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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

Really confused by someone’s behaviour?

107 replies

SolBrillo · 07/11/2023 16:19

Hi all,

Will keep this as short as I can.

I met a guy on a dating site a number of months ago. I was instantly super attracted to him as he is extremely good looking. On paper, pretty much everything I want in a man.

We had a first date, went out for dimmer. Then I’ll be honest, we kind of jumped into just having fun after that. He still lives at home so we’d meet up in quiet places to have fun, forests at night etc. It was exciting and fun, but I was falling for him. He knew it too. After meeting a few times he told me that he didn’t think we would work out in a relationship and said he thought I was great, beautiful, personality etc but he just didn’t have any feelings for me. He said we were friends and always would be and I accepted this and although upset for a time, I moved on and dated other people.

Fast forward over 3 months and I get a message on Facebook from him asking how things are. I said fine, asked him the same. He asked if I had settled down yet to which I said no. He said he had been thinking about the forest, and us being together. I said I’d be lying if I didn’t think about it too, because I do, a lot.

He said maybe we should do it again for ‘old times sake’. I took this as him just booty calling me and if I’m honest, being single, lonely and horny makes you do stupid things, so I agreed to meet him. We went back to the same place, had sex in his car, more fun etc. It was freezing cold so I jokingly said ‘maybe next time we should just go to my house!’. As soon as I said it I told him that didn’t mean I was expecting there would be a next time as I knew where he stood about not wanting a relationship with me/not having feelings for me. He then shocked me by saying ‘I didn’t say that’. To which I told him he did, and I promise he did.

he said ‘I do like you, I just don’t want to break your heart’. ‘Don’t push things, just play it cool’. To which I responded saying I hadn’t spoken to him for months since he told me he didn’t want me. I don’t know how much cooler I could have played it to be honest.

Anyway, when I left him I asked him if I would see him again. To which he just said ‘just play it cool’. Throughout the night he had made a few references to ‘oh we should do this one day’ or ‘I want to do this with you’ etc etc. I know it could’ve just been conversation fillers but I’m now really confused.

I thought he was done with me months ago. I didn’t expect him to reappear and want to sleep with me again to be honest. But what confuses me more is why he denied saying he didn’t want anything more with me. He could’ve just said something like ‘yea I said that, and I still mean it but I thought we could still have some fun’. Because he knows I am really into him, he says quite Often ‘I know you really like me’ so he knows I would’ve still said yes regardless. He messaged the next day saying have a good day at work etc and ‘ttys’. It feels like im back to where I was a few months ago with him.

he told me he had dated someone since me and had slept with her but commented that it wasn’t like it was with me. I don’t really take this as a compliment to be honest, I think it was just blowing smoke up my backside. But given how good looking he is, and knowing he was in dating apps, I know he could easily hook up with anyone other than me whenever he wanted. He said he had deleted the apps, after I said I was off them too. He said ‘yes so am I’.

my confusion is that he knows I have feelings for him, so why would he come back purely for sex when he could pretty much get that anywhere? He’d already shut me down months ago and I had left him to it so he will know fine well that reaching out again and sleeping with me will have reopened the expectation in my mind that he is interested in me. I’m just really confused?

OP posts:
CheekyHobson · 08/11/2023 08:12

He did say ‘ttys’ at the end of the message I got after so I’m not sure.

Sweetheart, it's just words. What makes you think he's good for his word? Not his record, surely?

I feel like he either needs to return asking for more or shut it down again like he did previously. But deep down I’m unsure if I will even hear from him again.

You are leaving it all up to him. What will happen if he does neither - which is the most likely thing to happen? Or how long will you wait to see if he's ever coming back?

What if he comes back not asking for more, or shutting it down, but hinting after sex again 'for old times' sake'... or because he's probably smart enough not to try that again, suggesting you guys 'hook up to see where it might go'. Then once he's had his fun, you're back to waiting around to see if he decides you're good enough for more than crumbs or not.

Beamur · 08/11/2023 08:12

but what confuses me more is why he denied saying he didn’t want anything more with me
He's shagging around so much he won't remember what he's saying to anyone.
Don't hope for him to be back in touch. He's not interested in a relationship only sex. If you want more, look elsewhere.

wildwestpioneer · 08/11/2023 08:39

The 'I don't want to break your heart' comment has alarm bells and red flags all over it! Roughly translated it means 'when I'm done using you for sex, and leave, I can say 'I told you so' and walk away without a guilty conscious'

rainbowstardrops · 08/11/2023 08:40

He’s 37, lives with his parents and his idea of a romantic liaison is a shag in the car with someone a decade his junior?

He's using you. Pure and simple.

Willowview · 08/11/2023 08:50

@SolBrillo it sounds like you're seeking validation, encouragement, or hope? You're not going to get any.

I once had a casual fling, and one night he said "I thought I already tried that position with you?" then looked really angry as I processed the comment 🤣 Our arrangement was mutually beneficial but ended there.

