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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

He keeps flirting with me

63 replies

whitebunnies · 06/04/2022 19:31

There is a director at work. I have noticed he will always look at me if I or he goes past or he stares from afar. He is in his late 40s, good looking and very confident and outgoing talking to people. Lately when he has said hello to me he quietens his voice and looks coy when he says it. Yesterday he quietly said how are you 'bab'? which no-one else would have heard. I was a bit surprised he said 'bab' as we don't really know each other. I asked how he was and he said he was ok. When he says hello he does this face as though he wants you to know he fancies me.

Today he came up to my desk and stood by me till I looked. He shortened my name, so he does know my name which my name isn't long anyway. He made some 'joke' with his colleagues just so he could speak to me. He does not shorten anyone else's name even though those people have their name shortened by others.

The thing is he is married with a young family. Whilst I do fancy him I would not act upon anything as I want a serious relationship. I also find it disrespectful he is flirting behind his wife's back and don't get why he isn't focusing on his marriage. It has got me down as I am in my 30s as I want to meet someone like him but who is single. How shall I act around him at work as when he interacts he gets me flustered and that stresses me out too and I hope he doesn't sense this.

OP posts:
MyCatIsAJerk · 06/04/2022 21:16

@BakedTattie

Bab?!
@BakedTattie

Hahaha I noticed that too. 😂

Always, always proofread before you hit “post.”

whitebunnies · 06/04/2022 21:17

@OuttaBabylon I know, I feel sorry for his wife who is oblivious to his flirting which he probably did with others before I joined the organisation. I just hate when people abuse their position of authority, it seems to be common with men as I don't hear many stories of female directors and managers trying it on with male colleagues.

OP posts:
Rainbowqueeen · 06/04/2022 21:19

Don’t make eye contact with him. It feels like you gave this awareness of him and are constantly watching him to see what he does. If that is correct then stop.

If he comes over then polite, professional, no personal conversation.

And I agree you’re giving him too much headspace. Are there colleagues at work you like and want to be friendly with? Focus on getting to know them

Also find ways to fill your time off. Start sone new activities that you think you would enjoy. De-centre men from your life. Focus on yourself and improving your own life

velvetpeach · 06/04/2022 21:21

But he isn't flirting with you?!

All he did was use a trivial colloquialism and shorten your name.... and now you think he's trying to cheat on his wife with you?!

Can you not see how deluded this is?!

whitebunnies · 06/04/2022 21:23

@Rainbowqueeen I am going to keep busy and not give this a second thought. It's just hard because if he is coming up to my desk I can't exactly be rude. I do speak to other colleagues but will make more effort with them. I have not had a male colleague trying to be manipulative before as most are respectful.

OP posts:
OuttaBabylon · 06/04/2022 21:26

No need to feel sorry for anyone though. You are there for your job. That is how you behave. Use written interaction (emails) instead of face to face communication whenever you can. If he comes in your personal space, back away or excuse yourself. You shouldn't change anything about yourself or how you would normally interact with others.

Exile this from your mind and stop turning over back stories about what may have happened or what happened elsewhere. None of that matters. You are already drawn in, so don't sabotage your professional life by entertaining this anymore.

LetHimHaveIt · 06/04/2022 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

notsureanymore99 · 06/04/2022 21:29

velvetpeach nice try 😂 now go away

AnyFucker · 06/04/2022 21:30

You are changing your tune now, op.

Your op definitely had a flavour of feeling flattered by his attention and wanting us to validate that he fancied you. Now you “don’t want attention from married men “ ?

Pull the other one…

notsureanymore99 · 06/04/2022 21:31

[quote whitebunnies]@OuttaBabylon I know, I feel sorry for his wife who is oblivious to his flirting which he probably did with others before I joined the organisation. I just hate when people abuse their position of authority, it seems to be common with men as I don't hear many stories of female directors and managers trying it on with male colleagues.[/quote]
OP this happens all the time
ESP with older men and younger women
Seriously in every place I’ve worked
From CEOs to more junior managers
Just ignore

velvetpeach · 06/04/2022 21:31

@notsureanymore99 what?! Bizarre.

notsureanymore99 · 06/04/2022 21:33

@AnyFucker

You are changing your tune now, op.

Your op definitely had a flavour of feeling flattered by his attention and wanting us to validate that he fancied you. Now you “don’t want attention from married men “ ?

