Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Should I date him?

43 replies

star70 · 14/08/2022 19:56

I have formed a strong friendship with a a man who created and runs a social activities group. He told me he gets nothing out of the group but does it to help others as he is passionate about helping people with social anxiety to help make friends.

He has said some women have asked him out but they are usually not his type and a lot older. He did date a woman a while back from the group and she got insecure and kept asking him if he fancies the women from the photos of events he hosted. She would also accuse him of setting up the group to date women and he said that is not the case. He did get possessive when a man in the group started talking to this woman he was dating and he would send him messages or have digs at his comments on group posts.

We have such a strong connection and it's highly likely we will become a couple. He said he still wants to go to the group when he gets a partner but his exes have all had a problem with him meeting new people through the group. I would never stop or restrict him from going to the group as he said it has helped him recently as his friends have all settled down and getting out has helped with some bereavement. I also admire that he wants to people.

I just can't help feel anxious sometimes that some of these women would throw themselves at him even though I should trust him. I am also still a member of social activities groups elsewhere and wonder if he would try and stop me going to those even though I have made some great friends.

Just wondered how people would feel their partner ran a social group?

OP posts:
DatingDinosaur · 14/08/2022 21:37

star70 · 14/08/2022 21:28

I am getting stomach anxiety over this and I have not had that feeling in 6 years.

That's telling you everything you need to know then OP. The guy is causing you anxiety. The anxiety is your instincts telling you something is off about him. The way to stop the anxiety is to know in your heart of hearts that you and him ain't ever gonna happen, no matter what charm he exudes or bollocks he spouts.

Your anxiety instincts are telling you he's not the one for you. Don't be sad about it, be proud that you're listening to your self - now that IS self respect.

star70 · 14/08/2022 21:43

I feel really sad as apart from these anxieties about the exes we really had a connection as he has a spiritual side too which most people are not into. I don't know if my ex cheating on me has brought up old feelings too as he went with prostitutes and I get anxious now when it comes to relationships. I know I need a man who is going to make me feel safe and secure and not go on about people from their past who did them wrong.

OP posts:
DatingDinosaur · 14/08/2022 21:47

"I know I need a man who is going to make me feel safe and secure and not go on about people from their past who did them wrong."

He's not really ticking either of those boxes then is he? You don't feel safe and secure (because you're on here questioning his motives/behaviour) and he's banging on about his exes.

Are you just attracted to the attention he's giving you?

star70 · 14/08/2022 21:53

@DatingDinosaur I think it's because we can talk for hours about spiritual topics and life but then the ex talk ruins it all. I know there are other men out there who won't talk about their exes. It makes me wonder if he has moved on as he still mentions them. My ex never crosses my mind and I never speak about him to anyone.

OP posts:
Mumofnarnia · 14/08/2022 21:53

star70 · 14/08/2022 21:43

I feel really sad as apart from these anxieties about the exes we really had a connection as he has a spiritual side too which most people are not into. I don't know if my ex cheating on me has brought up old feelings too as he went with prostitutes and I get anxious now when it comes to relationships. I know I need a man who is going to make me feel safe and secure and not go on about people from their past who did them wrong.

Bizarrely enough….. when doing my research on narcissists when I left my narcissistic ex and was trying to work out what I’d just been through, I read many articles about narcissism and the belief narcissistic people have the belief that they’re spiritual/ psychic! This was the case for my ex.

i am not in any way labelling spiritual/ psychic people as narcissists but with everything else you have just said about him, along with the fact he’s also ‘spiritual’, this is definitely has convinced me he’s one to avoid.

Gagagardener · 14/08/2022 21:58

Have you posted about this before? The situation sounds familiar, as does the advice.

Watchkeys · 14/08/2022 22:08

I just can't help feel anxious sometimes that some of these women would throw themselves at him even though I should trust him

Where does that 'should' come from? If you have a 'should', then there's got to be someone/some mindset telling you that you 'should'. Who or what is that?

If you want to feel anxious, spend time with people who make you feel anxious. If you want to feel good, spend time with people who make you feel good. It really is that simple. You don't need any further questioning of whys and wherefores.

katishot · 14/08/2022 22:46

I am also still a member of social activities groups elsewhere and wonder if he would try and stop me going to those even though I have made some great friends

Yeah, if you're wondering this and haven't even started dating him then it's a very bad sign, isn't it?
You're already starting to think he might try to stop you doing things. The thing about getting possessive about a man talking to a woman he was dating is the next red flag.