Online dating sites are no place for vulnerable prey, please work on yourself, as Dolly said, "Find out who you are, and do it on purpose" pretty sure I've rolled that quote out before, but it's a gooden!!!

Willowview · 08/11/2023 08:52

Beamur · 08/11/2023 08:12

but what confuses me more is why he denied saying he didn’t want anything more with me
He's shagging around so much he won't remember what he's saying to anyone.
Don't hope for him to be back in touch. He's not interested in a relationship only sex. If you want more, look elsewhere.

Exactly 💯

Tiepolo · 08/11/2023 09:05

There’s nothing ‘confusing’ about any of this, OP, apart from your hope that Mr Forest Shag is secretly harbouring feelings for you! In the nicest possible way, block him and put him out of your mind.

StopWastingTimeOnMN · 08/11/2023 09:06

It sounds like he enjoys being the one with the 'power' more than anything and this is his MO. I wouldn't take it personally at all - he clearly enjoys spending time with you but the real thrill is having you fall for him and him being able to leave you dangling.

‘just play it cool’ ugh. Honestly, what a tosser - particularly grim from someone approaching middle age. He thinks he is some great prize and he can dictate to you how you need to act to win it. Please don't let that be good enough for you. His good looks may have made him lean in to his narcissistic side a little too much. If you want to hook up with him now and again for fun fair enough but I wouldn't expect or want anymore from this man-child.

chumsnut · 08/11/2023 09:08

He sounds so manipulative. He is playing mind games with you and dictating the rules of this relationship. Block him on everything. He is not very special and his looks will fade.

Sunshinesky1981 · 08/11/2023 09:13

Ugh, this level of naivety is insane to read.

He is using you for sex. He is making cloaked comments about possibly, maybe, wanting a relationship as he knows that is what he needs to say to keep you willing to have sex with him.

Seriously, block him. And do some work on your self esteem to work out why you are willing to let a man treat you as nothing more than a ego boost and a available orifice

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 08/11/2023 10:50

'Still lives at home'
How old are you? Are you sure his home doesn't mean with his wife and kids?

SamW98 · 08/11/2023 11:00

Yes you will hear from him again next time he wants a no strings attached shag with someone he needs to put in zero effort with.

Im struggling to believe you still can’t see this after 2 threads with every comment telling you the same thing.

He isn’t bothered about you as a human being or your feelings. You are an easily available vagina whenever he’s short on options or he can’t be arsed putting in the effort. And you’re rolling over - literally - every time he snaps his fingers.

Please digest what’s been said in these threads and use everyone’s comments as a.wake up call.

SamW98 · 08/11/2023 11:06

SolBrillo · 08/11/2023 07:59

Am I likely to hear from him again? He did say ‘ttys’ at the end of the message I got after so I’m not sure. I feel like he either needs to return asking for more or shut it down again like he did previously. But deep down I’m unsure if I will even hear from him again.

He’s not going to do either while you’re so willing to agree to easy casual sex whenever he fancies it. Why would he? He’s having his cake and eating it.

Seriously you need to snap out of this delusional bubble, wake up and smell the coffee. He’s shown you loud and clear who he is and you are actively choosing to ignore more red flags than the Chinese May Day parade.

Lucybee0 · 08/11/2023 11:11

He actually said he has deleted dating apps because he found people ‘fake’ on them, which I agree with. He could’ve hooked up with lots of women from dating apps instead of coming back to me for sex.

No he couldn’t. You think because it’s easy for women to get sex that it’s the same for men? It really isn’t for the majority of men.

greyhairnomore · 08/11/2023 11:14

He's using you.
He lives at home ? Is he married ?
Get an STD check.

SamW98 · 08/11/2023 11:19

Lucybee0 · 08/11/2023 11:11

He actually said he has deleted dating apps because he found people ‘fake’ on them, which I agree with. He could’ve hooked up with lots of women from dating apps instead of coming back to me for sex.

No he couldn’t. You think because it’s easy for women to get sex that it’s the same for men? It really isn’t for the majority of men.

And in all honesty he probably has hooked up with a few but maybe this time there wasn’t anyone else up for a shag in the car.

Ulysees · 08/11/2023 11:19

I hope this isn't real because you sound really thick.

Although I have a much older friend who falls for this crap. Actually, she's thick as mince.

Get some self esteem. You wouldn't be able to trust him even if he said you were 'The One'. I've met these players when single. It's great for their ego. And they always message a while after asking how you are? Basically checking if your fanny is open for business. BLOCKED.

MaliciaKeys · 08/11/2023 11:20

You are just a booty call and he isn't interested in you unless he's horny and wants a shag. He's 37 and lives with his parents? He thinks shagging you in the backseat of his car is fun? He sounds bloody awful.

billy1966 · 08/11/2023 11:39

OP, could he be any clearer?

You are an easy enthusiastic convenience.

