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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

Updated profile pic has got on my nerves

152 replies

Sandra15 · 30/07/2021 09:21

Last summer I was chatting (initially in a work context) with a guy who then began telling me he had feelings for me and couldn't stop thinking about me, arranged to meet and he stood me up and ghosted me. After reading through the messages he had sent, they were filthy and showed what he was really like.

He posted a photograph just around the time of the ghosting on Facebook, showing him looking rather tubby and I concluded he was a pillock and I had had a lucky escape.

Today he has posted a new profile picture on Facebook (I haven't blocked him but have never engaged with him since the ghosting. I did call him out, but that was in December and he read the message in May!) I don't want anything to do with him.

The profile picture today that has been the first change in over a year shows that he has been to the most exclusive, tough and exacting boot camp in history. Bear Grylls couldn't hack this. He's lost stones, grown more hair and miraculously it is darker, too, set off by a very deep tan.

It has really pissed me off though! I don't know why. I don't want him, he is a fool. Why it has got to me I do not know!

OP posts:
toocold54 · 30/07/2021 20:41

It was simply a surprise, took the wind out of my sails, and gave me a jolt.

That’s fair enough. Maybe you were still angry with him but hadn’t realised until you saw the photo.
I would block/delete so you can’t see him again and get the same feeling.

MyFartWillGoOn · 30/07/2021 20:41

YABU. I'd never turn down Chris Hemsworth just for sexting.

Sandra15 · 30/07/2021 20:43

@Persephonesgrove - I think you might have thought he was a fitness instructor from my OP this morning. That was me being sarcastic because the only way he could have looked like this would have been to have been to bootcamp! I was almost sure it was an old picture and indeed it was.

OP posts:
TheFoundations · 30/07/2021 20:47

Rather than me being overinvested in this guy, it seems many people are overinvested in the whole story

Wow, OP. You're SO defensive. Can you even admit that you're being defensive? If so, ask yourself why. You've invited people to comment, and when they comment and say what you don't want to hear, you're saying they're over invested. It's like anything you don't want to hear is an attack to you. Maybe the profile picture felt a bit like an attack you needed to defend yourself from?

Persephonesgrove · 30/07/2021 20:58

Sandra15 apologies the posts I was referencing were about him sending picture of him in fitness 'actions' surrounding. That's entirely my mistake. I apologise for that. But its does appear you expected 'fit' and when you realised that's not what you weren't getting THEN you were bothered. Again, you did have am image of what he was like.

You said on here you messaged him in decentmebrr and he read it in May. Either you were checking alot to see when he read it. Or you don't actually know when he read it.

You said on another post about him posting on his exs photos, so you have been keeping up with him. Or are you telling us the creepy messages to the ex were while you were still chatting to him?

I don't think you want to date or should want to date anyone. I wouldn't say that to anyone.

You haven't removed this man from your Facebook, even though you know he gives you negative feelings. He isn't enhancing your life. But you still want some sort of connection.

If it took the wind out of your sails, its because something is unresolved for you. Wether its rejection/him being a dick whatever. Its still impacting you and you don't want to do anything to mitigate it.

That sounds like someone who is more invested than they say.

Its been over for as long as it was going on. Block him and let it go. There's only one reason you would keep him on there. And that's because you still want to know what he is up to. Or that you want him to know what you are up to.

Either way, it's really not helping you is it?

One more piece of advice. Please don't ever go meet a man at his house when you haven't ever met him before. You didn't really know him. For your own safety. You shouldn't have to worry about that but, unfortunately, you do.

Sandra15 · 30/07/2021 21:01

@Persephonesgrove You said on here you messaged him in decentmebrr and he read it in May. Either you were checking alot to see when he read it. Or you don't actually know when he read it.

No that isn't true. When I noticed it had been read, I hovered the cursor over his picture and it came up with the date and time it was read, which was 16 May. I'd sent it on something like 10 Dec. I wasnt looking. I was going through my messages, yes, and did look then, but I wasn't obsessively checking.

OP posts:
Persephonesgrove · 30/07/2021 21:11

@Sandra15 you posted

I did call him out, but that was in December and he read the message in May!)

That was your post on here.

You checked a message that you sent in December? It records when it was read?

