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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

Right to stand my ground? *Potential TW*

27 replies

maristocat · 15/02/2022 14:11

I'm not sure if this is a trigger really but I'm going to mention some sort of graphic sex and hands over neck so I thought it would be better to be cautious

I have been seeing someone for a few weeks. He is a neighbour and we knew each other through mutuals so it was very easy. We had a lot of film nights and nothing happened. About the 5th time, we had a few drinks and had sex. Nothing really changed, he was still coming round and watching tv etc. We spent most evenings together for an hour or so and we would text through the day. It was quite nice.

I had a very busy Friday in work, and, being honest, I'd started to feel myself liking him. I do struggle with that and tend to shut down. I started to overthink and feel I was being used, so what with my busy day I didn't text him until that evening when I'd got home and had some time to reflect. He then didnt reply - he was out but he usually does send me a few messages when he's out so this was a little out of character, but not important. I went out with my friends. When I got in he had text to say he was home and I was so we agreed to get together and order a take away.

This is where it potentially gets a bit odd. When he arrived he was really drunk. Id had a few too so it wasn't that noticeable. We ended up having sex and he couldn't finish. He kept going flacid. I told him it wasn't going to work and he kept on at me to keep trying. This went on for 3 hours. At one point he went to put his hand over my neck. Then he called me a 'dirty slut' so I stopped and told him never to call me that again. He was very apologetic and said he'd got carried away so I let it go. Eventually he left, but then when he got home he started messaging me asking to come back so he can 'try and finish'. I ignored him and went to sleep.

The next day he was very embarrassed. We were talking normally but as I was thinking about it more things just felt a bit off. It had left a bad taste. I then noticed that at some point since that day before he had changed his dating profile pictures. So I just stopped replying - he hadn't asked any questions etc. I didn't hear from him again until the next evening when he asked if everything was ok and wanted to talk.

He came round and I told him I did not expect to be treated like that and how disrespectful it was. I was clear about my boundaries. He was really apologetic, embarrassed etc. I told him if he thinks of me as a slut who he can come round and treat like dirt whenever he chooses, then he needs to leave. We talked and then everything was fine. He stayed for a few hours and was very affectionate without trying to have sex. We talked about maybe going out one night.

Then the next day we were chatting and he said he wasn't going to come over today as he's tired. I was fine with this, obviously. But he then hasn't spoken to me since.

I'm now sat here wondering if I've been unreasonable or 'too much' in setting my boundaries, or whether he is the issue here and I'm better off? I'm also feeling like this is all my fault for not speaking to him that day, as it seemed to be the starting point. I'm just so fed up of this stuff!

OP posts:
BoogalooGirl · 15/02/2022 14:17

Hmmm 🤔

Sounds like he's playing games with you, best leave things as they are as that drunken behaviour is very telling.

flowerseedh · 15/02/2022 14:20

He's one of those guys who gets off on 'dirty' sex. They can do the 'normal' stuff for a while, but then these things will start slipping in (excuse the phrase).
None of this is your fault. You've discovered his kinks fairly early on which is good because you can now review them in light of your own preferences.

CatherinedeBourgh · 15/02/2022 14:22

I think you were right to enforce your boundaries, and he is understandably stepping back a bit to give you space if you want it.

If you still want a relationship with him, I would expect you to have to be the one to be a bit more proactive for a bit, it would be normal for him to take a more 'wait and see' approach to see how you feel.

TBH it's if he didn't that I would be most worried.

JohannSebastianBach · 15/02/2022 14:23

I think you did the right thing.

MaChienEstUnDick · 15/02/2022 14:24

I think you've set your boundaries perfectly.

I think there are three possible scenarios:

  • he's embarrassed by his behaviour and that's making him reluctant to message. Good. He should be. The ball is in his court to make that right.
  • he's not able to respect your boundaries. He likes choking women and calling them a slut so he's cooling things off because he can't meet your boundaries. That, my love, would be no great loss.
  • he's messing with your head, playing it cool so you chase him and in the process drop your guard/lower your standards/say you didn't really mean it/brush it under the carpet. Fuck that shit.

Please don't sit there angsting about whats happening. If it's scenario A then it's down to him to reach out to you, I think. Don't start chasing him, that's like saying 'I didn't really mean it'. Stay strong.

MaChienEstUnDick · 15/02/2022 14:25

And, having just looked at your thread title again, it's always right to stand your ground. Some things can't be compromised on. Non-consensual choking is one of them.

StopStartStop · 15/02/2022 14:29

You are only unreasonable in allowing him into your company again. Everything else was fine. He's shown you who he is - disrespectful, quite possibly dangerous and can't keep it up. Observe yourself and note that you don't want him. Never see him again.

TTstormtrooper · 15/02/2022 14:33

You stood your ground. That is OK.

He doesn't want the same kind of relationship that you want by the sounds of it. That is also OK.

What is not OK is you changing to suit him and vice versa. Its painful to accept but this relationship isn't going to work long term. Time to move on.

ChargingBuck · 15/02/2022 14:41

I'm now sat here wondering if I've been unreasonable or 'too much' in setting my boundaries
Listen up OP - your boundaries are yours to set & don't need anyone else's permission or approval.
You know that feeling you get when you second-guess whether you 'ought' to have set a boundary? That's the feeling of a boundary-pushing dick, disrespecting you & making you doubt yourself.

or whether he is the issue here and I'm better off?
Of course you are.
He's a boundary-pushing dick, remember? - & you did well to spot him so fast & call him out like you did.
Now he's aware that you are not his personal convenience sex dolly, he's cold-shouldering you. Maybe he's chatting up some other poor unsuspecting woman. Maybe he's going to text you later, perhaps when he's drunk enough dutch courage to ask you to shag him again. Who cares why?
You certainly should not. The unsatisfactory 3 hour sex was bad enough - but then texting you to ask could he come back round again to 'try to finish off' is ... bleugh!! Shows exactly what he believes you are for.

