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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:
Pinkbonbon · 20/06/2024 14:14

BaguetteLady · 20/06/2024 14:00

OP, I know you are out £225, but imo he was jolly decent to reimburse you for half the fare. It wasn't his fault that you booked a non-refundable flight, especially before firming everything up with him. Yet he took responsibility for your action. I really don't see him as a villain here.

PPs have suggested coming over anyway. Not sure if you are planning to do that, but of course if you do use the ticket having received £225 back from him, you will need to return that money to him.

I don't agree.

She's entitled to mitigate her loss.

Firstly, he changed the plan and so potentially, should have paid all the money back op spent. The 225 would have been fine if 'act of god' had cancelled ops trip. But it was just his poor planning.

Realistically though you could argue that op should know a guy she'd just met would never pay her her money back. And it would be unfair to expect it.

Therefore 225 was arguably very fair of him.
Nice chap, really.

But he has cancelled the reason for her trip - seeing him.

Therefore op has to plan another trip to recoup her losses. There is no reason to pay him any money back.

She had every right to spend her half of the loss as she sees fit.

CheeseSandwichRiskAssessment · 20/06/2024 14:49

He was freaked out, oh well. I know a girl who did this but it was only London to Dublin! She showed up on his doorstep and it didn't work out, it happens. Talk is cheap.

Just book a hotel and enjoy your solo holiday. Post the area here or on the Holiday board and people can help you with things to do.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 20/06/2024 14:59

Pinkbonbon · 20/06/2024 14:14

I don't agree.

She's entitled to mitigate her loss.

Firstly, he changed the plan and so potentially, should have paid all the money back op spent. The 225 would have been fine if 'act of god' had cancelled ops trip. But it was just his poor planning.

Realistically though you could argue that op should know a guy she'd just met would never pay her her money back. And it would be unfair to expect it.

Therefore 225 was arguably very fair of him.
Nice chap, really.

But he has cancelled the reason for her trip - seeing him.

Therefore op has to plan another trip to recoup her losses. There is no reason to pay him any money back.

She had every right to spend her half of the loss as she sees fit.

Did he change the plan though, I don't recall reading that he agreed with those dates and to definitely book, all I read was "he asked me to let him know if I was going to come over asap".

No he shouldn't have lead her on but she shouldn't have booked with definitely confirming, I also think he was pretty decent to pay her half of her flights

deeahgwitch · 20/06/2024 15:16

I too think it was pretty decent of him to send you half the money for the flight.
I also thought he probably has a wife or a partner.
So perhaps the money is given to prevent you coming over and upsetting the applecart ?
Did you actually go to his home or just see a photo of it ?

user1471538283 · 20/06/2024 16:14

He didn't mean it. He just got carried away with the idea. He probably had a woman or women on the go.

I've had this before (although not the US) and it's such a let down.

The financial reasons don't stack up. He can pay you half the flights but can't fund a couple of pizzas?

Block him.

SheilaFentiman · 20/06/2024 16:30

“The financial reasons don't stack up. He can pay you half the flights but can't fund a couple of pizzas? “

It is more likely to be the two days of AL that he can’t fund but which OP demanded

SheilaFentiman · 20/06/2024 16:40

Busybeemumm · 20/06/2024 13:38

It really isn't. There is lots written about this and I think even a whole book. Lots of time and energy and hurt can be saved by keeping this in mind.

Wow, thanks. I am aware of the book.

My point was this specific circumstance of a person inviting themselves to stay, demanding annual leave is taken at short notice, not waiting for absolute confirmation before booking flights etc.

OP has picked an apt user name, giving her limerence meant she got carried away.

JawJaw · 20/06/2024 16:45

OP, vacation time is totally different in the US. It Is common to have no annual leave AT ALL in your first two years in the job (this was the case for my DH) After 2 years his entitlement went up to 10 days a year. He used his entitlement but he had to book it 3 months in advance and he said that it wasn’t uncommon for people in his company to not use their leave entitlements at all. That means, no vacation time at all for years. There is no way that your friend would have been able to take a few days off work at short notice.

RedToothBrush · 20/06/2024 16:50

Taking time off in America is not easy. They don't get holiday.

He's been in it for the ego boost because he knew it wasn't real.

Now its real and you are asking for commitment (yep thats booking time off if you are American) he's gone cold.

And I echo what others say, he's probably not single.

He can only mess you about if you let him. So don't let him.

Go enjoy a nice holiday. But not with him.

