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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:
CPL593H · 01/06/2022 18:07

Meant to also say, turning down 2 (possibly) dates and not coming up with an alternative yourself, as in "I can't do X but are you free Y? " would put anyone off.

StellaStreet · 01/06/2022 23:39

Too many replies here to reply to each individually, but I'll try to reply to a few things that others have written.

I don't like it how people on here have dragged his personality through the mud, claiming that he's been in prison or that he's disturbed in some way. I find him to be a genuinely nice guy, and so too do the other people I know who've met him and got to know him a bit. It's just that there's a wall that he doesn't allow people past. He's not disliked by the other men in the gym that they avoid him – he talks to some of them a bit and likes to help new members. They either like him or they're indifferent, but they still will yield to him if he's passing through.

It's likely this is related to his work. He told me he's a researcher, but he's also sometimes involved front of house, and if there's a group visiting that his colleagues feel might be too 'loud' and potentially damage the antiques and the furniture, he gets asked to casually walk around the place during the morning coffee breaks to discourage poor behaviour. So he's probably more likely to be a prison guard rather than an ex-prisoner. He also told me he's an experienced public speaker and likes taking charge of an audience of people – it's something he'd like to do more of in the future.

I won't go into what our common cause is as it'll only attract a lot of criticism. He says it's also why he rarely hears from his relatives any more – his support for it, and their support against, caused a big rift even without not being able to establish much in common with them before it. His relationship with his relatives was through his parents – and mainly his mother – so he didn't get to know them. They were pretty much strangers because he had so little to do with them that entire time. He's also lost a lot of friends because they denounced his activism as dangerous, and I suffered the same by losing friends the same way.

Me, I'm in marketing, and family activities. I'm attracted to older men, but they're all married. This guy is the only one I've met who isn't. I much prefer talking to them and teasing them than guys my own age. They seem to like it that I talk to them as well. Perhaps I have creeped him out, and perhaps I should've been more proactive in responding to him, and that he's now given up.

He seems happy in his own world, and it looks like he is an intellectual, and not a "faux-intellectual". People respond positively to some of the things he writes, and a couple of women do comment on some of his book reviews. One of them is someone he's told me about, one of his oldest friends. She's apparently a senior lecturer at a university somewhere, and he tells me she's been trying to convince him to do his doctorate, as has his boss. He tells me he's not that interested because of, well, the university system, but he'd like to write a book instead.

OP posts:
Herejustforthisone · 01/06/2022 23:56

You claimed the last one was truly intellectual and not ‘faux intellectual’, too. Hmm.

And you know we’re going to ask, what the bloody hell is this activism you’re both into that has been denounced as ‘dangerous’, will attract criticism and has lost you both friends and family?!! 🤭

Is he balls deep in Extinction Rebellion? Is he a fan of David Icke? (I bet it’s this one🦎). He a QAnon Covid denier? (Could be this, you’re both all up in Facebook according to your posts and Facebook is dead for nearly all but the conspiracy theorists…) Anti abortion?

FlissyPaps · 01/06/2022 23:57

You don’t have to justify him to us, OP.

It’s simple, if you’re interested ask him out for coffee? Or to do something you’re both interested in.

He’ll either say yes or no.

What have you got to lose?

Herejustforthisone · 01/06/2022 23:57

Also it sounds like he’s just a tour guide at this big house. Not a ‘researcher’ who gets trotted out when some rowdy National Trust members rock up.

eatthecheesecake · 02/06/2022 00:07

Anti vaxxers or flat earthers probably

TheWayoftheLeaf · 02/06/2022 00:07

He sounds insufferable to me

Wor · 02/06/2022 00:10

OP you have a crush on the hot older guy at the gym who seems bright and popular yet mysterious and aloof. That’s ok!

Ask him out. He’s asked you out twice, he got hurt pride both times, he won’t bother again. Ask him “Would you like to have coffee with me after gym sometime?”

(If he says no then it probably is because he saw you snooping in his car window and found it a turn off.)

But you won’t know unless you ask him out.

wellhelloitsme · 02/06/2022 00:18

Anti vaxx? Flat earther? David Icke believer?

All of the above perhaps?

CorpseReviver · 02/06/2022 01:01

Yeah, obviously an anti vaxxer. Gyms are riddled with them.

Ticksallboxes · 02/06/2022 01:05

Erm....

CatAndHisKit · 02/06/2022 01:16

Sounda like you'd be a good match- both somewhat eccentric and with a common controversial cause. Just sugget a day out as he's already made it easy, ball is in your court to suggest a day you are free! I'm sure he'd feel silly if he had t ask you for the 3d time and be met with 'I'm busy on that day' again.