Have a read of this article. His 'slut' comment & the hands on your throat were him testing your Shark Cage (boundaries) -
www.oomm.live/the-shark-cage-metaphor-spotting-potential-abusers/

He's a low life. When he comes crawling back tell him no thanks - as you were after FWB, but his performance in the sack is lamentable, so he's qualified himself out of your prospect list.

Oh - & WELL DONE AGAIN. You saw what he was, you called him what he is, & he didn't like it. Big boo hoo. Fuck off, little man.

Pinkbonbon · 15/02/2022 14:42

Your only mistake was having him round again after that. You should never have to explain basic human respect and boundaries to anyone.

Some couples enjoy dirty talk and choking but it is never OK to assume those things are OK without discussion first.

You didn't need to say to him 'hey, I'm not ok with that shit' the next day. In doing so and continuing to talk to him, unfortunately, instead of making your boundaries clear, it can actually have the opposite effect. It can make it seem like you think his behaviour might have been acceptable for some.

I'd block his number because I suspect he will cone back. It is possible that he has heard you state your boundaries clearly and that is why he has vanished. But I suspect its much more likely that he thinks you are a soft touch and he is currently attempting a headfuck hot n cold maneuver.

I'm sorry he was a creep. That's absolutely bit your fault. But please don't ever feel that you should have to explain why rough or degrading sex is not OK. He knew it was not OK. You dont have to justify not wanting it, that diminishes your boundaries in their eyes, it doesn't re enforce them.

Pinkbonbon · 15/02/2022 14:43

*absolutely not your fault

violetmonster · 15/02/2022 14:48

You are absolutely right to stick to your boundaries.

I had a man slap me in the face during sex. I will never not be annoyed at myself for not stopping him right away and throwing him out. I am now so much better with my boundaries and if people choose to step out of my life because they can't work with them then it's no loss for me

maristocat · 15/02/2022 15:26

Thank you so so much everyone.

I've been in abusive relationships before (4 years ago now) and have been single ever since. I do have wobbles sometimes when I like someone, but I like to think my 4 years of being single has taught me all the red flags and to call people out when their behaviour is shit. I never want to get into another relationship like that again!

I've been very teary all day and no doubt I will probably be up and down but reading these comments has really helped Smile

OP posts:
WouldIwasShookspeared · 15/02/2022 15:30

Are you asking if you should lower your standards/compromise on your boundaries so this bloke will want you again?

Wintersbone · 15/02/2022 15:37

Throw this one back, OP. That's a red flag the size of the titanic. He's not a nice man.

CrumpetStrumpet · 15/02/2022 15:43

The only unreasonable thing would be having anything more to do with him.

He's clearly pornsick with that sort of sexual behaviour. He's never even taken you on a date. I hope at least that he's supplying the booze on these film nights.

Block him. He's not a nice man and frankly sounds like a potentially dangerous one.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/02/2022 15:47

Boundaries are a great test. Either they enthusiastically support them, in which case winner. Or they don't like them, in which case lucky escape.

Send him back to his internet porn.

maristocat · 15/02/2022 15:58

@WouldIwasShookspeared

Are you asking if you should lower your standards/compromise on your boundaries so this bloke will want you again?
Not at all. I'm asking if being up front and pushy about what I expect so early on was wrong. I obviously didn't accept it as I told him never to do it again at the time.
OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 15/02/2022 16:29

The fact that you have to ask about being strangled and called a slut shows just how far this crap has infiltrated 'normal' sex. Anything like that (and frankly strangulation is too dangerous to ever be OK) should be enthusiastically agreed to in advance.

FFS porn is making everyone think dangerous, misogynistic, not-very-fun things are vanilla. You know what's fun? A sober bloke with a hard knob.

Pinkbonbon · 15/02/2022 16:38

Do you mean would other women accept a man putting their hand on their neck and calling them a slut during sex with no prior discussion about this sort of behaviour being OK? Maybe. Should they? Fuck no.

It's obviously not OK behaviour. Unfortunately there are lots of women out there with poor boundaries. But why should other peoples boundaries be the standard for your own? They are YOUR boundaries. So you are perfectly entitled to them.

And irregardless of what a person would would not be ok with, you obviously have to ask permission first when it comes to these things. He knows that. But he chose to ignore that basic human right you have. That's a scary predator right there. And you're well rid.

maristocat · 15/02/2022 17:17

@MrsTerryPratchett

The fact that you have to ask about being strangled and called a slut shows just how far this crap has infiltrated 'normal' sex. Anything like that (and frankly strangulation is too dangerous to ever be OK) should be enthusiastically agreed to in advance.

FFS porn is making everyone think dangerous, misogynistic, not-very-fun things are vanilla. You know what's fun? A sober bloke with a hard knob.

The times he was completely sober and hard he lasted about 2 minutes Blush
OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 15/02/2022 17:24

Crap sex as well?

Aim higher!

RoyKentsChestHair · 15/02/2022 17:50

You know what's fun? A sober bloke with a hard knob.

I want this on a t shirt Grin. Very well said MrsTP

Absolutely do not feel bad for stating very firmly what is/is not acceptable for you in bed and elsewhere. If he doesn’t like that is because it doesn’t align with what is/isn’t acceptable for him in bed, so fuck him off. Especially if he’s shit in bed too.

Lyonic · 15/02/2022 19:03

@MrsTerryPratchett

Crap sex as well?

Aim higher!

All relationships based on how good the sex is last the longest.
MaChienEstUnDick · 15/02/2022 23:08

The times he was completely sober and hard he lasted about 2 minutes.

Absolutely soaked in porn. Soaked in it.