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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

Married or not? What do you think of this ?

167 replies

atoughone · 18/03/2023 20:52

Chatting to a man for the week. We will meet early next week.
I am trying not to be distrustful or cynical but I'd like your opinions on whether you think he is married or not , please.

He said..

He's separated three years.
His children are still distraught , never saw it coming as they didn't argue.
Children are mid teens.
Kids with him eow and a few nights per week.

He has a really good job .
A beautiful car and his own home.
A lovely one in a great area.
All of the above is true.

He wants what I want ..
A casual but exclusive relationship, due to lack of time.
He wants it to be discreet as his kids are still devastated.
Doesn't want to rub his wife's nose in it and respects her.
He said his wife and he grew apart and were more like housemates.

We've spoken on the phone and text consistently throughout the day but when his kids have been with him, he is much slower to respond or initiate.
We will meet in a very public place next week in a locality close to his home.

I have told him that I also want discreet but not a secret , in that I don't want my kids finding out as they too are devastated about my own marriage break up.and they're too delicate right now.
He agreed with this.

What are your thoughts here?
My own ex cheated on me a few years ago so while I've done the work , I may be too cynical.

OP posts:
Isledelaray · 18/03/2023 21:32

I know someone else already said this but his mid teen daughter is online dating so that's why his profile is anonymous? That doesn't make sense.

I'd call his bluff and say you are looking for a relationship where both parties are ready to do it properly. That you understand it may be sensitive with his children and you will do your best to understand this but you want everything to be transparent and above board. I think his reaction would probably give you the answers you need.

And that's actually how I'd feel in this situation. 3 years and with mid teen kids is fine foe a dad to start dating again. If it wasn't, I don't think I could be bothered to jump through hoops.n

Ladybug14 · 18/03/2023 21:34

NevieSticks · 18/03/2023 21:30

Why is he not divorced ? What did he say?

Hes happy with his wife 🙄

tribpot · 18/03/2023 21:37

If you don't know his real name, it stands to reason you can't find him on social media. Have you done a reverse image search on any of these pictures? At the moment you have got almost nothing to go on - some photos of someone, which prove nothing at all about his living arrangements, and a rather tall tale about his daughter doing online dating.

BrimFullOfAsher · 18/03/2023 21:39

I'm a little confused, it sounds like you want the same though?

So unless there would be the same questions about your relationship status too, what is the issue?

larkstar · 18/03/2023 21:40

I’m sceptical - why so complicated, I.e. contrived. Tell him you don’t believe a word and that ven if it were true it sounds like he is not ready for a relationship or specifically he is not in an acceptable position to even start a relationship with you, I.e. he does not meet you requirements - maybe once he is divorced and his children are more settled (this sounds so made up to me) - it’s not realistic is it atm is it? Surly you’d want to start a relationship on an equal footing - no unbalanced restrictions, complete freedom. Surely if he was serious about starting another serious relationship he’d have divorced? Does he not have the perspicacity to see how negatively he is presenting to any prospective new relationship partner? Don’t you think there is a simpler more straightforward potential partner out there for you?

atoughone · 18/03/2023 21:46

Appreciate all of these responses .
I'm going to come back to the thread after I've met him and suss this our.
The truth will be interesting either way

OP posts:
AutumnLeaves23 · 18/03/2023 21:51

Doesn't want to rub his wife's nose in it and respects her.
This is what my cheating Ex used to say to other women. He also used to say he wanted exclusive. But he himself was also seeing a few other women at the same time!

Summer2424 · 18/03/2023 21:53

@atoughone i don't think he's married x

atoughone · 18/03/2023 21:53

Jesus are there any straightforward decent men out there at all?
I want exactly what he wants but I'm straight up separated and no lies or bullshit .

OP posts:
Madbadanddangeroustoo · 18/03/2023 21:53

When you meet him check out his shoes, if he has such a great house and assets he will have very good shoes. I once sussed out a conman because he didn't. Sounds silly but it goes with the whole idea you may be being sold. Hope he is the real deal and works out for you.

atoughone · 18/03/2023 21:55

And if he isn't , that's ok because I've nothing to lose only a potential loser !
His photos show him wearing all branded gear.

