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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

New date, he’s 40, would you steer clear if...

282 replies

Wonderbraaaas · 30/06/2021 08:38

He’s never had a relationship. Ie never had a relationship that lasted beyond a few months, never moved in, never met parents, never said he loved anyone (I asked if he’d ever loved someone after I found out he’d never had a proper relationship, to which he said ‘I got to a stage where I thought I might be able to love x (name of a previous date of a few months).

He’s never introduced anyone to his family, never met anyone’s family, never even been on a holiday with someone, not even for a weekend break.

We get on well but before I found this out (a month or so after meeting), I’d noticed he was incredibly awkward in messages, very very formal (always signs off with his name which I know people do but generally not after you’ve got to know someone?! Maybe just me...). He’s very procedural, would never throw in a flirty comment. When together he’s good fun, very good sense of humour (at least I like it!), but again formal and reserved. Often catch him staring into space and he says oh I’m just thinking... nothing wrong with any of this or course, it’s just unusual. He had a couple of relationship books on the book shelf, one of which was a step by step guide to meeting and talking to women, including advice on what to wear, what to say, how to progress a relationship Confused I guess that’s not a problem in itself but someone who has gone out of their way to buy a book on relationships but has never been in one for forty years makes me apprehensive.

I’m just not sure what to do as I’ve had many men mess me about and I’m getting older now, want to settle down so if he’s a hiding to nowhere I want to get out now. I know nobody from the internet can decide for me but just wanted to talk it over I think!

OP posts:
NautaOcts · 30/06/2021 08:42

I’m not at all experienced in these matters, but from what you’ve said I wouldn’t write him off just yet but proceed with caution. Sounds like he wants and feels ready for a relationship? Might just be hard work…

DoubleTweenQueen · 30/06/2021 08:43

Get to know him a bit better, don’t invest too much emotionally and keep yourself open to other dates while you form your opinion of each other?

Sounds as though you’ve already decided he’s not for you, though? In which case, move on.

NautaOcts · 30/06/2021 08:43

And whether you’re going to get the affection and positive affirmation you need from him?

Potpourri23 · 30/06/2021 08:45

I know loads of people who have done all the things he hasn't, but are still absolutely rubbish at relationships.

Who cares if he's been on holiday with someone? It's how he treats you and how well he communicates that's going to dictate how well the relationship goes.

DinosaurDiana · 30/06/2021 08:47

I walk from this one.

Slimmingstar · 30/06/2021 08:47

My DP never had a gf before me. Met when he was early 40’s.
He’d never been interested in relationships and put no effort into meeting anyone.
We were friends for a long time. I knew he wanted more, but was very wary due to knowing his history.
After a year or so I realised he was a wonderful person who had just never met the right person.
He enjoys attending hobby events and knows people to say hello to, but has no friends in the way I have them. It’s just who he is.
That’s not to say your guy is in any way the same. Only you can decide if he can give you what you want.

xsjrx · 30/06/2021 08:47

This sounds like a character from a book I read last year ...'The Rosie Project' the guy in this was autistic to a degree. I'm not saying your date is but some of things you have mentioned sound exactly like that. I could be totally wrong as I'm an certainly no expert. Like a PP said just scope each other out and go from there or don't.

Wonderbraaaas · 30/06/2021 08:48

It’s been a bit hard work. It’s taken weeks for him to feel he can just call me randomly, for instance. We used to have a formal message asking when was convenient, which is very nice obviously! But he seems stuck in formality all the time. That example isn’t a big deal but it took about 15 dates before we stayed over. We’ve not had sex yet and it’s been nearly 3 months. Not bothered about that yet but obviously part of me is thinking wtf?! Most men have wanted that after a few dates. I don’t like that either but this is another extreme? He was a terrible kisser but has since become brilliant with practice. I don’t know..we click massively on humour and interests so I didn’t want to end it. But I was a bit surprised to know he’s never had a relationship.

OP posts:
Aalvarino · 30/06/2021 08:51

I would run very fast in the opposite direction.

