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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

Dating Thread 199 - Come on 2021....

993 replies

LongtimelurkerL · 26/01/2021 14:50

The Rules:

  1. The first rule about the dating thread is don't talk about it with people you're dating.
  2. Develop a thick skin.
  3. Do not invest emotionally too soon.
  4. It's all BS until it actually happens.
  5. Trust your gut instinct.
  6. People vanishing, lying & being generally weird is not your fault.
  7. Know your worth.
  8. If it's not fun, stop.
  9. Loo update is mandatory.
10. No dating the thread. 11. Treat others as you'd like to be treated 12. Any relationship you have that could get ruined by having a conversation about your feelings, standards and/or expectations wasn't really stable enough to begin with 13. The things you choose to ignore/ tolerate now are the reasons you will break up in the future 14. OLD can get very time consuming. Keep doing other activities you enjoy.

Optional: Please give your irons (potential dates you are talking to) nicknames like Mr Scottish. Initials are allowed (Mr S) when you are an item

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
VanGoghsDog · 17/02/2021 21:07

Yes to insomnia, past two am most nights.

Was knackered yesterday so took my self to bed at ten thirty but was still awake at midnight, probably asleep not long after that, wide awake at 4am.

And I crawl out of bed at 8.50am, sling a top on, rake my fingers through my hair, boot the laptop, make tea and try to look awake for my 9am online meetings. If I'm unlucky my boss starts calling me at 8.20am and I have to pretend I was in the loo.

It's not an exercise issue, I did a 9 mile walk Sunday and still no sleep.

On the 'dating' front, I have two 'issues':

  1. a guy I met on POF last year, very local to me, dated, I thought I quite fancied him, got past the covid stuff (I have a sporadic bubble with my mum but leaving a few weeks either side can arrange things) so got him to the bedroom stage - was just dreadful, so then had to say 'let's just be friends', which he then decided he needed to discuss - painful. We had previously arranged for him to come round and he was going on by text about 'something to warm you up' so I had to tell him, but he decided to come round anyway (for some mad reason I gave him the option). Anyway, we have stayed friends and it's OK - I know now that he is not and never would be for me - but I get the impression he doesn't quite get it, like he texted me tonight "how is my sexy gorgeous friend tonight" - I don't refer to any of my friends like that. He often mentions wanting to give me a cuddle or warm me up, and he has this stupid thing that whenever I apologise for something he deems I should not apologise for (like we say eleven, I get there just after and say "sorry I'm a bit late", that kind of thing*), he kisses the back of my neck and it's getting a bit annoying - am I being too sensitive?

(* I really don't like having my speech policed, he probably thinks he's being kind, encouraging me to be more assertive or something, but I'm 52 and don't need someone to tell me the way I choose to be is wrong - and the neck kissing makes me want to karate chop his face off)

  1. I mentioned this chap before, from my walking group, no group walks on currently, but we've met a couple of times for walks and had a coffee. Last weekend I was walking with a mate who lives near the chap, and he happened to text me the night before and I said I was over his way and he said to text and we could meet up - went to his for tea, he popped out and came back with bunch of flowers, chocolate eclairs, a choice of biscuits and he also produced a large box of chocolates he had 'already got prepared" - I was there about five hours, we had a take away (which he got) - but no moves. We've had quite a bit of sexy text chat in the past but that's sort of stopped - his dad is very ill, was touch and go, so can understand he doesn't want to sit around text chatting with anyone, he's also had a couple of health issues and been in hospital himself (I only just found this out at the weekend).
    After Sunday I texted to say thank you and he said it was 'nice to catch up' and that we should try to arrange to meet up when we can have a drink - aargh, I really need to move this on. I texted him a photo of a cup of tea and two of the chocolates today saying "afternoon tea break".
    I guess I just find a way to get him to mine, make it clear he's staying over and get the gin poured! There's more jeopardy in this one due to the hobby group link. But - views - surely he doesn't do all this for someone he sees as a friend?
Eesha · 17/02/2021 21:13

@VanGoghsDog walking guy definitely likes you!! Flowers and chocolates!!! Yes definitely, but mainly he's keeping in touch. That's a sign.

VanGoghsDog · 17/02/2021 21:28

[quote Eesha]@VanGoghsDog walking guy definitely likes you!! Flowers and chocolates!!! Yes definitely, but mainly he's keeping in touch. That's a sign.[/quote]
Thank you!
He is keeping in touch and I've kept a balance between who contacts first, not hassling, showing I'm thinking of him (his last few weeks has been really trying for him) but giving him space and waiting for him to contact me - last weekend the stars just aligned.

