Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

How to react to this? Am I being a drama Queen?

329 replies

Jueeer · 09/07/2021 21:15

6 months in and pretty much every time we have arranged to meet, it’s been me trying to discuss it. Once discussed, he will usually follow up to confirm the day before or say he’s looking forward to it etc. I’ve told him repeatedly that I would like the next time we meet to be arranged before we say goodbye, so we both know when the next date it. He did engage for a bit and now it’s dropped off again.

So here we are, Friday night. Saw him Tuesday morning, said I wanted to see him this weekend... he said yes, that was end of discussion. We’ve had some texts since and he contacted me today, but no mention of the weekend or meeting up. This is a man who has told me he loves me?!

I know I could ask and sort out the arrangement but ffs, why is it always me having to instigate? Am I being a drama Queen? What would you do?

OP posts:
Classicbrunette · 10/07/2021 06:11

I don’t think he’s that into you, sorry 💐 if he was he would be making noises about seeing you all the time. Could he have other women on the go too ?

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 10/07/2021 06:16

Well - I think you need to meet up with him this weekend and have a "chat" - i.e. a straigh out, cards on the table discussion of what you expect from a partner in a relationship, including obvious signs of him wanting to spend time with you, rather than just acquiescing when you ask him.

Put it all out there and see what he comes back with - AND make sure he has some actual input as well, rather than just saying yes or no to your needs - and then if he doesn't agree that he's fully in and prepared to make equal effort in maintaining your relationship, then bin him off.

Too many men will just accept being allowed to coast along in a relationship and let the other half do all the heavy work - this isn't how you want things to be, so give him ONE chance to up his game, and tell him that's what you're doing!

picklemewalnuts · 10/07/2021 07:20

@PrincessNutella

My suggestion to you is: Step away from the keyboard. Stop short circuiting yourself. Don't be so damned nice. Remember: the purpose of males is to open our jars, look good, scare burglars, and hold onto the odd bit of sperm till we want it. Otherwise, useless. We are the creator sex and they are just decoration. Think of fifty delightful or useful things you can do with your free time this weekend. Now go be the amazon you are.
I love this advice, despite being mum to two young men. I think it puts women in a strong starting position- establish your own life, then see if a bloke turns up whose worth tweaking your life to accommodate.
JustAnotherOldMan · 10/07/2021 07:24

No wonder his relationships never go over a month, if I seeing a Barrister, I’d get those dates agreed so far in advance, only the Judge could get her out of them !

Jueeer · 10/07/2021 07:36

Thank you for the posts. We spoke on the phone. I explained how I felt and he did his usual silence, awkwardness. He said he hadn’t arranged the weekend as he didn’t know what was happening with work. He has an interview in a week and needs time to prepare. He gets horrendously stressed about work on a level I haven’t seen before in anyone. He seemed sorry on the phone. I just don’t know what to do really. When I went off the phone I felt better, re assured and like it was just down to his stress. But I’ve woken up feeling irritated and confused still.

He’s been very supportive of me when I’ve been doing work, bought chocolates the other week after I had had a long day. He is thoughtful like that. No way he is seeing anyone else, at least I’m sure as I can be. I’m gutted about all of this as I honestly thought he was the right one.

OP posts:
hopeishere · 10/07/2021 07:39

My DH hadn't had a serious relationship when we met. But neither had I. I was 33 and he was 40. So it's not a red flag. I'd had loads of shitty short ones and he had been travelling / working abroad.

When we started dating I knew one of my insecurities was waiting to see if there would be another date so I got into the habit of arranging the next date on the date. Not vague 'let's go out on Saturday' but let's got to X or go to this film or what ever so a concrete plan was made. And that made me less anxious.

However I know all the tech now and being able to see if people were online / reading messages would have done my absolute head in so you have my sympathies.

Today make some nice plans for yourself - a bit of self care.

MerryDecembermas · 10/07/2021 07:43

You sound a lot like how I used to be OP. This book really helped me - The Rules by Sherrie Schneider.

You have to develop proper boundaries and self assurance. It is possible to change and relax.

