Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Roryhon · 22/06/2024 23:20

So you have valid flights and £200 that you could spend on a hotel. You could go and have a chilled out holiday on your own. Or could you afford to lose the couple of hundred and spend the bit he sent you to go away with your friends?

Limerent1 · 22/06/2024 23:59

Roryhon · 22/06/2024 23:20

So you have valid flights and £200 that you could spend on a hotel. You could go and have a chilled out holiday on your own. Or could you afford to lose the couple of hundred and spend the bit he sent you to go away with your friends?

This is now what I’m doing instead. It would be weird of me to fly over there now so close to him yet not in contact x

OP posts:
Bravest · 23/06/2024 13:31

Whilst it is upsetting it could be just as he says something has happened in his family that has to take priority. He has been fair to you in paying half your money for the flight.

Victoriancat · 24/06/2024 18:34

You're being way too forward.
Deffo too much pressure, and I say this as someone who met an American over here in the UK and ended up married 😂 too much pressure on someone from the States they get the heck out of there fast.

Birdingbear · 24/06/2024 18:49

Sorry. 'Its a mans apartment'? What does that even mean?

Cause im very girlie HOWEVER.....i hate pink, hate flowers .....if you wwre to see my home tou wouldnt know a female lived here. My home is Blue, dark wood and grey. (All non female colours). I dont like girlie crap lying about my house and i dont read girlie mags and books etc.

You don't know. Sounds like he might be married or has a gf

You've already got flights booked. Either jump on the plane and show up or forget all about him

Vse500 · 24/06/2024 19:03

He sent you the money because he wants it done and finished and to draw a line under it. Doing this makes a problem go away (without sounding harsh!)
He has a girlfriend I think - I don’t live with my partner yet, we’re super committed but unless you knew what you were looking for you wouldn’t see loads of obvious traces of me in his house yet.

socialdilemmawhattodo · 24/06/2024 19:11

Limerent1 · 22/06/2024 23:59

This is now what I’m doing instead. It would be weird of me to fly over there now so close to him yet not in contact x

Really just get on with it. You have the flights, the destination, the time off work. Unless he lives somewhere in the US that is really really uninteresting you will have a good time. So perhaps post on here the destination and your interests. Maybe we can help you have a super holiday! But please do not contact him.

PurplePenguin2468 · 24/06/2024 21:45

socialdilemmawhattodo · 24/06/2024 19:11

Really just get on with it. You have the flights, the destination, the time off work. Unless he lives somewhere in the US that is really really uninteresting you will have a good time. So perhaps post on here the destination and your interests. Maybe we can help you have a super holiday! But please do not contact him.

1000% this! I already said still go and then OP said it would be difficult to go so close to him without contact.

He is not the ONLY man in that area! Go over, have a great time, you never know you may even meet someone new and will wonder why you spent so long pining after this one 🤣

Itisjustmyopinion · 24/06/2024 22:10

Don’t Americans have very few holiday days each year? In comparison to UK anyway

To be asking someone you hardly know to use two of their limited days when it’s unlikely to go anywhere (which is probably why he asked you that question) is madness.

greenpolarbear · 25/06/2024 00:41

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 01:42

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%

he probably met someone very very recently, maybe on tinder. early days with them so keeping you on side just in case.

AgileMentor · 25/06/2024 10:13

Oh babe being on tinder doesn’t mean a man’s single

Shitlord · 25/06/2024 10:31

I think what you're still not accepting is that it was a LOT to invite yourself for a 4 day stay at his home, expecting him to take time off work and entertain you the whole time, after 3 dates. Probably clean up, stock the fridge for a guest he barely knew. It's turned a sweet holiday fling into a chore especially knowing it wasn't leading anywhere. Seems like you had an image of yourself as a spontaneous manic pixie dream girl turning up when he works all week and doesn't seriously want to engage in a transatlantic relationship.

Ok, he agreed etc but nothing you've said suggests it was an unreserved invitation with open arms thinking it was some unmissable connection. I would have probably found myself thinking 'shit, what have I agreed to? What is the point in this?'.

