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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

What would you do in this situation?

37 replies

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 10:53

Part 1: I was dating someone for a few months when lockdown 1 hit. We split up just before Christmas but continued seeing each other as friends. We didn't fall out, but i think there are some incompatibilities that might get in the way long term maybe.

I think staying friends was a combination of unfinished business/boredom/need for company and a genuine desire on both sides to not lose contact. We were each others bubble.

Anyway, it was all great and in Jan we became 'more than friends' but nothing was defined. It just 'happened'.

It certainly looks very much like the relationship we had before - good and bad. We spend every weekend together, sex happens but not always and isn't expected. We go out for the day etc but there isn't much contact in between which is an issue for me. He prefers a meaningful phone conversation midweek but there is no text contact etc. I didn't and still don't feel like part of his life. He tells meneveeythingnhe's been up to etc when we speak/see each other but doesn't share in between. He regards that as a bit 'teenage'.

At the weekend, I tried to initiate a conversation to clarify what we are doing and he basically laughed, said he didn't know and changed the subject.

Right now, I'm thinking that what we have is nice (possibly in the absence of anything more meaningful) but it's not what I want long term and I found it a bit unfulfilling before. I'm not sure he sees us as long term and think that, if he wanted a relationship, he'd have said so. The fact he changed the subject means it isn't something he wants to talk about either way.

We haven't discussed 'exclusivity'. Although we were obviously exclusive when we were seeing each other, I'm not sure if it's a feature now.

So that's that.

Part 2: 3 or 4 years ago, I had a 'frisson' with someone I got to know reasonably well. It didn't become anything for a number of reasons. I bumped into him while out recently and we've been in touch since. Not constantly but most days. Other than confirming we still find each other attractive, nothing along those lines has been said. We've arranged to go out for a drink later this week. I have to say, it's quite nice getting the occasional 'good night' message or an early morning random message. Its all very 'sweet'.

The circumstances that meant nothing happened before are still there but less relevant now (both single, it's nothing like that but don't want to say too much).

If the first guy and I were in a relationship, going out for a drink with second guy would be inappropriate. Whilst it's not a 'date' as such, neither is it a couple for old mates hanging out because there is an attraction.

Is it wrong? What would you do?

Do I owe first guy loyalty? Do I need to tell second guy about first guy given its only a drink?

OP posts:
TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 10:53

Shit that was long! Sorry.

OP posts:
Newbie96 · 27/04/2021 11:02

I personally don't think it's an issue. You've approached a conversation about exclusivity and it's been avoided, so you have every right to meet up and date with others!

I would perhaps have a conversation with guy 1 first and I would approach it as, we haven't had the conversation about our commitments, does that mean we are open to dating others?

Guy 1 sounds like he's liking the relaxed side of your relationship right now of course and is enjoying getting the milk for free, so maybe seeing that he has some competition on his hands may make him step his game up a bit. Nothing wrong with that. TwoPinkDoughnuts Flowers

Whatisthisfuckery · 27/04/2021 11:12

Meh, guy 1 laughs off any attempt you make to discuss your relationship status. At any rate he’s not really what you’re looking for and is only really occupying the ok for now requirement. Crack on and do what you want. Guy 1 also has the option of doing what he likes, so if he’s wanting more than he’s currently offering from you then tough, you’re not a mind reader, and you’re not bothered anyway.

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 11:12

Thanks. Tbh, I'm enjoying the relaxed side of things too. And if I were in a relationship with him I wouldn't be going for a drink with guy 2, that's for sure.

I'm not even sure it is a date with guy 2! We've framed it as a 'catch up'. But I guess the attraction and random messaging is a bit more suggestive of that.

OP posts:
TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 11:14

@Whatisthisfuckery

Meh, guy 1 laughs off any attempt you make to discuss your relationship status. At any rate he’s not really what you’re looking for and is only really occupying the ok for now requirement. Crack on and do what you want. Guy 1 also has the option of doing what he likes, so if he’s wanting more than he’s currently offering from you then tough, you’re not a mind reader, and you’re not bothered anyway.
Thing is, ideally, I'd want him to occupy more than the OK for now box but I'm not going to wait around for him to decide 🤷🏻‍♀️
OP posts:
edwinbear · 27/04/2021 11:20

Guy 1 is a FWB, you owe him nothing by definition. He doesn't update you about what he's up to, so you have no obligation to do the same.

