was to meet once lockdown is over and maybe go for a drink or bite to eat.

We chat often but not 24/7 which suits me as I'm still working full time. He's furloughed but at home with his son so we're both understandably busy and aren't our phones constantly. All fine (well I thought it was). We were chatting via WhatsApp on Sunday night about previous relationships and what we were both hoping to get out of dating. I asked, what I thought was a reasonable question, whether he was looking for a relationship or just sex. He explained he was looking for a relationship which was great news as that's exactly what I was looking for (I've had enough flings in my time).

The only reason I asked that question was because a lot of men and women use these dating websites now as a way to find something casual and I've learnt from past experiences to just check and make sure I'm on the same page as the other person. I really didn't see any harm in asking but it seems he's taken offence. After our chat I texted him to say good night, off to bed etc. He didn't respond until Monday afternoon asking me how my day was, all seemed fine at this point. Unfortunately on Monday night I came down with a really awful stomach bug. Had Tuesday and Wednesday off work but managed to drag myself in today but I've literally been in bed for the last 2-3 days. He texted me last night asking why I was avoiding him, I replied, apologised and explained I hadn't been very well but was feeling a bit better. He said he thought it was "weird" that I hadn't replied to him after asking that "funny question". Confused

I did point out that I had in fact spoken to him since then (texted to say goodnight on Sunday) and that he didn't respond until a day later. He said he thought it was strange that I would ask a question like that and then not speak to him for a couple of days Hmm. Again, I explained I hadn't been very well, had pretty much been bed bound and that I wasn't purposely ignoring him, I just couldn't bloody think straight. The fact I asked that question and then didn't reply for a few days was honestly just a coincidence. As mentioned above, we don't speak 24/7 so I really didn't see an issue going a couple of days without contact.
I've texted tonight to try and smooth things over, said "I do still really like you, hope we can still meet once this is all over and get to know each other a bit more). He's replied, again stating that he feels I purposely ignored him Hmm.

I've tried to meet him half way and I have explained time and time again I've been unwell. He's not once even asked me how I'm feeling which I think highlights how much of a nob he is. He just seems very paranoid and hell bent on having an argument. I don't need the stress, especially from someone I've only known for a month. I'm just wondering though, have I been reasonable, unreasonable, should have I done something differently, sent a quick message to say I wasn't well etc?? Or have I thankfully dodged a bullet? Blush

OP posts:
browzingss · 30/04/2020 23:06

Sack him off

Triglesoffy · 30/04/2020 23:07

You’ve dodged a bullet and a gaslighter.

Buggedandconfused · 30/04/2020 23:08

Dodged a bullet! He’s testing your boundaries OP. He’s not a keeper!

Eslteacher06 · 30/04/2020 23:09

Too much like hard work at this early stage.

FlaskMaster · 30/04/2020 23:10

It's unlikely you were suddenly so ill you couldn't even text, so he's hurt you chose not to. Whatever the problem is, it's not a good sign that you're having a barney before you've even met.

yesterdaystotalsteps123 · 30/04/2020 23:11

Dodged a bullet. Personally I wouldn't email anyone from POF right now as you could get far too involved and project all sorts of things on to him that aren't real. POF is s cesspit of married men at the best of times but you won't be able to weed them out yet

Babooshkar · 30/04/2020 23:11

Why don’t you just have a call instead of endless instant messaging.. Surely makes it easier not to misconstrue on either side 🤷🏻‍♀️

JKScot4 · 30/04/2020 23:12

I have explained time and time again
Why? some arsehole you’ve never met.

BlessYourCottonSocks · 30/04/2020 23:13

Bullet well and truly dodged. It's all about him, isn't it? And you've not even met yet. He's making no attempt to hide his more unattractive traits. Fuck that. Don't contact him again. Why the fuck would you explain anything time and time again to anyone?

AWaspOnAWindowReturns · 30/04/2020 23:14

Get rid. The fact you're giving it enough headspace to be on here asking for opinions, says it all. You've never met the bloke, he doesn't deserve so much thought.