I am aware that when one is really busy, the time between contacts seems a lot less than it does for the not busy one. I am busy with work but nothing else, he's staying with his parents a lot to support his mum and dad.

SleepyBunk · 17/02/2021 21:29

@VanGoghsDog

I agree walking guy sounds very nice - I think with the apps we’re probably so used to having fast moving slightly highly sexed interactions that it’s hard to adjust to a slower paced romance! I think he’d have to be very very odd or unaware of social cues to be doing all that for someone he wasn’t romantically interested in

Gin and see how it goes and jump on him sounds good

SleepyBunk · 17/02/2021 21:31

Ps if he has been ill he might just want or be open to low level physical intimacy/ kissing/cuddling not being dragged to the bedroom for a five hour sesh Wink

VanGoghsDog · 17/02/2021 21:32

I think with the apps we’re probably so used to having fast moving slightly highly sexed interactions that it’s hard to adjust to a slower paced romance!

I think this is probably true. He did say he would be back from his parents (he lives about half an hours drive from me, parents are a couple of hours) this weekend, I'd best tidy the house....

TheCatWithTheHat · 17/02/2021 22:56

My sleep patterns are pretty messed up - I always seem to wake up at around 10pm, even though I was falling asleep on the sofa 2 hours ago. I'll probably not fall asleep until 1am, then will wake up at around 6 (thinking of Miss H no doubt) and not be able to get back to sleep until about 5 minutes before my alarm goes off!

Then I'll feel knackered all day, until I wake up again at 10pm tomorrow. And repeat...

@VanGoghsDog walking guy sounds really thoughtful, and almost certainly likes you. No guy I know would have a box of chocolates all prepared, let alone the other stuff, for someone he just saw as a friend popping in.

I don't think you are being sensitive at all about the PoF guy - kissing the back of your neck especially is definitely not a "just friends" thing in my view.

DdraigGoch · 17/02/2021 23:43

@WeWantTheFinestWines

I find nodding off in front of the TV and then waking up in time for bed makes for a nicely messed up start to the night. If I leave it late enough, I can usually get to sleep with the help of a podcast. Then I wake up at 4. Go back to sleep around 5. Alarm goes off 6.30 😐 Spend the day yawning...
I work shifts. On earlies I often come home tired. I'm fine though as long as I don't stop. Fine in good weather as I can get out in the garden and get stuff done. When I can only go indoors though, I will inevitably drop off for a few hours and then be unable to sleep when I need to, resulting in the cycle repeating every day until I'm on rest days.
DudeFromThatLondon · 18/02/2021 00:10

@VanGoghsDog

  1. sounds like he’s trying it on / not taking no for a definitive answer.
2 is 100% interested IMO. Think there could be something in this slow dating approach ...
Greyandrare123 · 18/02/2021 01:56

Been keeping up.
Have a horrible suspicion my man from Fab isnt single. His background info is he had 2 children from his 1st wife, dates unknown and I think he left her when one of his children was a baby. He then had 4 children with wife 2. He said they split up 3 years ago. They share parenting and Ive heard him speak to her on the phone and its v much a formal chat. So I did some FB surveillience and came across woman who on her FB, has pics of him from 2012 with her as a couple and then stops at about 2018 but she is still friends with him, his mother and his son. The whole dates thing just doesnt add up and she has been liking pics of his daughter from his 1st set of children only a cple of months ago. I think he may deny if I ask. What do I do? He is a good fwb but I dont want his sorry ass near me if he is cheating. Other warning flags waving: ive not been to his. He showed me a msg from his son asking to move in as he wasnt getting on with his mum..Thats about it.
Met him on Fab.
Im on a SD walking meeting tomorrow with a man whom Im also am suspicious of. He is some sort of IT person in a school. He never messages but will call me but not in the evening. He let slip he had gone into school today as its 'peaceful and quiet'. Now if he is single, and living alone why would he go to school for peace and quiet? My gut is telling me something on both of these herberts.
Ive had a couple of semi sensible messages too which is beyond surprising!

Heartbeats0708 · 18/02/2021 06:21

@Greyandrare123 I think your fwb sounds plausible, as we've seen from the discussion on here it's not uncommon to remain friends with exes and in his case in particular he has reason to keep things amicable (dc). If you're gut is telling you something though then certainly keep an eye out for anything else. Also, which rule is it about if you can't have a conversation about something for fear of spoiling it then it's not worth it?

@VanGoghsDog 1. Definitely sounds like he's trying it on and hoping to wear you down enough. I can't stand over familiarity so that would make my skin crawl. It's tricky to navigate but do try and establish some boundaries with him so everyone knows where they stand. 2. Sounds very sweet, definitely interested and it sounds as though it could be a lovely slow burn a la @LongtimelurkerL to me!

