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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

Guy I've been seeing gave me this response when we had the talk. Advice?

175 replies

miamichill · 22/07/2020 07:37

So I've been seeing this guy since Feb/March. 33M, 24F. When we first met, he told me that he is looking to settle down and wants something serious. Everything has been great, we get along well. I've met his friends and they apparently really like me. Haven't been able to meet his parents as they live in another state. We've told each other before that we really like each other and he asked me a few weeks ago to clarify that I'm not seeing anyone else. Every time we catch up, he's always like 'it's been a while since we've seen each other' indicating that he would like to see me more. He also says to me sometimes 'I was talking to name, how long have we been seeing each other for again?' He's a med student - he's been busy lately with rotations and studying for an exam in the next few months. I get this, I'm in college as well. We saw each other at the weekend and went to a gathering with his friends. We normally see each other once or twice a week due to our schedules, mainly on the weekends though.
When I left on that Sunday, his texting was a bit short but I knew he had things coming up for the week. He told me that they put a group photo up of everyone in some group, so I asked for him to send it to me and he didn't. I didn't hear from him yesterday.
We've texted about every day since we first met and for the first time yesterday, he didn't text me. I was getting a bit concerned there was something even wrong with him so I called. I asked if everything was okay and he apologised saying he was busy. He kind of went onto saying maybe we have different expectations of how many times we should text each other, which I disagreed. I was just a bit bummed he didn't text as it was out of his character too.

I've been meaning to have the talk with him about 'what we are' and where we see things going. He said that he dates in the hopes of a long term arrangement. He said that he really loves being in my company and said there are things that he sees we could be compatible however then said there are a few things he's not so sure about (he's an overthinker), I asked what and he said 'just to see if we're compatible with boring stuff' that often occurs when you get married. I told him that it's hard for him to make that judgement as we only see each other a few times a week. Which I found a bit strange because when we're doing very mundane things together, he is always saying how great it feels to be with me at that moment. He almost indicated that he can't tell at this stage. It was a bit late when we had this conversation so he almost wanted to get off the phone (I get it, he had to be up at 7). He also implied it's maybe too early to tell. I told him that I felt a bit unhopeful in a way and that his response seemed negative and he said it's not. He then went onto clarify that he really, really likes me.

He texted me afterwards saying 'Good night babe, don't be getting any wrong idea's' with a love heart. I sent him this "You mentioned that the progression of the relationship is contingent on spending more time together. However, we’ve been seeing each other for over 5 months now and I haven’t really seen you take any initiative to increase the time we spend together in which you said you needed to gauge whether we are compatible. If I’m being honest, where I’m at right now, I can’t wait any longer for you to gauge where things are at, particularly as I don’t see you taking the action to do so. I’ve been quite flexible and generous so far but where things are at I don’t see things progressing any further if I don’t see you making an effort"
He responded with "I understand your feelings. I guess I’m not sure exactly where to find the time to do more things with you. I think we could definitely squeeze in more during the week but especially now things are just so busy that it’s hard. I don’t really want to use that an excuse because it doesn’t justify my inattention the last couple of days but to a certain extent, it’s hard to escape. Do you want to talk about things properly this wkend? I think that would be best. I’m really keen on you but obviously, that’s not the only relevant consideration and we probably should clarify with each other how we envisage things going in the next while."

Advice? Where do I go from here? Thoughts in general?

OP posts:
faithMoon · 22/07/2020 07:50

You've been dating a very short time still to take things this seriously . He didn't text for one day and you got worked up - that's going to happen in any relationship !!! There might be days he doesn't text much . You can't expect daily texts . He is seeing you as much as he can given he's a med student and has an exam coming up so what's the issue ? I think you need to back off massively or he'll feel cornered .

OMGISeeTheWayYouShine · 22/07/2020 07:52

I think you're both over-thinking it! Not wanting to be unkind, but I also think your message to him after the phone conversation was too long and intense. Things can so easily misconstrued in writing without the advantages of seeing someone's body language and hearing their tone as they say what they're saying. In your shoes I'd probably play it cool and breezy now and back off a lot but see him at the weekend to chat in person.

cuntryclub · 22/07/2020 07:54

Massive over reaction to him not texting.

AlwaysCheddar · 22/07/2020 07:55

It’s not meant to be for either of you.

Palavah · 22/07/2020 07:56

You need to chill out.

What are you looking for from him that you haven't got?

