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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 scares of hurting new guy, some icks

160 replies

elainey87 · 27/11/2023 19:43

Hi ladies.

Changed username for this one.

I'm really hoping aome of you ladies will give me some honest thoughts / feedback on this situation, sorry in advance for the word vomit.

I'm 36 single, OLD at the moment. Long story short met a guy for a first date in early October. I wasn't super physically attracted to him at the outset but not unattracted either if that makes sense. I really really liked his personality and manner around me so agreed to a second date. We've been on a good few dates since and had 3 sleepovers but there are some issues that I'm just not sure about or that are holding me back I guess and would love to hear what you think.

Totally aware that i probably sound like a complete bitch so open to hearing that too. He has been very straight with me that he is very interested in me and keen to pursue a relationship. I guess I have my reservations but going along trying to get to know him but really don't want to hurt him either

I'm 36, he's 31 so a bit of an age gap. I have a pretty decent career going after years of hard work but not earning 6 figures either if that gives context. He didn't go to uni, nothing wrong with that, kind of floated in his 20s working dead end jobs and living week to week from talking to him, and is now embarking on a degree part time over the next 4 years which is v admirable and working full time in a related line of work while he does this. He earns half of what I do - don't mind this but I worry that it could become problematic but nothing we can't figure out. I would see myself as quite ambitious and driven so I like that he is determined to make a go of things for himself.

He lives at home with his parents which while not ideal is not a deal breaker. He moved home recently while starting to study part time so at least there's a reason for this. He does pay quite a significant amount of rent to them approx 400 per month.

I know this sounds so so mean but I really don't like how he dresses. He's a big guy, fairly overweight so not my usual type tbh but the size doesn't matter to me, its that his arse crack is constantly showing and I'm genuinely embarrassed by it. Iv said once or twice oh your pants have come down etc but I don't think he cares but I do find it inappropriate and genuinely just cringe. Yesterday we were out having lunch and I came back from the loo and saw half his arse exposed from the back of the chair. T genuinely makes me uncomfortable but I don't want to be mean about it either. I know this can be sorted but I just think I'd be mortified introducing him in those clothes to family or friends. It's not really the clothes but the exposed arse is a deal breaker as petty as it might sound. I dont ant to hurt his confidence either and make him self conscious.

Two more concerns I guess I have. He's very small in the penis department. I was quite shocked the first time but genuinely trying to overlook it now because I really do like him in lots of other ways. Penetrative sex is not great and he says he does lose his erection from time to time which I suggested very gently he could go to GP about or maybe it might help mpw that he is exercising and trying to get fitter. He is receptive to both. He does satisfy me in other ways too. Iv noticed that he does go to gym but seems very uneducated on basic nutrition in some ways etc.

Last thing and probably the biggest concern is that he confided in me that he made a suicide attempt just over a year ago. I'm so grateful that he told me this but I also cried for hours when he left after we had that conversation as it honestly scared the living daylights out of me. It seemed to stem for after a bad break up and he was in a dead end job at the time etc but it shook me to my core hearing about it. He has done therapy etc and was on antidepressants for a number of months after and assures me he is doing great now and that it shocks him that he did that but I am genuinely terrified that something might happen if we were to ever end things etc and just s bit concerned about his mindset overall i guess. I'm not saying that it would be over me but it profoundly shocked me.

Anyway, I know iv done nothing hut complain and sound like horribly selfish in ways but I do really like this man at the same time. He has a lot of redeeming qualities and we get on great and i enjoy his company. He's treated me much better than a lot of men in my life but I do wonder if there is too much to overlook etc. I'm worried about how to approach things i guess. I do see potential with him in some ways and in other ways I think God what are you doing, he's so not your type of for you etc. I also don't want to try to change all these aspects of a man or make him feel not good enough.

All advice welcome please and thank you so much if you've read my essay.

OP posts:
Spencer0220 · 28/11/2023 04:14

Coolstorysis · 28/11/2023 00:08

God I wish I was a bloke. I could be fat and gross and useless and still have a nice sorted girlfriend to meet.

