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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:
EarthSight · 02/06/2022 16:53

OP, the level of detail you go into about this man and some of your actions suggests that you are very deeply absorbed, maybe lost in your fantasies about him. This bit in particular stood out -

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

But he doesn't give me much. It's as if there's a wall

Have you ever considered the fact that this might be purposeful, and you should respect that? It could be the way he is with everybody, which sounds likely, but he could also not be progressing anything with you because you come across as quite intense. For a detached, maybe emotionally unavailable man who might be an extreme introvert and not a people person, that will not be appealing for him.

and I notice that he laughs at things he's read on his phone, so he enjoys reading comments and responding to them

So what?? This is something that can be said for a majority of people these days. You are clinging on to every single crumb you can, trying to examine it, making insignificant pieces of information significant.

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

OP, you are coming across as a bit dim here. Surely you have reached the age where you have realised that just because people are interested in wildlife, or are nice to animals, does NOT mean they are interested in or are nice to people. There are dominant, nasty individuals who like or prefer animals because they do not pose the same intellectual challenge as human beings do. Animals are much simpler to them and easier to control.

I think he interests you because he is like a puzzle you can't figure out. There is a mystery to that. Some women seem to be attracted to projects - detached, unavailable men and the women think they can win their hearts and see what's behind the curtain. Sometimes what's behind the curtain is a lot less compelling and interesting than the curtain itself. Honestly, don't bother. If he saw you as an intimate partner, you wouldn't be posting here.

Rubyroseyposey · 02/06/2022 17:01

You sound like a stalker. Sorry but it's true. I would suggest staying clear of him tbh.

Babyvenusplant · 02/06/2022 17:08

Snoopypoopy123 · 01/06/2022 00:26

"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."

This makes you sound like a creepy stalker, not attractive.

Totally agree, I wouldn't be surprised if he avoids you completely after this

EarthSight · 02/06/2022 17:14

I agree with some of the other posters on here, but I don't think you'll listen to them.

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

Yes OP. This might have scared him away.....

CandyLeBonBon · 02/06/2022 17:30

What an odd thread. It's all bit Mills and Boon really, but if you like him just ask him out. You won't be the woman to 'fix him' though. It just sounds like game playing nonsense.

CorpseReviver · 02/06/2022 17:34

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 02/06/2022 11:14

But how do we know he’s an insufferable twat? Cos he posts reviews of books and the like on Facebook? Cos he goes places alone? He just seems to have different interests to a lot of people. Surely it’s better than going out and getting pissed every night?

among many other things, this is a bit of a clue:

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.

EmmaH2022 · 02/06/2022 17:42

Corpse that could be the OP imagination

or he's their dealer.

Speedweed · 02/06/2022 17:51

He sounds like a gay man who doesn't want to discuss his sexuality with you. Perhaps he hasn't come to terms with it, perhaps he recognises you're sniffing around and just doesn't want to be forced to come out to you. Who knows. He's not into you though.
Move on!

Figstar4eva · 02/06/2022 18:24

Stalker alert! Looking into his car, telling him when he's home/away, friends telling you if they see him at the pub. Let him be.
And not everybody shares their entire life on Facebook, I certainly dont

Rubyroseyposey · 02/06/2022 18:29

CorpseReviver · 02/06/2022 17:34

among many other things, this is a bit of a clue:

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.

Quite. Sounds like someone people want to steer clear of.

ToastedWaffle · 02/06/2022 20:12

Figstar4eva · 02/06/2022 18:24

Stalker alert! Looking into his car, telling him when he's home/away, friends telling you if they see him at the pub. Let him be.
And not everybody shares their entire life on Facebook, I certainly dont

Yes, OP sounds like the guy from the netflix series, "You". She'll be letting herself into his apartment and rifling through his undies next.

The updates are not making the situation sound any better.

AngelinaFangelina · 02/06/2022 20:59

I also get 'You' vibes from the OP. If that was a bloke behaving like that around me at the gym I'd be freaked out and changing my gym or at least the times I went. Imagine clocking some random guy staring into your car or admitting they keep an eye on your comings and goings. Awful.
OP, give up. If he was that interested he would have shown you already. Everything he has told you screams I'm not into this and won't be either.
The male dominance thing is hilarious bullshit. I've been going to the gym for 20 plus years and nobody behaves like that...we have a body builders club and I've never seen anyone part the waves with their maleness. Actually made me laugh out loud.
I think you are very over invested in a fantasy and have invented this persona to assign to him. He's not a God.

