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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:
ChristmasFluff · 20/06/2024 08:13

He was looking for an ego-stroke and then you also downgraded yourself by making him a priority over your friends.

He's a stranger, but you decided to go see him rather than holiday with people you have known substantially longer. So he got his ego-stroke big style and you lost value because he saw you are the sort of person who will prioritise him rather than living her own life.

He's probably romancing the next person on their holidays already.

Long-distance is for someone you know well and are committed to, not for relative strangers. There's plenty of men for 'let's see where this goes' in a 20 mile radius!

Even if he's the epitome of fidelity and truth - he's not available because he's so far away.

BiancaBlue · 20/06/2024 08:14

Busybeemumm · 20/06/2024 08:04

A guy will do anything for a girl he wants to spend time with. Annual leave or not. He was just not that into it.

Only a desperate guy

BigDahliaFan · 20/06/2024 08:25

Ithink one of his mates probably said, that’s sounds a bit full on mate…she’s probably a psycho. Not saying you are but it’s very full on.

I can’t believe he sent you the money….

Crumpetsssss · 20/06/2024 08:26

Yeah. I think you came across as a bit intense. It’s understandable. You were excited and being spontaneous. If it had worked out it could have been the start of an amazing story.

Had you discussed the annual leave in your initial conversations though? If someone was coming to visit me for the weekend, it wouldn’t cross my mind that I’d need to take leave. If I go to visit friends over a weekend, I assume they’ll be at work as usual and I’ll entertain myself while they’re out.

1983Louise · 20/06/2024 08:28

He's stringing you along, probably didn't think you'd take him up.on his offer. Don't waste your money again, this relationship won't go anywhere.

ChangeEmailAddress · 20/06/2024 08:32

I've only read the OP's posts, but you won't lose all of your money on the flights, you can claim the tax back if you don't fly. Also, workers have far, far less time off than we do, often only 10 days, and in some jobs there's quite a strong expectation that you only take half of them.

user1984778379202 · 20/06/2024 08:33

I think he's either continued Tinder dating and has met someone else who lives closer to him who he likes, or he's thought what's the point of pursuing something with someone in the UK who might or might not move to the US when he can continue Tinder dating and meet someone else who lives closer to him who he likes. My money's on the former though, which is why he changed his mind and came up with a flimsy excuse.

I do think it's unfair to expect him to cover the entire flight. You told him repeatedly you were in two minds about going, then booked it without getting final confirmation with him. That's on you.

CracklingLogsGalore · 20/06/2024 08:36

I know men in the UK can be twats but there’s got to be at least one this side of the ocean that takes your fancy…. The USA is bloody far even for long distance

AppleStruddle123 · 20/06/2024 08:39

Asking an American to take two days off work when they get only 2 weeks holiday a year??

No, I wouldn’t have done that. It’s presumptuous.

You need to be ok kicking around on your own if you’re going to take on a big adventure like this.

Those two weeks are very precious and usually it’s for family time and yes some holiday but it’s not like here. Not at all.

LAMPS1 · 20/06/2024 08:42

It was all good for him while it was so distant.
He could say what he liked to hook you in. Perfect freedom for him to lie to his hearts content if that’s what he wanted to do. You were unaware of (or ignored) that possibility because you were a little bit smitten.

You made the decision to purchase a non refundable return flight all on your own without his agreement. That was a massive risk in my opinion. And that was your mistake.

Then you told him he needed to take time off, reminding him to do so when he clearly wasn’t happy about it.

I would be thankful he at least returned half the flight cost because then it’s not such an expensive mistake that you have to live with.

It’s good that you didn’t get on that plane OP. Best to move on and forget about the financial loss. You got off quite lightly in my opinion…it could have been a whole lot more costly and not just on your bank balance.
Take your personal security more seriously in future !

AppleStruddle123 · 20/06/2024 08:42

It sounds like it’s that request that’s unsettled him. And many people can’t just take two days off with such short notice. Most have to put in a request, wait, get an answer etc. You’re v presumptuous about people’s availability OP, not realistic at all. People that fall in love still have to work, make money etc.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 20/06/2024 08:56

I think it's the expectation that he'd spend the full 4 days with you that's caused the problem. I used to work in the US and annual leave is like gold dust. It's not uncommon to have no annual leave at all during the first year with a new employer.

It's virtually impossible to book days off at short notice and no one would take 2 days off for something unless they really wanted to do it.

