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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

Might have scared a guy away

203 replies

StellaStreet · 31/05/2022 23:57

Hi

I'm F30, he's M48 or so. We've known each other for a few years but have got close over the past 12 months, but I think I might have messed things up. I don't know if I should have bothered showing interest in the first place. Sorry for such a long post, but this guy is so unusual and different to other men that he needs describing as well as I can.

We know each other at the gym. He looks fantastic, a lot like Daniel Craig getting out of the sea in Casino Royale – I've seen him chopping the trees in his garden in just his shorts. I also notice that he's stronger than most of the guys much younger than him at the gym. He dresses well, he's well-groomed, nothing out of place. Me, I look after myself, I also exercise a lot, and am pretty athletic and toned. He carries himself well, good posture, and I notice that he's dominant among others at the gym – the other guys move out of his way as he walks around the kit, he has that physical presence. He talks to a few people there, and I see that he's very charming with people and they seem to like him. To look at him, you'd think he was getting dozens of women into his bed, but...

He doesn't socialise, as in at all. He told me that he has no family, never married, no brothers or sisters, his parents died years ago, and doesn't do anything with his relatives. He says that he'd tried to create a relationship with them after his folks had died, but he and they found that they had so little in common that there was hardly any point, so neither he nor they keep in touch. He also won't talk about his parents or his childhood – he'll quickly change the subject with little fuss to something else.

As far as friends go, he says he has them, but I've never seen him with any on his FB feed. He does sometimes have comments on his posts, but it's very rare, and they're almost always from the same few women. Men hardly ever comment on anything he writes. He goes everywhere alone, except for protests, where he usually has the same women around him, and they all look pretty happy. He protests for a cause he's passionate about – and writes about on FB – and it's something I'm also in full agreement with. It's mostly how we got to know each other and bonded.

I see from his FB that he does visit places, and he likes history and the arts, but again, he goes everywhere alone. He took himself off for the day on his birthday last year, and I was a bit shocked when he told me that no, he hadn't gone with anyone, and that celebrating his birthday with people wasn't something he did. He wasn't upset by it, just said it as a matter of fact.

He also doesn't like sport, at least he doesn't write about it on FB and he's never spoken to me about it. He reads a hell of a lot – politics, history, philosophy, psychology, economics, artificial intelligence – and writes short reviews about them on FB.

I've never seen him in any of the pubs or bars in our small town. Nobody we both know has told me they've seen him anywhere, but I see he sometimes posts that he's sometimes at different pubs in the afternoon. So, he has no social life.

We did have great chemistry, and I love being around him. I'd tease him quite harshly, and he'd do the same back. We both know there's no malice in it. We'd also flirt quite a bit. I think he might have asked me out when he said he wanted to show me some mansion and gardens nearby – it might be where he works as a researcher. He told me he dealt a lot with various professors and other people. I'd told him I'd like to, but when he tried to arrange a date, I had to tell him it wasn't convenient. I brought it up again a few weeks later, and again he tried to arrange, but I couldn't then either. He's not mentioned it since. He's gone quiet on me after that.

I did check out his car in the gym car park to see if he had a child seat in it, or women's clothing. I think he might have seen me do it as he was on one of the treadmills overlooking it at the time. I also used to live near him, so I could see when he was at home or not, and I'd told him I knew when he was in, and how often I could see he was away.

There are so few single men like him who have the same beliefs as we do on our cause, and ever less men who look as good as him. He's got a good sense of humour, and I notice that he laughs at things he's read on his phone, so he enjoys reading comments and responding to them. But he doesn't give me much. It's as if there's a wall. He wrote some time ago that he wishes people would realise that as far as people are concerned, he's seen and heard it all repeatedly – he also mentions stoicism. He has that expression of a half smile when people talk to him, and nothing seems to faze him.

I'd like to do something with him, but there's so little going on with him, and apart from our mutual cause, we've very little in common. It's as though he's got so little to give to people, or that he doesn't care that much about them. I see he cares a lot about wildlife, and he writes about the hedgehogs in his garden. I'm from a large family, but he has none. Am I wasting my time with him?

