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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

Met someone I *really* like but…

73 replies

Hintmint · 15/06/2024 22:24

Earlier this year, I got chatting to a guy on a dating app. He wasn’t my type but I met him anyway - and my word, it was instant unreal attraction from my side. I wanted him immediately. The chemistry was insane. This never, ever happens to me. We went on a series of highly charged dates and we were just about to go on another date (to do the deed) before he pulled away suddenly - saying work had gotten crazy and he felt unwell and wasn’t the time for a relationship. I was annoyed and confused, but let it go. We reconnected a few weeks later and he said he was feeling much better, though he had a serious health issue to deal with. We went on a few more dates and started sleeping together. Of course it was amazing. But I sensed he was holding back, I asked him about it, and he said he didnt want too much expectation. Then we stopped talking. 6 weeks later, we reconnect again and his health issue has become worse, but is treatable. He seems to be in good spirits. He apologised profusely about drifting apart and he said ‘who knows what will happen.’ I saw him, but didn’t sleep with him. He wants to see me again. I’m not sure how to feel - I want him badly - But I just expect him to disappear again. I know everyone is going to say just forget about him, and I know they’re right, but it’s so tough because I like him very much. Any advice?

OP posts:
Guavafish1 · 16/06/2024 16:02

Expectations

He wants no stings attached relationship
You want more commitment

What will you do?

Bobbotgegrinch · 16/06/2024 16:07

Hintmint · 16/06/2024 15:55

He’s having no problem trying to get his leg over with me though is he

Well no, but what's wrong with that? You don't have to let him if you don't want to.

I don't really see your problem. You know he's not after something serious at the moment, it's painfully obvious. So either you want what he is offering, or you don't. If you don't, then move on.

Hintmint · 16/06/2024 16:08

Bobbotgegrinch · 16/06/2024 16:07

Well no, but what's wrong with that? You don't have to let him if you don't want to.

I don't really see your problem. You know he's not after something serious at the moment, it's painfully obvious. So either you want what he is offering, or you don't. If you don't, then move on.

Because I told him before I don’t want that

OP posts:
MushroomStamp · 16/06/2024 16:08

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Bobbotgegrinch · 16/06/2024 16:13

Hintmint · 16/06/2024 16:08

Because I told him before I don’t want that

Then walk away.

@MushroomStamp I get it, she's in love. And know, you can't control your emotions, being in love. But that doesn't mean you let your emotions control you. That way lies disaster, even in a good relationship. Emotions are there to be felt, and then managed, handled, and you make a sensible decision based on them.

OP feels in love, but she also feels used, unwanted, taken for granted. If she makes a decision to keep seeing this guy despite all that, that's not his fault, that's on her.

Catandsquirrel · 16/06/2024 16:19

So you end contact, deal with the emotions and move on.

Shit but trust me, you wouldn't want to swap places with him.

Take responsibility for your own boundaries and don't be jaded by this.

Hintmint · 16/06/2024 16:48

I don’t understand why he’d come back after last time

OP posts:
usernother · 16/06/2024 17:36

Hintmint · 16/06/2024 16:48

I don’t understand why he’d come back after last time

Because he can have sex with you. He's using you. Which is horrible.

Teacherprebaby · 16/06/2024 18:25

First of all, how do you know the illness is real? If it is fine. Illness is not something that would make someone pull away from someone they really like.

He sounds like a commitment-phobe, time waster.

Teacherprebaby · 16/06/2024 18:26

I've known 3 friends who have dated someone pretending to have cancer for sympathy. I hope this is not the case on your situation.

TulipsAndForgetmenots · 17/06/2024 09:34

Teacherprebaby · 16/06/2024 18:26

I've known 3 friends who have dated someone pretending to have cancer for sympathy. I hope this is not the case on your situation.

Wow 😮 It did cross my mind in this thread, but 3! It does seem a bit off to me, that someone undergoing cancer treatment is also actively looking for women to date. Absolutely no judgement if someone is genuinely doing that, but (admittedly with no personal experience) it feels like the last thing you'd want to be doing in that situation? So you have two possibilities:

  1. he is a young man with cancer on the dating scene, if so then fair enough I guess, but it does feel a bit unlikely.
  2. he is a young man using a technique to keep you on the back burner unquestioned and get sympathy too.

How did you meet him? Through the normal course of life, or on an app? Do you know people in common? Edit - sorry, I see you said app.

Catandsquirrel · 17/06/2024 09:54

Well it can be incredibly isolating so I can absolutely see why you'd try and potentially fail to build a new relationship if single and not wishing to be.

I had luckily been with my DP 18 m when diagnosed and he's been my rock. However, I'm in a new area where I had very few good friends and with those I have tried to maintain, frankly I've been rubbish. Luckily they're very understanding and it's different feelings involved (certainly no sex has happened!!) but as amazing as they are, they're just very far down my list of priorities I'm ashamed to say. They've just said be in touch when I can and check in periodically but of course a lover wouldn't hang on the same way.

If I hadn't met DP I would possibly be acting like the man in the OP trying to make something new work when feeling well and grabbing at life affirming connections but running out of steam.

