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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:
FizzyGreenWater · 20/10/2020 13:19

Oh and that's without even starting on the rest of it.

Men who wangle out of properly supportingtheir children are disgusting.

Men who don't understand consent are disgusting.

And it's quite novel to see a thread where a man you barely know letting you know he'd just taken a shit is only the third most disgusting aspect about him.

Yuk. Just yuk in every sense.

BaskingMad · 20/10/2020 13:38

Bin, without a doubt or you’ll be divorcing him in 2 years time.

Onxob · 20/10/2020 13:45

What kind of fucking loser gives his child to his sister to raise instead of stepping up to his own responsibilities?! Cant be arsed being a proper father and won't even pay for his child properly. Your standards are shockingly low OP. As a mother - is that not enough to utterly disgust you?

Get rid.

toiletpaper · 20/10/2020 14:00

Please don't wait until the end of the week to send the text! He really doesn't sound very appealing, no wonder you've got the ick. I can understand your predicament at having been single all this time but if you feel relieved to be apart after your weekend together after two months of dating imagine how you'll feel if this continues for a few years. He'll probably wear you down mentally with his selfish ways.

DressesWithPocketsRockMyWorld · 20/10/2020 14:13

I've got the ick just reading that!

Dump him he is a selfish, boring arse who doesn't give a shite about you.

Ick!

Starlight39 · 20/10/2020 14:27

Dating absolutely has to be selfish - would you spend the rest of your life with someone awful just to make them happy?? That would be stringing them along and isn't kind to either of you. You aren't just looking for a nice/decent guy (and this guy doesn't sound like he's even that with his lack of financial support for his daughter, pushing boundaries over condom use etc), you're looking for an amazing man who fits with you. There honestly should be almost zero things you can think of to complain about him in the first 6 months at least.

I do get it as I'm a bit of a people pleaser and had to dump around 5 men when I was dating (plus the ones I didn't want a second/third date with). It's hard at first but just send a kind but firm text and try not to over think it. The kindest thing to do is to finish it as soon as you are aware it's not quite right between you.

ForeverRedSkinhead · 20/10/2020 14:30

Men like this loser rely on women being to polite to dump them.

Also , that comment he made about his sister receiving TCs and CB for his child meaning CM was optional...my exh said the same about paying for our children. It's insulting and disgusting.

newnameforthis123 · 20/10/2020 14:32

Your sexual health, your boundaries around consent and simple respect for your wishes were entirely 'disposable' to him when it came to not wanting to 'spoil his moment'

This. Absolutely this.

Derbee · 20/10/2020 15:04

Not kind phasing him out. Not kind dragging it on, and planning to dump him at the end of the week. You don’t owe him anything, so a clear text telling him that you don’t feel it’s working and you don’t want to see each other is ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE. Your self esteem issues are making you doubt this, and making you overthink the situation

TurquoiseDragon · 20/10/2020 15:49

@Derbee

Not kind phasing him out. Not kind dragging it on, and planning to dump him at the end of the week. You don’t owe him anything, so a clear text telling him that you don’t feel it’s working and you don’t want to see each other is ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE. Your self esteem issues are making you doubt this, and making you overthink the situation
This.

And don't bother offering a phone call, there's no need, it's just dragging it out. That's your inner people pleaser speaking.

Just a civil text, and then block. Do you really think he'd do anything else if your positions were reversed?

IJustWantSomeBees · 20/10/2020 16:13

Send the text now, OP. It will be a great relief to you and it won't break his heart, it's only been two months

RantyAnty · 20/10/2020 16:38

You said you are looking for a good relationship.

It might be helpful to see a counselor again to discuss this. To decide what you really want, what your values, are and what is and isn't acceptable. When you have these decided, then it will be much easier to stick to your boundaries and not make excuses for bad behaviour.

I don't know if there are assertiveness classes online or near you, but that also would be great to do.
I think it would help you feel more confident and assured to practice being assertive.

A good book about dating is: Why Men Love Bitches

user1471565182 · 20/10/2020 17:44

ohhh no he sounds like an impregnator. If you go back through his history all the way too school it will be him weridly forcing girls to get pregnant I bet, I can sense the type.

Zaphodsotherhead · 20/10/2020 17:53

What kind of reasons could you even give, though? If he did 'want to talk'?

You are far too nice to tell him he's a lazy smelly boring slob. So you could only come up with mealy mouthed excuses, which would lead him to believe that he is God's gift and you are a crazy woman.

Or he will try to talk you round... Neither of these are good.

