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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

not interested or no experience? please be brutally honest!

102 replies

stuckducks · 16/05/2021 09:49

New ish DP, exclusively dating. He is the best man I’ve met ever I think. I realise that sounds a bit over the top and I don’t know him completely yet, but I am very happy with him. We laugh a lot, we have similar interests, he’s very kind very funny very caring. What I’m about to say will have some posters suggesting he is married etc but I can say with as much certainty as is possible that that is not the case.

One thing that is just becoming a big problem for me is that he is massively inflexible. We don’t live together and he doesn’t work from home, I do and always have. His hours are unpredictable (works in banking role) and mine are full on but flexible. If I get the work done then I can work wherever and however I like. Some weekends he will work (that’s normal in his profession). I’ve said to him repeatedly that during those times I would like to see him in the week, just for a night. I’ve offered to go over when he finished work, work from his place the following day then see him for dinner the next night. Maybe I’m asking too much?? His response is always that he wants to and he misses me but he ‘doesn’t know how it will work.’ I have been round in circles with him about this. I’ve spelled out exactly how it could work... ie I will leave when he leaves work and get there half an hour after he’s home. We will then have dinner and go to bed, even if it’s late and he’s finished mid evening. I’ve said I don’t mind. A couple of times he has agreed, we’ve had a lovely time and the next day he texts saying he’s so glad that I stayed and that it was nice waking up together etc. But actually getting him to agree to it is really starting to damage my self esteem as I just don’t understand the reluctance?

I have raised this with him and he just doesn’t really say anything other than he doesn’t see how it could work Confused it is infuriating that he won’t spell out to me what the issue is. This then led to me getting frustrated and asking him how he expects a relationship to be maintained when he can’t even spend a night in the week together? I asked if he was bothered about it and if he even cared about this...to which he burst into tears, said he’s rubbish at relationships and he’s trying Hmm

When he’s had a drink he will often say he’s so thankful I am patient with him and he’s sorry he is so rubbish at all this. I think what he says is genuine.

Aside from this issue, when he’s not working weekends and we are together it is wonderful. It is the best relationship I’ve ever had. We speak on the phone often and I miss him massively when apart. He does thoughtful things like sorts my car as he knows i hate all that stuff, he’s sent me books he thinks I would like, he comes to visit me on his time off. All the usual stuff.

My best friend has said I need to totally withdraw from this and show him that if he can’t commit to regular week day meet ups during weeks he is working all over a weekend, then he doesn’t get the phone calls, the texts and the nice weekend dates. She thinks this is the best chance of making him realise what damage he is doing. I am minded to send one last message on it, being direct and just suggesting a day to go over next week. Then if he doesn’t agree or is difficult, maybe say very little and leave him to it from there?

It’s horrible because he is everything I wanted in someone apart from this bit that he just can’t seem to be flexible about.

OP posts:
RedPandaRed2 · 16/05/2021 11:42

It seems that you are more into him, than he is into you ?

You are in the honeymoon period, it should be fun
He seems to be putting up barriers

If I had the choice of working late or spending time with a new partner, I would choose to spend with my partner

Perhaps he doesn't want to live together in the future?

TheThermalStair · 16/05/2021 11:53

He is crap at relationships like he says. And I think the only reason you’ve got to 5 months is because you are probably the one person in the world who doesn’t mind if their partner works every day and will “fit around” them ie lurk in their home til they come back, come over late etc. I think the socialising you’ve advocated paints you as a bit of a pushover. You seem to be willing to ask for less and less to avoid losing him. If he works in a macho world he might see this as you devaluing yourself. Have you tried asking for more eg TAKE ME OUT FOR DINNER, rather than less ie “I’ll just wait for you in your home til you have time to see me”. I’ve seen relationships like this take shape and the power imbalance is all off.

dottiedodah · 16/05/2021 11:54

Has he been married before, or come out of a LT relationship recently? He seems to be a bit of a commitment phobe! Some guys when they get to about 40 are used to having space to themselves . I think you seem to be on 2 different pages here ,he is willing to rumble along and you are wanting something more .If he is as nice as you say ,hopefully he will realise hes got a good deal with you and step up! Talk to him and explain your feelings clearly .

JanuaryJonez · 16/05/2021 11:55

I think you're over-reacting a little.

