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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

A nice guy but...

110 replies

NorthAngel · 17/09/2022 07:15

Hello all,

I have posted before about this but now thinking I need to do something (but also wondering if I'm just being paranoid).

A little bit of history...

I left a long marriage 2 years ago. Nothing wrong with him or me but the marriage was sexless (a long time), lacked affection/intimacy, lacked connection and just stale. I eventually snapped. I feel bad about it but know, deep down, I have done the right thing.

I'm 50 btw and still told I'm attractive - even the women at work tell me.

Anyway, I'm pretty lonely at home. My eldest lives with his dad mainly (he is over 18) and the youngest is at her peak, awkward teenage years so she avoids me a lot and stays in her room. I work in a senior manager role in a very stressful environment with insufficient staff.

I started with OLD a while ago just to see if I could meet someone. Most have just been after a shag and when I wouldn't give they suddenly went silent or deleted me. Then I came across this guy. Lives in the same part of the UK but 35 miles north. We started chatting on Tinder and that went on a while before we moved to WhatsApp.

Anyway, we get on quite well and we both are at similar levels on our jobs. He, however has never married or had children. He is close to his sisters and their children which is lovely as they seem to be a very close family from what I'm picking up. He'll send me photos of the family and explain who is who and what they're doing in life etc. Unlike him, which is why my loneliness is bad, I don't have any family apart from my children. My parents and brother are RIP. I feel completely alone and, since I announced my divorce, my friends also seem to avoid me out of awkwardness.

The man in question is interesting, intelligent and well spoken. We share a lot of the same views on life etc. He doesn't ever seem to get sexual though. I do think he's a bit shy in that area but my husband was like a dead fish in that area and I don't want the same. We'd been chatting daily for a few months but we eventually met up a few weeks ago and spent a day in a city - park walk, lunch etc. We sat in his car afterwards a bit when he brought me back to my car. Chatted, listened to music. That's it. He never made a move on me at all. He was very polite tbh. And, I enjoyed the day. It was actually nice to be with a man who was enjoying my company rather than staring at my body etc. Anyway, I decided to kiss him when it was time to go and wow - he was passionate! He actually blushed when I got hold of his hand after I asked him if he liked that. We kissed for a good half hour which was lovely but I left it at that (obviously).

When I got home he messaged immediately to say he'd really enjoyed the day. He said he'd wanted to approach me but he thought I hadn't wanted to. He said he wanted to meet again.

However, he is so busy with his job (he ends up writing reports at home) and works shifts so opposite to my core hours role. I've said to him to let me know when he wants to do something and still nothing. But, he continues to message me daily. He doesn't phone me either.

I don't think there is anything dodgy going on. He does seem like a really polite man. I actually said to him last week that he didn't seem that interested in me. He asked what made me say that. I said he hardly says much and hadn't said anything about arranging another date. He just said he's enjoying getting to know me and wants to take it slowly plus we're both busy in FT jobs. He has told me was too cautious about getting married and regrets it.

I've decided to let him go next weekend if he makes no attempt to make time for me as this doesn't sit right with me.

I'm not being unreasonable am I?

OP posts:
Pengwinn · 17/09/2022 07:18

You aren't being unreasonable to not find a relationship suitable for you, no. But it doesn't sound like he's being wildly unreasonable either, sounds like he's been fairly open and honest about his feelings and plenty of people prefer to take things slow. It depends what you want, personally if I liked someone I'd wait and see where it went.

Pineappleskies · 17/09/2022 08:03

I think you need to communicate this to him. Ie, "I really enjoy texting but to get to know each other better we need to meet. If we can't plan to do this, I don't see a lot of point in continuing messaging. What do you think?"

PaterPower · 17/09/2022 08:14

I’m with Pineappleskies on the approach to take.

Ithinkiwanttobealone · 17/09/2022 09:46

Pineappleskies · 17/09/2022 08:03

I think you need to communicate this to him. Ie, "I really enjoy texting but to get to know each other better we need to meet. If we can't plan to do this, I don't see a lot of point in continuing messaging. What do you think?"

I don't think you're BU op but I'd take this approach too.

NorthAngel · 17/09/2022 10:30

Pineappleskies · 17/09/2022 08:03

I think you need to communicate this to him. Ie, "I really enjoy texting but to get to know each other better we need to meet. If we can't plan to do this, I don't see a lot of point in continuing messaging. What do you think?"

Yes, I agree. I know he has early finishes sometimes and I would take a flexi afternoon off and meet him (plus weekends etc.) but I'm not sure if he is just super polite, not one for making a move or there is something in his past stopping him but we can't just continue to message and not meet up! My job is stressful but I don't bring work home with me - I have a strict rule about that as it isn't fair on me or my family.

I haven't messaged him this morning. See what he does but I will give it another week.

OP posts:
FairyLightAddict · 17/09/2022 10:32

Sounds like he wants a pen pal. I'd get back on the apps and keep looking. If he wanted to date, he'd find the time.

NorthAngel · 17/09/2022 10:32

He does a lot of running and goes to the gym and I am starting to feel he is so used to being single and doing his own thing he forgets about this wonderful woman (ha ha) he isn't making time for!! Even a chat over lunch!

