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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

Can I just ghost him at this point as everything with him and I is a drag? Advice?

89 replies

tanperception · 02/09/2022 14:57

Had been talking to him for a few weeks/a month before meeting. We went out for dinner together a few days ago and all went well. Kissed at the end. Texted me when we got home. Said he's glad he's met a woman who likes similar things. Said he found me even more attractive in person. Wanted to see me a few days later to do something together, I agreed but then I had too much going on with work so he suggested we maybe save it for the weekend. He also asked if I would be free this weekend as his friends have an event on. I don't see anything inherently wrong with this, however, previously dated someone and I met his friends quite early on, it didn't last and he was also seeing other people unknown to me.

Before we met, he would talk about what we should be doing for our second date, like going to the beach etc. I'm not sure if this is an issue but we hadn't even met, who is to say we would get along? Wondering if he's doing this to get in the sack quickly as I didn't sleep with him on the first date/as we did have some sexual messages exchanged prior. Things over text got a bit heated when we got home too and even sent me a photo of some toys he would like us to get. In one of the other message, that was slightly sexual he said he wants his 'partner' to be satisfied.

He did mention jokingly before our date that dinner should be quick and straight to dessert, however, the night before I did sort of get a bit sexual. Did text me after saying it was good to get to know me.
As I was supposed to attend a few weeks ago for his friend's birthday, I just suggested we do something one on one soon. He said I was still welcome to come and I just said that I would be having a family thing in the end. We were messaging throughout the day and he asked me for a website of something I bought something from but you have to download an app to use it. I just said I could buy it for him (it was about the price of the dinner he paid for on our first date), he said he would owe me back but I said not to worry, it was a few hundred bucks. I joked that we forgot to buy something else and he said we could get it on the way home tonight (weeks ago) after I picked him up from his friend's birthday. When I made it pretty clear that I couldn't do that as I was at home with my family. I didn't say this but then thought of it after, seems a bit demanding. I just sort of said I'd like to and would do it another time. He opened the message but didn't respond. I'm just not sure I like where this is heading.

Lately, he won't message for days or a week, and then when I do respond, which may be a bit later, he hardly gives me time to respond and then will message again. So he double messaged again last night asking if I want to do something with him soon. I respond and ask about a day and then he pulls back. This is not making my interest skyrocket any further, rather, I am getting increasingly frustrated. I've sort of told him previously of my concerns that I'm not sure if I'm fully into it and he said he understood (that was a week ago). And I told him that he was overstepping the mark by expecting me to come and pick him up. Anyway, he responds by saying he 'should' be free on Monday, again, had done this previously with the use of 'should'. Bit strange. I intentionally didn't open the message as I found it frustrating.

As I hadn't opened the message earlier today, he randomly sends me a photo of some gym girl that sort of looks similar to me and says 'Is this you?' and says that my muscles are 'coming' along. And then randomly again a plan of us doing a gym session. I can't keep up with this. It also signals to me that the other plans he just spoke of last night had no meaning unless I'm just some weirdo and that he just wants attention/affirmation.

Advice?

TL;DR I've had one date with this guy and I am not that into it. I've expressed concerns but am unsure if I can just ghost him at this point. He's reasonably attractive but we are different. He has tattoos, I don't. I have a degree, he doesn't. Find him reasonably kind but there are no fireworks.

OP posts:
Fairylightsongs · 03/09/2022 10:29

You bought him something that cost several hundred pounds????

Sandra1984 · 03/09/2022 10:49

He’s a weirdo of the socially awkward kind. Who discusses what to do on a second date (before you have even met) and sex toys after the first date? Creep. No wonder you want to get rid of, however…do not ghost him, it’s childish, unfair, abusive and rude. A short sweet message in the lines of: “hey joe it’s been great meeting you but I’m just not feeling it, I don’t see ourselves being compatible and would rather leave it here. Best wishes”.

J0y · 03/09/2022 10:53

i don't think he's that in to you so you don't owe him much of an explanation.
Make the decision IN YOUR HEAD that it's over and then the next time he texts you respond to say that you weren't certain you'd hear from him again but you don't feel any great connection so you're drawing a line under it here.

Sandra1984 · 03/09/2022 10:53

You may need to work on your boundaries a bit before you continue dating as you sound too giving too early in the relationship, plus buying him a “200 pound anything” is a big no no.

tanperception · 03/09/2022 11:11

@Sandra1984@Fairylightsongs I do regret this. I dislike to admit it as well but the fact that he didn't insist on paying me back, has turned me off as well. Despite knowing it was my fault.

OP posts:
Musti · 03/09/2022 11:14

Autumnchills415 · 03/09/2022 07:58

I am 34 and my friends who are also in their 30s and attempting to find a guy are all in the same boat. I shared a meme yesterday on Facebook that said relationships worked 25 years ago because we were not texting our exes at 2am..we were not messaging 50 people in one week instead of focusing on the one. We were not lining up more options whilst already in a relationship. 25 years ago we were not constantly making our partners compete for our love.