That's it.

Why would he care if you get hurt?

Up to you to value and protect yourself.

Up to you to know your self worth and to have standards.

Up to you to not allow yourself to become emotionally involved with someone who has zero interest in a relationship with you.

He has been very very clear.

You have no reason to claim to be confused.

Block and move on.

Do the www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

It will help with your boundaries and self esteem.

The Freedom Programme. Learn about domestic violence and abuse

The Freedom Programme. For women who want to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse

http://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk

TeslaTwat · 08/11/2023 12:04

@SolBrillo please take the advice on here. It's really important that you recognise people are trying to help, not trying to make you feel bad about yourself. I'm really concerned about your self esteem. My question is why do you want to hear from him again? He is a dog who is taking advantage of you, either because you are naive or don't believe you deserve better.

This isn't about you, other than your availability. This is all about him and how he treats people. Sounds like he is having an early midlife crisis and trying to recapture his youth or perhaps he never grew up.

You deserve more than someone who only contacts you when they fancy a shag and leads you on/leaves you confused. You deserve what you thought he was and the reason you like him so much is because of who you thought he was and what you thought you had together. None of that is true or on the table now.

You can continue to be at his beck and call - because if you text him asking to meet he won't say yes - or you can find someone who does appreciate you and wants to give you what you want in a relationship. He's the frog, move on to the prince.

You're better than him and this.

breathequietly · 08/11/2023 12:23

TeslaTwat · 08/11/2023 12:04

@SolBrillo please take the advice on here. It's really important that you recognise people are trying to help, not trying to make you feel bad about yourself. I'm really concerned about your self esteem. My question is why do you want to hear from him again? He is a dog who is taking advantage of you, either because you are naive or don't believe you deserve better.

This isn't about you, other than your availability. This is all about him and how he treats people. Sounds like he is having an early midlife crisis and trying to recapture his youth or perhaps he never grew up.

You deserve more than someone who only contacts you when they fancy a shag and leads you on/leaves you confused. You deserve what you thought he was and the reason you like him so much is because of who you thought he was and what you thought you had together. None of that is true or on the table now.

You can continue to be at his beck and call - because if you text him asking to meet he won't say yes - or you can find someone who does appreciate you and wants to give you what you want in a relationship. He's the frog, move on to the prince.

You're better than him and this.

This OP Flowers

Johannesburg8942 · 08/11/2023 13:04

OP, I really do sympathise with you. You clearly really like this man and are hoping someone - anyone - will tell you that his behaviour indicates that he likes you too. It doesn’t. He is using you. He knows you like him and that’s a boost to his ego. That’s as far as it goes. I know that’s horrible to hear but it’s true.

Also though, you really really really are better off shot of this fucking loser. He’s 37, still lives with his parents, fucks in his car, and is clearly infatuated only with himself. And possibly his mummy who ought to have turfed him out long ago.
He has absolutely nothing going for him besides what you say are very good looks, but in my experience the good looking ones are the dullest.

Keep your chin up and take good care of yourself. Block his number and move on. It might take a while but it’ll be time well spent, unlike any more time that you waste on this manchild.

All the best 💐

MidnightMeltdown · 08/11/2023 13:22

Lucybee0 · 08/11/2023 11:11

He actually said he has deleted dating apps because he found people ‘fake’ on them, which I agree with. He could’ve hooked up with lots of women from dating apps instead of coming back to me for sex.

No he couldn’t. You think because it’s easy for women to get sex that it’s the same for men? It really isn’t for the majority of men.

I agree with this. Most women will expect a lot more from a man before agreeing to have sex with him. He's chasing you because he thinks that you're an easy shag.

Don't put up with this shit. You deserve a lot better

Catoo · 08/11/2023 13:52

OP nobody is going to tell you what you want to hear.

He has no feelings for you. He knows you like him a lot and that’s why he can leave it months before contacting you. It isn’t a ‘risk’ to him if you get attached. He can just ghost you again after he gets what he wants. Since he saw you last, he has been seeing other women guaranteed. If he tells you anything else it’s bullshit.

Yes he will be in touch again once the sex with the shiny new women dries up or gets a bit mundane.

At 37, I doubt v much he’s at his parents. Unless he’s a total loser (a possibility to be fair). Most likely lives with a partner as PP have suggested.

Please block him. Complete no contact is the way forward. Each time you shag him again in a car you’ll feel a bit less self-worth and respect. And he’ll like you even less.

You can do it OP. And you’ll feel better for it. 💐

VelvetVoice · 08/11/2023 15:04

MidnightMeltdown · 08/11/2023 13:22

I agree with this. Most women will expect a lot more from a man before agreeing to have sex with him. He's chasing you because he thinks that you're an easy shag.

Don't put up with this shit. You deserve a lot better

He already knows you are going to say yes with zero effort from him - with new women he will have to put an effort at minimum and they might reject him if they are not desperate