TheFoundations · 10/07/2021 07:50

But I’ve woken up feeling irritated and confused still

Because he's fobbed you off. He could easily have sent you a quick message to say 'I really want to see you at the weekend - I'm just waiting for work to let me know what's going on and then I'll let you know when I'm free', and you would have felt better, wouldn't you?

He's given an excuse that doesn't deal with what was bothering you: He left you hanging, and didn't care that you were waiting to hear from him.

Pansypotter123 · 10/07/2021 07:51

He could have told you earlier in the week that work was possibly going to be an issue this weekend, but he didn't. He's making excuses and this is merely part of an ongoing pattern of behaviour. You're an intelligent young woman - walk away from this one, as others have said, and don't invest any more of your precious time in him. Dealing with him is like pulling teeth, and you deserve so much better. Know your worth, and what you bring to the table ..... sometimes it's better to dine alone.

JustAnotherOldMan · 10/07/2021 07:52

A week to prepare for an interview, that’s some killer pressure,

wedswench · 10/07/2021 08:07

He's given a weak excuse for this most current situation but you said this has been going on a while so it's irrelevant about the interview/work thing.

You said earlier in that in the first two dates he was formal and something else, I can't remember the word you used now. I wonder why you overlooked that and continued to pursue him? As well with the comments about how he wasn't loving and probably wouldn't give you longer than a month.

I know that's no help now because you can't go back in time but I think perhaps something to think about next time as in - when someone tells/shows you who they are, believe them.

Cookiebox · 10/07/2021 08:08

Ultimately he's not making you happy. You (understandingly) sound upset, irritated and anxious....this is NOT conducive to a happy healthy relationship that will leave you content and feeling loved.
Most ppl are on their very best behaviour at the start of a relationship so if this is his best it's not good enough.
Imagine trying to arrange a holiday together or getting engaged or married, deciding to have a baby. If he isn't enthusiastic by now and just meeting up there is no hope.
You'll waste your precious time just cajoling him all the time.
Besides he's very clearly saying to you he's put HIS needs first....

AnyOldPrion · 10/07/2021 08:09

Your posts are so sad, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Standing back, it seems clear to me. Stop doing the running. Distract yourself, as much as that is possible (I understand how easy that is to say, but not to do).

You have to find out now if he is genuinely interested and the only way you can do that is to step back and see if he steps up. If he doesn’t, it’s very painful, but at least you will know.

Much easier, in some ways, if he would definitively leave you and it’s tempting to suggest you should leave him so you can move on. But it’s not absolutely impossible that if you make yourself more absent, that he will realise you are important to him.

Entirely different situation, but a friend of mine in a long term relationship told me that her partner once told her he had met someone else and didn’t know if he wanted to stay or leave. I probably would have tried desperately to hold onto him, running around making efforts to do nice things, waiting in agony to see what decision he made (Mumsnet calls it “the pick me dance”). She didn’t. She told him to leave right now and go. He did. Within two days, he came crawling back. They’ve now been married for years and seem very happy.

But I was impressed by her strong boundaries. She loved him, but she was not going to let anyone mess her about or mess with her head. I haven’t read the book that Merry recommends, but I have spent a lot of time reading this board. There are a lot of clearheaded women here and I have learned a lot. If someone is treating you badly (which he is) you need to set yourself some boundaries. Know that there are certain situations where you have decided that you will walk away, no matter how tough it feels. Because if you stay in a relationship where you feel you are not being treated well, it will never be a happy relationship. And an unhappy relationship is not one you should bring children into (assuming that’s something you want).

As an aside, I had a good career before I met my ex. It didn’t remotely cross my mind that I could have children as a single women. I was looking for the perfect family life, and was worried I’d never find it, so I settled. Don’t make the same mistake. With hindsight, I wish I had thought around other ways I could have had a family without having to commit to a man who wasn’t right for me. You haven’t mentioned children, so that may not be important to you, but you mentioned your age, so it might be relevant. If children are important to you, you don’t necessarily need a man.

ThatOtherPoster · 10/07/2021 08:20

My DH used to pin me down for dates by arranging them at the end of the date. But he had to, because when we met I was very very social and busy all the time, and he’d discovered that if he didn’t arrange a date ASAP, I’d be booked up.

I was 40, divorced with kids at the time!

