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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

How to end a 'FB' thing with my dignity intact?

116 replies

Kinelll · 31/01/2023 02:14

Bloke I met through work quite a while ago (but not a direct colleague).

We had a one night fling which we should have left at that, however I quite fancied him so I was glad when he said that he wanted to see me again.

We met up a week later for more of the same, arranged on the day itself at short notice. He was clear he wasn't looking for anything serious and I didn't think I was either but I felt like whatever it was could be fun.

Then silence for a month. Quick shag.

Three weeks then passed since we last spent the night together and I realised that I actually felt a bit down in the dumps, not invigorated or whatever else you're supposed to feel after no strings sex. I felt a bit used and disposable which I know is probably silly.. he made his intentions clear right?

So he got in contact with me today, with sex in mind, and as tempting as it is to see him again I just don't think I can be in an arrangement like this. A quick shag then radio silence for weeks/months. It doesn't make me feel good about myself.

I like the idea of something a bit more intimate. No commitment still, both free to see other people, just not so clinical and i dare say... cold? Maybe one or two texts over the course of the week, asking how my weekend has been or whatever. Maybe sharing a bottle of wine and taking that to bed. Who knows.. heaven forbid maybe.the odd takeaway?!

I made light of the 'ghosting' (if you can even call it that?) when he text me today and he said he wasn't trying to tie me down he just wanted to fuck me again.. Whatever happened to chivalry, atleast buy me a drink first 😂

Could you help me compile a pleasant message to him explaining that I don't want to see him in that way again as whilst I'm not looking for a serious relationship right now I think we are on completely different pages with what we want/expect from somebody we're sleeping with.

He wants a bootycall he can pick up at his convenience, I prefer any arrangements I have to feel mutually beneficial and I dare say a bit more respectful. I've had several before and they worked wonderfully. Those men were friends along with the benefits part.

I want to make it clear that I do not want a relationship with him, because I don't, and that's the last thing I want him to take away from it. That'll just make any future interactions awkward and make me look like a twat who got the feels.

I want to cull it and end on a positive note so that when our paths do cross, which they will, there's no awkwardness or weird feeling.

Just a line drawn under it and that's that.

OP posts:
xJoyPeaceHealthx · 31/01/2023 18:02

Pps i like your message. It's just a polite no thanks., you don't sound like you're pretending to be busier or pretending to have met somebody who leaps when you click. It's just an honest no thanks. No bitterness, no ego.

i'm sure there are sharper wittier responses but if you have to work with him (sort of) it's perfect. He can't tell anybody that you were hurt or that he had to let you down blah blah

AbsolutePixels · 31/01/2023 18:08

Why do you care so much about what he thinks of you, when it's clear he doesn't give a shit about you? You're comprising your own emotional comfort in an effort to secure his good opinion, which is pretty worthless really.

xJoyPeaceHealthx · 31/01/2023 18:17

Well, it's nice to look back and feel 'I handled that well'' and to me, ''well'' means not just a reflection of how much of a response he deserved but also other considerations like the impression he'd form and what he might say to other people.

I think OP's text would make it very hard for him to run with a narrative that ''I upset her, she wanted more, she got upset I didn't ring her'' or ''she said she wanted an fb but then it seemed she was angry''.

OP has made it hard for him to counsel himself with that ego-defending narrative which to me is having handled it well!!!! I wouldn't want to hand some dick ego stroking fodder to believe he the big man had left me hurt.

A polite no thanks is not just nice girls trained to be nice. It's not necessarily nice girls feeling they owe the world nice.

It can be strategic!

Kinelll · 31/01/2023 18:22

No no no, I don't care what he thinks about me as a person. I couldn't care less about that.

What I was concerned about was that he would misinterpret my POV as me pushing him for more. I don't want anything more from him, certainly not now.

That isn't the note I wanted to end on. I do not want him thinking I'm in any way affected or scorned.

I wanted to end on a positive note so there's no awkwardness when our paths cross again, and they're due to soon.

OP posts:
Kinelll · 31/01/2023 18:24

xJoyPeaceHealthx · 31/01/2023 18:17

Well, it's nice to look back and feel 'I handled that well'' and to me, ''well'' means not just a reflection of how much of a response he deserved but also other considerations like the impression he'd form and what he might say to other people.

I think OP's text would make it very hard for him to run with a narrative that ''I upset her, she wanted more, she got upset I didn't ring her'' or ''she said she wanted an fb but then it seemed she was angry''.

OP has made it hard for him to counsel himself with that ego-defending narrative which to me is having handled it well!!!! I wouldn't want to hand some dick ego stroking fodder to believe he the big man had left me hurt.

A polite no thanks is not just nice girls trained to be nice. It's not necessarily nice girls feeling they owe the world nice.

It can be strategic!

Ahhh thank you that's the exact angle I was coming from! :)

OP posts:
Flyinggeesei234 · 31/01/2023 18:43

@Kinelll His suggestion re the threesome could maybe play into your hands a bit and give the perfect reason to just say no, I’m out’ or similar.

One thought though, and sorry if I have missed something here, but you didn’t contact him either? So neither of you have been in touch. It’s not fair to criticise him; he probably thinks he’s just playing by the unwritten rules and got it wrong.

You’re perfectly entitled to not want this, but I don’t see why some posters are suggesting being rude to him. You have a perfect opportunity here to just say no, but see you around.

AbsolutePixels · 31/01/2023 18:55

What I was concerned about was that he would misinterpret my POV as me pushing him for more. I don't want anything more from him, certainly not now.

Sounds like you care quite a lot about what he thinks about you.

Believe me OP, I'm sympathetic. I used to be a bit like this, crafting paragraphs to send to the guy I was in a situationship with, so keen to appear like the cool girl, and not wanting to acknowledge his total lack of regard for me.

From that experience, I've learned that casual sex is not for me. I can't feel casual about a man I barely know putting his dick inside me - that's a huge thing for me, and I'm going to honour my need for emotional safety hereon in.

Do you think perhaps casual sex is not for you?

Kinelll · 31/01/2023 19:12

I didn't text him either during those 3 weeks of zero contact after the last time we slept together no.

The first time we slept together he was very pleasant afterwards, IE texting me once he got home to thank me for a great evening and say goodnight.

After that it was different. He was colder afterwards and in a rush to get off. I wasn't sure I'd hear from him again at all after the last time and wasn't about to text somebody who I didn't feel was interested in seeing me again so I just left it. I was surprised he got in touch yesterday.

Absolute - bootycalls are definitely definitely not for me. It makes me feel a bit worthless.

I've had a few successful FWB arrangements with men who enjoyed my company aswell as the sex I had to offer though. We had a great time. Infect one of my best friends now was once a FWB who I saw sporadically for half a decade until i met somebody i wanted to have a relationship with. The difference with him was he actually wanted to be my friend and cared about my enjoyment too 😁

OP posts:
AbsolutePixels · 31/01/2023 19:19

I bet this twat didn't even make you come.

nc1013 · 31/01/2023 19:31

I'd be tempted to say is that the only important criteria for a FB is that they're good in bed. Unfortunately it's not working for you but thanks anyway.

helloelsie · 31/01/2023 19:38

You are wasting too much of your life thinking about this guy! Who cares what you write to him. He just wants to f* you he's said - you don't owe him anything!

Honestly, would you catch a guy picking this sort of thing to shreds on an internet forum? (Sorry to be harsh)

Maybe you aren't cut out for no strings sex as you are going to encounter these minimal effort guys who just want sex without having to pay for it or make any effort. If you play the game (and why not) you have to be a bit more detached and ruthless.

Move on. Don't waste anymore time worrying about what to say to save his feelings - it doesn't matter and tbh I don't think he will care either way.

Good luck x

Flyinggeesei234 · 31/01/2023 20:03

Your message sounds absolutely fine OP. Well done! Enjoy being free of having to think about this. Nothing to feel awkward about when you bump into him.

Lavendersquare · 31/01/2023 20:23

I'd love to know what his reply is, @Flyinggeesei234 please update us if you hear back.

Rainbowshit · 01/02/2023 00:26

I'd maybe have used fewer words but your message got the point across.

ManAboutTown · 01/02/2023 00:47

I was a bit drunk at the time but I really want to be with someone who has a normal sized dick.

That should put him off

napody · 01/02/2023 20:08

Response sounds perfect OP, nice one.
I'm sure you'll find a respectful fun FWB arrangement before long.

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