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 11:23

@edwinbear

Guy 1 is a FWB, you owe him nothing by definition. He doesn't update you about what he's up to, so you have no obligation to do the same.
I'm not sure he is actually seeing anyone else but neither am sure he's not trying/chatting/engaging.

I've noticed a couple of much younger women appear on his fb friends list. I don't think there is anything going on there, I think he just likes the idea of other people seeing he counts women half his age amongst his friends. That's part of the reason i ended it...

I've no doubt he cares for me (his actions over recent weeks have shown that) but anything more than that? No.

I think, as much as anything, guy 2 has shown me i have other options.

OP posts:
TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 11:25

If inhad clarification we were fwb and nothing else, I wouldn't even be asking the question tbh.

I took his lack of engagement in the conversation as evidence of this though.
I didn't arrange the drink it guy 2 until after I'd tried talking to guy 1.

OP posts:
YoniAndGuy · 27/04/2021 11:26

To turn a well known phrase around, it sounds like Guy 1 deserves a lesson in the fact that if you don't make someone your priority, don't be surprised if they treat you as an option.

I mean - you wouldn't be trying to teach a lesson at all, but - rough justice. Sounds like he's slightly enjoying having you hanging, initiating things... but keeping you dangling on any commitment.

Sauce for the goose. Go, have a good time, and if Guy 1 comments, you can also 'laugh and change the subject', yes?!

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 11:39

To turn a well known phrase around, it sounds like Guy 1 deserves a lesson in the fact that if you don't make someone your priority, don't be surprised if they treat you as an option.

That's a really good point.

I'm completely faithful in a relationship. I avoid making eye contact with strange men even in case they seeing as an invitation to talk to me, which is why going for andrink with guy 2 feels a bit 'off'. But you're absolutely right in this.

OP posts:
Thatisnotwhatisaid · 27/04/2021 11:40

Definitely go for a drink with man #2. I wouldn’t be surprised if #1 is also seeing other women tbh, he keeps batting off exclusivity chats because he doesn’t want that. You’re right, he would have asked to be in a relationship again if that’s what he wanted. I’ve found men are quite straight forward in all honesty, they will show you if they’re genuinely interested and will fuck you around if they aren’t.

ALittleBitConfused1 · 27/04/2021 11:44

I don't think there's anything wrong with going out with guy number 2 (or number 3, 4 and 5) in this situation. Whether guy number 1 is or isn't doing the same isnt at all relevant in my opinion.

What is relevant is that you aren't in a relationship, he doesn't want to discuss a serious relationship and your current arrangement seems to be all on his terms.

You'd prefer the odd text, he prefers no texts and a long weekly call. So you call and not text, why?

You'd prefer to discuss and agree what the status of this arrangement is, he's prefer to avoid that discussion. So you avoid it then internally question your decisions, why?

Sounds like you'd prefer maybe more/different meet upsup at other times than the pattern you've found yourself in (weekend over night stay with a bit of time the next day) he seems perfectly comfortable with this, so you continue to have one call and one overnight weekend stay, why?

This is clearly a casual thing, casual and relaxed arrangements are fine. If that's what you both want. It does sound like you want and are looking for more, but at the same time that you are completely rational and accepting that he doesn't (and happy to accept that and move on if need be, which is sensible). But....on the flip side even casual arrangements need to work for BOTH people, don't let it be him making all the rules, setting all benchmarks. Be honest with yourself, if you're holding out for more be prepared to walk away if he won't give you (or even discuss) that.

Don't be a stop gap d you wanttlationship with him.

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 11:54

@Thatisnotwhatisaid

Definitely go for a drink with man #2. I wouldn’t be surprised if #1 is also seeing other women tbh, he keeps batting off exclusivity chats because he doesn’t want that. You’re right, he would have asked to be in a relationship again if that’s what he wanted. I’ve found men are quite straight forward in all honesty, they will show you if they’re genuinely interested and will fuck you around if they aren’t.
I'm as confident as a I can be that he isn't seeing anyone else. I'm not sure he's the type to do that without being clear about it. But yes he definitely has reasons for not wanting to talk about our status.
OP posts:
icdtap · 27/04/2021 12:02

We didn't fall out, but i think there are some incompatibilities that might get in the way long term maybe.

What were the incompatibilities?

I think Guy 1 is just having a fun time. You tried to discuss the subject of your "relationship" and he changed the subject so that's all you need to know really.

Go out for a drink with guy 2 and see what happens. If guy 1 had wanted a relationship he would have talked about this when you brought the subject up. Therefore, you're not in a relationship so you are free to go out with others.

