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He doesn’t want to be boyfriend/girlfriend or exclusive yet

151 replies

Goldenhour3 · 03/07/2023 20:56

Hi everyone,

A bit of background. I’m 24, he’s 36. We met on a dating app. We’ve been dating for over two months now - and have been having sex since the fourth date. A week ago, I asked him where he thought the relationship was going (given that we’d not spoken about exclusivity yet). He said he was looking for a long term relationship and was enjoying getting to know me, but that he didn’t want to rush into a relationship yet, because it didn’t end well when he rushed into a relationship with his last girlfriend. He said he wasn’t speaking/seeing anyone else. I told him that I wasn’t happy with that and that I’d prefer to call it a day. I also raised other concerns, namely that we don’t have a lot of time to see each other because of his work commitments (and child).

Anyway, he’s since made all the right noises, saying he’d like me to be his girlfriend but he wants to ask at the right time, and that he’s going to drop some of his work commitments to see me, blah blah blah. Anyway, he’s not yet asked, and we’re still drifting along. We’re also both still on dating apps even though he’s said he’s logged out.

My last boyfriend was crazy about me, and asked me to be his girlfriend after a matter of weeks and it was a brilliant relationship (even though it ended). He told me he was falling in love shortly after. I can’t help feeling that that is what love and passion is supposed to be like rather than all these wishy-washy uncertainties.

On the one hand, he’s nice, handsome, thoughtful, introverted like me, and he was very determined to say all the right things when I said we should go our own separate ways. On the other, he takes 8 hours to respond to texts, doesn’t make me laugh, very rarely asks me questions about myself, and is wishywashy about exclusivity.

Do I just call it a day or persevere? Maybe he does just genuinely want it to “develop naturally”?

Sorry for the long ramble!

OP posts:
Ragwort · 03/07/2023 20:58

He's clearly keeping his options open, you are good enough 'for now' but he's hoping someone better might turn up ...bin him off.

Artycrafts · 03/07/2023 21:00

He didn't want to rush into a relationship, but was happy to rush into bed. Same old....

Justcallmebebes · 03/07/2023 21:00

Ragwort · 03/07/2023 20:58

He's clearly keeping his options open, you are good enough 'for now' but he's hoping someone better might turn up ...bin him off.

This

Highlyflavouredgravy · 03/07/2023 21:01

Oh god, get rid!!!

How are you even having sex with someone who doesn't make you laugh???

He soubds awful!

Jogonmagpies · 03/07/2023 21:02

Never mind what he wants, what do you want? Cos it doesn't sound like you want what he is offering.

supercali77 · 03/07/2023 21:03

Nope. Being exclusive isn't marriage or a mortgage. It's not forever and ever, it's just 'I won't shag anyone else'. If he can't make his mind up about that after 2 months together I dont see much chance of it progressing. Who needs that kind of hand wringing over something so basic

borzoibaby · 03/07/2023 21:06

You seem very concerned with what he wants and not very concerned with what you want.

Do you want an exclusive LTR with this guy?

Or do you want to hold out for someone who makes you laugh and is a good listener?

Maybe journal about it: forget about him for a moment and follow what you want. If the answer is you like him & want a relationship then communicate that and don't settle for less.

2bazookas · 03/07/2023 21:08

He doesn’t want to be boyfriend/girlfriend or exclusive yet

Well, as you're BOTH still on a dating app, that's no surprise

Shapemyeyebrows · 03/07/2023 21:08

@Goldenhour3 He could have exclusivity with you without rushing into anything. Sounds like he’s keeping his options open and hoping you will fall into drifting along with him if he makes the right noises without actually changing anything. He is also tying to lower your expectations by waiting 8 hours to reply to you. Whatever his reasons he’s keeping you at arms length whilst lapping up the other “benefits”. I think I would move on from this one.

