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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:
Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:47

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!

Sorry I just can’t relate as I don’t invite people round to mine unless I’m certain, or say things I don’t mean in the moment. I just don’t do that. I find that behaviour flaky and strange. I can’t be blamed for believing him

OP posts:
Deebee90 · 20/06/2024 02:48

I reckon he’s changed his mind after asking what you want. Maybe he doesn’t want fun and wants to settle down after all. Or he could have met someone in the past few weeks and wants to see how it goes with her. Either way it was way too fast on your behalf. Next time don’t spend £450 for some fun.

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:49

Deebee90 · 20/06/2024 02:48

I reckon he’s changed his mind after asking what you want. Maybe he doesn’t want fun and wants to settle down after all. Or he could have met someone in the past few weeks and wants to see how it goes with her. Either way it was way too fast on your behalf. Next time don’t spend £450 for some fun.

But we have been chatting since I got back! The money isn’t an issue for me, I can afford it and had a week off. I really don’t think it’s that much of a big deal to be spontaneous like this? Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I am mental then

OP posts:
Deebee90 · 20/06/2024 02:50

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:49

But we have been chatting since I got back! The money isn’t an issue for me, I can afford it and had a week off. I really don’t think it’s that much of a big deal to be spontaneous like this? Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I am mental then

Yeah but the thing is maybe he was just stringing you along. Perhaps he likes you as a friend. I definitely think he’s met someone and that’s why he’s bailed.

SpringerFall · 20/06/2024 02:56

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:47

Sorry I just can’t relate as I don’t invite people round to mine unless I’m certain, or say things I don’t mean in the moment. I just don’t do that. I find that behaviour flaky and strange. I can’t be blamed for believing him

You make choices so yes anyone can be blamed for them, he is showing you what he is and you are believing that, are people around you telling you it is hopeless, if not they should be before you move on and keep on repeating this

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 20/06/2024 03:09

Deebee90 · 20/06/2024 02:50

Yeah but the thing is maybe he was just stringing you along. Perhaps he likes you as a friend. I definitely think he’s met someone and that’s why he’s bailed.

This or he’s already in a relationship but keeping it hidden.

American men from what I tend to know of them (best friend is American) tend to be fairly straight, upfront and even dare I say it a bit old fashioned about intentions. They often don’t like casual but can do it.

I’d be a bit suspicious about helping his family because unless they’re poor or immigrants/migrants they generally don’t have to help family financially.

If he’s in his early 30s too with a decent job, his own place plus decent looking then he’ll be prime catnip for American singles of a similar age and younger.

Chalk it up as a nice holiday fling.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 20/06/2024 03:11

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:49

But we have been chatting since I got back! The money isn’t an issue for me, I can afford it and had a week off. I really don’t think it’s that much of a big deal to be spontaneous like this? Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I am mental then

Maybe he isn’t spontaneous. He probably did figure you were nice to chat and have fun with but realistically a long term relationship could be tricky and also expensive. LTR’s by default aren’t easy.

I’m not saying it doesn’t work as my London friend met a Canadian guy and now they’re married and live in Canada.

JustTalkToThem · 20/06/2024 03:15

He’s just not that into you. It’s that simple.

move on.

mathanxiety · 20/06/2024 03:39

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:49

But we have been chatting since I got back! The money isn’t an issue for me, I can afford it and had a week off. I really don’t think it’s that much of a big deal to be spontaneous like this? Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I am mental then

I think you pushed too far, too fast.

And fwiw, Americans can't 'book annual leave' at short notice. Your expectation of him was way off.

He gave you all sorts of mixed signals. You chose to see that as a maybe but actually mixed signals are a no.

This entire business could have ended in disaster for you. You barely knew this man, but you were prepared to head to another country and stay with him in what he said was his home. Did nobody ever earn you to be careful and consider your safety?

mathanxiety · 20/06/2024 03:41

*warn

Happilyeveraffair · 20/06/2024 04:12

I too wonder if it was the expectation to book annual leave that put him off. They get about 10 days total with no legal right to it and it’s just not done to book last minute leave

sandstormsy · 20/06/2024 04:44

It does sound like things went downhill when you mentioned him booking leave. The culture there regarding time off work is very different. Perhaps he was assuming he would work as normal and you'd just sort of entertain yourself during the day.

Also he said to let him know asap if you were coming which I don't think literally means just let him know and book it without confirmation. I think it means let him know you've decided that's what you want so you can discuss practicalities, times etc.

BeanBeliever · 20/06/2024 04:52

Happilyeveraffair · 20/06/2024 04:12

I too wonder if it was the expectation to book annual leave that put him off. They get about 10 days total with no legal right to it and it’s just not done to book last minute leave

^ this. Speaking from experience (had a LDR with a boyfriend in the US).

