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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

Is he a douchebag or I screwed up??

106 replies

AstroGirl5 · 29/12/2021 20:31

I need your help please. I think I may have just lost a great guy, and it might be too late. I met this guy online a month and a half ago. We are both in our early 40s, both divorced, both have two kids. His son lives with him. He just finished his divorce, which started a year ago, and is just finishing with property split. We slept together on something like date 7 - so not too early, that was important to me. And he invited me on a romantic trip to Paris for 3 days - where I am now, and he left.

We were talking about this trip for a long time, planning the logistics, he booked a very romantic hotel, we planned where to go together, made a playlist and so on. Before we went on the trip, I told him I had a slight complication - I would have to pick up my son from his father in Germany on the way back. My son was spending Xmas with his dad, but New Years with me, and that was the only way to make it work. So I asked my new guy whether that would be ok with him - he said of course - and then I said that I then needed to introduce my son to him beforehand so that he is not totally surprised when we pick him up together. He said of course, and suggested he comes to my house - where he ended up meeting both my kids, but I introduced him as a friend - and then we went sledging together.

It seemed rushed though and I told him I normally would not have introduced my kids so early on as it's best to get to know each other first, but that was the situation.

Anyway, then when we met in Paris, two days ago, I asked him if he had told anyone he was going here with me. He said he didn't as the whole trip away was a way to see if we work together as a couple. That was upsetting for me to hear, as I did tell my close friends I was going to Paris and that I met a great guy. By this time, we had been dating for a month and a bit. Then in Paris, we actually had an amazing time, laughing, going to a spa, museums, shopping etc. Earlier, he also had invited me to spend New Year's Eve with him, his friends and his brother upon our return. And so today, I asked him about that, who else would be there and just to know what to expect.

He then said he'd introduce me as a friend. I was surprised - and he then asked what I thought about people being friends if a relationship didn't work out. I suddenly sensed something was really off and asked him what he meant - was he talking about us? A serious conversation started - completely out of the blue, we had been laughing and kissing a minute before and spent an amazing half of the day exploring Montmartre. But suddenly, he said that with his divorce just being finalised, with his kids he needs to take care of, and so on he just can't see a relationship. That Paris is nice but we can't just do Paris - we live in Zurich and we both work and have difficult logistical situations. I said that I agreed but that we could try to make it work, without expectations. But he didn't say that he wanted to even try. He asked several times why we were suddenly having this serious conversation and how we got there so early in dating. That made me wonder - yes, it was still early but we had been dating for a month and a half, in contact every single day, and now on a romantic trip where he invited me. I kind of think that it warranted me wondering at least where this was going.

So I don't know if I again did something wrong. I would love to take it slow, without discussing future trips, and just go with the flow. No introductions to kids or even friends for now, just getting to know each other. At the same time, if somehow on this trip he already felt that something was off - I suppose it's not going to work regardless and he's simply not that into me.

What should I do now? Is there any way to still try and remedy this? Should I wait for him to contact me or should I text him and explain that I don't have any expectations, don't want commitment and don't want a relationship right now either - and then with time we just see how it develops? I worry that I may be too late, again.

OP posts:
AstroGirl5 · 30/12/2021 10:25

Did he though treat me badly? Yes, he left because we had this serious deep conversation about commitment and the future out of the blue - and he said he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. I should’ve handled it differently - I definitely should’ve said I’m not looking for anything serious right now either because it’s way too early and we are still trying to know each other. I didn’t. I felt hurt and told him that if he didn’t see any future ahead, then why are we on this trip at all. If it would’ve been a second or third date, I wouldn’t have gotten upset - but I thought that by a month and a half and being away on a trip at least meant we were both willing to give it a serious shot and not just treat it as a fling and move on to another tinder date. But I clearly reacted too seriously yesterday and scared him off completely.

So yes, the call later today won’t be good. I know it for sure.

And yes, it’s a good (yet another) life learning lesson but at the same time, I’m not getting any younger. And if I feel chemistry with someone, yes, I want it to work out. I want to be myself - and I’m spontaneous, decisive, I take risks. It clearly backfired but I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to be super careful with a guy while dating for months and months - not talking about any potential future at all.

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 30/12/2021 10:30

You not getting any younger isn't his or any other potential partner's issue. Everyone has the right to decide what they do it don't want. You and he are incompatible. I think you need to work on yourself instead of expecting a man to complete you, for want of a better phrase.