He just sounds to me like someone who's very much defined by his job. He also sounds quite into you though so I think you need to step back a bit if you want this long term.

But you also need to consider that if you do end up long term or even married with DCs with him, his behaviour might not change that much, although you'd at least be in the same home.

There have been a few threads on MN about DHs spending their lives tied to their work...

maskface212 · 16/05/2021 11:57

OP I've learned two things (yes, only two) about relationships.

  1. It tends to start off how it will continue. I had a bf who, when we started seeing each other, only wanted to meet up Thursdays. He would stay Thursday night and then the weekend was for him and his friends. Now, after about six months, I could also join his friends at the weekend, but that schedule didn't change. After two and a half years, I was sick to death of only seeing my bf once a week on Thursday. I didn't want to see his friends at the weekend, as his friends were dicks and my bf would ignore me when he was with them.

Yes, I know my ex was a prick but my point was, how it started was how it remained. I don't see this situation changing. You want the relationship to develop and grow and he wants it to stay the same where you aren't really a part of his life until the weekend. At least you're getting the weekend! But I've learned from my experience and understand that the other person isn't going to magically transform into what I want. Unfortunately I think this is it and this isn't what you want.

You can either suck it up and see how it develops which could potentially mean wasting a lot more time with him if it doesn't or you could bail.

  1. The other thing I learned is that it doesn't matter why someone is behaving the way they are what matters is how it affects you and you are unhappy.
premium77 · 16/05/2021 12:03

OP i couldn’t put up with this. I think once a week is the minimum, anything less than that is like a FWB.

Also 5 months should still be the honeymoon stage so the fact that this is so much effort already and also that he’s okay with have physical intimacy/sex so infrequently I would cut my losses. It’s taking all the fun out of it.

I mean if I was a man and my girlfriend asked to come round I would be jumping at the idea not saying ‘i dunno how it will work’. How romantic.

Flowers500 · 16/05/2021 12:06

Honestly I’ve dated guys like this. There’s just no point, work is full on and stressful for them, they don’t have the mental space to make you a priority. It always ends with your self esteem hurt and them also upset about their inability to give you what you need.

flaminjo · 16/05/2021 12:11

I think you need to back off a bit. He's 37, still single. I Assume he lives alone? He is stuck in his ways or it could be his personality that he likes his life a certain way and finds it hard to change or be flexible with his routine.

You can't push your way in if he doesn't want to change his routine and lifestyle

You won't change him. Think carefully about how compatible you are for a long term relationship. And if so, then be prepared to put up with his quirky ways and if not, move on.

VoodooQueenoftheBayou · 16/05/2021 12:11

I'm going to say this gently because I don't want to hurt you but my gut instinct on this is that he hasn't left the dating scene.

Wanting to compartmentalise the way he is suggests that he has you, work and other. He may not want you in his space because you might catch on to the other.

Flowers500 · 16/05/2021 12:13

I really don’t think cheating is the issue here. I think if you’re honest with yourself he’s probably already told you that this is why his previous relationships ended?

katy1213 · 16/05/2021 12:21

He likes his space and he doesn't want you working there when he's not around. Why don't you suggest coming over the evening and leaving when he goes to work next day?
I'd be more worried about him bursting into tears over trivialities: such a turn-off! I'm not sure I could get past that.

VoodooQueenoftheBayou · 16/05/2021 12:23

Flowers you could be right. I do know guys working in the industry and they use the same phrases though with their new girlfriends whilst doing weekday night hookups. It would explain why he doesn't want her there at his flat whilst he isn't and why he isn't flexible to changing plans.

As I say I hope I'm wrong but I'm seeing this play out through some of my friends.

Just be careful of getting too attached OP whilst there are some unanswered red flags.

maskface212 · 16/05/2021 12:25

@katy1213

He likes his space and he doesn't want you working there when he's not around. Why don't you suggest coming over the evening and leaving when he goes to work next day? I'd be more worried about him bursting into tears over trivialities: such a turn-off! I'm not sure I could get past that.
I'd hate that as well but the cynic in me sees this as manipulative behaviour. Boo hoo! I'm no good at relationships (shite excuse) and now the conversation becomes about HIS feelings. Job done. Don't want to bring that up again as he gets upset...
Schoolchoicesucks · 16/05/2021 12:25

It sounds to me that he has a full on job and was happy to compartmentalise so that work is Monday-Friday (plus occasional weekends) and relationships are weekends (other than when work interferes).