IGottaGetOuttaThisPlace · 30/04/2020 23:14

He was after sex. Bullet dodged.

orangelucozade · 30/04/2020 23:15

Thank you ladies, you have made me see sense. His number has now been blocked, good riddance!

@FlaskMaster I suspect this is what he thinks but I have honestly been really unwell. It's not often that I get ill but one second I felt fine, the next my head was down the toilet Sad

@Babooshkar well I suppose it's because I'm still working and he has his son so we just send each other small messages during the day. His son also doesn't go to bed until 10-11pm and most of the time I'm asleep by 9 Grin

OP posts:
Eslteacher06 · 30/04/2020 23:18

Not going to bed til 10-11? How old is the kid?

(Missing the point? Lol)

PlanDeRaccordement · 30/04/2020 23:18

I don’t think either of you have done anything wrong. You are victims of the limits and common pitfalls of communicating by text/message.
I generally leave serious questions for face to face because then you can communicate tone and context, not just bald words which can so easily be mistaken.

Russellbrandshair · 30/04/2020 23:23

Dodged a HUGE bullet! WTF is his problem? He sounds like a whiny petulant baby. You have EVERY right to find out what he’s after because there is no point investing time and energy in someone if you both want different things. It’s not a weird question at all- it’s sensible. Plus the questioning you when you’ve been ill raises lots of red flags to me- he sounds controlling and short tempered and paranoid. A very concerning combination. Good riddance!

TheMistressQuickly · 30/04/2020 23:24

You’ve done the right thing. I spent/wasted 18 months with a man child who would pout if I didn’t respond or answer the way he wanted. Yet he could ignore me for days if it suited. He was hard work and what you’ve said about this man reminds me of him! Avoid!!!

orangelucozade · 30/04/2020 23:25

@Eslteacher06 haha! His son is 10 but I guess with school closed it's easy to screw his sleeping pattern up...

@PlanDeRaccordement - good point, I didn't think of it like that but your right. Might be good to ask those questions face to face from now on. I just honestly thought it would prevent us from wasting each other's time if we both knew what we wanted.

OP posts:
browzingss · 30/04/2020 23:27

I’m not sure why that question got his back up anyway, dating is so much easier if everyone is upfront with what they want. It’s not weird at all.

Mintychoc1 · 30/04/2020 23:29

He’s overreacting but I think you could have texted him rather than just ignoring him for 2 days. You can’t have been that ill.

ShambalaHambala · 30/04/2020 23:30

He sounds intense considering you've only been talking for a month and haven't even met. I've been seeing my guy for longer than this. We've only met a handful of times. We didn't talk for 48 hours and when I text him to say 'sorry haven't been in touch, toddler is hard work atm' he literally just replied with 'hey, no worries' - that's the rational response. Not 'why are you avoiding me' - big red flag!

Mallomarsh · 30/04/2020 23:31

It got his back up because he was probably only looking for affirmation and sex. Why men can't just be honest I'll never know.
Well done for blocking. What a cock!

orangelucozade · 30/04/2020 23:32

@Mintychoc1 I don't know what that means. I was very ill Confused I'm not sure why I would exaggerate about that lol. I'm still not 100% now but had to drag myself into work today because there isn't anyone else on my team working right now.

OP posts:
orangelucozade · 30/04/2020 23:33

Thanks ladies! I'm glad to see that I haven't been unreasonable Smile dating is bloody hard work!

OP posts:
Mallomarsh · 30/04/2020 23:37

Just remember if it doesn't feel right it isn't right.
I met so many wankers doing online dating. I took a break for ages and only went back when I knew I wouldn't take any crap. I began to go on dates with nice men (not idiots) but no chemistry but then I met the one who was lovely and lots of chemistry.
The difference was I stopped allowing unacceptable behaviour. At first I felt like I was being difficult....it's not it's having respect and correct expectations for yourself which you deserve.
Good luck Flowers

Oct18mummy · 30/04/2020 23:37

He is so needy! You’ve dodged a massive bullet

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