This isn’t good enough. You’re being far too nice (cooking!!!! Just no) and he’s being a selfish idiot who is taking you 100% for granted.

Fall off the face of the earth now for 2 weeks. Don’t answer any of his messages. Spend those 2 weeks reading dating books like The Rules (all of them), and Why Men Love Bitches. You’ll recognise yourself in those books.

Re-emerge in 2 weeks as a cool, calm, collected sex goddess who knows it’s up to HIM to try to get YOUR time and attention, not the other way round.

No he won’t dump you if he can’t reach you for 2 weeks.

No it’s not unreasonable to want to see your BF every weekend.

No you’re not being a drama Queen.

Yes you should expect better.

No honestly, he won’t dump you.

PearlclutchersInc · 10/07/2021 08:22

Is this the kind of man you want to spend the rest of your life with - only 6 months in and its hard work. This is indicative of what things will be like in the future; him doing his own thing which is the opposite of what you want.

Frankly, I'd cut my losses unless in every other aspect he's perfect (which I very much doubt).

Hippee · 10/07/2021 08:29

Ask yourself if this is what you want for the rest of your life - you're only six months in, so it should be the honeymoon period - it probably isn't going to get better. Are you prepared to spend more of your time with this man if it isn't going to be right/forever? I think you should have a full and frank discussion about how want things to go over the next few years and if he doesn't seem on the page, cut your losses now - otherwise you'll be another couple of years down the road and having to start again.

TheFoundations · 10/07/2021 08:29

Fall off the face of the earth now for 2 weeks. Don’t answer any of his messages

This is game playing. It's not healthy relationship behaviour.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 10/07/2021 08:31

if you feel hurt that is not a good feeling, at 6 months you should feel comfortable not concerned.
give him up, he is too cool a customer for comfort imo

billy1966 · 10/07/2021 08:31

OP,
You are irritated because your gut is screaming at you, that you are not getting what you want here.

He is giving you the run a round.
He is not that into you.
You are wasting time.
You should move on.

You know and trying to talk yourself around is just silly.
Flowers

senua · 10/07/2021 08:32

We spoke on the phone. I explained how I felt and he did his usual silence, awkwardness. He said he hadn’t arranged the weekend as he didn’t know what was happening with work. He has an interview in a week and needs time to prepare. He gets horrendously stressed about work on a level I haven’t seen before in anyone.
Imagine having kids with him. He would shut out family life when he was 'stressed' and expect you to pick up the load.
He's not husband/partner material. He compartmentalises too much and is able to put you on the backburner when work is more important.
You may be a Drama Queen for all I know, but not on this occassion.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 10/07/2021 08:33

i had a bf like this,
we ended, and he told a friend i was possessive Angry

we all like to be wanted, and he is hurting your feelings op

ivykaty44 · 10/07/2021 08:39

what would I do

get ob with my own life, see my friends and enjoy my hobbies etc

if he can't be bothered to make arrangements, sorry but he's not worth bothering with

Coffeepot72 · 10/07/2021 08:44

So are you getting together this weekend OP?

OhWhyDidTheyDoIt · 10/07/2021 08:46

*You are worth more than this.

Relationships should not be this much hard work*

He may have issues (work can fling stuff at him at the weekend so he gets anxious having set plans). He maybe soo relaxed he doesn't see the need to plan. He hates committing to stuff in case something better comes along. Whatever.

However he has a partner who has said she needs to plan ahead. And NOT to discuss plans is just rude imho

Has he listened? Compromised? Tried to meet you half way? Even quarter way "I am agitated about planning something this weekend as I think work may kick off - can we agree we will see each other - but please excuse me if I have to bail at the last minute for Saturday."

I am sorry. He is either a self-absorbed arsehole (how he wants to live life is the only way he is going to live it). And/or he is just not that into you.

Ultimately, he wants his weekends unencumbered by committments/arrangements so he doesn't feel ......whatever his issue is... (pinned down? obligated? committed?...) If he was into you he would not feel that.

So I am going to say it again.

*You are worth more than this.

Relationships should not be this much hard work*

tara66 · 10/07/2021 08:47

He doesn't sound like Mr Wonderful or the marrying kind at all. Tell him you need more passion in your life so are moving to South America.