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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

New guy, gaslighting?

35 replies

Shallysally · 22/10/2023 13:27

I’ve been seeing a man for a few weeks. Fairly low key, I’ve been unwell and it’s the start of things after all.

He has been very honest with me, and was in a situation that was upsetting for him. He was in a long distance relationship with a woman who seemed to be playing him. He ended things and we met via OLD.

They have been talking again and he finally told her he isn’t interested in her.

Anyway, the point of this is that he rang me and was upset. To me, he was upset because of ending things with this woman, so I told him to sort himself out and that I wasn’t sure about us going forward.

I also told him that if he thinks he has broken it off with the woman that I will be entering into a relationship with him then he is wrong. I’m a low key, go slow type and there are no guarantees with me especially at this early stage.

He sent me a message saying he was only upset because I had told him to ring but then didn’t want to talk to him.

That wasn’t what happened, he was upset from the start of the call.

It feels a bit drama central on his part, and whilst I don’t want that energy, if its a block that he appears to have addressed then maybe I’d continue to see him.

I know this seems trivial, but is this red flag territory?

OP posts:
Shallysally · 22/10/2023 22:03

@Catsafterme thank you 😊

OP posts:
Champagneponies · 22/10/2023 22:04

@Shallysally are you sure he has ended things with this long distance girl? Is she far enough away that he could hide his relationship with her? Are they in a relationship on socials etc?

Shallysally · 22/10/2023 22:06

@Champagneponies well I only have his word for it.
They live a long way from each other, he is East Midlands, she is in the south.

He isn’t on any socials so no issue there.

OP posts:
LylaLee · 22/10/2023 22:10

Shallysally · 22/10/2023 22:06

@Champagneponies well I only have his word for it.
They live a long way from each other, he is East Midlands, she is in the south.

He isn’t on any socials so no issue there.

> He isn't on any socials

Hmm

Not that people aren't on socials, but 'not on socials' together with the rest...

Champagneponies · 22/10/2023 22:11

He sounds so wishy washy & red flaggy hun. Sack him!

Shallysally · 22/10/2023 22:20

@LylaLee well I was surprised tbh. I’ve done some digging and it appears that he genuinely isn’t on anything.

@Champagneponies that’s the plan! I just needed some perspective.

OP posts:
LylaLee · 22/10/2023 22:32

Shallysally · 22/10/2023 22:20

@LylaLee well I was surprised tbh. I’ve done some digging and it appears that he genuinely isn’t on anything.

@Champagneponies that’s the plan! I just needed some perspective.

Set to private/fake name

theduchessofspork · 22/10/2023 22:37

Is he 17?!

He’s upset about splitting up with his sort of ex, so he’s gone to his sort of new girlfriend for tea and sympathy?!

This is not what you need in a grown man. Get rid.

DoratheFlora · 22/10/2023 22:47

I'd tell him it's probably best that he has time on his own to process it all as he is clearly so upset about this other woman. I would then give him a very wide berth and move on.

I actually did this myself to a couple of very nice blokes but my ex was hideous and it was genuine trauma on my part rather than gaslighting. Truth of the matter is that I wasn't actually ready for a relationship with anyone at that point.

Shallysally · 22/10/2023 23:35

@theduchessofspork thats what it feels like! Odd behaviour for sure.

@DoratheFlora I’m sorry you had a bad time with your ex.

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