Michaelangelo467 · 27/04/2021 12:07

Guy 1 is a fuck buddy. Go for it with guy two, why not?

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 12:25

@icdtap

We didn't fall out, but i think there are some incompatibilities that might get in the way long term maybe.

What were the incompatibilities?

I think Guy 1 is just having a fun time. You tried to discuss the subject of your "relationship" and he changed the subject so that's all you need to know really.

Go out for a drink with guy 2 and see what happens. If guy 1 had wanted a relationship he would have talked about this when you brought the subject up. Therefore, you're not in a relationship so you are free to go out with others.

Just different lifestyle preferences really. We have a lot of common ground but things like, he loves the sun/heat and I avoid it; I love camping, he's more 5* hotels. That sort of thing. So nothing major but things that would pose problems in a relationship.

I've no idea whether guy 2 would be suitable long term either but I have to admit that the greater contact - the occasional good night and first thing in the morning text has been nice.

He's also a lot more open emotionally and affectionate generally. Which I like.

But yes, you're right, guy 1 and I are not in a relationship so in.free to date others.

OP posts:
seensome · 27/04/2021 12:28

The first guy actually said he doesn't know what you are and laughed it off, believe that! How very immature of him not to admit that you are not in a relationship.
Go for a drink with the second and don't feel bad about it, the first guy would definitely make more of an effort to have more communication with you if he was serious, treat him as an option back.

gannett · 27/04/2021 12:33

Thing is, ideally, I'd want him to occupy more than the OK for now box but I'm not going to wait around for him to decide

Would you really? You know you're not very compatible long-term and you don't really sound bothered about the idea of him seeing other women. Sounds like both you and the first guy have the same idea about your situation - you're FWBs and have probably only lasted this long because of the pandemic. You essentially say all this in your OP.

Perfectly fine to go for drinks with the second guy!

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 12:41

@gannett

Thing is, ideally, I'd want him to occupy more than the OK for now box but I'm not going to wait around for him to decide

Would you really? You know you're not very compatible long-term and you don't really sound bothered about the idea of him seeing other women. Sounds like both you and the first guy have the same idea about your situation - you're FWBs and have probably only lasted this long because of the pandemic. You essentially say all this in your OP.

Perfectly fine to go for drinks with the second guy!

I suspect it would be more accurate to say that I'd hoped he would be someone who ticked more than the ok for now box but, you're right, he doesn't and I know that really.

Daft thing is that when I brought up the conversation, I was actually only looking to open up a dialogue about it. I didn't have any expectations on which way it would go.

More than anything, it bothers me that i think guy 1 assumes I want a relationship and everything that entails and was avoiding that element of the conversation more than anything!

OP posts:
TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 12:44

Does it sound like a date with guy 2 then?

We framed it as a catch up but we're definitely still attracted to each other...

OP posts:
seensome · 27/04/2021 12:51

Yes it sounds like a date with 2nd guy, would you honestly meet him if you didn't find him attractive? I don't see anything wrong with a drink or date with him, nothing might even cone of it but if you want to start sleeping with him then tell the first guy you're not longer interested in seeing him.

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 13:09

@seensome

Yes it sounds like a date with 2nd guy, would you honestly meet him if you didn't find him attractive? I don't see anything wrong with a drink or date with him, nothing might even cone of it but if you want to start sleeping with him then tell the first guy you're not longer interested in seeing him.
No. I wouldn't have arranged to meet him if I wasn't attracted to him.

Well, I might under current circumstances because spending a couple of hours with someone different and listening to their, "I haven't done anything cos covid," stories would make a change! Grin

But I certainly wouldn't have told him I still found him attractive. And I'm guessing the same goes for him!

OP posts:
SoftPower · 27/04/2021 13:53

Right now, I'm thinking that what we have is nice (possibly in the absence of anything more meaningful) but it's not what I want long term and I found it a bit unfulfilling before.

You answered your own question.
If you wanted permission to go ahead, it’s perfectly fine to tell guy 1 you’re approaching life as a single person, even if he didn’t have the courtesy of doing the same for you.

TwoPinkDoughnuts · 27/04/2021 16:00

Well, I feel I did try to have that conversation but he shut it down.

I suppose I'm not required to keep trying.

OP posts:
RantyAnty · 28/04/2021 07:26

I think you have to ask yourself what you are really looking for in a relationship.

If you're looking for something committed and long term, neither one of these guys are it.