OP posts:
NorthAngel · 17/09/2022 10:33

FairyLightAddict · 17/09/2022 10:32

Sounds like he wants a pen pal. I'd get back on the apps and keep looking. If he wanted to date, he'd find the time.

Exactly!

OP posts:
21secondstogo · 17/09/2022 10:34

I don’t think he is what you are looking for. In fact he’s the opposite if you’re looking for someone to get it on with after a sexless marriage.

NorthAngel · 17/09/2022 11:15

21secondstogo · 17/09/2022 10:34

I don’t think he is what you are looking for. In fact he’s the opposite if you’re looking for someone to get it on with after a sexless marriage.

I guess but it's not just affection/sex I'm looking for. Most guys on Tinder want it instantly, which I don't go along with (and they usually go quiet), but this one is the complete opposite!
I said to him last week that he was quiet and never said anything. He replied that he thought I stunning. That's it. Confused

OP posts:
Chamomileteaplease · 17/09/2022 11:23

Personally, I would say that if you have met someone you really like, then this is great and not something to just throw away. It doesn't happen that often IMO!

Secondly, please don't just finish it. Have a proper conversation, (not on text) about how you would really like to meet up more often as you don't just want a texting relationship and see if he is willing to see how things go.

At least discuss things first!

holahihello · 17/09/2022 11:24

FairyLightAddict · 17/09/2022 10:32

Sounds like he wants a pen pal. I'd get back on the apps and keep looking. If he wanted to date, he'd find the time.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Once someone is under your skin you make time for them. The fact you are not speaking on the phone is also a little flag for me. It's the next step to getting to know you better. You just can't do that with texts.

I had this with a guy who seemed so invested; would text all the time but never commit to a next meeting up. I phased him.
Don't waste time and energy on this man, if the texts give you a little comfort; keep texting, but make sure you're still looking elsewhere.

oatmilkicedchai · 17/09/2022 15:17

holahihello · 17/09/2022 11:24

I wholeheartedly agree with this. Once someone is under your skin you make time for them. The fact you are not speaking on the phone is also a little flag for me. It's the next step to getting to know you better. You just can't do that with texts.

I had this with a guy who seemed so invested; would text all the time but never commit to a next meeting up. I phased him.
Don't waste time and energy on this man, if the texts give you a little comfort; keep texting, but make sure you're still looking elsewhere.

Strongly agree with all of this.

I think you should at least instigate / suggest a phone call OP and see how he responds to this. If he quibbles then that would be a red flag for me. Possibly married or similar.

NorthAngel · 17/09/2022 19:25

He has just messaged me. He's at work but obviously realised I was quiet. Chatted for a bit and he's gone back to work.
He definitely isn't married.

We'll see but I need more time invested in me. I work full time too and have a busy home life. I'd still make time for someone else.

He has said, when I mentioned to him about being uninterested, that he wants to get to know me, go with the flow and he doesn't overthink things (meaning I do).

OP posts:
AgnestaVipers · 17/09/2022 19:33

He's holding you at arm's length, which seems controlling. Yes, we all have boundaries and take things at different paces, but this seems like you and he are not on the same page.

mscampbelle · 17/09/2022 20:33

He doesn't sound like he's interested in a relationship or maybe just not a relationship with you.
If you feel you are pulling teeth just to get a coffee date you have to wonder if there's any point?

Its relatively easy to have a very nice first date, but few lead to second dates because most people are looking for more than just pleasant company, they are looking for someone they are interested in and who is interested in them.
Obviously don't plan a wedding on the basis on one date, but if every are not planning a second date (which sounds like him) then it's never going to get off the ground.

catandcoffee · 17/09/2022 21:01

Sounds like too much hard work OP.
Get back on the dating app.

Summerslam · 17/09/2022 21:07

I think you might be backing a loser here. Nice as he is, he's keeping you at a distance for some reason. Life is too short for this sort of relationship. You want a man you can make plans with, enjoy life with, spend time with. Text messaging just isn't it.

Get back on OLD and good luck.

Mary46 · 17/09/2022 21:23

He sounds non comittal. It sounds like my teenager texting lol. You dont want him stringing you along though..

billy1966 · 17/09/2022 22:21

He's wasting your time.

He clearly doesn't have time for a relationship.

Stop being a texting diversion for him.

Get back on the Apps.

His life is set up solely on his terms.

If he was interested he would be making time to get to know you.

CandidClarisse · 17/09/2022 22:44

Also Tinder is quite notorious for guys just wanting sex and no strings relationships. I'd
Maybe try one of the other apps too like Bumble.

oatmilkicedchai · 17/09/2022 22:46

CandidClarisse · 17/09/2022 22:44

Also Tinder is quite notorious for guys just wanting sex and no strings relationships. I'd
Maybe try one of the other apps too like Bumble.

Yes, ^ this.

Aquamarine1029 · 17/09/2022 22:58

Emotionally unavailable.

Readaboutyourself · 17/09/2022 23:03

Sorry if I misread but has it been 3 weeks since you met last?

If so, throw the fish back and continue to look for what you need.

Animalcrossyroad · 17/09/2022 23:12

I've probably read too many threads on here, but when I read about the sister and her kids, I automatically jumped to the conclusion that she was actually his wife and his kids!

If you like him, lay your cards on the table with him. Tell him you want to meet up more often. Otherwise block and more on.

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