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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

Confusing coworker, what should I do?

17 replies

NadjaK · 04/01/2023 11:52

Hi there, I need some advice.

I have a crush on my coworker since September (but we know/work together since 2019). We work for the same company, him as a gardner and me as the manager of the company's store. He comes to the store to help me move heavy furniture or install some stuff when I need an employee. We only see each other at work. And we never text, call or hang out outside work.

Three months ago, I needed an employee to help me change the exhibition, he went to ask his subordinate if he could come help me on that day. When he comes, he usually stays a little bit longer, says doesn't matter extra hours, ask me if I need more help to change that or this and often stays one hour more.

Since September, he displays every signs of attraction, sometimes he looks nervous, have eyebrows shaking(really), he smiles A LOT and loughs with me, he makes jokes, teases me, stares at me, touches his beard or fixes his outfit when talking to me, he makes much eye contact when he tells me his stories, But, he never compliments me on my appearance and never touches me (except: when we install or move furniture, we accidentally touch arms, hand or shoulder and he doesn't move back, on the contrary he tends to linger in..) He asks questions about my past relationship (I was still married when we knew each other), about my ex-husband he once saw a long time ago, he asked three times if we are still together, (he didn't get the fact that I'm actually divorced and "single" for one year).

I feel chemistry, we cling, we laugh a lot together and always have something to talk about. I like him very much.

So, last October I decided to make a move. I told him to call me sometime to go have a drink. And 3 weeks later, he called me on a Sunday night 6 pm. I didn't hear the call. So he texted me "Hi" 15 minutes later. One hour after his call, I replied, "Hi", but he didn't answer. The next day, on Monday, I called him for work-related stuff and when I asked him did you call me yesterday, he pretended that it was work related but that he forgot it was Sunday…

After that we have been working together many times and I decided to make a last move on him. One night I asked him, don't you want to go have a fondue (Swiss speciality) tonight with me? and he said, "No tonight I can't, I have something up", with a annoyed tone, which was strange to me, like I bothered him by asking... I decided then to leave him alone and not make any more move on him.>> not interested, was clear to me...

BUT, then came the company’s Christmas party. I decided to go but leaving him alone. During the whole evening he stared at me a lot from across the room, and also at that moment when I was speaking and laughing with others male coworkers he didn't look away for about 5 minutes... When me and my 5 (girls) coworkers were dancing, he approached and began dancing with us (no other guys around, just him) and after 10 minutes took my hands to dance with me. I have to mention that he is shy and introverted kind of personality.

5 days later, I mentioned a IKEA furniture I couldn’t manage to build for my kitchen. In the second, he proposed to come to my home to help me fix it without me having to ask him. That evening, once we finished, he said with hesitation he might go. Still, I offered him a glass of wine and he accepted, but nothing happened, we just talked for 30-45 minutes or so and then he left. Before leaving, standing at the door, he looked for a long moment at his phone with a blank stare, like he was about to say something?.. (he usually waits some minutes or comes back with something to say before leaving... )

Two weeks later, on the first of January, he send me a Happy new year text... (first time he does in three years) We usually never call or text outside work stuff. I just replied, thank you, you too.... that's the last time I heard from him.

Once he told me about his past relationships. For 10 years he is in Switzerland, he had no girlfriend. He is 40. He had 2 in his home country, but one of them didn't want sex before marriage, he broke up with her after two months. He told me he tried dating apps and going out but that now he's no longer searching.
He also told me he wants kids, I'm already 39 and have a 7 years boy, but I didn't tell him I don't want more. He tends to brag a bit, like telling me he's having a good situation in his country, a house, etc... That he now only is a gardener but he used to have better jobs... he also told me he booked a trip in February for XXX dollars, and asked me joking, do you come with me?....

What do you think? What should I do?

Why won’t he make a move? I can no longer wait for him to ask me out. I'm going crazy. I still date other guys, but I'm too attracted to him and can't focus completly on the other guys... I want to spend time with him, learn more and try to understand him and see where it goes. I'm badly attracted to him and I enjoy his company 😛

Thanks for helping me (sorry was long, but details matter sometimes)

NK.

Confusing coworker, what should I do?
OP posts:
DatingDinosaur · 04/01/2023 12:12

I reckon –

He interpreted you not answering his Sunday night call and text as you aren’t interested or have changed your mind since.

He then “saved face” by saying it was work related. After all, you do have to still work together.

Yes, he probably was annoyed with the fondue thing, but maybe annoyed because he genuinely did have a prior commitment he couldn’t alter.

He’s probably wondering if he should make a move or if he’s misreading things.

Because he keeps looking, etc. I say ask him one more time – something casual, drink after work maybe - and if he turns it down then accept it’s not meant to be and back away.

Is the photo you and him????

NadjaK · 04/01/2023 12:28

Hi Dinosaur, Thank you so much for the reply.

No the photo was just to trigger curiosity.
I would never post a photo of him haha.

Don't you think asking him one more time is too much of asking??

Is there a subtle way of letting him know I like him without asking him out again?? and without embarrassment for myself...

OP posts:
MintyBinty · 04/01/2023 12:37

Just ask him. Be more direct this time. If you leave it up to him you might end up waiting forever! Sometimes you just have to take the initiative and make it really clear what it is that you want.

Bookworm20 · 04/01/2023 12:41

From what you've written it sounds like he does really like you, but has absolutely no idea of how to go about it all. You say he is very shy personality. Perhaps he is worried he is reading you wrong and doesn't want to make himself look an idiot.
Who knows, but I don;'t think someone not interested in you would offer to help you build furniture and stay for wine.