🤣🤣

AllEars112232 · 28/11/2023 04:44

Agree with all the other posts, you're trying to convince horsehair that's he's okay and that you're at fault for noticing his faults. That's a terrible foundation in which to try to build a relationship.
He's not the one for you. Finish it before it goes any further.

Finlesswonder · 28/11/2023 05:15

Why are we all so obsessed with the crack?

It's the crack that does it

Smugandproud · 28/11/2023 06:22

A man you met less than 2 months ago tells you he attempted suicide and you cried for hours? Really?
Anyway, I digress.
Bin him off, he’s not Mr Right.

RantyAnty · 28/11/2023 06:23

He sounds pretty crap all around.

Is there some reason you think an overweight, arse crack, underemployed, and lives with mummy is what you deserve?

hattie43 · 28/11/2023 06:33

So many red flags . If you're getting the ick now think how much worse it'll be a year on .
A guy bring a nice man is not enough there are plenty of nice men but you also need one you feel chemistry with and this doesn't sound like the one .

hattie43 · 28/11/2023 06:34

A guy being

napody · 28/11/2023 06:53

louderthan · 27/11/2023 23:10

This post made me howl 🤣🤣

Me too and reminded me of this which sadly turned out to be photoshopped but is still amazing:

Bobtheamazinggingerdog · 28/11/2023 07:00

He's just not the man for you. That's not your fault or his but you need to stop trying to force a relationship.

Deathraystare · 28/11/2023 07:59

Ugh! He obviously does not care about his arse crack showing! If someone hat told me that mine was showing, I would be really embarrassed and do something about it.

Coolstorysis ·

God I wish I was a bloke. I could be fat and gross and useless and still have a nice sorted girlfriend to meet.

Absolutely!

AlisonDonut · 28/11/2023 08:03

Outside of the bumcrack, do you really want to get involved with a man on the trigger hairline fracture of the threat of suicide all day every day?

You'd be completely off your head to carry this on. You aren't his therapy. He shouldn't have put himself up for a relationship whilst he is in such a bad way. That's not fair on any potential partner.

user1471538283 · 28/11/2023 08:52

I've always said that the first year of a relationship is the really good bit. You can look back at it when you are sick of your bfs stupid jokes and reminisce. You can't do this with him.

In part I think as women we are conditioned that if a man isn't horrible he'll be ok.

There is no fun or future here.

Weddingblues23 · 28/11/2023 10:10

Ollifer · 27/11/2023 22:38

I'm sorry I know it's not funny but when it's written out in this list it's just cracked me up

The worst thing is it isn't even the full list! It misses out the ED and the history of serious mental health issues.

elainey87 · 28/11/2023 11:22

OP here. Thank you to every single person who replied to this post. You know what the facts are there in black and white. I'm a smart woman but seem to be blinded this time. We do have an amazing connection in some ways. I know many of you are reading this and thinking she is off her head but he's a lovely genuine guy.

I guess iv had some bad relationships in the past and maybe part of it a self esteem thing or part of it is that it's refreshing to be treated so well by someone normal. There is also a part of me that probably is terrified I won't meet someone else and that time is ticking at 36. Anyway I know I can't build a solid foundation on this. I really don't think he's a bad person and with some polish could be great for someone.

I agree, I am not his therapist. I'm 100% sure that the suicide attempt chat was in no way meant to be used in a manipulative way....I delved deeper into something he mentioned and pretty much dragged it out of him.

I'll call him this eve and have a chat as I feel he is getting excited about everything and talking about Xmas etc.

It's hard to just take another romantic disappointment I guess. We live in hope, well i do anyway of something working out one day! I'll keep ye posted.

OP posts:
Prelapsarianhag · 28/11/2023 13:55

Can I just mention the bum crack. Showing your arse to people is considered an insult in many socieites, including our own. Having your arse on public display in a restaurant, where people are EATING, and when on a DATE is beyond the pale. His future children will suffer shame on his behalf and likely bullying from their peers. He is not the plumber unblocking the lav in his work jeans, he's dressed up, being his best self for his new lady, with his arse out.