OP posts:
TeaserandtheFirecat · 18/03/2023 22:01

By branded, do you mean with logos all over his stuff?

atoughone · 18/03/2023 22:05

No, I mean high end gym gear and trainers. He is heavily into sport .. apparently !
Not ostentatious but I can clearly
See the small logos.
How does a man afford a home in the suburbs of a big town , in the country and a beautiful car after separation?
I know he has a high powered and paying job , well he says he has this job anyway , but life is so bloody expensive when separated . I don t really buy it !

OP posts:
TeaserandtheFirecat · 18/03/2023 22:08

I don t really buy it !

Neither do most of us here 😆

atoughone · 18/03/2023 22:09

And this is exactly why I love mn !! Thank you all

OP posts:
Mumofnarnia · 18/03/2023 22:15

atoughone · 18/03/2023 22:05

No, I mean high end gym gear and trainers. He is heavily into sport .. apparently !
Not ostentatious but I can clearly
See the small logos.
How does a man afford a home in the suburbs of a big town , in the country and a beautiful car after separation?
I know he has a high powered and paying job , well he says he has this job anyway , but life is so bloody expensive when separated . I don t really buy it !

He’s actually starting to sound like someone I was dating for a while…. He was also married btw. The fact is, unless he’s loaded, it’s very difficult to afford a beautiful home in the country and a nice car on your own. Are you even sure he works the job he says he does?

atoughone · 18/03/2023 22:16

Absolutely sure about the job ! I've done that homework already !!

OP posts:
atoughone · 18/03/2023 22:18

His salary would be approx £ 80k but still , it seems like a massive outlay at his age.
He is very well spoken, family lives in a very posh area , expensive holidays etc . Kids in a few paying school , move in those circles etc .

OP posts:
Mumofnarnia · 18/03/2023 22:20

atoughone · 18/03/2023 22:16

Absolutely sure about the job ! I've done that homework already !!

Ok, it was just your comment about him having a high powered and paying job or he says he does anyway.

Ragwort · 18/03/2023 22:24

You haven't even met him Hmm .... can you rely be bothered with all the angst and analysis ? I'd rather stay home with a glass of wine and a good book.
If a man says he looking for a discreet relationship he clearly just wants no strings sex ... he may or may not be married but he doesn't want a serious, committed relationship - is that what you want?

Cheesehamandoniontoastie · 18/03/2023 22:25

3 year no divorce thing is plausible atm. The no fault divorce came in and now you have to wait 6 months to apply for conditional order. I was caught by it - waiting the 2 years separation to apply, then no fault came in just before the 3 year mark so had to do that, then had to wait 6 months, followed by 3 weeks to actually get conditional order then a further six weeks to apply for final order. What a pain in the arse it has been. Granted it wasn't 3 years total, but it's much more plausible and explainable just now than it would be normally.

atoughone · 18/03/2023 22:25

Exactly what I want

OP posts:
entirelyesspresso · 18/03/2023 22:26

I really don't think mid teen children are 'distraught' after three years.

He's very married and wants a secret fuck buddy.

I had a friend who's husband used to very cleverly weave these webs and lure in women who legitimately thought they were dating him...

Shadesofscarlett · 18/03/2023 22:27

such a lot of stress and planning over someone you haven't even met! You could meet in person and find him completely unattractive. to be this invested after talking and not having even met, seems quite concerning to me.

DisneyPrincesss · 18/03/2023 22:29

What you've said there isnt easily achievable on your own with an £80k salary unless he got an awful lot out of the divorce. My DP was divorced a couple of years ago, earns similar. His house is worth c£300k, he has a 3 year old VW and not an awful lot of cash to spare each month with his mortgage and car finance.

I was seeing a man who wanted exclusivity. Turned out he wanted me to be the only woman he cheated on his wife with, and me to be faithful to him. Madness.