Giraffey1 · 20/10/2020 18:05

Absolutely no need to wait until Friday. And don’t engage in the ‘happy to chat ‘ line, that road leads to disaster. You are clearly a kind person, but all you need to say is ... hi there, been thinking about things these last few days and I’ve decided this relationship just isn’t working for me. Sorry if this upsets you but it’s important to me to be honest. Please don’t try to contact me, I’m not going to change my mind.
Polite but firm, and no open door for him to weasel his way back in!

Scweltish · 20/10/2020 18:09

You’ve got the ick already. This isn’t the one for you

Groovinpeanut · 20/10/2020 18:21

You are in doubt about ending things and need justification in doing so... No problem

  1. He's palmed his daughter off to his sister, gives her no regular payments, but let's her apply for benefits to care for her. Poor kids been dumped by both her parents!
  2. He shows no respect for your health or well being having unprotected sex with you so he doesn't 'spoil the moment'.(wonder how many times he's pulled that stunt)
  3. His personal hygiene sounds gross, you say his body smell annoyed you after a while, then later say he doesn't smell. Either he does or he doesn't, either way it's not something to be doing so soon into a relationship
  4. Discussing his toilet visits is just gross, why would he even think you want to know that?

Send the text, don't leave it until Friday... He'll no doubt take your offer to talk, which will involve him coming to see you/ persuade you to go out, he'll talk you round and end up in bed with you. You'll be then back to square one.

whoknew1 · 21/10/2020 05:54

So I sent the text yesterday. Saying I mostly enjoyed time together but it's not gonna work for me or us and explaining briefly why.
He responded by saying that he respects my point of view but of course is disappointed.
That he likes me a lot and is very attracted to me, and loves my personality. He explained that he was very nervous re sex, about his performance and now wishes he could have handled it differently and that he does understand my point of view and yes, we should have used protection.
He was very polite, not pushy and did not try to invalidate my points, more discussed them with me. Converstation wasn't long and ended with him saying he was feeling rubbish and needing to rest, you sleep well too, speak soon😖 etc.
Part of me thinks he is just trying to save his face now, another part of me thinks he will not contact me again anyway... and will be back on dating app in no time.
One way or another I think he will be gone but the whole experience again makes me question if I am doing the right thing. Time will tell.

OP posts:
MilkandWater · 21/10/2020 06:10

Give your head a wobble, OP. Being ‘nervous about sex’ doesn’t make someone unable to use a condom, force them to delegate their child’s upbringing to their sister for free, have dubious personal hygiene, be stingy, have food issues, be selfish in bed, be uninterested in their new girlfriend, think that talking about what they just did in the toilet is attractive.

You have no standards, OP. That’s what worries me. That you sat there and let him ‘discuss’ your reasons for ending the relationship as though they’re negotiable, and now — having dumped him! You did, didn’t you? — you’re clearly still hoping he’ll call you back and try to argue himself back into a relationship?

whoknew1 · 21/10/2020 06:20

I am not 'hoping' he will be back - I am hoping he is gone. I am WORRIED he might be back, which will make me consider it all again and doubt myself. And I doubt myself because I've been single very long, tried so many various approaches and still it all ends wrong and I don't manage to create a decent relation.
Hope it makes sense.

OP posts:
MilkandWater · 21/10/2020 06:33

But OP, why is the idea he might be back worrying you or making you doubt yourself? If you don’t want to hear from him again, simply block him. You’ve written reams on here about his awfulness, were dying to get away by the end of the weekend, and virtually every poster has been horrified you even lasted seven dates with him. It’s not your fault he’s awful!

Mamia15 · 21/10/2020 06:56

@whoknew1

I am not 'hoping' he will be back - I am hoping he is gone. I am WORRIED he might be back, which will make me consider it all again and doubt myself. And I doubt myself because I've been single very long, tried so many various approaches and still it all ends wrong and I don't manage to create a decent relation. Hope it makes sense.
You struggle with relationships because your standards are so low, you have poor boundaries and have so little self esteem.

Work in yourself and on recognising red flags.

category12 · 21/10/2020 06:59

What sort of relationships have you been in previously? What sort of relationships did you see growing up?

Cos honestly, you need to work out why your standards and boundaries seem so poor, and shore them up. Being single for a few years doesn't really seem explanation enough.

EatDessertFirst · 21/10/2020 07:06

Just block him? He can't come back if you don't let him?

Therapy would benefit you. You are worth so much more than this.

TasslesandFringes · 21/10/2020 07:21

Well done for ending it.

The poor daughter! I mean WTAF?! He feels his daughter doesn’t deserve paying for presumably - he’s never going to be a responsible adult is he? He doesn’t even look after her. Very very strange set up.

The condom thing. The smells, toilet talk, bad sex, stinginess. All so juvenile.

Thank god you walked away from this.
Look after yourself and be single for a while and be a lot more demanding next time.

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