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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

Red flags? New man

192 replies

whoknew1 · 19/10/2020 18:48

OK, it will be a long one, so thanks for reading and responding.
After 5 years of being divorced and (mostly) single, I finally met a guy I like, who seemed normal, down to earth and I was thinking it might actually go somewhere. I was attracted to him, we did not rush things and only DTD on date 6/7.
But rather unsure about him and it all atm.
We’ve been dating for ca 2 months, met 7 times, mostly pubs, dinners, walks etc and eventually went for a weekend away. I generally I enjoyed being there, spending time together and chatting to him... but after nearly 2 days together I just couldn’t wait for him to go home.

I don't know what to do tbf because he seems really into me and is already planning to meet me/go away again but I think (fear) for me it's not gonna work. But I feel bad for saying anything and hurting him, as he is definitely not a bad type and seems rather soft. So here is why...

-He seems really preoccupied with his interests and not really into finding out a lot about me. So he would talk quite a lot about his various passions, but does not really ask me about mine. He did ask a bit about foods I like and some relationships views, and he does listen sorta carefully when I am talking about my stuff, but I had an impression he did it more out of politeness than genuine interest.

-Food. He eats a lot and talks about food a lot, too. Which I initially liked as I thought at least I can enjoy food around him but now I see why he is slightly overweight. It's all pubs or take aways or shop bought ready stuff what he eats, and it’s lots of food, like really lots… even for me, and I am chubby myself and can eat a lot! He admitted he started using food as a bit of a comfort for himself after spitting with an ex, but that was last year, he lost some weight since then. It is an issue for me as I struggle with weight myself and have been making bad food choices when around him, even though I planned to lose some weight by Christmas after losing over 3 stones in the last months.

On Sunday I haven't even recovered after eating full English brekkie and 2-3 hrs later he was talking about lunch already. We went on a walk in the country park in the meantime and he seemed more tired than me, he eventually went to the loo and confessed when he left that he had done no. 2 and feels so much lighter and better now. In my head I was like wtf. That is stuff for stable relationships, no?

  • Sex. A bit selfish. Sorry for tmi but I will just say it.
Lots of kissing from date 2 but then, when we had sex on this weekend away, it was a bit disappointing. He came 2x but I haven't come even once. In the morning when we had sex 2nd time, I suggested changing positions from missionary to doggy (which I like) but he didn't want it as it was 'too early' and I think he ‘didn't have enough energy’. No oral for me. I gave him 2 bjs as for me it's a natural part of sex. He didn't even attempt returning it. We didn't use condoms... I know. I asked him if he bought them and he said yes but then when I asked him to wear it, he said he doesn't need it 'yet'. But then he never put it on and later explained it sort of 'spoils the moment'. And he came in me once . I feel bad about it, I should have demanded it but I was a bit drunk and just got on with it. Almost no proper foreplay or kissing below my neck. Some stroking but he didn't kiss or touch my breasts, he didn't grab or squeeze my bum, just very very basic stuff seemed to be missing and it was just not enough for what I like. I need to add that I never had an issue with sex with anyone before, I was lucky to always enjoy it with previous partners and I don’t think I am hard to please in bed.
  • Money
He doesn't pay money for his daughter, he just gives her pocket money every week and gives his sister, who is the main carer, some money extra every now and then for extra clothing etc but not regular maintenance. He said sister gets child benefit and tax credits for her. His daughter’s mum is not involved in her bringing up so she lives with his sis, while he lives in London in houseshare. This is weird for me, that he does not pay money for her and is not a main carer either… but I appreciate that sometimes these things are complicated, so trying not to judge him on that, but it stll plays in my mind a bit. Money situation is weird in general. I earn half of what he does, I am a single parent myself. I am happy to pay for myself whenever we go out,, which I told him before but he seemed to pick it up willingly, so we basically either pay separately, go halves or take turns. So for example for this weekend, he came to mine and then we went away together in my car. We both spend about 80 each, which was the hotel, dinner, parking, lunches and breakfast. I paid for petrol as drive us 2hrs each way to the place we were visiting, and I also bought a bottle of wine, soft drinks and cake, for us to take, and gave him various snacks for his journey back home (1hr away). It all seems very even money wise and I don't mind that but I feel a bit weird he didn't ask about sharing petrol cost or came here empty handed. If I went somewhere with a new person/date/bf or visited them, I would always bring something - so I did buy wine and cake and he hasn't contributed in any way.