Ok I don't think this thread is helping you so I will bow put. I hope you do block him or remove him. For your own sake. Or at least get to the bottom why a man who you messaged for a bit is even registering on your radar and why you want him on your social media.

I genuinely wish you every happiness.

toocold54 · 30/07/2021 21:21

Have you deleted him yet OP?

Sandra15 · 30/07/2021 21:38

@toocold54

Have you deleted him yet OP?
I have.
OP posts:
RiverSkater · 30/07/2021 21:46

He's a pillock who stood you up and ghosted you. That's him.

Forget Facebook. That's his PR, not him.

WhiskeyGalore212 · 30/07/2021 22:01

....so I chose to ignore it, and it stopped - I thought he had got the message. Then, he ghosted me.

It sounds like he was aiming for a shag/fwb/whatever and thought from your avoidance of sex talk that you weren't... and therefore had a belated attack of either "can't be arsed" (cause I'm really after casual sex and she's not,) or (most flattering possible interpretation to him) of conscience in terms of potentially leading you on when he wants sex and you don't (presumimg you want a relationship).

However still a very immature, shitty, ridiculous way of dealing with the situation.

WhiskeyGalore212 · 30/07/2021 22:08

I think it's quite natural to hold resentment/some bitterness/perhaps a bit of schadenfreude (!) towards any ghoster. It's such shitty behaviour.

Bluntness100 · 30/07/2021 22:17

I think these comments are a lot to do with the fact it does seem you’ve been stalking this guy on line and don’t wish to own it or admit it.

You do post a lot about dating to be fair, which makes me think you’re maybe not so happy being single really and that’s ok, many folks aren’t

But this guys not for you op. I hope you habe deleted him and try to maybe get yourself back on a more even keel.

Sandra15 · 30/07/2021 22:30

@Bluntness100

I think these comments are a lot to do with the fact it does seem you’ve been stalking this guy on line and don’t wish to own it or admit it.

You do post a lot about dating to be fair, which makes me think you’re maybe not so happy being single really and that’s ok, many folks aren’t

But this guys not for you op. I hope you habe deleted him and try to maybe get yourself back on a more even keel.

Look. I appreciate your "bluntness" but I am neither on an uneven keel nor stalking this bloke. There's nothing missing in my life. Ok, perhaps time. Never got enough of that. I don't care what he's doing and had it not been for the news feed he'd not have been in my thoughts at all.

If I post a lot about dating it's possibly because this incident was novel to me. I've talked a lot about dating in my distant past which would have been prior to 2005. I actually joined mumsnet because of a situation with a friend and the dating comments came out of me reading other posts and commenting on them and yes talking about this scenario that was a new one on me.

I am not stalking this man. I am not seeking a relationship. It was more an amusing anecdote than anything which has turned the thread into a freaking nightmare because of my being called vile, obsessed and a stalker just for starters. I'm not prepared to put up with that.

If I meet someone organically and I get on with them then so be it. If I don't, I don't. Que sera sera.

But I really don't need to get on an even keel. But thanks for the concern.

OP posts:
YeokensYegg · 30/07/2021 22:37

Had you ever actually met this guy in person?
Talked to him on the phone? Skyped?

Sandra15 · 30/07/2021 22:41

@YeokensYegg

Had you ever actually met this guy in person? Talked to him on the phone? Skyped?
Talked on the phone and Zoom. He stood me up so we didn't meet. It's all academic anyway, I don't want anything to do with him. All I was posting about was the jolt I got from the profile picture. It doesn't mean I'm interested in him or wishing we were in touch. If he ever did contact me by any method I'd not engage with him.
OP posts:
TangledUp789 · 31/07/2021 02:48

It was obvious that it was an old photograph, and indeed it was later confirmed that it was taken in St Lucia several years ago. "You know that how?" someone demanded, and the answer is that someone posted on his picture and asked where it was, and he replied.

Why, when it’s been clearly established that he’s not trying to trick people into believing it’s a recent photo, are you still posting scathing comments like this:

He’s posted a picture of himself when he was younger, fitter and had more hair!

What’s your problem exactly? Loads of people use throwback photos for their Facebook profile. From memorable moments like their wedding day or at the top of a mountain or meeting a celebrity. Or on a Caribbean holiday. Your comments about his appearance come across as deeply unpleasant.