SheilaFentiman · 20/06/2024 16:58

i totally take everyone’s point about AL in the US, but I get about 30 days AL and I wouldn’t take two days off for someone I had had three dates with and who said they were looking for a casual relationship.

I recently went to stay with friends of 30 years standing and I amused myself during the day for the most part then we did things in the evening and over the weekend.

SheilaFentiman · 20/06/2024 17:00

Time off is a more limited resource than money for many people. OP herself only had this time free because some other plan fell through. I actually doubt she would have booked the time off specially otherwise.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 20/06/2024 17:04

I don't think it's anything to do with his annual leave, if he wanted to see OP he could've said still come, I can't get the days off but we could meet for lunch and/or see each other in the evening.

I don't think he had any intention of seeing her again

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 17:17

The Limerence ref in my username is in regards to a different ex - I didn’t name changed. I haven’t been overly obsessed with this one, it was more him contacting me to be honest. Since my original plans fell through, I just mentioned it to him and he said “lets do it” he also talked about lending a friends car for us to drive out to the beach for a few days. We discussed annual leave and he said it shouldn’t be a problem. All this was before I booked the flight. I felt 100% confident booking the flight!!!

OP posts:
AppleStruddle123 · 20/06/2024 18:08

Limerent1 · 20/06/2024 17:17

The Limerence ref in my username is in regards to a different ex - I didn’t name changed. I haven’t been overly obsessed with this one, it was more him contacting me to be honest. Since my original plans fell through, I just mentioned it to him and he said “lets do it” he also talked about lending a friends car for us to drive out to the beach for a few days. We discussed annual leave and he said it shouldn’t be a problem. All this was before I booked the flight. I felt 100% confident booking the flight!!!

Then in that case OP he’s a flake.

It’s odd behaviour so maybe you had a lucky escape.

Are you still in touch?

mathanxiety · 20/06/2024 19:13

Busybeemumm · 20/06/2024 13:48

Guys want to do the chasing at the end of the day and if he is being love bombed by someone asking him to take time off and booking flights out to see him etc it's not in his script. The pressure of being told that you chose to see him over a holiday with friends is off putting. Sorry OP, think of it as a bullet dodged and next time always choose your friends over a guy. LDR are not great anyway.

Edited

Agree.

I think you both love bombed. Maybe try to figure out why you did that, and why you placed this guy above established friendships in your list of priorities.

letthegamesbeginagain · 20/06/2024 19:28

You seem to think you're being fun and spontaneous but I think your behaviour here was pushy and suffocating.

There is some learning in this for you about learning to put yourself in someone else's shoes before you make decisions.

DaughterNo2 · 20/06/2024 19:32

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

So if money wasn’t an issue, why have you asked him for half 🤷‍♀️

Pinkbonbon · 20/06/2024 19:43

DaughterNo2 · 20/06/2024 19:32

So if money wasn’t an issue, why have you asked him for half 🤷‍♀️

Just because it's not an issue, doesn't mean she wants to burn it.

They spent time planning her trip together, she even double checked with him before booking. She gave him plenty of opportunity to back out. But he waited till she'd soent the money.

Why shouldn't he pay her for it?

If a thief steals some money from a rich person house, should they not return the money just because the rich person can afford it?

coxesorangepippin · 20/06/2024 19:49

He's not single

Or

You're being too pushy

coxesorangepippin · 20/06/2024 19:50

It's an old one but a good one

Let him come to you

It shouldn't be like that but it is

FairFuming · 20/06/2024 19:54

Don't waste the flights! Go and have a solo adventure! He's paid half your flights so you have money for a hotel, why not go?

Onomatofear · 20/06/2024 19:54

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%

Some men will book an air bnb to try to give the impression they are single when they aren’t.

BaguetteLady · 20/06/2024 19:59

@pinkbonbon Just because it's not an issue, doesn't mean she wants to burn it.

She's not burned anything. If I understand the sequence of events correctly, she has a perfectly usable ticket and she collected £225 from basically a total stranger!

letthegamesbeginagain · 20/06/2024 20:04

"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."

They didn't 'spend time planning a trip together' he asked her to let him know if she was going to be there and then she booked non refundable flights before checking with him'

I feel really sorry for this guy who is now hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

KomodoOhno · 20/06/2024 20:09

If this was a man doing this to a woman I think the advice would be run! He is too much too soon. When I was in my 20s something similar happened to me. I too made up a ridiculous excuse to get out of it. Obvious now older and wiser I would be honest. I do think op was pushy and I don't think he should have paid the half. But he did and that was very respectful.