-He never commented that I look nice or has never said any hot words during sex or afterwards. He wants to kiss a lot and cuddle but that is it, it sort of bores me now and seems repetitive. He wanted to kiss in the morning without brushing his teeth and tbf I started getting irritated by his body smell later on. Which never happened to me before with any previous guy.
He seems to make less effort now than on initial dates, so crumpled shirts, jeans that you can tell were not washed. he didn’t wash his hair after a night in the hotel, He doesn’t smell or is dirty but just definitely cares less about it now.
I have a suspicion that he might not be fully attracted to me physically, he complemented my face many times but not my body, and while all the previous men couldn’t keep their hands off me, he does very little apart from kissing and this ‘basic’ sex.. He had said he does not like skinny women at all but he also talks quite a lot about himself not being slim and happy with how he looks, so a part of me thinks that in his head he is ‘settling’ for me, as he feel bad about himself and cannot currently count on a better looking woman.

I am not sure if I have valid points here or maybe expect too much? Like I said, this is my first potential ‘boyfriend’ to be after 5 years of having 3 ‘situationships’ that hadn’t worked out… and initially I felt better with this guy than the other men, but now I don’t. But I am not sure if I maybe expect god knows what or maybe I am secretly scared about commitment myself and self-sabotage, or I am somehow unable to assess it and him as a person well. I think he is a genuinely nice guy in many aspects, maybe just a bit too geeky and a bit like an old bachelor. He isn’t cocky or anything, but seems a bit of an odd ball the more I get to know him, and various little things he says or does just make me wonder about him and if there is a point to invest in it.

OP posts:
LadyMinerva · 19/10/2020 21:09

It's a hard NO from me. If things are like this after 2 months, how bad will they be after 2 years?

Is this the lesson you want to teach your DD about relationships? That you should just settle for whatever crap is available and not have any of your deserved happiness?

Regretsy · 19/10/2020 21:16

Haven’t RTFT but smell is a big one. When you’re with the right guy they smell AMAZING. I swoon smelling my DP neck and he barely washes 😂 . Have high standards for everything but especially smell. LTB.

merryhouse · 19/10/2020 21:21

He IS a bad guy.

"I've been thinking more about our weekend and have realised that the issue with the condom is all of a piece with your treatment of your daughter and the way you talk about your exes. I don't want to see you again."

marveloustimeruiningeverything · 19/10/2020 21:25

Shocking he refused to wear a condom, because that is what he did.

And he doesn't support his daughter properly let alone raise her?

Selfish in bed?

Dump him yesterday.

billy1966 · 19/10/2020 21:27

He sounds so grim.

Why would you bring a man whom has zero interest in his own child, into yours?

CassieNightingale · 19/10/2020 21:41

Yuck
And why do you care how he will react with you busy for 2 weeks?! Just dump the stinky loser.

Anotheruser02 · 19/10/2020 21:59

Make yourself available for someone nicer. He is selfish.

kathrynjanewaykicksass · 19/10/2020 22:01

I'm afraid I'd cut your losses here

SoulofanAggron · 19/10/2020 22:01

he came in me once

First things first, are you on any other contraception, if not, you need to get the morning after pill of course. Although your 40 it could still happen.

He sounds self adsorbed and a bit slobby. He's not your cup of tea. xxx

Oh and he lied about having brought the condoms, didn't he? Or at least didn't bother. Grr.

Lalotai47 · 19/10/2020 22:04

Dump him! I went on a date with someone who told me he felt much better after emerging from the cinema toilet and announcing he'd done a poo. Revolting! Please dump him. Not just for the poo. Life is too short for this. The daughter situation would be an absolute deal-breaker for me as would the bad sex, meanness and lack of effort/hygiene.

thesix · 19/10/2020 22:07

Some of the comments on here seem really mean to me. Oh to be perfect - I guess no one else here has ever made a mistake that in different circumstances they wouldn't have chosen to do.

OP I wouldn't feel bad about the fact you're self reflecting on wherever you're just not that into this guy or whether it's about your fear of commitment etc after a long term thing. That's a natural thing to do. Having written it all out here probably helped you to get it all out straight, I don't think it was that you are being silly for not realising it - it just takes time to get your thoughts straight.

From what you've said it doesn't sound like you're feeling it anymore and you know what, you're right. Regardless of this guys circumstances he might be right for someone else and you'll find your person. I'd just be quite straight as suggested by PP but I definitely wouldn't be feeling like I'd been stupid as suggested above - as I said - oh to be perfect eh?! x

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 19/10/2020 22:08

You can be kind but this isn’t going anywhere. You won’t change him and it wouldn’t be right to try to.

FurTeacup · 19/10/2020 22:09

@thesix

Some of the comments on here seem really mean to me. Oh to be perfect - I guess no one else here has ever made a mistake that in different circumstances they wouldn't have chosen to do.

OP I wouldn't feel bad about the fact you're self reflecting on wherever you're just not that into this guy or whether it's about your fear of commitment etc after a long term thing. That's a natural thing to do. Having written it all out here probably helped you to get it all out straight, I don't think it was that you are being silly for not realising it - it just takes time to get your thoughts straight.