And then you go on to mention your stomach anxiety.
You should not date this man. End of.
Doesn't matter if he's "spiritual".... and those types can often be a fricking nightmare....

GreyCarpet · 14/08/2022 23:07

I'm afraid I can also see plenty of red flags too. It wouldn't even occur to me to be concerned about him running the group but...

  • problematic and jealous exes. I wonder what it was in his behaviour to cause them to feel insecure/question his behaviour.
  • he has told you about this. Even in this thread you are quick to assure us that you would not be jealous or insecure. He is pitting you against his exes - daring you to show him you're different.
  • he had a problem with someone who was friendly with a woman he was dating and behaved like a dick in response to it.

I can't see your opening post at the moment but those are enough for starters. It's hard when you connect with someone and can see potential but, realistically, this does not have long term potential. I wonder how long it would take for him to worry about the men you're talking to at your social activities? How long it would take for you to have concerns about his conduct and become insecure and jealous (in his eyes) about the other women at his social event? How long before he would be 'courting' another woman and encouraging her to not become just like you..?

star70 · 14/08/2022 23:17

He has also been married twice and engaged without being married. I feel he may insecure and doesn't like being alone.

OP posts:
GreyCarpet · 14/08/2022 23:30

Tbh, there's nothing you've said about him that makes him sound appealing.

Even the 'spiritual' stuff. In fact, especially the 'spiritual' stuff. I dated a couple of men into spirituality when I was younger amd I have a close friend who's really into it now. I have more than a passing interest in it myself but men who claim to be spiritual are utter arses (IMHO, of course).

in fact, judgemental, selfish, intense, naval gazing, victims. Is my experience...

girlmom21 · 15/08/2022 06:40

some from this group.

If it was just one plus you I could kind of accept it.
But numerous exes from this social group suggests the real reason he still bothers.

Hira3 · 15/08/2022 06:46

Rogue1001MNer · 14/08/2022 20:03

No problem about running a social group.

HUUUUGE problem with
He did get possessive when a man in the group started talking to this woman he was dating and he would send him messages or have digs at his comments on group posts.

Yes this.

Hira3 · 15/08/2022 06:46

star70 · 14/08/2022 23:17

He has also been married twice and engaged without being married. I feel he may insecure and doesn't like being alone.

Run s mile from this kind of guy. Nothing good about him.

PawPrintsInMyPansies · 15/08/2022 07:10

You sound very passive in all of this. It’s like you’re waiting for him to decide if to date you or not. Where’s your agency?

if he asked you out, it sounds like you’d agree, even if you weren’t sure. If I were you, I’d leave the group and block.

Justleaveitblankthen · 15/08/2022 14:01

Hmm, yeah the spiritual stuff can be a big red flag in some circumstances.

Depending on how fundamental/orthodox he is, it can be wheeled out to suit any agenda - usually, let's face it - to suit any idea or justify an action..

Basically as a means of control (though obviously it is MUCH later when that becomes apparent)
The ones with 'psychic' abiilites as another PP mentioned, are a bloody nightmare.
You won't have any idea that the guy you are innocently chatting with is "dangerous/hidden agenda" etc, etc.. But your religious boyfriend would have been told directly from God that this is so.. 🙄

Mumofnarnia · 15/08/2022 14:10

Justleaveitblankthen · 15/08/2022 14:01

Hmm, yeah the spiritual stuff can be a big red flag in some circumstances.

Depending on how fundamental/orthodox he is, it can be wheeled out to suit any agenda - usually, let's face it - to suit any idea or justify an action..

Basically as a means of control (though obviously it is MUCH later when that becomes apparent)
The ones with 'psychic' abiilites as another PP mentioned, are a bloody nightmare.
You won't have any idea that the guy you are innocently chatting with is "dangerous/hidden agenda" etc, etc.. But your religious boyfriend would have been told directly from God that this is so.. 🙄

You are so correct. My ex was like this. Thought he was psychic and used it as an excuse to control me ie. I was not up for sex due to been exhausted looking after 2 children under 2. But he told me his psychic mind was telling him that he’s getting old now so he needs as much sex as possible before he gets too old or he will not be able to get an erection. Too much information I know but this is just one of the many things he tried to control me with due to his so- called ‘psychic abilities’.

star70 · 15/08/2022 18:23

I was watching an Instagram video earlier about moving on and then a message popped up from him 😂 I think it was a sign to move on.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page