Over40Overdating · 03/07/2023 21:13

Bin him off - you know what it’s like to have a man want to commit to you and build a relationship and this chancer is not offering it. Men like this always have an eye on the next swipe. You can do better!

forkshoo · 03/07/2023 21:20

Don't settle for someone who doesn't make you laugh. Be picky.

Dacadactyl · 03/07/2023 21:22

Artycrafts · 03/07/2023 21:00

He didn't want to rush into a relationship, but was happy to rush into bed. Same old....

This. Bin him.

Lilly0909 · 03/07/2023 21:23

It's weird he's dating someone 12 years younger than him. I'm 24 too, my boyfriend is 29 in September and that feels like a lot.
Sack him off, the right man will scoop you up quick

Lilly0909 · 03/07/2023 21:24

8 hours for texts?! Omg stop no ahahaha that is hell!!!! He's not bothered, leave him bub you're hot property

Fluffycloudsblusky · 03/07/2023 21:25

Bin him. It’s a cliche but you deserve better.
Im old fashioned but I’d recommend not having sex with a man until (as a minimum) you are exclusive. It doesn’t take long to decide if it’s going anywhere or not.

Pinkbonbon · 03/07/2023 21:34

He told you- he doesn't want a long term relationship.

So everything he said after that is horseshit.

He's fucking you over.

Tell him to jog on.

Goldenhour3 · 03/07/2023 21:37

I feel like such an idiot. I want to call it a day but he’s left stuff at my house. Do I just bin it?

@Pinkbonbon He said he does want a long-term relationship.

OP posts:
Dery · 03/07/2023 21:40

That’s a bit of an age gap.

I’m guessing he’s gone for someone that much younger in part because he thinks a 24 yo is less likely to press for commitment than someone closer to him in age.

But he doesn’t sound much fun so why persist in any case?

Dery · 03/07/2023 21:41

Don’t bin his stuff. You could get into trouble for that. Tell him to come and collect it or arrange to drop it at his.

GG1986 · 03/07/2023 21:49

Bin him. He's wasting your time. I had one like this when I was in my 20s, he told me everything I wanted to hear, it was total bullshit.

AlyssumandHelianthus · 03/07/2023 21:56

I feel so sorry for younger people dating these days. Just the idea that when you are obviously going out with someone they can just shag someone else and effectively dump you because they haven't said they're 'exclusive' yet. What bollocks! What absolute using bollocks! And then because you've bought into that crap you're not even allowed to be pissed off! It's such crap.
You're worth more than that!

Sunsetandsunrise · 03/07/2023 22:33

Lilly0909 · 03/07/2023 21:23

It's weird he's dating someone 12 years younger than him. I'm 24 too, my boyfriend is 29 in September and that feels like a lot.
Sack him off, the right man will scoop you up quick

Yeah I noticed that too.

OP, he’s significantly older than you plus he has a child. If he is a decent dad his child will rightly come first, at your age are your prepared to come second? I think you can do better than this.

Peachtoiletpaper · 03/07/2023 22:48

Ah god no. You want someone excited and available to be with you, not drippy and can't-be-arsed.

I'd let him know it's going nowhere so you're calling time but you'll bag his stuff up and either drop it off or he can come and collect it at a certain time (say you have plans for later so he doesn't think he's coming in for one last shag).

Exclusivity is only about giving things a proper try together, it's not a huge commitment in itself, it just shows there's enough potential that other people aren't of interest.

Pinkbonbon · 03/07/2023 22:55

Probably dating so much younger because once you've seen this shit before, you realise that when people say they don't want a relationship - it MEANS exactly that. It doesn't mean hang around and try and win them over. Even if they're acting really into you, they've said they don't want a relationship. Listen to them. They mean it. They're only hanging around for sex or an ego boost.

Springbecamethesummer · 03/07/2023 23:14

Forget what he's saying, men will say anything to get their own way, look at his actions, he doesn't value you. A man who values a women has no interest in sleeping around.

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