OP posts:
MissNothing1991 · 01/06/2022 06:31

If I was him I'd run a mile. You're an absolute creep, stalking every single aspect of his life ffs. Any wonder the man likes his own company ffs, that would put anyone off having a love life.

icelollycraving · 01/06/2022 06:36

Basically you are thinking you know him because of what he posts on Facebook. If he’s really hot, and basically a catch, why hasn’t someone caught him.
I think someone who’s done time. Not had a chance to build a social circle. No family or friends. Maybe he’s just a loner. What is the mutual cause?
He could of course be writing an alternative post. There is a woman at the gym, I see her watching me in my garden, and at the gym. She’s attractive, so I asked her out and we are ‘friends’ now on Facebook. Since she couldn’t make our dates, I’ve seen her lingering around my car, looking carefully in the rear windows. Shes told me when she lived nearer, she knew when I was home. She’s giving me stalker vibes…

GregBrawlsInDogJail · 01/06/2022 06:36

It all screams "psychopath and con artist who recently got out of prison" to me.

JangolinaPitt · 01/06/2022 06:36

ChaToilLeam · 01/06/2022 06:13

You think you can fix this strange, aloof man, don’t you?

You can’t. Leave it be.

I know someone similar to this snd thought I could fix him and I bet a lot of other women have thought do too. If he wanted a relationship snd was capable of maintaining it he would be in one. That’s the harsh truth I found out.

Rainbowqueeen · 01/06/2022 07:00

I think the reality of dating someone with no social life, no friends and no relationship with his family would be a shock to you. Also really boring.

what is it you want out of life??? If it’s a family then this guy is too old for you and also not interested.

And I think the other guys get out of his way at the gym because he comes across as creepy not dominant.

Id stop fantasising about him and look around for someone who is compatible with you

NashvilleQueen · 01/06/2022 07:09

My first thought on reading of the brooding dominant loner was Milks & Boon. But then you sounded like an obsessive stalker. So I think he's had a lucky escape.

NashvilleQueen · 01/06/2022 07:10

*Mills

watchagunado · 01/06/2022 07:14

Marineboy67 · 01/06/2022 00:11

"He carries himself well, good posture, and I notice that he's dominant among others at the gym – the other guys move out of his way as he walks around the kit, he has that physical presence"......it was at this point I lost interest...don't really go for that "Move out of my way I'm the Top Dog shit" Boring!

Me too 😂

Veol · 01/06/2022 07:14

He doesn’t have any friends, he isn’t in touch with his family, he hasn’t had any serious relationships and men actively avoid him. He is 18yrs older than you.You sound obsessed and in awe of this man. I suspect your role in his life is to flatter his ego.

hopelesslydevotedtoGu · 01/06/2022 07:18

If you are interested in this guy, then get to know him in real life.
Don't spend any more time peering in his car windows, reading his fb posts, or pondering him.
Wasted time.
Suggest meeting on a day you can do.
If he suggests a day you're busy, suggest an alternative.
Get to know him in real life.

If he suggested meeting twice and you were busy both times and didn't suggest an alternative, he may have concluded that you don't want to meet him.

You may find that someone who chooses to spend so much time alone is not the best choice of partner for you. You may find he isn't interested in a relationship, or that he doesn't want to make the compromises required for a relationship.
So I wouldn't waste time and energy over thinking him.
Just try to get to know him, and then decide.

ladydimitrescu · 01/06/2022 07:19

Combing through his Facebook, asking others if they've seen him around, looking at his car, watching him in his garden - Op this is stalking. Stop it.

seaUrchinOne · 01/06/2022 07:40

He doesn’t have any friends, he isn’t in touch with his family, he hasn’t had any serious relationships and men actively avoid him. He is 18yrs older than you.You sound obsessed and in awe of this man. I suspect your role in his life is to flatter his ego.

Exactly this, you and the few other followers.

Tibtab · 01/06/2022 07:47

Ha ha this sounds like he’s an undercover cop, no family or relationships, no friends.