FloralAxilot288 · 28/11/2023 14:22

I once dated a guy like this...

I understand that everyone is different and we all have different circumstances etc...

He was 3 years older than me at the time and afterwards I did feel a bit fooled into sticking around because he seemed so nice, and not like other guys I'd dated.

Some things I learned which may help you situation, or they may not...

  • The course he was apparently studying never materialized to anything
  • The job-hopping turned out to be because of an awful weed smoking habit
  • He took hand-outs from his mum all the time because of said weed habit
  • He told me what I wanted to hear in order to keep me interested
  • The charm I thought I saw coming from him was all fake and superficial just to keep me around
  • When his mum finally kicked him out he started living in a really dangerous squat (which he also got kicked out of for not paying any bills)

Whist he was 'studying' he let me pay for literally everything with the promise of paying me back once he had qualified, which never happened. Again, I am in no way tarring everyone with the same brush here, but just some things to keep in mind and perhaps pay a little bit more closer attention to before making a decision.

As for the arse crack situ... personally I'd make a joke of it and be like 'say no to crack' or 'do you know your bum bum is hanging out' to make light of the situation, but that's just me.

Good luck!

intherough · 28/11/2023 17:17

I got second hand ICK for you OP!

Spencer0220 · 28/11/2023 17:23

OP, you tell us you can see what we are seeing, but keep alluding to an amazing connection in other ways.

Yet you never tell us what that is!

Please explain, so we can understand fully. Because I'm really not seeing anything worth sticking around for with him

WatieKatie · 28/11/2023 18:04

I’m not surprised he’s so keen to be with you, no other woman would entertain him. Unfortunately nice isn’t enough when it comes to attraction. At this early stage you should be bouncing off the walls not dealing with a small dick and ED. I imagine he’ll be hard to shrug off.

PurpleSparkledPixie · 28/11/2023 18:16

Spencer0220 · 28/11/2023 17:23

OP, you tell us you can see what we are seeing, but keep alluding to an amazing connection in other ways.

Yet you never tell us what that is!

Please explain, so we can understand fully. Because I'm really not seeing anything worth sticking around for with him

Fetishism can be very weird. Maybe OP likes bum cracks? I mean...somebody has to, right?

Captainfairylights · 28/11/2023 19:26

Your last post is reassuring OP. Your first post sounded almost frightened by the fact that you were in so deep with a man with so many deal breakers I almost thought it was a parody!

Lives with parents
butt crack
small penis
mentally unstable

This is pretty much a go to list of what to avoid!
It is so easy to start to feel responsible for others' feelings. I think he sounds like a manipulative nightmare. There's nowhere good for this to go. Get out now.

elainey87 · 28/11/2023 20:18

Thanks everyone. I know I do sound mad but I guess I mean when i say we connected it is more like what a friend should be I suppose.

Anyway we had the talk. I called him spent am hour and a half of the phone. He is a decent guy in a lot of ways. Told me he was really disappointed and that he was crazy about me. I'm not used to hearing that and probably used to commitment phobes letting me down. The long and short is that he wants to stay in contact/ is hoping I'll change my mind. I was v clear that this is how I feel but said we could be friendly but don't think it's a good idea and that I think we both need space. That's it. Look I am sad...sounds silly I know but here we are. I never want to hurt anyone as iv been hurt before myself many times. The small penis thing wasn't actually the deal breaker for me and I love a good penis. I'd get past that for the right person.

OP posts:
bonzaitree · 28/11/2023 20:23

Well done OP.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 28/11/2023 20:25

elainey87

aweee
see this as a lesson learned on the path of life
I’m sure he’s upset and you are a bit too

but you will feel relieved in a few days

Depdawg · 28/11/2023 22:15

Brexile · 27/11/2023 20:16

I think the small penis is worse than the butt crack. So many icks to choose from!

😂

Agree. OP, you're compromising and moulding to fit in with what your ideal is. In other words, he's a compensation prize.

Start again.