CatAndHisKit · 02/06/2022 01:18

TBH I don't get it why didn't you suggest an alternative day last time? Or at least told him you contact him once you can confirm.

myammus · 02/06/2022 01:20

he sounds like a twat but YOU are on another level of creepy

Popsicle33 · 02/06/2022 01:21

He sounds a bit of a twat to me 😂😂😂

Zpoa · 02/06/2022 01:23

No meaningful relationships and no friends.

Be a no from me.

BanditoShipman · 02/06/2022 01:27

PenelopeGarseeya · 01/06/2022 11:48

When you were describing him I pictured the guy from MAFs that was with Maz. Maybe Frankie or Freddie. Bad vibes.

then I read some of the PP’s and am going with undercover cop trying to infiltrate the grocer’s’ apostrophe activists!

YES!!! Was just about to type this re MAFS

manova366 · 02/06/2022 03:02

Ah, the old "My Facebook posts are so intellectual that university lecturers tell me I should do a PhD, but I don't believe in the university system so I'm writing a book instead".

OP, people WILL build up a picture of this bloke based on your character sketches, but it's what you think of him that's important. If you like him and are attracted to him, just ask him out.

But I think people are genuinely trying to encourage you not to put him on a pedestal, which is a good principle for any woman evaluating a man she's interested in.

littleburn · 02/06/2022 03:19

I'm struggling to work out what his job actually is. 'Researchers' are typically employed by universities, policy institutes and the like, which doesn't seem to be the case here. Plus they typically publish papers in journals and write reports, rather than write reviews of books on Facebook. It all seems a bit made up to be honest.

KettrickenSmiled · 02/06/2022 07:02

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.
You have observed this man very closely, & seen how he responds to & deals with others.
What makes you imagine that he will respond to & deal with you any differently?

He has no social life, celebrates birthdays alone by choice, & is not close to any family members or friends.
Again - what makes you imagine he will suddenly discover a craving for human closeness with you?

If you've 'scared him off' thank your lucky stars & stop gushing about how special & dominant you reckon he is - he's just some bloke. And you may have scared him off - you'd scare me, if you were banging on about staring at my house all the time & knowing if I was in or out.

As soon as you mentioned the stoicism I recognised him OP. He is one of those ghastly self-professed Omega Males. Categorising people like this is pretty much bullshit but for reference, here you go - brandongaille.com/male-alpha-beta-gamma-omega-delta-sigma/
... A downside to this is that an omega male often neglects to care for others, as they only know how to care for themselves.
For the last time - what makes you imagine that he is going to break the habit of a lifetime, & start caring for you?

KettrickenSmiled · 02/06/2022 07:03

It's just that there's a wall that he doesn't allow people past.

Then why are you banging your head against it?

KettrickenSmiled · 02/06/2022 07:05

No thank you. And I say that as someone who quite likes hedgehogs.
😂😂😂

sammylady37 · 02/06/2022 07:08

He seems happy in his own world, and it looks like he is an intellectual, and not a "faux-intellectual". People respond positively to some of the things he writes, and a couple of women do comment on some of his book reviews. One of them is someone he's told me about, one of his oldest friends. She's apparently a senior lecturer at a university somewhere, and he tells me she's been trying to convince him to do his doctorate, as has his boss. He tells me he's not that interested because of, well, the university system, but he'd like to write a book instead

this is hilarious, I can’t believe you’re falling for this bullshit. A true intellectual who rejects the university system but posts his musings on Facebook instead… can you really not see through this?

KettrickenSmiled · 02/06/2022 07:10

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!

It was at this point I realised OP has a bit of a Christian Grey fantasy going on.
Which is a shame, as I doubt Top Dog approves of the distinctly lowbrow EL James.

Also - the dominance thing? Pshhhaw. I can do that, & I'm a plump old grandma. It's called body language, & deciding not to give a shit what anyone thinks of you.
Not an attitude to cultivate as a way of life or badge of honour though, even though it impresses OP no end.

KettrickenSmiled · 02/06/2022 07:29

Alwayshoovering · 01/06/2022 17:41

I love how the unnamed bloke is getting torn to shreds by some posters on here. No one knows anything about him other than OPs own warped view of him and information she has garnered from self confessed stalking him.
Any description of someone provided in the way OP has that is gained through stalking and unhealthy obsession should be taken with a pinch of salt

To be fair @Alwayshoovering, most PP seem to be taking the entire thread with a pinch of salt. Credit where it's due & all that.