Perhaps you read his annoyance at the fondue thing as he was annoyed at himself because he couldn't make it.

I think you should ask him if he'd like to go for a drink with you after work sometime and see what he says. If he is keen you can arrange a day suited to both of you. Don't ask him on the actual day, in case he already has commitments again as then you'll never know.

He just sounds very shy and perhaps not very experienced in dating? If you are keen, let him know. Whats the worst that can happen? He'll just refuse a drink and thats that, and you can move on knowing he was only wanting to be just a friend. But if he says yes, you may have to take the lead a little until he gets over his initial shyness.

NadjaK · 04/01/2023 14:39

Hi, thank you for the replies. I don't want to ask him again. At this point , I think he should be doing it, shy or not. As he knows I'm open and friendly and surely he nows I'm interested because I told him the "lets have a drink sometime" and invited him to the fondue thing.

I was clear about my interest in him. Don't you think? I don't want to wait longer either... I am starting to date another guy who is great, he is a good person, good looking, and looks genuinely interested in me. We hung out yesterday night and today he asked me for Saturday night, he is consistently texting. He's looking for something serious and I feel like stuck with my coworker in my head. I feel like if I don't have an answer before Saturday, I will miss a chance with someone really great...

I need a sign from his part that he likes me. How can I have an answer without asking him out?

OP posts:
g3nuine · 04/01/2023 21:29

Life's real short just ask him out what's the worse thing that can happen.....but also sounds like he might just might not be the person you think he is....& not entirely straight about his love life based on what you have said so far.....!

FLOWER1982 · 05/01/2023 15:56

I wouldn’t bother after all that. If he can’t communicate well it doesn’t bode well for a future relationship. Too much messing about.

NadjaK · 05/01/2023 17:01

g3nuine · 04/01/2023 21:29

Life's real short just ask him out what's the worse thing that can happen.....but also sounds like he might just might not be the person you think he is....& not entirely straight about his love life based on what you have said so far.....!

I already asked him out... If I were interested I would reach out. He finally doesn't seem into me that much...
Why you say he's not the person I think he is?

OP posts:
BestestBrownies · 05/01/2023 17:16

Fuck that. He sounds like seriously hard work if it's this much hassle just to agree a first date/casual fondue together or whatever.

I reckon you've built him up into something/someone he isn't due to all the angsty 'mystique' of him being just not that into you.

Even if he does fancy you, the dude's got issues. Aim higher for yourself.

ChristmasFluff · 05/01/2023 17:18

Wouldn't you prefer a person like the new man you are dating - who takes the initiative, who follows through on their interest? Isn't that better than this man who turns you down twice but then keeps on staring like a loon?

Gawd, I couldn't be bothered with that. And you are right, don't ask him again. He's had his chance. You do NOT want to be one of those women on here who is always moaning about how their husband never initiates anything. Even shy men will ask out a woman they are keen on.

This isn't shyness, it's something more head-fucky. I'd stay well clear, and I think you should too.

Legselevens · 05/01/2023 17:36

Are you sure he is not already in a relationship?

NadjaK · 05/01/2023 17:46

Legselevens · 05/01/2023 17:36

Are you sure he is not already in a relationship?

For what he said I don’t think so. And I know he has been talking about me to his coworkers and they joked about him banging me someday… (someone told me)
maybe he is chatting with some girls from his home country. But I can’t tell for sure… why you ask?

OP posts:
g3nuine · 05/01/2023 21:56

NadjaK · 05/01/2023 17:01

I already asked him out... If I were interested I would reach out. He finally doesn't seem into me that much...
Why you say he's not the person I think he is?

This part alone would be a massive red flag!
"He tends to brag a bit, like telling me he's having a good situation in his country, a house, etc... That he now only is a gardener but he used to have better jobs... he also told me he booked a trip in February for XXX dollars, and asked me joking, do you come with me?...."

No-one truly genuine & worthy of your time would say this! Sounds more like a scam artist wanting you to fund this tbh!

Just move on there will be plenty of decent men you just need to start looking in different places & connect to them!

NadjaK · 06/01/2023 10:01

g3nuine · 05/01/2023 21:56

This part alone would be a massive red flag!
"He tends to brag a bit, like telling me he's having a good situation in his country, a house, etc... That he now only is a gardener but he used to have better jobs... he also told me he booked a trip in February for XXX dollars, and asked me joking, do you come with me?...."

No-one truly genuine & worthy of your time would say this! Sounds more like a scam artist wanting you to fund this tbh!

Just move on there will be plenty of decent men you just need to start looking in different places & connect to them!

I thought bragging was part of the flirting, like showing me his qualities or that he is a man who can provide etc...

OP posts:
Goatbilly · 06/01/2023 14:38

The fact you don't want any more children and he would like a chance at having his own family, and you don't want more, surely this is a deal-breaker?

NadjaK · 06/01/2023 15:13

Goatbilly · 06/01/2023 14:38

The fact you don't want any more children and he would like a chance at having his own family, and you don't want more, surely this is a deal-breaker?

Yeah would be a deal-breaker, but as I mentioned, he doesn't know whether I want more kids or not (he didn't ask me)... I still can have kids If I want to. (I never say never)
The only thing I told him is I rather not get married again, and he said marriage is much complication for noting and too expensive..

OP posts:
Toiletfriend · 06/01/2023 17:15

He's not interested. It's that simple. Unless he's in a relationship already.

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