TedMullins · 30/12/2021 10:34

Sounds like a classic case of lovebombing. He made all these grand declarations but when shit got real it became apparent he didn’t mean any of it. Things that get intense that quickly are rarely a fairytale romance, they’re more likely to implode and have no substance to all the promises

AstroGirl5 · 30/12/2021 10:35

@Eslteacher06

I too have noticed the multiple posts about the same thing. I get it you're anxious to make this work, but it just confirms to me that you're not ready for a relationship. He can smell the desperation a mile off (I can, and I'm in a different country to you!)
Ok - I get it, many of you are saying I’m not ready for a relationship. Then what does it mean - to be ready? I’m just being myself, really. I had long term relationships before and everything was fine for many years. Yes, I’m now divorced but that was mutual, we grew apart over the years. I’ve been single and dating for a year and a half. So why am I desperate? I would like to meet someone I get along with, yes - I don’t want one night stands and I don’t sleep around. With this guy, yes it’s early days - but it was HIS idea to go on this trip and HIS idea to celebrate NY eve together with a part of his family (his brother). I did feel it was too soon and I asked him if he was sure - he said of course. So what am I doing wrong and why does it seem that I’m desperate? Yes, I want this to work - because I like him and we had a great time. Now he’s decided to stop it all after I clearly failed his tests. So the story is over. But if and when I meet someone else, I don’t know if I can be anyone other than myself - open, trusting, spontaneous. I think I am ready for a relationship, I just don’t know how to handle the early dating.
OP posts:
ibelieveinmirrorballs · 30/12/2021 10:36

@AstroGirl5

Did he though treat me badly? Yes, he left because we had this serious deep conversation about commitment and the future out of the blue - and he said he wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. I should’ve handled it differently - I definitely should’ve said I’m not looking for anything serious right now either because it’s way too early and we are still trying to know each other. I didn’t. I felt hurt and told him that if he didn’t see any future ahead, then why are we on this trip at all. If it would’ve been a second or third date, I wouldn’t have gotten upset - but I thought that by a month and a half and being away on a trip at least meant we were both willing to give it a serious shot and not just treat it as a fling and move on to another tinder date. But I clearly reacted too seriously yesterday and scared him off completely.

So yes, the call later today won’t be good. I know it for sure.

And yes, it’s a good (yet another) life learning lesson but at the same time, I’m not getting any younger. And if I feel chemistry with someone, yes, I want it to work out. I want to be myself - and I’m spontaneous, decisive, I take risks. It clearly backfired but I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to be super careful with a guy while dating for months and months - not talking about any potential future at all.

I get it - I’m exactly the same. I struggle not to do things this way because I like adventure, excitement, spontaneity. I have also booked holidays with people after a few weeks of dating (it didn’t work out then either).

I think it can work to be like that, but it rarely does because one or both of you is rushing in to fill some sort of void, or for other wrong reasons. I’m in early stages of dating someone and we went away for the weekend on our third date - so I do understand the urge to go for it and live your best life etc.

But I also think it’s worth reading around the subject to try to understand exactly what’s driving not only these impulses but also the anxiety and need for quick commitment/reassurance. I struggle with it too and am recognising that this intense pattern might well be “who I am” but it’s also part of an anxious attachment pattern and causes me big highs and lows when I try to date. (I’m 51 and five years post divorce so am also not getting any younger!)

LeifSan · 30/12/2021 10:36

Honestly the way you’re talking sends so many red flags off to me. You frame it like you’re decisive and take risks but your behaviour seems to be that you’ve found this guy and decided you want to declare commitment before you’ve even really had a chance to get to know each other.

That’s not risk taking and being decisive, it’s lovebombing and unhealthily intense after such a short space of time.

He also sounds pretty unhealthy with this ‘commitment test’ or whatever it was.

A romantic trip away in the first few weeks is exactly that - a nice trip, some fun, hopefully some excellent sex - something to enjoy with a new person you are excited to get to know better, not a declaration of undying love and lining you up to be his next spouse before the ink has even dried on his divorce.

Eslteacher06 · 30/12/2021 10:37

Unfortunately, for your kids sake, you need to take it slow (i.e. months and months) and be less spontaneous. That doesn't mean you can't have fun while searching for the one without introducting your children.

If they see you with one guy after the other taking risks while constantly searching for 'the One", then rest assured, you'll screw up their self worth. That sounds dramatic, but the truth. I'm sure you don't want that.

What do you want in a guy? Search for that, and don't accept anything less. Your family deserves nothing less.

mewkins · 30/12/2021 10:44

Ah, you'll be fine. This is just a lesson learnt. Some guys think they need to be spontaneous and romantice. They have this idea that relationships are like that. It's easy to get sucked into that if your walls are not up. Next time you meet a gut and he is that full on, just calmly tell him you want to take it slowly. If they run, they run. I wouldn't stay with this guy though. He is all about the drama.

AstroGirl5 · 30/12/2021 10:52

So how do you deal with it? I don’t think I’m anxious as such and there was no talk of declaring undying love. But I do think it’s important to at least understand that we want to continue getting to know each other - that’s honest after a month and a half. Either we do, and move along slowly, but with a potential of it turning into something real - or we then treat it as a fling and keep dating other people at the same time. I can’t date multiple people, I feel weird even dating two guys at the same time, especially after a month and a half of taking every single day. So I think it was important to talk about what we were - not a couple yet, but introducing me as friends and especially asking how I felt about staying just friends if a relationship didn’t work out - that made me feel hurt.

OP posts:
Milomonster · 30/12/2021 10:56

Based on your previous posts, I think you should seek help with your anxiety. You aren’t in a place just yet to get a relationship off the ground.

Clymene · 30/12/2021 11:15

This is about the 4th thread about this bloke. Someone who you've known for a matter of weeks and yet he's consuming every moment of your day, all your thoughts.