LongtimelurkerL · 18/02/2021 07:00

Haha @Heartbeats0708 and @VanGoghsDog does sound slow burn-y yer!

OP posts:
SortingItOut · 18/02/2021 07:32

@Greyandrare123 have you asked to go to his? If you havent suggest it and see what he says. Maybe set a deadline in your head that if you havent been to his in 2 weeks you'll end it, he doesnt need to know about this deadline.

What did his fab profile say about accomodating?

As for Mr IT depending on where he lives he might have kids as neighbours who are home all the time.
I'd go for the walk and see if he says anything else.

Onesmallstep67 · 18/02/2021 09:00

@Greyandrare123, there is a subtle difference between ' peaceful and quiet' and ' peace and quiet' As a former teacher I know how utterly different a school is without kids in it. Maybe physically being in the school makes certain jobs easier- even with his role being IT.
With your FWB who you suspect may be married I would ask a few more questions about his ex wife or the son who lives with him. I remember that you said you were not getting invested in him but that you were meeting several times a week and not always for sex. I think it's totally acceptable to check in with him that he's definitely not still married or living with a woman. If he is on the level then he'll be happy to reassure you and if necessary provide some evidence.

Onesmallstep67 · 18/02/2021 09:12

@VanGoghsDog, you seem a pretty clued up person so I'm sure you are more than capable of working through your 2 scenarios. Kissing neck man would be a no go for me. It seems you have decided that there is no romantic interest in him from your side so I would extricate myself from him and not offer any further ' date' opportunities.
Mr Walking group sounds like he's interested and you sound keen too. Has there ever been any actual in person flirting or kissing ? If not then I wonder why ? And as he's been having a difficult few weeks do you think the jump from tea and biscuits to gin and stay over might be a bit of a leap for him ? Definitely no harm in inviting him over with a view to moving things on though.

VanGoghsDog · 18/02/2021 10:04

I would extricate myself from him and not offer any further ' date' opportunities.

I have really backed off. I like having a local "friend" I can go for walks with, I don't have anyone else to do that with. He's asked if he can "book" me this Sunday. I think what I'll do is be much clearer next time I see him that I don't like the over familiarity, and see if that resoles it. Problem is, I'm a nice person, so I gave him a thoughtful Christmas present, and I think that gave him ideas! (I just like giving gifts)
And obviously I want to keep my weekend days free in case the other chap turns out to be free, he's very last minute!

Re walking group guy. Not much flirting in real life but I am very bad at that. A few suggestive comments but I never quite know how to react. I've only ever been wearing sweaty muddy walking gear with my hair in a state when I've seen him too, doesn't lend itself to trying to be coy!
And no kissing. This weekend I gave him a hug (we've been doing the 2 meter thing - we both have extremely vulnerable parents we see, though all vaccinated now). I've decided I'm going to tell him it's about time he kissed me. I guess I'll soon find out, won't I!
He doesn't text much, but I think we're so used to running a relationship by text from OLD that we forget it's not really the norm. He was on Tinder, btw, said he came off because there's no point in the lockdown.

Greyandrare123 · 18/02/2021 10:33

Thank you for the replies.
He has always said he cant accommodate as his children are at his nearly all the time on and off and have freedom to go between theirs and their mums.
His fab profile now states he is on a break.
I mean it could be plausible.
I think the idea of setting a deadline in my head is a good one.
Thank you!

LuckyLinda3 · 18/02/2021 11:08

Hi just discovered this thread. Can I ask please for feedback from the gents on here @HairyArsedMan and @DudeFromThatLondon and any others I haven't mentioned. So I'm 45, new to OLD after coming out of a long marriage. I had met a man in Oct and we were in contact every day, meeting for walks and good chemistry. All going well, I liked him and he was giving me positive feedback too. He works in healthcare but was working up to 5 13hr shifts a week. Always covering when they were short staffed. It became an issue fairly quickly and we talked about it and he agreed to prioritize at least one day/evening a week. It continued to be an issue and after a long conversation on saturday I ended it. He didnt want to and suggested a break but I wasnt keen on that idea. We left it as friends and he has messaged twice since with jokes/memes. I'm a bit upset because he gave me the impression he was very invested but he is back on the apps already. Male perspective please? I haven't blocked him, should I? I'm a bit naive to this OLD and dont really buy into telling people what they want to hear I just prefer to be honest and genuine..any advice warmly received.