Lampan · 01/06/2022 07:50

@JennyForeigner 🤣🤣🤣🤣

OP sounds to me that he’s just a loner and you’re very unlikely to be able to change that. If he was keen to spend time with you he would have made it happen surely, given his dominant status? 😬

I also agree with PP who says he sounds to be an absolute tool. And you sound obsessed with him. Best step back and move on from this one.

NightmareSlashDelightful · 01/06/2022 07:56

He’s gay. And possibly deeply closeted.

I would bet an internal organ on it.

Luckingfovely · 01/06/2022 07:57

You really need a hobby apart from the gym and stalking this very strange man.

Summersdreaming · 01/06/2022 07:58

What have I just read 😂

You sound, er, intense. You spend a lot of time studying (stalking) this guy who sounds quite boring and arrogant. Checking his car for car seats? That's crazy behaviour.

Find a new gym and hide him on social media, this is not a healthy use of your time.

Calphurnia88 · 01/06/2022 08:01

It sounds like you have created a fantasy version of this guy, largely based on what he does and doesn't share on FB. It's worth remembering that what people post online isn't necessary a reflection of their life offline.

I do think some of the things you've posted on here are a bit creepy (telling him you know when he's home and when he's away) but ultimately if you want to get to know him better you need to spend some time with him. From his POV you've declined his invitation twice now, so he might not ask again. Why not drop it into conversation that you'd still want to go to the gardens (?) and take it from there?

Yellowhase · 01/06/2022 08:02

I think you may have over thought this situation. I would suggest you stop following him/mute him.
Maybe he likes his own company or has a dodgy past and doesn’t let people in. If he is happy leave him be. Maybe you need to think of what you want from life. Because someone like this is unlikely to think of your needs.

PriestessofPing · 01/06/2022 08:02

So he’s superficially charming but has no friends, doesn’t speak to family and a lot of the other guys avoid him like the plague at the gym. He seems to spend his time going to places or reading worthy books or protesting for a cause and then posting missives about it on Facebook.

He sort of asked you out but when you weren’t available did nothing to try and arrange another time.

And you think all of this is indicative of some unusual and amazing man, rather than a loner who is happy to keep everyone at arms length or alienates most people in his life.

You’ve built an enormous narrative based on a man you barely know because you’ve never really spent any time with the actual him, just casual (and what sounds like quite unpleasant ‘banter’) at the gym and consistent stalking of his Facebook.

The best you could do is ask him out and try to go on an actual date with him but frankly it doesn’t sound like he’s interested in dating anyone, well maybe himself.

Give yourself a little shake, you’re coming off really intense and like you’re spending far too much time in an imaginary man and a potential imaginary relationship with him. He is aware enough to have suggested a trip out with you - to where he works?!!! Didn’t you ask? He knows you like him. He is not interested in or capable of taking it further.

collieresponder88 · 01/06/2022 08:12

He is 48 and seems only social interactions are on Facebook ! That's really sad ! Also he sounds like a complete bore. From what you have written you are only interested In him because he looks good and goes to the gym ! Is that really what's important to you ? That's really shallow in itself and if you carry on you will become as boring as him. Get off Facebook and get socialising in the real world. Stop being impressed with how much respect people get In The gym it really is bollocks ! Go out and socialise with friends. Real friends not virtual friends

TheVolturi · 01/06/2022 08:17

I think he's been in prison for bad things and everyone but you knows about it but dare not say 😱😱😱
Stop stalking him immediately!

TheGlitterati · 01/06/2022 08:24

I am actually a little aghast / horrified reading this. You sound really creepy, and I don’t get the appeal. Just admit you fancy him, want a shag, and be done with it?!

NeverNoticedBefore · 01/06/2022 08:25

He sounds like a serial killer.

You sound like a stalker.

User0610134049 · 01/06/2022 08:29

🤣 yeah… I think him seeing you peer into his car and also you telling him you can see when he’s home and when he’s out might have done it 🤣🤣

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