It's so true. The world of online dating and social media has made people greedy fake and too busy..I believe alot of us are struggling to find that person who's not after sex and wants to commit. So many of my friends get ghosted after 6 weeks..or 2 months into spending every weekend with some guy he spills he's not over his ex and can't commit yet.

It's truly awful. I have this new thing that I'm going to let it naturally happen and if I can't meet anyone through friends or going out or walking out and about then I'll accept it. I just know sadly now how bad relationships are when they are online centered. It just often ends in disappointing circumstances. It's rare it's a success. What do you think? Do you feel he's after one thing?

25 years ago you still ended up with people who were the wrong person or abusive or cheats.

online dating has widened the pool. You can ask lots of questions before meeting.

wihtout online you are left with just who you happen to work with or who you meet on a night out.

Op I also dislike tattoos and also would prefer someone who has a degree. Not always a guarantee though, my ex is intelligent, has a degree but doesn’t learn for pleasure and his interests are quite narrow.

Musti · 03/09/2022 11:15

tanperception · 03/09/2022 11:11

@Sandra1984@Fairylightsongs I do regret this. I dislike to admit it as well but the fact that he didn't insist on paying me back, has turned me off as well. Despite knowing it was my fault.

You said it cost as much as the meal he paid for?

ThinkingForEveryone · 03/09/2022 11:21

To much drama for one date. If you can post a thread that long about one date god help you if you were in a relationship with the poor guy.
Let him go gently, send him a message saying you just don't feel it and wish him well. Don't ghost him for no reason, that just screams immaturity.
For what it's worth, I have tattoos and no degree. I am happily married though.

tanperception · 03/09/2022 11:27

@ThinkingForEveryone for the record, there is nothing wrong with tattoos. Plenty of educated or great people in the world have them, however, they are things that this person has that do make it harder for me to overlook. They are not the focal point of what is wrong, but I just wanted to give examples. I really don't want to have to receive any more comments regarding the tattoos as I genuinely do not think they're bad, I just want someone a bit more clean-cut. Yet, I wanted to give examples of these things that do cross my mind with this person and would do any other time with someone else. Tattoos or anything are not for everyone and if you are offended, not my problem, sorry.

OP posts:
tanperception · 03/09/2022 11:28

But nonetheless, thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Natty13 · 03/09/2022 11:41

tanperception · 03/09/2022 08:31

@Autumnchills415 you're absolutely right. Even if you do meet someone who seems great, they could just use some app to find someone else because for some stupid reason. Or, that they're so fake busy like you say. Modern dating is detached and completely strange, and in fact, exhausting. There is no responsibility either - people just act however they want. Hard to say what he wants, I don't really care if I'm being honest because I'm not confident it'll work.

My dear....this is exactly what you are doing if you ghost him! Ghosting is the epitome of someone acting with no responsibility, not to mention fucking rude and immature. Grow up and send him a message that you enjoyed your date but you think you are looking for different things/didn't feel that spark/decided to focus on yourself for a bit instead of dating/whatever.

Not even getting started on the hypocrisy of you complaining people using apps to move on to the next one over silly reasons when you are literally talking about doing the same thing over tattoos and already said you find it totally justified it in a previous post using the example of liking apples/not liking apples.

Look at your own behaviour, what's good for the goose is good for the gander eh?

daisychain01 · 03/09/2022 11:49

tanperception · 03/09/2022 08:31

@Autumnchills415 you're absolutely right. Even if you do meet someone who seems great, they could just use some app to find someone else because for some stupid reason. Or, that they're so fake busy like you say. Modern dating is detached and completely strange, and in fact, exhausting. There is no responsibility either - people just act however they want. Hard to say what he wants, I don't really care if I'm being honest because I'm not confident it'll work.

You haven't met the right person yet. Anything as exhausting as you've describes means it's broken before it's got going. When it's this early on there's no fixing it and recapturing any feel-good from the early days/weeks of a new relationship.

Back away and distance yourself, no blame needed, neither of you are bad people, it just hasn't worked out, the chemistry is lacking.

daisychain01 · 03/09/2022 11:56

Ghosting is the epitome of someone acting with no responsibility, not to mention fucking rude and immature.

no it isn't, that's ridiculous.

haven't you heard "don't explain, don't complain"

sometimes the most expedient way to 'reset' when it's early days of a relationship with all the hallmarks of it just not working and there's no obligation on either side is to go silent rather than the painful ping pong back and forth with texts, explaining, risking the other person trying to make you change your mind, yada yada.. It's the modern disease.

clean sheet, walk away, don't get embroiled. It saves a huge amount of wasted time and irrelevant drama and emotion.