HairyArsedMan · 18/02/2021 11:49

It does seem to go

@SleepyBunk I did wonder if it was a simple case of not burning my energy up at the same rate since I've been in a prolonged isolation since November. I do get my fill of exercise every day and do some strength stuff (but less so now the gym is closed)

Good(-ish) to know my experience is very similar to others on the thread, struggle to get to sleep and when I do wake after about an hour or so, have to go through the same struggle again. I tend to drift through podcasts, music, rambling Buddhism stuff on Youtube and movies. Then the working day begins and I feel absolutely knackered ! Just did a morning meeting looking like Rick from Rick and Morty Smile.

@LuckyLinda3 It's difficult to read anything into him being back on the apps after you've ended things with him. Some people do think they have to go off in search of what they lost right away, or even in search of some validation. Being dumped is a very direct blow to the self esteem and interest from other attractive people is a salve to that for some.

From my perspective (which is solely due to me and not to be ascribed to all men) it seems he's been in a workplace which is very much under strain through the early months of your relationship. In these sorts of team environments, he can't really avoid mucking in with everyone else. He gave you a heck of a lot of time actually for a new-ish sort of relationship with daily meetings. That's unusual and would indicate to me he was really keen. But he did have to work and since then the pressures on the health system can only have increased massively. While you're entitled to look for what you want and need, it sounds like you made an ultimatum, and his solution was to call pause until he became freer and could deliver what you want. Am I correct there ? Do you think you took into account the whole context in which he's now operating ?

He's taking the friends thing literally, when most would interpret that as 'let's walk away without any rancour', so clearly values the contact with you. Truthfully how has seeing him on the apps hit you ? Do you feel sick at the thought of him being with someone else ? Or do you feel aggrieved towards him ?

HairyArsedMan · 18/02/2021 11:49

Sorry some stray text crept in there. The perils of typing in a tiny box.

LuckyLinda3 · 18/02/2021 12:11

@HairyArsedManthanks for your reply, much appreciated. Its difficult to convey the whole story here without taking over the thread! He works in a very small residential unit with difficult children and adults. We live 30 mins apart but his work is 5 mins from where I live so I would have called up to see him regularly after work. In fact this would have made up 80% of our meeting up, other times we met up were mostly me going to his on the days he was off and working around that which I didnt mind. We talked daily but proper meet ups would only be every week to 10 days. Towards the end he wasnt even suggesting when we could meet up, our conversations revolved around his work, his rota, his kids and difficulties with his ex wife. He seemed flat and tired as I got to know him more even though I really like him. He often said I was a breath of fresh air and he loved my energy but i think he was an "old" 51 year old. Yeah I think you are right, I did give an ultimatum in saying I'd like to meet once a week but overall I do believe the energy wasnt there, not right now at least. I'm not aggrieved at him moving on, I don't believe he has the energy for a relationship now but I genuinely believed, maybe wrongly, that what we had most definitely had potential and I did convey that to him on different occasions as I hold honesty in high regard especially where feelings are concerned.

DudeFromThatLondon · 18/02/2021 12:19

@LuckyLinda3 - yes I wouldn't read too much into him being on the apps. Often folks are just using the apps as a distraction. Bear in mind how easy it is and what little cost to putting a profile up with the prospect of getting a few matches to make yourself feel better. Indeed I've done this myself in the past in just this situation. When my last iron ended it, I jumped back on the apps pretty much straight away. At the time I thought best to move on quickly and even went on a couple of dates but I needed some time off (as well as being unfair to potential dates). It does sound like he was making an effort as @Hairy says. Are you thinking of changing your mind?

ThisTooShallBeFantastic · 18/02/2021 12:29

@LuckyLinda3 personally I only block people on WhatsApp if they are really really sleazy and/or have done me a major wrong, and even then I tell them what I'm doing and why. This is because I think blocking is rude and hurtful, ghosting even more so. From what you have said I wouldn't be blocking him. It sounds like the relationship has run its course and was not to be, that's all.

LuckyLinda3 · 18/02/2021 12:34

@DudeFromThatLondon hi and thanks! No I'm not really thinking of changing my mind. It's funny how men and women differ...all my female work friends think I gave it too much time! He was messaging much less, flirting much less and generally lack lustre. I wasnt looking for bells and whistles but given that I was prepared to work around his time off and go to him after work and on his days off I was just looking for energy for us when we actually met. He had told me early on that his last relationship ended because they were like ships in the night so I think he may be just very work focused. I'm not a clingy type, I'm independent, enjoy doing my own things and my own company. Maybe it just wasnt right. I promised myself I'd try to be fair and objective in relationships going forward and I suppose this is all a learning curve for me.

LuckyLinda3 · 18/02/2021 12:36

@ThisTooShallBeFantastic thank you. Yes I agree, I'm not inclined to block but again all my female friends have advised this. I really need to find a good male sounding board! I think you may be right...the energy wasnt there and it had run its course.

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