Don't start inventing partners. Obviously it's possible. However much more useful to examine your own role in this.

Katbum · 25/06/2024 15:18

He liked you. He liked the idea of you. But you are in England as safe fantasy difference. Then it got real and he realised, oh no. I’m not ready for this. It’s classic avoidant behaviour (when I was single I used to call it ‘the back off’), and really common. Men get excited and then reality pulls them up short - if he wanted a girlfriend he probably wouldn’t pursue women thousands of miles away. He wants the titillation and the idea of someone who wants him, with none of the actual relationship baggage. Now he may be lying to you about being single too (you say not, but I know women who’ve been in what they thought were exclusive relationships for years before they found out their OH was married/engaged/etc. Liars tell good lies) - but it doesn’t matter. Anyone who wants to be your boyfriend will want that consistently and not back off.

Take the hit. Have a nice break somewhere by yourself or with friends. Delete his number and forget him.

Katbum · 25/06/2024 15:27

I agree with PP that it was rude to book the flight without telling him first when he specifically asked you to do that. Also, not cool to expect him to take unpaid leave (of which he will likely have 1-2 weeks max, Americans don’t get weeks of paid leave like us) on a few days notice. It’s gone from fun to very quickly ‘not fun.’ So now you need to reflect and move on.

HobbitDreader · 25/06/2024 17:13

My take is that you were in "two minds" and um'd and ah'd about going away with the girls or with him, and you vocalized this to him. Then you were noncommittal when he asked if you'd ever consider moving to the US. He is actually looking for a wife I'd say, much more than just a fun weekend, which was entirely your take on it.

PlanningTowns · 25/06/2024 19:47

Limerent1 · 22/06/2024 23:59

This is now what I’m doing instead. It would be weird of me to fly over there now so close to him yet not in contact x

No it would not be weird! Go, it’s it’s a city do some sightseeing eat at some nice places or chill by a pool if the weather is good. Have a good time and give him not a second thought.

as an aside leave from work in America is very different to here! There don’t get as many days as us and I’m not sure if they have to give a lot of notice.

Lokisbiggestfan · 25/06/2024 20:37

Itisjustmyopinion · 24/06/2024 22:10

Don’t Americans have very few holiday days each year? In comparison to UK anyway

To be asking someone you hardly know to use two of their limited days when it’s unlikely to go anywhere (which is probably why he asked you that question) is madness.

Yes, very few and sometimes none. So he would maybe have to use unpaid days or call in sick.

yaddayaddayah · 25/06/2024 21:45

You’re not £225 down, go anyway, stay in a hotel with the money he’s given you and have fun!

scottishGirl · 26/06/2024 08:31

I think expecting to stay at his/ take annual leave was too much considering you hsve met him a few times. You say that money isn't an issue for you so I'm not sure why you didn't talk about booking a hotel from the get go.

I agree with PP that before booking you should have double checked it was fine, it's not OTT at all to do that as you previously said.

I think he liked the idea of having someone far away to flirt with , then it got real very fast and he's backed off. To me, giving you the money is to make it final , draw a line under it. He shouldn't have made it feel so real to you though, that going over there and staying was a possibility, so I'm glad he gave you the money.

Ilovesmesomefriedchicken · 26/06/2024 14:29

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

That was extremely bad on his part, even though he eventually sent you half of the flight money, you’re still losing a lot of money and the other opportunity.

Unfortunately there’s nobody other than him who knows the real reason for what he’s done. So guessing & speculating isn’t going to help, just cause prolonged frustration & upset. I think it’s times like these when you really do have to take this factually, the position he’s put you in, how much he has let you down, and if he really wanted to see you, he would. Time to check your boundaries & don’t let him put you in this situation again. If it were me I’d move on, unless he gave me a full refund for the flights so I wasn’t losing out, and put in a solid plan for the next time and that he would pay next time eliminating your risk again. Otherwise I’d just move on xx

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread