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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

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:
Slothmomma · 20/09/2022 09:41

He sounds like a nice guy, may be shy, may have commitment issues, may be holding you at arms length etc but none of this really matters if he doesn't have time to fit you physically into his life. You're in the apps to date not to find a pen pal.

Words are nothing. Actions are everything

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 20/09/2022 09:51

Offer him a couple of definite dates to meet up. I think you're only going to get somewhere if you meet in person. Don't read too much into him not answering when he's at his sister's - he might have been having a lovely time and not looking at his phone.

Successgirl2022 · 20/09/2022 11:20

I would talk to him and tell him what I would really like.

At least 1 date in person at least once a week if possible.

I would tell him I like him a lot and I am ready for more than just a kiss with him if he is ready :).

Most men don't understand hints. They need straight clear talk and to know exactly what their GF/ woman wants.

What are your star signs?

waterrat · 20/09/2022 12:01

Oh Op reading this makes me sad - when somebody shows you who they are - believe them.

This man isn't 'shy' - he isn't interested. He is not arranging to see you because he simply doesn't want to enough.

JUst stop wasting time talking to him - and you will find someone more suited when you make space for them. Keep your boundaries clear and don't waste time on people like this.

waterrat · 20/09/2022 12:01

Please ignore all this stuff about telling him you want a date - is this for real? Be serious - a grown man who needs to be told that in order to have a relationship with a woman he needs to meet her in person? How low are people going here.

HowlongWillThisTakeNow · 20/09/2022 12:18

He has not done anything wrong, he can move in a relationship at what ever speed he feels comfortable with ( as can the OP), but I don’t think he is really all that interested.

NorthAngel · 20/09/2022 12:34

I think he should've made more of an effort by now. I do just feel like his pen pal. He was nice when we met up and chatty but I did notice his nervous twitch with his right knee/leg tapping all the time and he blushed.

I also think he is used to doing his own thing (having never married) so I think he just isn't used to making time to give to someone else. Or, he has been hurt by someone and is taking his time.

I'm going to leave it until the weekend and if he doesn't suggest anything I'll just move on.

OP posts:
TrainRide · 20/09/2022 13:15

You sound like you're just playing games OP eg Waiting to see if he suggests something.

Why can't you be authentic and real with him? Take the bull by the horns. If you want a date ask him! It's not 1950!

Why not suggest a weekend in London (since you know he goes) and then see what he says.

He's not vastly experienced with women and he's not a mind reader. It feels like you are setting him up to fail by waiting to see if he'll correctly guess what you are thinking.

Just be upfront and honest.

Doesitmatter83 · 20/09/2022 13:27

TrainRide · 20/09/2022 13:15

You sound like you're just playing games OP eg Waiting to see if he suggests something.

Why can't you be authentic and real with him? Take the bull by the horns. If you want a date ask him! It's not 1950!

Why not suggest a weekend in London (since you know he goes) and then see what he says.

He's not vastly experienced with women and he's not a mind reader. It feels like you are setting him up to fail by waiting to see if he'll correctly guess what you are thinking.

Just be upfront and honest.

This

Aikko · 20/09/2022 13:50

Agree with above posters.
He sounds inexperienced, and is probably paralyzed for fear of doing the wrong thing. Take action.

Alcemeg · 20/09/2022 13:55

I'll do anything to avoid a phone call. I will literally try and do everything in writing. My now-DH laughs at the way I avoided calls when we first knew each other. He had to ring me up and said it was like getting blood out of a stone. I was completely frozen like a rabbit in the headlights.

I don't think you should give up on him because all the indicators seem to point to him being shy and anxious not to do the wrong thing.

Takesometime · 20/09/2022 13:57

OP - have you thought that perhaps he is not physically attracted to you? That maybe you are not his type? And so he's keeping you as pen pal but not interested in taking it any further?

I had that with guys before and I could sense it from miles away. I've always been slim/attractive, had plenty of male attention but I appreciate I'm not everybody's cup of tea physically.

Takesometime · 20/09/2022 14:05

OP- also does he want his own family, does he want children? He's not too old to have children if he finds someone younger. I know plenty of men who had children in their 50ies. Someone close to me was only dating women his own age after his older wife passed away after a long illness as he didn't think anyone much younger would go out with him, then found someone in late 30ies and they had a child when he was 53. Could it be that (secretly) wishes that? Not all younger women are high maintenance or difficult.

NorthAngel · 20/09/2022 15:07

TrainRide · 20/09/2022 13:15

You sound like you're just playing games OP eg Waiting to see if he suggests something.

Why can't you be authentic and real with him? Take the bull by the horns. If you want a date ask him! It's not 1950!

Why not suggest a weekend in London (since you know he goes) and then see what he says.

He's not vastly experienced with women and he's not a mind reader. It feels like you are setting him up to fail by waiting to see if he'll correctly guess what you are thinking.

Just be upfront and honest.

Good point.

I'll suggest something.

OP posts:
NorthAngel · 20/09/2022 15:08

Takesometime · 20/09/2022 13:57

OP - have you thought that perhaps he is not physically attracted to you? That maybe you are not his type? And so he's keeping you as pen pal but not interested in taking it any further?

I had that with guys before and I could sense it from miles away. I've always been slim/attractive, had plenty of male attention but I appreciate I'm not everybody's cup of tea physically.

Oh, he is. He's told me I'm stunning and he was obviously leaking pc in the car just sat next to me!

OP posts:
NorthAngel · 20/09/2022 15:09

Takesometime · 20/09/2022 14:05

OP- also does he want his own family, does he want children? He's not too old to have children if he finds someone younger. I know plenty of men who had children in their 50ies. Someone close to me was only dating women his own age after his older wife passed away after a long illness as he didn't think anyone much younger would go out with him, then found someone in late 30ies and they had a child when he was 53. Could it be that (secretly) wishes that? Not all younger women are high maintenance or difficult.

Not sure but he's almost 51 so I doubt he'd want children now anyway and I certainly wouldn't (and can't now anyway) at 50.

OP posts:
NorthAngel · 20/09/2022 20:32

So, I asked him if he'd like to meet up and he said yes. So, we have decided to meet up in London (even though we are both up north)!

OP posts:
Successgirl2022 · 20/09/2022 21:56

NorthAngel · 20/09/2022 20:32

So, I asked him if he'd like to meet up and he said yes. So, we have decided to meet up in London (even though we are both up north)!

Lovely, well done.

I hope it goes well :)

UnusualJobForAWoman · 20/09/2022 23:30

The simplest answer is usually the correct one, he didn’t do those things because he didn’t want to, it is usually good to stop pushing at that point.

MelbourneStateofMind · 21/09/2022 08:30

I hope it goes well OP!

WalkingThroughTreacle · 21/09/2022 08:37

NorthAngel · 17/09/2022 11:15

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

It's not a binary choice between men who just want sex and a man who doesn't even want a committed relationship. You might need to kiss a few frogs to find your prince. You've kissed this frog and he's quite cleary not your prince. Throw him back in the pond and give yourself a chance of finding someone that will really make you happy.

Ofcourseshecan · 21/09/2022 09:16

Treacletoots · 18/09/2022 15:53

I'm normally the first to say drop and run but I think OP that he's just shy. He sounds like he could br a keeper if you have the patience to bring him out of his shell. Personally I'd say I'd rather that than have to sift through the 100s of dickheads you usually find on tinder..

I agree. I’m glad you’re going to meet him again. And as TrainRide says He's not vastly experienced with women and he's not a mind reader. It feels like you are setting him up to fail by waiting to see if he'll correctly guess what you are thinking. Just be upfront and honest.

Good luck to you both.

Weepachu · 21/09/2022 09:24

He sounds like a dud and I wouldn’t be too sure about him not wanting kids.

I recommend this book for your future dating endeavours, makes sense not to put all your eggs in one basket until you are sure. Saves a lot of heartache and ruminating too.

The Four Man Plan: A Romantic Science amzn.eu/d/aAidLZO

ChrisTrepidation · 21/09/2022 09:35

You are tying yourself up in knots over a man you've had one single date with.

If he wanted to see you again he would ask. It really really is that simple. Do you really want to pursue a relationship with a man you have to cajole into seeing you? You're better than that!

I'm having a similar situation myself atm. Met a guy through work who is now professing interest but not actually asking me on a date. These men know full well that they should be asking us out. They just aren't.

ChrisTrepidation · 21/09/2022 09:35

So in summation, please do not ask him out. Just don't.