Listen to your discomfort here. On the one hand, you're saying it was horrible how he's treating you like a test drive, on the other, you're wondering if you can rekindle things.

You asked if he's a douche. Yes.

And you really need to learn to prioritise what you're thinking and your needs. And I agree that you really shouldn't be asking your child to fit round your plans with a man you barely know.

I do think you need some therapy.

sassbott · 30/12/2021 11:17

Question. Had you had sex before the paris trip?
And if not, did you have sex there?

youvegottenminuteslynn · 30/12/2021 11:17

If you've made seven threads about a bloke you've been dating for six weeks and had your judgement so clouded you've made strange (and irresponsible) decisions like wanting him to accompany you to pick up your son instead of just parting ways in Paris... you aren't ready to date with a clear head.

You need to have some counselling IMO to work on your anxiety. This isn't a healthy headspace to be dating in.

Sonex · 30/12/2021 11:20

You came on too strong and scared him off?

WarmWhiteXmasLights · 30/12/2021 11:26

Please tell me he didn’t leave you stuck with the whole hotel bill?

Honestly, I think you need to raise your standards, OP. If someone left me alone in the middle of a trip like that, I’d block their number.

HollowTalk · 30/12/2021 11:27

I would hate that feeling of being tested. FFS was he really going to make a life decision based on whether you liked brick walls in a house?

HollowTalk · 30/12/2021 11:27

In fact, him running away and leaving you alone is a MUCH bigger red flag than you liking or not liking brick walls. It's a huge red flag and I'd be wary of getting into anything with him long-term.

Viviennemary · 30/12/2021 11:28

I don't think you've done anything wrong. But it does sound like he thinks that you both have rushed in far too quickly. I would have been a bit irritated by the detour arrangement.

Eslteacher06 · 30/12/2021 11:29

Well make it clear from the outset that you are looking for something that will turn into a long term relationship. You don't HAVE to date multiple people. You just have to relax and enjoy the process. Because you only get one shot at that at the beginning of a relationship.

You may not think you're anxious, but that is the vibe you're giving multiple posters and probably this guy.

Being with someone shouldn't be this hard. End of. You need to be alone for a bit to know exactly what you want.

baileys6904 · 30/12/2021 11:31

6 fucking weeks

42 days

And you invited a complete stranger off the Internet to meet your child.

If that were your son, would you be advising him to do the same?

Too soon, too invested, too desperate to be in a relationship.

Perhaps get therapy to value yourself? Learn to be alone or prioritise your child. If I hadn't seen my son for days due to him being with his father for Xmas, I wouldn't be rushing to spend time with a shag partner

WarmWhiteXmasLights · 30/12/2021 11:32

Oh OP, I’ve just read your other threads about this guy.

This level of angst after six weeks is just insane. Having him meet your kids so early on was a mistake.

It sounds like you’re very, very keen to be on a relationship and are powering through at lightning speed.

I know it’s a cliche, but it really sounds like you need to work on yourself for a while.

IamGusFring · 30/12/2021 11:33

I know every day is the same right now but seriously ? You posted this yesterday ...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/4436885-First-trip-together-HELP-not-to-f-ck-it-up

villamariavintrapp · 30/12/2021 12:02

I think the reason that you seem desperate is that despite what has now happened-him storming off after an 'argument' that was really just a discussion that he's not that into you. You are now almost pleading with him to rewind to a time when he wasn't sure that he didn't want to be with you, so that you can continue dating him. Why? That's what seems desperate to me, this idea that you can change his mind.

TooBigForMyBoots · 30/12/2021 12:08

He probably didn't want the romantic getaway to end with him collecting your DS from Germany. If I'd planned a weekend away with my new boyfriend, I wouldn't be happy with it.

You are moving too fast for all of you, especially your son.

AstroGirl5 · 30/12/2021 12:10

@villamariavintrapp

I think the reason that you seem desperate is that despite what has now happened-him storming off after an 'argument' that was really just a discussion that he's not that into you. You are now almost pleading with him to rewind to a time when he wasn't sure that he didn't want to be with you, so that you can continue dating him. Why? That's what seems desperate to me, this idea that you can change his mind.
I agree. It is stupid of me. I think it was important to have that discussion and no, I don’t want to continue dating him. In fact, I don’t want to talk to him this afternoon either and hear the same reasons all over again.

I’ve now blocked his number. I just indeed want to move on.

I don’t think this is anxiety, and I feel fine. I’m not crying over him, I’m not angry or extremely sad. It’s disappointing that it didn’t work out because I genuinely liked the guy. But we were indeed incompatible - if we weren’t, then we would not have needed any ‘tests’ and especially such tests as going to Paris.

Thank you, everyone. I’ll be very careful next time. Won’t allow any more love bombing and definitely won’t be introducing my kids to anyone for many months. And if I don’t ever meet anyone - that’s ok too. I don’t need a guy to make me happy. I’m perfectly happy the way I am - and I am like that, spontaneous, decisive, honest and transparent. There won’t be any more threads about this guy - just too bad that it was such a waste of time…

OP posts:
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