Pull the other one…

Maybe OP is coming to her senses after reading our advice People can change their minds
AnyFucker · 06/04/2022 21:58

One can only hope 👍

theyhavenothingbuttheaudacity · 06/04/2022 22:15

You said you fancied him. Why would you fancy him if you think a married man flirting is so abhorrent

DatingDinosaur · 06/04/2022 23:05

Its very easy to feel attracted to someone if they start showing you interest (hence my earlier question to the OP), particularly if you’ve been single for a while and not had any male attention. It's why love-bombing is so successful. It’s not a conscious decision to become attracted to them – its hormones talking. The key thing is to recognise that for what it is and (as in the OP’s case) decide rise above it and ignore/remain professional.

The fault is with the director for giving the OP the glad eye despite being married, not the OP who has, luckily, given her turned head a wobble and decided she won’t act on her feelings or his advances. I think that shows integrity and a damned good self-regard myself.

If the Director of Sleaze wasn’t married, advice on here might have been different.

OP, don’t worry. Now you’ve recognised what he’s doing for what it is, you’ll soon get the ick for him and his icky behaviour.

teaandchocolate1 · 06/04/2022 23:36

I live in Birmingham and get called bab all the time.

In general, it isn't a flirtatious expression, but of course context/body language/facial expression matters and only OP knows this.

AtrociousCircumstance · 06/04/2022 23:45

Gross display of alpha male sleazy bullshit. OP in the workplace it is easy to feel affected by attention like this (and I take what you say at face value, I believe you that he’s letting you know he fancies you). But don’t let it. He is an empty vessel - he has nothing for you but trouble and heartbreak and an erosion of self respect.

Get clear in your mind that you won’t be manipulated by a creep like that.

Fraaahnces · 06/04/2022 23:51

I’d be ensuring that all interraction with him is as professional as possible. Don’t give him any personal details. If he asks you direct questions - especially about whether you have a boyfriend or not, ask why he wants to know. If he comes up behind you at work, ask him if he is reviewing your work or if he wants something. If he spells out what he REALLY wants in a public setting like that, act shocked and make it very clear that you weren’t aware that those kinds of services were part of your job description. (Attempt to avoid being alone with him at all times as his behaviour with you needs to be witnessed - and vice-versa.)

If things hold off until after your probation is over, I’d ask if the flirting thing at work was how he met his wife and then make a very disapproving face, making it VERY clear that you’re not up for it. (Preferably in front of other people also.)

lothermand · 06/04/2022 23:53

OP, talk about your fictitious husband/boyfriend/partner/lover in his presence..

You can absolutely keep this oaf at bay if you really aren't interested. Don't worry about his wife or anyone else, just ensure he's completely aware you're not impressed by him, he will soon lose interest..

Bodgerbarbara · 07/04/2022 09:24

Just do your job and stop thinking about it.

lizziesiddal79 · 07/04/2022 09:28

If the man in question is from The Black Country or surrounding area, ‘bab’ is a local colloquialism.

Divebar2021 · 07/04/2022 09:33

If the man in question is from The Black Country or surrounding area, ‘bab’ is a local colloquialism

Sorry to derail but is it pronounced bab as in tab or babe. I’m from the East Midlands and I’ve never heard it

LetHimHaveIt · 07/04/2022 09:44

I'm from Kent and even I know 'Bab' (to rhyme with 'tab' is a term of endearment (and not a typo, as suggested above 🙄). Della used it all the time in 'Raised By Wolves' and I'm pretty sure it's in Meera Syal's 'Anita and Me', too.

PeachesToday · 07/04/2022 09:51

100%. I work in a mostly male environment and it's just an every day issue.

Bring every conversation back to work. 'How are you bab?' 'I'm having a busy day Steve. Have you seen the email I've sent you on XYZ report?'

bjrce · 07/04/2022 11:17

" I think it's cos he called me bab but called everyone else by their name even though he knows my name."

Fucking arsehole! its very insulting and derogatory particularly as he only said it to you!

I would give this guy a wide berth and also - keep a coolness when speaking to him, make it clear you deserve to be treated as a professional colleague - don't let him off treating you with such disrespect - I wouldn't be one bit flattered by him!

Next thing you know - you'll all be going out for drinks and he'll make his move- Dickhead!
Avoid him at all costs - otherwise it's you who'll be the joke in the office!

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