If you don't like what he's offering stop speaking to him. Don't get into assuming people are lying about having cancer when you've no evidence or reason to think that. What a shitty and suspicious way to live. Not at all conducive to finding something good. Seriously, if you're at or near that stage, move on. It's a shame when something with potential doesn't work out but it's not always due to nefarious reasons. Disengage and keep looking. We've all been there and you'll be fine.

SquirrelSoShiny · 17/06/2024 09:54

Hintmint · 16/06/2024 16:08

Because I told him before I don’t want that

You need to stop acting like you're a passive victim of some dastardly deceiver.

Is he giving you what you want?
NO
OK, tell him bye bye.

Why are you making this into something complicated when it really isn't?

Catandsquirrel · 17/06/2024 09:56

SquirrelSoShiny · 17/06/2024 09:54

You need to stop acting like you're a passive victim of some dastardly deceiver.

Is he giving you what you want?
NO
OK, tell him bye bye.

Why are you making this into something complicated when it really isn't?

🙌🏻🙌🏻

ProjectEdensGate · 17/06/2024 10:08

I'll be honest and happily admit this does not portray me in a good light in anyway. When I first split my ex I went on a few dates with men who I wasn't really interested in. But it was nice to have the attention/distraction/something to cheer me up after my marriage ended. So I saw them a few times, messaged them a bit etc without really being bothered about anything developing or their feelings in anyway. As soon as they started talking about futures together, I dropped them because I knew there was no future. I didn't sleep with any of them though because although I'm heartless, I wasn't THAT heartless. I am now off the apps after realising what a head fuck I was becoming.

I suspect your bloke is doing similar to what I did. You're just something to entertain him when he is bored/lonely/wants a shag. I think loads of people OLD are like this. They want the company/sex without actually investing in a relationship.

Mmhmmn · 17/06/2024 10:12

If he was into you and wanted to be around you, he would be. As it is, he’s just playing at it. Maybe has insecure attachment style. But you can’t view him as anything more than a decent f** (if he indeed is). He sounds more of a headfuck than anything else.

ShowerOfShites · 17/06/2024 10:17

Teacherprebaby · 16/06/2024 18:26

I've known 3 friends who have dated someone pretending to have cancer for sympathy. I hope this is not the case on your situation.

THREE???

Are you quite sure about that?

Did they all use the same dating app or something?

SamW98 · 17/06/2024 10:19

Hintmint · 16/06/2024 15:56

What’s going on? I think he’s using me for sex and support

Of course he is. And by keep having no strings sex with him and jumping every time he fancies a bit isn’t going to make him fall in love with you.

Hes not into you as a partner - he’s having it on his terms and unless you’re happy to be nothing more than a convenient FB for a man with a lot of issues then you need to walk away and say no next time he wants sex

His illness isn’t an excuse to treat you badly but you need to stop facilitating it if that’s not what you want.

Teacherprebaby · 17/06/2024 10:26

No I made it up. 🙄

ManilowBarry · 17/06/2024 11:28

You're on the back burner, handy when other options have failed or passed by.

Jennyjojo5 · 17/06/2024 12:07

@ShowerOfShites believe me. This is not an uncommon lie for those of us who have been on the tail end of it on online dating. Defo not saying he’s lying, cos obvs cancer is sadly very common. However, the modern dating scene often has men lying about suddenly a sick aunt/grandma died, being in hospital etc as excuses as to why they can’t commit or have ghosted. Pretty much guarantee that most women have experienced these lies

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 17/06/2024 12:23

TulipsAndForgetmenots · 17/06/2024 09:34

Wow 😮 It did cross my mind in this thread, but 3! It does seem a bit off to me, that someone undergoing cancer treatment is also actively looking for women to date. Absolutely no judgement if someone is genuinely doing that, but (admittedly with no personal experience) it feels like the last thing you'd want to be doing in that situation? So you have two possibilities:

  1. he is a young man with cancer on the dating scene, if so then fair enough I guess, but it does feel a bit unlikely.
  2. he is a young man using a technique to keep you on the back burner unquestioned and get sympathy too.

How did you meet him? Through the normal course of life, or on an app? Do you know people in common? Edit - sorry, I see you said app.

Edited

I agree with both points here.

If he’s younger or older then cancer is devastating.

I know of 3 young men (all approx 30 year old mark). One was married and diagnosed, second was in a relationship diagnosed. But got married to person in relationship later. Third I don’t think was in a relationship at the time and he’s the one I knew most, leukaemia, he was naturally in a really bad place as he had no idea how it would end for him. Even after he got the all clear he was nervous about going into a relationship.

Luckily the third man met a lovely woman and is now married with DC.

With this man I probably really would back off despite the chemistry (I’ve had those head fuck chemistry relationships too) and leave him to it, whether he has cancer or not.

SirenDiMare · 17/06/2024 14:11

Your repeated mistake is that you reconnect with him after he pulls away, and that you aren't thinking with your brain. You need to be honest with yourself about what you truly want from a man, and then truthfully consider whether or not this guy matches your wants and needs. It doesn't sound like it to me. I think he has been honest with you about where he stands: he doesn't want to live up to your expectations. Are you okay with that?

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