How many weekends does he work?

Does that arrangement work for you? It sounds like it doesn't.

I agree that working from his home seems to be making him uncomfortable. If he's 25 minutes from you, then suggest going over after he finishes work, staying over and then you leave in the morning when he goes to work.

Would that arrangement work for you?

If not, then I'd gently suggest that he doesn't have space in his life for the kind of relationship that you want and to move on, OP.

sar302 · 16/05/2021 12:29

It seems he sees you as a nice addition to his life, when he's available.
You seem to want a more committed relationship - seeing each other more regularly etc.

Neither of these are incorrect approaches, they're just not particularly compatible. It doesn't matter how wonderful he is if he's never around.

You can't force him to step up, so it might be time to find someone that can give you want you want.

Thinkaboutthings · 16/05/2021 12:34

I think if he’s got a full on job he just doesn’t want to see you on a work night. He could be horrified at the thought of you staying at his place during the day when he’s not there.

From what you say, it doesn’t sound like he’s playing around, more like he doesn’t want to change his routine.

stuckducks · 16/05/2021 12:34

Yeah I tend to agree, he is extremely stuck in his ways. I would be happy to just stay over then go home following day, I did wonder if staying at his without him there was too much. Maybe put him off? I don’t know. He said not.

It probably isn’t going to go anywhere is it. I am gutted about it as I really really liked him a lot. It’s not a relationship if we don’t see each other at least once a week though.

OP posts:
InTruth · 16/05/2021 12:48

I would spend more time trying to figure out what’s holding him back, rather than repeatedly suggesting something he’s clearly not comfortable doing without great persuasion and frustration on your part.

herecomestreble · 16/05/2021 12:55

Does he make time to see friends? Surely the weekend he's working, which is extra, he could finish earlier on the Saturday and go in a little later on the Sunday so you could spend Saturday night together.

ittakes2 · 16/05/2021 12:56

Sorry but I think if you are having to negotiate him seeing you at a time when you are in the 'honeymoon' phase than I think you might want different things. Maybe he seems like the perfect man because he as worked you out and is responding to this - but he might not be thinking you are the perfect woman for him. Sorry.

ittakes2 · 16/05/2021 12:58

and from my experience the banking industry there is a lot of last minute late night working and/or socialising during the week so maybe he wants that flexibility.

stuckducks · 16/05/2021 12:59

I don’t know what to think really. He’s very very nice to me and often wanting to have phone calls, sends me nice things in the post, very understanding and caring if I want a chat etc etc.

It’s odd. I think really he’s just very busy and has never prioritised a relationship before and probably isn’t going to start doing now

I’m going to suggest coming over in the week. But if he’s not encouraging about it then I’m going to date again. Urgh so rubbish.

OP posts:
IND1A · 16/05/2021 13:00

@InTruth

I would spend more time trying to figure out what’s holding him back, rather than repeatedly suggesting something he’s clearly not comfortable doing without great persuasion and frustration on your part.
That’s a job for him and his therapist.

The Op wants to be his girlfriend, not his unpaid project worker.

TheJackieWeaver · 16/05/2021 13:03

I think I can see this from his point of view.

How much free time does he get, just to himself?

I work long hours (and also juggle childcare) and several previous partners thought that if I wasn’t at work or with my children then I should be seeing them. I felt totally suffocated. Time to myself was really important too.

My current DP totally gets it. He’s never pushed me to commit to “every Thursday” (or whatever) or demanded to know when I’m dropping the kids with exH so that he can fill my time. He’s just happy to see me when we can. Because of that, I make a lot more time for him than I’ve made for previous partners, because I feel free within the relationship, iyswim?

I think the problem is that you have different expectations from the relationship. Have you spoken about long term goals at all? Do you plan to live together in the future, for example?

InTruth · 16/05/2021 13:13

How long have you been “together”, OP?
The tears may suggest he is very stressed and needs rest and recuperation time in between his long hours of work - not always easy to do when someone is staying over, especially if the relationship is quite new. Although he should be mature enough to say so.

The lack of communication is more worrying than the resistance to me, as this may be something that won’t soon change.

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