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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

Guy in America messed me about

245 replies

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 01:30

hi everyone. I went on holiday to USA a couple of months ago, met a great guy over there on tinder and had 3 dates with him in total - went no further than a kiss. Both early 30s, no kids. We clicked from the start and spent all the time laughing and having really good interesting conversations.

He’s kept in touch with me since I’ve been home in the UK, always hinting that he’d love for me to go over or vice versa but I don’t have any free time until September.

I randomly have an unexpected week off next week due to something else falling through, and some of my friends are going away on a break for a few days anyway so I said I’d join them but it’s pretty expensive. When I was chatting to the American (we don’t speak daily btw) I brought it up and out of interest had a look at flights to USA return and they were £450 which I thought was reasonable, considering I’d be staying with him. We agreed I’d come over for the Long weekend in question, 4 nights in total.

I told him repeatedly I was in 2 minds as another girl who was suppose to go away with my friends had dropped out and I could have her place but I’d need to let them know asap as someone else wanted to go also.

He was asking me if I’d ever consider moving to the USA, what was I looking for etc and I just told him I wanted to have a fun weekend and see what happens! No pressure. he asked me to let him know if I was going to come over asap.

the next morning, due to the time difference, he was still asleep but I chose to see him, so I booked the flights through a third party booking app which are non refundable. Didn’t think there was a chance of it changing considering It’s only next weekend. I sent him the confirmation and we both expressed we were excited! We messaged back and forth a bit on Saturday night and a little on Sunday.

I reminded him on Monday that he would need to book 2 days off work for when I am over and he was kinda vague about it. Then I didn’t hear from him Tuesday and today I’d had enough so I messaged him to ask if he had indeed booked the annual leave, and as I hadn’t heard from him I felt a bit vulnerable coming over alone all of a sudden and that I felt his energy had shifted.

his response “hey baby! I’m sorry I’ve been busy with work and have been under the weather. I’m finally feeling better, I was really excited to see you. But something happened with my family and I have to help them out financially. So I’m stretched a bit thin at the moment.’ I know you have the flight booked but now may not be the best time”

I told him I didn’t care really about doing anything expensive and would be happy to just chill with him at his apartment, but this didn’t seem to budge him.

I reminded I had let the space on my friends holiday go so now I couldn’t even join them, and if he wasn’t sure he should have said so on Friday! I also said the flights couldn’t be changed/refunded. He just kept apologising. When I pressed further, he said he is financially strapped until July 1st and he feels pressure from me!! I couldn’t believe it. He was so eager for me to come over last week. I asked if he’s just met someone else and he said absolutely not.

we got into a bit of a row and in the end he sent me half of the money back that I lost on the flight, but I’m still so gutted. Last Friday we were chatting about going to the beach for the weekend maybe and trying a restaurant near his that he thought I’d like.

We really hit it off when we met, so I thought, and he’s gone to so much effort to text and FaceTime since I’ve been back - I can’t wrap my head around why he would change his tune so much just a few days after I booked my flight? Any opinions xx

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 20/06/2024 01:38

He's married or lives with his partner.

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 01:42

Aquamarine1029 · 20/06/2024 01:38

He's married or lives with his partner.

Definitely 100% doesn’t. He’s single. Hes shown me his apartment on FaceTime and he’s a man’s apartment. He’s on tinder. He’s single 100%

OP posts:
icelollycraving · 20/06/2024 01:44

I think after a couple of dates, you jumped the gun a bit. He possibly thought he’d never see you again and it was a nice flirt online or on calls etc.
I’m sorry you’re upset. I guess you don’t know him really so he may well have a girlfriend, wife etc. I’d find it quite full on after a few dates for a holiday fling to fly back to see me, and expect to be hosted. Perhaps his home is not nice. AL in America is far less generous than here, not everyone can just get time off with short notice. Perhaps his life is not as you thought.
I think it’s actually good of him to send you half the money when he’s citing low funds.
It must be rubbish for you but I think you have been a bit over keen. Maybe he’s one of those people who says lots he doesn’t mean, lots of OLD men are like this. So I know you had a few dates not OLD but it just isn’t meant to be.
Lick your wounds for a bit.

CalicoPusscat · 20/06/2024 01:44

Financially doesn't make sense as you could do cheap stuff like walks, bottle of wine, cheese, bread, fruit, meat etc from corner shop.

Least he could do is put you up, he sounds very flaky

ncLindsay · 20/06/2024 01:49

That’s a long way to go for a date! I think he was just looking for a bit of noncommittal fun and got scared off when he realized you are interested enough to fly over.

Was he on holiday when you met him, also?

BaguetteLady · 20/06/2024 01:50

@Limerent1 He was asking me if I’d ever consider moving to the USA, what was I looking for etc and I just told him I wanted to have a fun weekend and see what happens!

To me, this sounds as if he is looking for something serious. So maybe when you responded that way he thought it might not be a good idea to get involved in a (very) long-distance relationship with very uncertain possibilities for a future.

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 01:54

Ok so there’s suggestions I’ve come on too keen and he’s looking for non commitment and I’ve jumped the gun. And there’s now a suggestion that I gave the wrong answer when he asked if I’d ever move over to the USA by saying “see what happens”. I think if I’d have responded saying yes definitely, that would also be wrong. I genuinely don’t know it was just a nice spontaneous thing to do in my view, whether or not anything came from it it would still have been a nice memory

OP posts:
Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 01:55

ncLindsay · 20/06/2024 01:49

That’s a long way to go for a date! I think he was just looking for a bit of noncommittal fun and got scared off when he realized you are interested enough to fly over.