He's done the decent thing and paid for half of the ticket... I'd just forget about it now and go and do something else.

user1984778379202 · 20/06/2024 09:06

AppleStruddle123 · 20/06/2024 08:42

It sounds like it’s that request that’s unsettled him. And many people can’t just take two days off with such short notice. Most have to put in a request, wait, get an answer etc. You’re v presumptuous about people’s availability OP, not realistic at all. People that fall in love still have to work, make money etc.

In the US they also get far less holiday entitlement. The average is ten paid days per year. Would you waste two precious days of that on a hook-up with someone who lives abroad and therefore don't have long-term prospects with?

Abi86 · 20/06/2024 09:08

Nah. What you did was ok OP, in the context and based on previous conversations. You’re adults, you can travel to meet up. No biggy.

im surprised that he stumped up with £225 given he was strapped for cash. if he was strapped for cash

which goes to the heart of the problem. He’s just not as keen as you - for whatever reason. It doesn’t matter.

cut your loses. Move on.

PrincessMee · 20/06/2024 09:15

He's changed his mind. It was a holiday fling for him.

Buttermilky · 20/06/2024 09:22

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 02:10

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

Sounds like he was feeling a bit guilty when he didn’t hear back from you, so he sent all the money to keep the peace. I suspect he wants to keep things amicable, but isn’t super keen on continuing this holiday romance beyond FaceTimes, text chats and vague plans. At least not right now.

If I was visiting a man in another country, that I’d just had 3 dates with personally I’d prefer to stay in a hotel anyway. Partly for safety reasons and also because I wouldn’t want to commit to being with them 24/7 for a long weekend. I think for him it was too much too soon. Shame he didn’t realise that before though.

It all comes back to that saying about “if they like you you’ll know and if you’re confused he probably doesn’t like you.”

Men are quite clear when they are keen and IME American men are quite direct and up front. Think you just need to cut your losses and just let it go.

Wizardcalledoz · 20/06/2024 09:40

I think choosing to go and see him instead of spending time with your friends sounds like you expect something to come of it. That combined with constant messaging for clarification. Most people would have read the room and realised he wasnt that interested and gone away with friends instead

viques · 20/06/2024 09:48

Sorry OP but you are the equivalent of that nice couple who you had a couple of drinks with at the swim up bar in your hotel turning up at your house one day with packed overnight bags and dog saying “Well, you did say to pop in anytime we were passing.”

learn to read the signals.

Summermightbegreat · 20/06/2024 09:49

Americans don't get much annual leave so maybe that was where he felt the pressure financially and realised it wouldn't be equal going forwards. Maybe he just wanted to spend the evening with you and the intensity of four solid days felt too much.

Porageeater · 20/06/2024 09:51

You just have to chalk this up to experience and move on. I’m sorry this happened. At least he gave you some of the money so he’s probably feeling guilty.

LittleMissSleepyUK · 20/06/2024 09:52

As he’s sent you half the money I’d use that for a hotel and go anyway!

Fiery30 · 20/06/2024 10:01

I think you had very high expectations for what was something quite casual on a holiday. Were you expecting it work at such a long distance? Americans have very little leave allowance and his workplace might not be flexible about these things. I would never stay in someone's house who I don't know very well. He might not want you to either! It is a huge commitment.
He could have been more direct about his feelings on the situation but it was nice of him to pay you some money back, even though he technically didn't have to. It is disappointing but I don't think he has messed you about.

Summermightbegreat · 20/06/2024 10:04

İ think, if you like a guy in another country, the best thing to do is take some holidays over there and arrange to meet up whilst you're there, but you're there to do your own thing. That way there's less pressure on either of you and no expectations if it didn't work out.

Ratisshortforratthew · 20/06/2024 10:06

You didn’t do anything wrong OP - he invited you and I also would’ve taken that invitation at face value. For those saying “read the room” I say, how about people don’t say things they don’t mean or want to follow through on?

that said, I wouldn’t have booked the flights without waiting for a firm “yes do it” from him as I probably would’ve had a too-good-to-be-true niggle in the back of my mind, and I do agree with the comments on annual leave being a wholly different beast in the US.

gamerchick · 20/06/2024 10:09

He might not be able to get time off. The US is weird when it comes to annual leave. Probably not at short notice anyway.

You've lost a bit of coin. Think of that when you're tempted to be impulsive in the future.

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