I think he asked you what you wanted to know if you were serious/would move as flying back & forth gets expensive and unless it’s going to turn into something isn’t worth it

i know you are disappointed but tbh I think he’s been v decent to split the cost of the wasted flight with you

Usernamewassavedsuccessfully · 20/06/2024 04:59

You were a holiday romance. They usually fizzle out, you've kept it limping on. It's not now and will not be in the future, a relationship. If you see him again, you will be a very expensive booty call.

dieselKiller · 20/06/2024 05:07

You should check whether you can cancel, change the time, or change the destination on your tickets. You may have to pay a fee, but don’t assume that you have to lose all the money just because they’re described as non-refundable.

daisychain01 · 20/06/2024 05:18

You're doing all the running around spending money on flights, making plans, while he's back home getting on with his life, going to work and you're suddenly planning to rock up, out of the blue?

you really do need to get into the real world, not live in cloud cuckoo land.

WildFlowerBees · 20/06/2024 05:28

It doesn't really matter why etc unfortunately he's just not into it. Sign this one off and move on. No point in analysing it won't change anything.

Olivegardenishome · 20/06/2024 05:29

I bet it was the expectation of booking annual leave that made him freak out.

I’d still go, but get a hotel and have a mini vacay on your own.

nightmaries · 20/06/2024 05:33

Is this real? Do people really have these holiday flings and then limp them on, spend hundreds of pounds booking flights to go and stay in the home of a man on a different continent?

ShouldhavebeencalledAppollo · 20/06/2024 05:41

I would go anyway. I wouldn't tell him I am there, because that could come across as you not listening and turning hoping he sees you. But I would go.

He has messed you about. I think he trlaised this long distance was no go. Possibly due to annual leave. He can't take time off when you go over and coming over to you means using a large portion of his PTO.

Or he is just messing you about. Either way I just wouldn't bother.

ProudHazelDreamer · 20/06/2024 05:42

I don't think you've done anything wrong, no harm done .

if £225 won't break the bank well done on achieving a good financial position. Or do you still want a last minute holiday? :-) I might if it was me.

I do know plenty of people who manage these kinds of international relationships, but this one was a future faker! The distance is a red herring, he could have behaved like this if he was from the next city down.

I agree with pps he probably wanted a cute British chat buddy for the attention and to play romance with, and didn't think you'd take him seriously.

The talk about visits and long distance relationships was future faking to keep the chat going....he didn't want you paying attention to other men or dating others. Some people just like chatting and the ego boost it gives them. It's less "real" than meeting.

(I actually prefer to keep "chat" to a minimum unless the next meet is definitely booked.

Obviously it's different for everyone regarding resources and travel, but I'd assume someone who was into me would make every effort to get us meeting physically as much as possible).

I definitely would just block him and move on. You may get messages to reel you back in but I'd ignore them.

He's not your friend and you won't ever physically meet again.

If there's no official partner on IG there's probably someone he's early dating or getting to know.

It was actually fairly unpleasant setting you up to arrange the visit then not following through or seeing your needs...even if he'd said to come over and stay in a hotel and he'd try to see you for dinner, even as friends?

You don't want to be going through this in 3 months time.

Peony15 · 20/06/2024 05:45

You meet someone on Tinder once and then book a nonrefundable flight to USA as 2. date. I rest my case...
Who stays with a virtual
stranger on a 2. date for 4 days ?
Americans ( I lived there ) get very little annual leave. So just taking 2 extra days off maybe nothing to a Brit but it's a lot to them. No American just takes 2 days of casually, they only get around 10-14 days annual leave !!!!!
So don't forget the cultural aspect.
Personally think you put way too much pressure on a casual ( been on 1 date ... ) thing. I'd be panicked too, especially also staying in their property.
Not only the pressure of hosting / dining / outings on top
of using probably a big chunk of annual leave. Sorry OP but am
with American on this one, I'd feel the same.

EmilyGilmoreenergy · 20/06/2024 05:48

If this was reversed and a man you don't really know was flying long haul from America without 100% agreeing it with you before he booked and paid, to stay in your home for four nights and pressuring you to book leave the majority of people I'd say IRL and on here would be saying absolutely no and red flags flying.

The reality of having a casual date to entertain for 4 days in your own home 24 hours a day is a lot.
Also sounds like he's realised that doing that does change the game and potentially means life changing commitment and he's realised it most likely could never work.

I am surprised you asked him for money for a decision you made entirely of your own accord, and wouldn't even budge when he honestly asked if he could pay in instalments till he's paid you responded with silence to the point he felt pressured to find it and send immediately (again imagine the responses of it was the other way around).This isn't a great look from you and for me would be a red flag to call it a day on his part.

Triestre · 20/06/2024 05:59

The guy realised the relationship was going to be difficult. The penny dropped when you asked him for time off. They do get very little time off but also he carried on Tinder and may have met someone local. Guys unless they fall crazy in love are very practical. At least you recovered half. He could have blocked you. I would travel by myself and forget about him. Life is short you are young. Make the most and learn for next time.

KomodoOhno · 20/06/2024 06:03

I think it was too much too soon and he got cold feet.