TheFoundations · 31/07/2021 07:53

So basically, op, you've posted because youre totally fine, you don't give a hoot about this guy, and you have everything sorted. And it's baffling to you why a bunch of people would comment on your thread, even though most are saying roughly the same thing.

Is that right? What sort of answers would you have liked to receive? It's a struggle to see why you've posted at all, if you don't care about what you've posted about. Can you explain what you were after when you posted?

Sandra15 · 31/07/2021 09:36

@TheFoundations

So basically, op, you've posted because youre totally fine, you don't give a hoot about this guy, and you have everything sorted. And it's baffling to you why a bunch of people would comment on your thread, even though most are saying roughly the same thing.

Is that right? What sort of answers would you have liked to receive? It's a struggle to see why you've posted at all, if you don't care about what you've posted about. Can you explain what you were after when you posted?

Yes, I am totally fine, thanks for asking. I wasn't aware I had to have an all-consuming problem to make a post. I don't give a stuff about the bloke because his behaviour doesn't match up with anyone I would have as a friend, never mind a partner. I don't think about him. Life is good and busy, thanks.

What was I after? Well, as I have repeatedly said - it gave me a jolt to see the picture. I was unable to compute the fact that I'd been talking to a guy who seemed great, interesting and fun, and possibly a romantic prospect but proved to be the ultimate disappointment with a picture I saw of him that looked almost like somebody else.

I don't know what your job is, but you are very good at asking lots of questions to get exactly the right answer or prompt self-examination. You would be, if you aren't already, a brilliant teacher or counsellor. Your approach would probably get people who think they need a lot of support to question themselves and come up with answers and ways forward for themselves, when they have become stuck, or aren't being honest with themselves about their motivation. This is great when it is a really serious issue, but this isn't. It is almost throwaway. I don't need help. I'm not in need of therapy, support or guidance. I'm not pining for this chap or desperate for a man to make me complete and sobbing that he isn't mine. I wasn't aware that I could only post when I was in dire need of help.

So perhaps I should not have bothered (really wish I hadn't), or looked a little harder to see if there is a chit-chat/trivia thread or board section and posted there. Perhaps I didn't strike the right tone in my OP, which I suspect is the case, as I was called dreadful things and accused of allsorts that isn't true.

I was unaware that this is only for serious help or support. I thought it was a discussion board. Maybe I worded my post incorrectly. I don't know.

So what answers would I have liked to receive? Certainly not being called vile by bullying keyboard warriors (that shows up them, not me).

I suppose the nearest thing to having a 'problem' about this is that the photo looked like what I would have WANTED him to be if he had been the real deal when we were chatting normally and when it seemed fun and I thought it had promise. When I didn't know he would start sending messages about his throbbing member or his love juices. Perhaps for that moment when I saw the picture I thought of what it would have been like to be in a relationship with a guy who looked like he did and was the real deal. Except he wasn't. I knew the picture didn't add up in some way, and it didn't, because it was an old picture when he did look better than he does now.

And I don't think I am being shallow about looks. His personality wasn't the best, really, was it with his behaviour. The ghosting topped it off. I'd no idea that mucky messaging was a 'thing' because I'd never encountered it and neither had any of my friends. The first I heard of it was on Mumsnet! I thought by not replying to his messages he'd realised I wasn't interested in that sort of conversation, particularly as he reverted to talking about work, football and normal stuff once I didn't engage any more.

Hope that is enough of a problem!

OP posts:
Sandra15 · 31/07/2021 09:39

@TangledUp789 Why, when it’s been clearly established that he’s not trying to trick people into believing it’s a recent photo, are you still posting scathing comments like this:

He’s posted a picture of himself when he was younger, fitter and had more hair!

Scathing? It's a fact. If I posted a picture of myself from four years ago, I would be younger and slimmer. I actually have more hair now, as it grew longer in lockdown, but I'm probably fitter now as I've exercised most days since lockdown. I don't think that particular snippet you've chosen is nasty at all.

OP posts:
Cookiebox · 31/07/2021 10:33

I really think MN can be an awful place! So many women turning on women!
And there is a mob mentality and so many sanctimonious people on here.Sad

OP this bloke got under your skin, it's happened to me too. There was this one guy I was seeing and a similar sort of thing happened. I look back and cringe 🤣
A lot of blokes use online dating and social media to show their true colours and send dick pics and lewd comments because they feel invincible. It's grim.