Coronawireless · 30/06/2021 08:51

It depends what you’re looking for in a relationship. Passion? Romance? Stability? A steady father for your children? Someone to lead or someone content to be in the background while you take the reins? Do you need excitement or could you cope with a little dullness? Do you need a lot of affirmation or can you live happily with a lower level of emotional support? Only you can know all that. There’s no right or wrong answer.
What should be non negotiable is that he is kind, decent, hard-working, respectful and reliable and does not have mood swings. Also that you don’t constantly wish you were somewhere else when you’re with him.
Give it a chance but be clear to yourself about his limits. Some people may think that sounds like “settling” but really it depends what you want out of life and how much you expect of a partner.

HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 · 30/06/2021 08:52

I would say he sounds autistic. My ex husband was and was similar to what you describe. All I’ll say is that he struggled with feelings and intimacy and after 7 years I had to leave.
I’m not saying write him off, just he aware that he probably won’t change and if you are happy with what he has to offer then go for it!

MilduraS · 30/06/2021 08:52

I wouldn't write him off. My ex-bf had never had a serious relationship before me and he was 34 at the time. We met when we were travelling and I moved to his home country so he went from nothing to having a live-in girlfriend struggling to learn the local language and find a job. We had an amazing 5 years together and only broke up because we had different goals in life.

Comedycook · 30/06/2021 08:53

I wouldn't want to be with a man like that

Aalvarino · 30/06/2021 08:54

It's not that he hasn't done any of the usual lifestyle things, it's the fact he sounds so incredibly neophobic, risk averse and overly formal. The bad kissing would put me off as well even if it has subsequently improved. It doesn't bode well for the bedroom.

Wonderbraaaas · 30/06/2021 08:54

Not sure how he sounds autistic @HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 ? Also wouldn’t he have told me if he was?

@Coronawireless yes good points, he’s very stable I think? My concern is does he just lose interest in women quickly and can’t commit? How can I know this before getting too involved?

OP posts:
MaMelon · 30/06/2021 08:56

If you’re looking for a companion with the faint possibility of intimacy at some point he’s your man.

If you’re looking for romance, sex, passion and friendship all rolled into one heat or your man

But that’s only my thoughts after reading your posts - I obviously don’t know him. What I do know is that you should never settle for second best Smile

MaMelon · 30/06/2021 08:56

*He’s not your man

Aalvarino · 30/06/2021 08:56

And also what @HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 wrote. Not because people with autism are not relationship-worthy, but there can be what I would describe as unique and profound challenges, being their partner.

Wonderbraaaas · 30/06/2021 08:58

I don’t understand the autism comments (though I don’t know much about autism). I think he’d have told me if he was?

OP posts:
mommybear1 · 30/06/2021 08:58

He sounds possibly a bit socially awkward tbh I'd give it a chance it could be that no one else has that's why he's not had a relationship. You said his kisses have got better with practice I suspect all the other communication bits will too.

HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 · 30/06/2021 08:58

I’m no doctor, I’m just sharing my experience. I don’t think many adults know they are on the spectrum as it wasn’t something that was assessed back when they were children.

Itsstartingtorainout · 30/06/2021 08:59

He might just be a bit nervous if he’s not had relationships before, or he might be neuro diverse. Either way if you’re not comfortable then you don’t have to stick around. You don’t owe anybody your attention.

User135644 · 30/06/2021 09:00

Sounds like he's not neurotypical. That makes it harder for men in particular to have relationships.

User135644 · 30/06/2021 09:04

@Wonderbraaaas

I don’t understand the autism comments (though I don’t know much about autism). I think he’d have told me if he was?
He might not be autistic, but chances are he's on the spectrum and not neurotypical.
Etinox · 30/06/2021 09:06

How old are you @Wonderbraaaas?
Early 30s, generally good at relationships ie you’ve had a few and not get stuck or noticed recurring toxic patterns, I’d say stick around.
Much older or with a history of not so great relationships, put him back.
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