StellaStreet · 02/06/2022 21:39

AngelinaFangelina · 02/06/2022 20:59

I also get 'You' vibes from the OP. If that was a bloke behaving like that around me at the gym I'd be freaked out and changing my gym or at least the times I went. Imagine clocking some random guy staring into your car or admitting they keep an eye on your comings and goings. Awful.
OP, give up. If he was that interested he would have shown you already. Everything he has told you screams I'm not into this and won't be either.
The male dominance thing is hilarious bullshit. I've been going to the gym for 20 plus years and nobody behaves like that...we have a body builders club and I've never seen anyone part the waves with their maleness. Actually made me laugh out loud.
I think you are very over invested in a fantasy and have invented this persona to assign to him. He's not a God.

"and I've never seen anyone part the waves with their maleness. Actually made me laugh out loud."

Well, thank you for assuming me to be a liar 🤷🏼‍♀️
I think that tells us quite a bit about you.

OP posts:
Herejustforthisone · 02/06/2022 21:40

StellaStreet · 02/06/2022 15:03

None of you have met him, and I should've taken the chance of accepting his invite. He does things alone, and looking at the replies, I can't blame him for steering clear of women. Likely this is all he's seen. He told me once that he had been in a socials group but left because of the drinking and the fakeness. He also doesn't like it when he sees women his age act 'like a pack of hyenas'. He says the most important thing he'll cherish is his peace.

So he’s a misogynist too. Cracker.

MissNothing1991 · 02/06/2022 21:42

StellaStreet · 02/06/2022 21:39

"and I've never seen anyone part the waves with their maleness. Actually made me laugh out loud."

Well, thank you for assuming me to be a liar 🤷🏼‍♀️
I think that tells us quite a bit about you.

Says Joe Goldberg

AngelinaFangelina · 02/06/2022 22:27

MissNothing1991 · 02/06/2022 21:42

Says Joe Goldberg

I didn't say you were a liar. I said you were caught up in a fantasy. You are obsessed and not looking at things realistically. This isn't some shite romance novel, you are essentially stalking someone. You say my post says "a lot about me". I'd say have a little read through what you've posted and see what you think it says about you. I notice you've avoided all the comments about your stalking and obsessive behaviour which is pretty telling.

MissNothing1991 · 02/06/2022 22:29

AngelinaFangelina · 02/06/2022 22:27

I didn't say you were a liar. I said you were caught up in a fantasy. You are obsessed and not looking at things realistically. This isn't some shite romance novel, you are essentially stalking someone. You say my post says "a lot about me". I'd say have a little read through what you've posted and see what you think it says about you. I notice you've avoided all the comments about your stalking and obsessive behaviour which is pretty telling.

What have I got to do with it? 🤣

eatthecheesecake · 02/06/2022 22:39

Ah he's a misogynist and so are you. Makes sense. Crack on.

Rubyroseyposey · 02/06/2022 22:47

Ah, a pick me 🙄
You put this post up, and have admitted to practically stalking this guy....this is not normal behaviour and I really would suggest staying away from him. He also doesn't sound particularly interested either, if a guy is interested you will know about it.

chipsarnie · 02/06/2022 22:54

He sounds like an absolute throbber. Probably got a load of 'burner' social media accounts where he can pretend he's a mysterious, intellectual 'researcher' rather than a gym bunny who sells fudge at a stately home and sleeps in a single bed under a Power Rangers duvet.

FlissyPaps · 02/06/2022 22:55

Have you asked him out yet OP?

Rubyroseyposey · 02/06/2022 23:04

chipsarnie · 02/06/2022 22:54

He sounds like an absolute throbber. Probably got a load of 'burner' social media accounts where he can pretend he's a mysterious, intellectual 'researcher' rather than a gym bunny who sells fudge at a stately home and sleeps in a single bed under a Power Rangers duvet.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

AngelinaFangelina · 02/06/2022 23:11

MissNothing1991 · 02/06/2022 22:29

What have I got to do with it? 🤣

Sorry, quoted the wrong one 🙄
I'm sure you aren't a stalker!

PaddleBoardingMomma · 02/06/2022 23:39

"chipsarnie
He sounds like an absolute throbber. Probably got a load of 'burner' social media accounts where he can pretend he's a mysterious, intellectual 'researcher' rather than a gym bunny who sells fudge at a stately home and sleeps in a single bed under a Power Rangers duvet."

Best comment ever 🤣

EarthSight · 02/06/2022 23:47

chipsarnie · 02/06/2022 22:54

He sounds like an absolute throbber. Probably got a load of 'burner' social media accounts where he can pretend he's a mysterious, intellectual 'researcher' rather than a gym bunny who sells fudge at a stately home and sleeps in a single bed under a Power Rangers duvet.

@chipsarnie Wow, that's incredibly specific!

What's wrong with selling fudge at a stately home eh??