Was he on holiday when you met him, also?

No he lives there

OP posts:
Buttermilky · 20/06/2024 02:02

@Limerent1

I think he’s got cold feet, I don’t buy his excuse about finances as It doesn’t make sense that he was willing to send you £225 or whatever half the flight cost was but he couldn’t stock up on some extra food or buy a few takeaways for a weekend when you’re over.

He must’ve been enjoying the idea of you coming over but when reality hit he had a change of mind and started to feel under pressure. He sounds flaky though and I wouldn’t consider anything serious with him in the future again. If I meet a man in his country and want to continue things after that I’d prefer them to visit me as it shows they’re making an effort and are invested.

BaguetteLady · 20/06/2024 02:02

@Limerent1 I think if I’d have responded saying yes definitely, that would also be wrong.

It would have been wrong to say you would commit now to moving there, of course.

But again, to me, it sounds as if he wanted to know if there could possibly be a future for the relationship. I think he wanted to know whether, if the relationship was successful, you would consider moving to the States.

I went out with someone a long time ago who asked me, on the first date, if I would be willing to move to a certain city. At the time I thought it was ridiculous, but afterward I realised that this was very important to him, and he just didn't want to waste time with someone who wouldn't consider it.

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:10

Buttermilky · 20/06/2024 02:02

@Limerent1

I think he’s got cold feet, I don’t buy his excuse about finances as It doesn’t make sense that he was willing to send you £225 or whatever half the flight cost was but he couldn’t stock up on some extra food or buy a few takeaways for a weekend when you’re over.

He must’ve been enjoying the idea of you coming over but when reality hit he had a change of mind and started to feel under pressure. He sounds flaky though and I wouldn’t consider anything serious with him in the future again. If I meet a man in his country and want to continue things after that I’d prefer them to visit me as it shows they’re making an effort and are invested.

Sorry I forgot to add - when I asked for half of the money tonight, he asked me if he could send a small amount now and the rest on his payday so he could “help his family”!? I didn’t reply so he said ok il just send all now. Then he sent it all straight away. I’m still £225 down though

OP posts:
CalicoPusscat · 20/06/2024 02:17

Don't think it will come to anything now which is a shame, but you don't know each other very well/distance

icelollycraving · 20/06/2024 02:18

Following on from that comment think he sounds a bit panicked, I think he’s not single.

SpringerFall · 20/06/2024 02:18

If I was you I would get rid of all your gadgets and live in the real world until you can take a course on how not to be so gullible, and yes this is a genuine suggestion with the amount of times this happens they have to be out there

Kat888 · 20/06/2024 02:18

I also think the finances thing is a lie. It's an excuse.

Honestly it was a holiday romance and that's probably where it should have ended. I personally wouldn't bother with him anymore. I can see him ghosting you tbh.

It was fun. Lesson learned

Yozzer87 · 20/06/2024 02:19

He's changed his mind for whatever reason. Try to forget him and write the money off. It was unlikely to work out anyway due to the distance.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 20/06/2024 02:32

Is it his house? 😕 People in relationships do go on Tinder…
I don’t buy the finances thing either, not if he’s felt bad enough to send you half. Surely it would be cheaper to buy you a few meals.
I think he’s panicked- for whatever reason. I’m quite surprised he’s sent you half to be honest.

But to change his mind like that, I mean come on. You aren’t catching the 3.15 Brizzle to Paddington are you.

This could’ve ended very badly…. Imagine if you’d flown and he didn’t turn up at the airport.

XChrome · 20/06/2024 02:33

Aquamarine1029 · 20/06/2024 01:38

He's married or lives with his partner.

B.I.N.G.O.

ncLindsay · 20/06/2024 02:34

Are you sure you can’t change the flight or get a credit?

Did he know you didn’t live there when he first agreed to meet?

ncLindsay · 20/06/2024 02:35

Also, how did he send you the money?

XChrome · 20/06/2024 02:37

Did you check his social media for signs of a partner? Mind you, he may have given you a false name.

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:38

ncLindsay · 20/06/2024 02:34

Are you sure you can’t change the flight or get a credit?

Did he know you didn’t live there when he first agreed to meet?

Yes he was aware as I put it clearly in my profile I was on holiday. He sent it via PayPal

OP posts:
Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:38

XChrome · 20/06/2024 02:37

Did you check his social media for signs of a partner? Mind you, he may have given you a false name.

Yes have him on Instagram and nothing fishy at all

OP posts:
Muthaofcats · 20/06/2024 02:42

This is way too forward to book to go stay with him, esp without confirming it was definitely ok before doing so. I’d have freaked out if I were him too. It’s just far too much. Missing out on your friends holiday is on you I’m afraid. It’s amazing he sent you half the cash!

CulturalNomad · 20/06/2024 02:46

While men can be confusing creatures, if they're really interested in pursuing a relationship with you they won't let anything stand in the way. My take-away from this is that he's just not available. Whether that means he's with someone else or just not interested in actually being with you...who knows?

Lesson learned; move on.