Best thing I ever did was delete all my social media. In doing this it got rid of all my ex's or men I've dated.
Honestly getting rid of Facebook/Instagram etc meant my head was clear and it also meant I had more privacy.

I'm now married and I post nothing of my husband and me.

TheFoundations · 31/07/2021 10:36

Well, OP, sounds like you're doing great. Nobody has suggested that your problem isn't big enough.

Your long and passive aggressive post suggests that you are very invested in a thread which, in the very same post, you say is 'throwaway'. Perhaps this will make you question the level to which you engage/invest in things you don't want in your life, and you'll be able to walk away from a thread you created which has little meaning for you, and from feeling jolted by a picture of a man you've never met.

Also, in answering 'what kind of answers would you have liked to receive', you have only mentioned what you wouldn't like to receive. Again, this could lead you to question the way you view motivation, and make some positive changes.

But I'm sure you'll come back with a wall of defense about how you don't have problems so you don't need to make changes. It's great you're so happy, but it still looks strange that such a happy person as yourself would feel jolted by such an infinitesimally small, insignificant thing. It suggests deeper issues.

'Aren't my problems big enough for you?!' doesn't suggest a contented, fulfilled existence.

Sandra15 · 31/07/2021 10:40

@Cookiebox

I really think MN can be an awful place! So many women turning on women! And there is a mob mentality and so many sanctimonious people on here.Sad

OP this bloke got under your skin, it's happened to me too. There was this one guy I was seeing and a similar sort of thing happened. I look back and cringe 🤣
A lot of blokes use online dating and social media to show their true colours and send dick pics and lewd comments because they feel invincible. It's grim.

Best thing I ever did was delete all my social media. In doing this it got rid of all my ex's or men I've dated.
Honestly getting rid of Facebook/Instagram etc meant my head was clear and it also meant I had more privacy.

I'm now married and I post nothing of my husband and me.

Exactly. I am shocked at the nastiness and accusations over something really simple. It's actually bat*t crazy. I am sure those calling me vile and other things have behaved completely perfectly in their romantic life themselves! I just didn't know what he was really like at first.

The bloke himself is a bit creepy*, as I saw several things he had posted on other women's profiles - one is an ex, the others are old schoolfriends. Lots of these were calling them 'gorgeous' or 'beautiful', accompanied by lips emojis and kisses. He went to all the school reunions and was the only guy there. I think he's the sort of guy who needs validation of his own attractiveness and 'collects' women to boost it. A few women had commented on his 'new' profile pic saying positive things.

*Disclaimer for those who want to turn on me - I saw this AFTER I had been ghosted by him, which helped me to realise more about who he really was. If I'd known that, I'd probably have dialled down or ended the contact with him. Double disclaimer - curiosity, not stalking.

OP posts:
Sandra15 · 31/07/2021 10:41

@TheFoundations

Well, OP, sounds like you're doing great. Nobody has suggested that your problem isn't big enough.

Your long and passive aggressive post suggests that you are very invested in a thread which, in the very same post, you say is 'throwaway'. Perhaps this will make you question the level to which you engage/invest in things you don't want in your life, and you'll be able to walk away from a thread you created which has little meaning for you, and from feeling jolted by a picture of a man you've never met.

Also, in answering 'what kind of answers would you have liked to receive', you have only mentioned what you wouldn't like to receive. Again, this could lead you to question the way you view motivation, and make some positive changes.

But I'm sure you'll come back with a wall of defense about how you don't have problems so you don't need to make changes. It's great you're so happy, but it still looks strange that such a happy person as yourself would feel jolted by such an infinitesimally small, insignificant thing. It suggests deeper issues.

'Aren't my problems big enough for you?!' doesn't suggest a contented, fulfilled existence.

Righty ho then.
OP posts:
Sandra15 · 31/07/2021 10:45

@Cookiebox I really think MN can be an awful place! So many women turning on women!
And there is a mob mentality and so many sanctimonious people on here

Yes, I've had enough of the place, it's not for me. I'm not bothering engaging any more, I don't think. Some really horrible people who wouldn't dare say these things in real life to people's faces.

For balance, I'm going to tell a few girlfriends about the updated profile pic, simply that, how it made me feel momentarily, and see if they turn on me in the same way. It'll be interesting to see what they say.

OP posts:
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