ItWasNotOK · 22/07/2020 07:57

Five months is nothing and you're at quite different life stages. I'm his age and would have no interest in a 24 year old so I'd be wondering why he does really.

crimsonlake · 22/07/2020 07:59

I agree that text you sent was way too full on after the conversation you just had. If you are not careful you will drive him away if you have not already done so.

tara66 · 22/07/2020 07:59

What? You seem to have him under a microscope.

what?

OnlyToWin · 22/07/2020 08:01

5 months is not really a long period of time. If you enjoy his company and seeing him then just continue to see him without putting pressure on the situation. I think a couple of times a week in the early days is fine. To be fair though he has made it worse by talking about marriage/working out if you are right for him. I feel like these things should develop organically and don’t need endless discussions. I feel like “when you know, you know” is actually true!

JorisBonson · 22/07/2020 08:02

I'd run a mile if I got a massive text like that from someone.

DOINGOURBIT · 22/07/2020 08:04

If I was him, I'd run a mile.

Far, far, far too intense. Do chill out. Your text message to him is way over the top.

user1471462428 · 22/07/2020 08:09

If he’s a medical student you need to brace yourself for being alone a lot of the time. If you want children you will be alone most of the time with them. He will work an extreme amount in the first few year missing birthdays and Christmas. Please don’t think it’s easy being with a doctor in the early days. I’m an ex nurse and I refused to date doctors as the lifestyle isn’t worth it.

Sunshineandflipflops · 22/07/2020 08:10

I've been with my bf almost a year and I only see him 1-2 times a week! But that's what works for us as we're older with jobs/kids/homes in different places. I'd also run a mile if he suggested marriage but again, that's not what we want from our relationship so he wouldn't.

I think you need to have that chat to find out if you're on the same page and apart from establishing that neither of you are seeing others, which I think is important, why don't you just see where things go without forcing it?

KrabbyPatties · 22/07/2020 08:11

I’d dump you for being a pain in the arse
Grin

TooTrueToBeGood · 22/07/2020 08:12

It sounds to me that both of you, in different ways, are far too focused on having your ideal relationship than you are on each other. Whatever though, this is far too much work and emotional gymnastics for a relationship of such short duration. Do you really need the grief, whether he is causing it or you are bringing it on yourself?

Pebblexox · 22/07/2020 08:17

Sorry but I'd bolt if I got a text like after 5 months. He didn't text you for one day and you're now acting as if that means your relationship can't possibly go any further.
It's an overreaction, and I honestly would say you probably aren't compatible together.

gavisconismyfriend · 22/07/2020 08:18

You’ve told him how you feel about the current situation, he’s responded acknowledging your feelings and suggesting talking it through when you see each other. Not sure what the problem is or what more you think he could do before meeting at the weekend and talking? Sounds like life/work is v busy for him, is your life much quieter? If so perhaps that’s why you are investing so intensely and analysing everything so much? Some outside interests/hobbies would give you something else to focus on a bit and help him not to feel suffocated by you - which sounds like it may be a bit of a risk at the moment.

Chitlin · 22/07/2020 08:21

Woah! You didn't really send that text did you?

Fucking hell.

MysteryParcels · 22/07/2020 08:21

What?

Just... what??

There's no thing. Don't make a thing.

also how would you have seen each other during lockdown

sammylady37 · 22/07/2020 08:22

If I were him you wouldn’t see me for dust. You’re way too intense, over the top and your expectations are too much for this stage of dating.

Mydogisthebestest · 22/07/2020 08:23

How have you been seeing each other in lockdown?

miamichill · 22/07/2020 08:23

Thank you. I would say I live a relatively busy life myself and I have a few hobbies. I think I was just genuinely concerned that since he hadn't been onto his Whatsapp (which he is on every day) and not hearing from him, I thought there might be something wrong.

I haven't responded to his last messages and I don't expect anything further at this stage, I will give him a breather and see him this weekend.

OP posts:
miamichill · 22/07/2020 08:23

Yes, we have been seeing each other in lockdown, as where I live, things are back to normal.

OP posts:
Mydogisthebestest · 22/07/2020 08:24

I would dump you for that text. Way too intense.

GameSetMatch · 22/07/2020 08:24

It’s only been five months you need to chill! You are still getting to know each other, if he doesn’t want to text Daily then that’s fine. I think the age gap might be coming in to play a little, I don’t mean this to sound harsh but you sound a little immature in your attitude. People have other things going on in their lives, this guys a med student he’s going to be working hard.

Maybe have the talk after a year/18 months or so don’t worry after just five months.