From what you've said it doesn't sound like you're feeling it anymore and you know what, you're right. Regardless of this guys circumstances he might be right for someone else and you'll find your person. I'd just be quite straight as suggested by PP but I definitely wouldn't be feeling like I'd been stupid as suggested above - as I said - oh to be perfect eh?! x

Mean? Do you railroad people into having unprotected sex with you, when they’ve specifically asked you to use a condom, on a regular basis? Hmm
Pantsomime · 19/10/2020 22:14

Does this man enhance your life? Sounds like a big fat nope To me. OP it’s not the law to be in a relationship. It’s all promising to start with then what they are really like comes through that’s all. His veneer is quite thin and that’s a good thing- clear off before you get sucked in

goldrabbit22 · 19/10/2020 22:19

The way you describe him makes him sound spectacularly unattractive in many ways.

iluvgab · 19/10/2020 22:20

Also, when we came back, I have noticed that my cat pissed all over the hallway despite being able to use the cat flap. So I had to clean it straight away.

Listen to your cat. Your cat old you what she/he thinks about you going away for the weekend with this loser.
Stay with him and your cat will be permanently pissing in the hallway.

Bin him.

(Seriously though, he sounds awful, I can't even begin to list the ways. Just get rid ASAP)

safeordangerous · 19/10/2020 22:20

I do wonder about this board. There's threads saying how dire dating is and how hard it is to find a partner. Yet most threads which involve someone asking for advice are full of I wouldn't put up with this / leave him type comments. Not much tolerance or understanding even in cases where a relationship has gone on for years (yes not this case).
OP I understand your dilemna and I think you can do better but I also understand your uncertainty.

whoknew1 · 19/10/2020 22:35

Uuugh. It is hard.
I just spent some time this evening talking about our respective children, they are similar age.
It is clear to me that he does care for his daughter and is present in her life. Maybe more than a standard Sunday dad. Maybe he just cares in a bit of non-standard way. Based on our chats up to now I see that the idea of this girl living with his sister was and is aimed at her having a stable family home and a mother figure/female role model. Which are the things he cannot or could not deliver. Which tells a bit about him too, or maybe not? As he is busy with work while sister is a SAHM?
Hard to judge.
I cannot just block him or tell him to bugger off. I spent lots of time getting to know him and I just cannot 'dump' people like that, like they are disposable.
Regardless of what f... me off or bugs me, I do sort of still like him so I will probably phase him out, as someone said, and eventually tell him briefly but honestly why. I know I owe him nothing. And I know there is never a 'nice' way of doing these things, ending them.
I just want to behave in a mature but still kind way, I was ghosted,dropped like a hit stone an and treated like shit so many times during my dating attempts... it hurts and do not want to do it to others.

OP posts:
thesix · 19/10/2020 22:35

@safeordangerous

I do wonder about this board. There's threads saying how dire dating is and how hard it is to find a partner. Yet most threads which involve someone asking for advice are full of I wouldn't put up with this / leave him type comments. Not much tolerance or understanding even in cases where a relationship has gone on for years (yes not this case). OP I understand your dilemna and I think you can do better but I also understand your uncertainty.
Yes, I agree with this
12309845653ghydrvj · 19/10/2020 22:36

@safeordangerous

I do wonder about this board. There's threads saying how dire dating is and how hard it is to find a partner. Yet most threads which involve someone asking for advice are full of I wouldn't put up with this / leave him type comments. Not much tolerance or understanding even in cases where a relationship has gone on for years (yes not this case). OP I understand your dilemna and I think you can do better but I also understand your uncertainty.
...she’s literally grossed out and revolted by the man after a few months, and it sounds fair enough.

There are two very, very low as the floor basic standards a guy has to meet to be even possibly dateable: (a) not abusive (b) you like him. If he doesn’t meet those, then nobody should start a relationship no matter how desperate they feel or how much they think they can’t find anyone else, because he is bringing nothing to their life.

The OP isn’t married to the guy, they don’t have children (despite his shameful lack of respect for contraceptives) and they’re not financially entangled. OP clealry would not be heartbroken to never see him again. So there is no major conflict.

12309845653ghydrvj · 19/10/2020 22:38

@whoknew1 the kindest way to break up with someone is to do is reasonably quickly and clealry, but kindly. I don’t think “phasing someone out” is kind on the dumpee.

Coffeeoverload · 19/10/2020 22:41

Run!

safeordangerous · 19/10/2020 22:45

I think she said she did like him and thats what made it hard. Yeah he's a bit of a nob but we don't know all the ins and outs.
Each to their own but looking on objectively I do worry about this board at times with women feeling vulnerable not really being advised well.

gamerchick · 19/10/2020 22:49

Look, you can pick apart every ounce of this stuff and it won't make any difference. You've got the ick, you just havent acknowledged it yet.

Chocolatehobnob9 · 19/10/2020 22:53

What @MikeUniformMike said.
Word for word.
That is your answer.