Mistletow · 03/09/2022 12:06

Thanks I've anxiety after getting through that garbled rant. You sound like hard work and so does he. Finish it

Natty13 · 03/09/2022 12:30

daisychain01 · 03/09/2022 11:56

Ghosting is the epitome of someone acting with no responsibility, not to mention fucking rude and immature.

no it isn't, that's ridiculous.

haven't you heard "don't explain, don't complain"

sometimes the most expedient way to 'reset' when it's early days of a relationship with all the hallmarks of it just not working and there's no obligation on either side is to go silent rather than the painful ping pong back and forth with texts, explaining, risking the other person trying to make you change your mind, yada yada.. It's the modern disease.

clean sheet, walk away, don't get embroiled. It saves a huge amount of wasted time and irrelevant drama and emotion.

I've never ghosted anyone, and I never got embroiled in ping pong back and forth messages either. A polite message ending things is it. If they replied I wouldn't respond because yes, I don't let myself get drawn into arguments and discussions (in any aspect of life....no is no that that's that) but at least the other person isn't left on the hook or what went wrong. Look at all the threads here from poor women who have been ghosted and it really affects them. Much kinder to just say "nice to meet you but bye"

TheFlyingFox · 03/09/2022 15:43

The talking about your second date before you hadn't even had your first isn't a good sign, its future faking and manipulated to make him seem like a serious relationship sort of guy.

The weird photo of a random woman in gym gear is meant to make you feel nervous that you're not quite his type (very fit) and that you should work harder to please him.

The invite to the party is to save him the money of going on an actual date (and whats the betting it would be cancelled at the last minute anyway) while simultaneously making you think he's serious about you by involving you with his friends.

In general theres a lot of game playing and manipulation and I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't one of many.

I'd ghost this one, and I don't usually ghost.

And for heaven's sake, there is nothing wrong with a woman disliking tattoos in a partner and preferring someone with a degree! People are allowed personal preferences...

Mabelstearooms · 03/09/2022 15:54

Christ if you're not interested in seeing him again just text him and say so. You don't even really like his personality, his background/lack of degree or how he looks/his tattoos. You are causing a drama by agonising over how to cut him and posting about it on the internet. It's really not that deep. Just tell him you're not interested anymore and both of you can move on.

Divebar2021 · 03/09/2022 15:57

Maybe the OP should have figured out the attraction regarding tattoos / education before she had phone sex with the guy. ( or was sexting). That sends very mixed messages wouldn’t you say? Be a grown up OP and let him know you’re not interested.

tanperception · 04/09/2022 03:32

@TheFlyingFox Hi. Thanks for your message. In the video of the girl, I definitely see the resemblance. I have been working out for years, and could easily compete by now.

OP posts:
tanperception · 04/09/2022 03:33

@TheFlyingFox Have a wonderful day, thank you again! Yes, all those things icked me, especially that early on.

OP posts:
layladomino · 04/09/2022 09:23

This far too much drama for the very early days. He's showing you what dating him would be like. Confusing more than anything else. Mixed messages. Poor communication. Negging possibly. Messing with your head in general.

Not to want to extend the discussion (but I can't help it) re tattoos and degrees. I can sort of see the tattoo thing - if you don't find them attractive then you'd ideally find someone without them. But a degree??? A degree isn't the only measure of intelligence. Some clever people choose not to do a degree / some people with a degree can lack even basic common sense? It's an odd thing to use against someone as it doesn't tell you much at all about them, and could mean you overlook a brilliant match.

Sandra1984 · 04/09/2022 10:03

If OP. Doesn’t find tattoos aesthetically pleasing I don’t get why she should put up with that. My pet peeve with men is beards, I can’t date a man with a beard as I find it a total turn off. There’s nothing wrong about men with beards, there’s some very lovely guys with beards and I’m sure I’m missing out on great matches but I can’t get over them as I find them very unpleasant. Obs this is my problem. Apply this to a degree, Tory voter, body builder or men with skinny pants. It’s her choice.

tanperception · 04/09/2022 11:51

@layladomino thank you. Oh, I definitely agree. In general, I would definitely be willing to be with someone great, despite not having a degree. However, when there are quite a few negatives and this person is not that educated in that regard, again, something I am used/grown up with and valued; it is a problem. I also agree that it's not even really a measure of intelligence so much but success. It's just values and whatever other bs that I've grown up that I find hard to circumvent.

OP posts:
tanperception · 05/09/2022 03:29

As I was supposed to catch up with him tonight, I haven't heard anything since. Although I didn't respond to his last message. Last time we met, he would double message and confirm. Works out well.

OP posts:
tanperception · 05/09/2022 05:35

He just messaged me asking if I still want to go to the movies tonight.

OP posts: