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

Partner mentioned an interest in sadism and I feel uneasy

245 replies

Cabiwoca · 25/05/2026 20:10

Relatively new relationship (3 months). I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so happy although I have some problems that I am still working through, which he is aware of and agreed to give me space for. Maybe not the point but I didn’t want to drip feed.

He mentioned an interest in sadism this weekend, which I honestly cannot comprehend at all and which I am not happy to engage with. He seemed fine with it and said that he just hadn’t wanted to keep this hidden. We obviously talked about it for a bit but I’m still thinking that it’s pretty messed up and that no sane person would be interested in anything like this but maybe I’m being judgemental.

Is this something that people just talk about, because to me this is not a “normal” thing to be interested in and it worries me a bit. I understand that people have kinks and I never thought I’d mind but i immediately felt so uneasy.

OP posts:
Whataflippincircus · 25/05/2026 23:14

ChickenBananaBanana · 25/05/2026 23:13

Not really. Is shows op has poor judgement on this relationship. Is it because he's love bombing her into this sadism stuff and eroding boundaries?

Whether it’s too soon to call him a partner, is the very least of her problems.

Jellox · 25/05/2026 23:14

Whataflippincircus · 25/05/2026 23:11

Spectacularly misses the point.

I disagree I think that posters spot on.

OP barely knows him after only 3 months.

To suggest that they’re anything serious or that she truly knows anything about him is quite naive.

ThatJadeLion · 25/05/2026 23:15

Huge massive great big RED flags. Run and never look back. He's given you a glimpse of his soul. Please do that for yourself x

Italiangreyhound · 25/05/2026 23:16

I must admit I agree with ByGraptharsHammer
"May I also suggest that your problems, whatever those may be, are probably part of the attraction for this man who can absolutely see your vulnerability. Get rid of him. He will be super charming and then hurt you for his own enjoyment."

OP I know you feel sad now but really if he is not right for you it is best to go your own way. Deal with your iw. Issues and meet someone new.

Xxxxxxx

FirstdatesFred · 25/05/2026 23:16

That’s a real shame if it was going well and you had high hopes for it 😞. I think it’s a fundamental incompatibility.

TenTenTenAgain · 25/05/2026 23:17

You feel uneasy op , that's your cue to stop dating him.

It's actually irrelevant what has made you feel this way , the fact is that your mind and body are warning you about this man. Please listen to your intuition , and if you have a history of ignoring gut feelings then please explore this more.

Sodthesystem · 25/05/2026 23:17

Even him knowing that you have some issues to work through puts you at risk potentially. Please don’t tell me you told him about an abusive ex or family situation or sexual assault or anything along those lines. Because you shouldn’t ever tell a guy about that stuff early on, it keeps the rotten ones holding on extra tight becuase they don’t see a survivor, they see a potential victim who has already been one in the past so is hopefully susceptible again.

ChaliceinWonderland · 25/05/2026 23:20

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/05/2026 20:27

“I’m sexually aroused when inflicting pain on women”.

Bye.

This

UnderstatedMe · 25/05/2026 23:20

Perhaps he wants you to be dominant?

LeebLeefuhLurve · 25/05/2026 23:20

I agree that it's worrying that he has mentioned sadism knowing that you are vulnerable. I don't know the extent of your issues, nor do we need to know, but information like this can be gold dust for wrong'un men. He could find no shortage of people on places like Fetlife, but chose not to.

Fetishes, paraphillias etc can't just be folded and put away like laundry. You will say you're not into it, he'll say fine, then a few weeks/months later, he'll bring it up again, I guarantee it. I wouldn't be surprised if he tells you to listen to Dan Savage and his 'good, giving and game' bollocks, or starts gently negging you about being 'vanilla' - someone with strong boundaries in place about this will tell him to do one. A vulnerable person often feels they have something to prove with a romantic partner.

Please be careful, and as a PP said, he's 100% looking at violent porn that will disabuse you of the notion he is the most gentle person you've ever met.

Whataflippincircus · 25/05/2026 23:20

Jellox · 25/05/2026 23:14

I disagree I think that posters spot on.

OP barely knows him after only 3 months.

To suggest that they’re anything serious or that she truly knows anything about him is quite naive.

Him telling her he’s a sadist is the big news here.

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 25/05/2026 23:21

ByGraptharsHammer · 25/05/2026 22:13

It is how he gets that need met that speaks to his character. He doesn’t sound good to me. The OP says she has some problems. There is some vulnerability there. This man can easily get his needs met, but has chosen her.

Your post was unbelievably about yourself. Really. No one needs to know that much about your preferences or why you like it. Tone deaf

"Your post was unbelievably about yourself. Really. No one needs to know that much about your preferences or why you like it. Tone deaf"

Yes really, so self centredConfused

Daybydayhour · 25/05/2026 23:23

Whataflippincircus · 25/05/2026 22:55

If he enjoys inflicting pain, he is not the most gentle person you’ve ever met. He’s told you loud and clear that he’s a sadist.

FFS, get out now before he hurts you.

This. Sadism literally means you enjoy inflicting pain on others. Run. Yesterday. Why are you even adding this to your things you are working through.

Jellox · 25/05/2026 23:25

Whataflippincircus · 25/05/2026 23:20

Him telling her he’s a sadist is the big news here.

Edited

But OP is still saying how she’s so happy, he’s really good friends with his ex, he’s really gentle etc - after 3 months it’s not possible to truly know any of that.

That poster was just highlighting that she does not know him.
His ‘good’ traits mean nothing.

Northermcharn · 25/05/2026 23:25

Cabiwoca · 25/05/2026 20:10

Relatively new relationship (3 months). I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so happy although I have some problems that I am still working through, which he is aware of and agreed to give me space for. Maybe not the point but I didn’t want to drip feed.

He mentioned an interest in sadism this weekend, which I honestly cannot comprehend at all and which I am not happy to engage with. He seemed fine with it and said that he just hadn’t wanted to keep this hidden. We obviously talked about it for a bit but I’m still thinking that it’s pretty messed up and that no sane person would be interested in anything like this but maybe I’m being judgemental.

Is this something that people just talk about, because to me this is not a “normal” thing to be interested in and it worries me a bit. I understand that people have kinks and I never thought I’d mind but i immediately felt so uneasy.

Drop this one back in the sea, op. x

Circe7 · 25/05/2026 23:28

I find this thread really surprising given the popularity of 50 shades etc with exactly the mumsnet demographic. Not that I would advocate using 50 shades as a guide to bdsm. Perhaps it’s just that it’s more acceptable for a woman to admit to masochism than a man to admit to sadism.

I don’t know if this man is safe or not. Certainly he may not be compatible with you. But there are also plenty of men who are into bdsm who are safe (and in my experience far safer than supposedly vanilla guys who try to take a condom off in the middle of sex etc). What would be a red flag for me is him being willing to proceed without genuinely enthusiastic consent and a lot of negotiation or if he continued to push the idea once you had made it clear you’re not interested.

I’d say sadism is usually more about power play than getting pleasure directly out of causing pain. And a lot of sex has an element of power play to different extents. But the foundation, as with any sex, is consent.

When I have dated vanilla guys, all of them have been interested in low-level bdsm once they realise I am. They are maybe not getting off on causing pain in quite the way a self-confessed sadist might be, but they aren’t running a mile at the idea of “hurting” a woman either.

ChickenBananaBanana · 25/05/2026 23:31

Jellox · 25/05/2026 23:25

But OP is still saying how she’s so happy, he’s really good friends with his ex, he’s really gentle etc - after 3 months it’s not possible to truly know any of that.

That poster was just highlighting that she does not know him.
His ‘good’ traits mean nothing.

This is my point @Whataflippincircus partner implies partner in crime, life partner, my other half etc. It creates a vibe that it's a serious long term investment. This guy is so fresh on the scene in the scope of ops life she can't know what about him is real. I'm trying to focus on this as op is staying he's so gentle etc - anyone can pretend for a few weeks.

Northermcharn · 25/05/2026 23:32

50 shades is a book / film. People like books and films. It doesn't mean they want to be them.

ByGraptharsHammer · 25/05/2026 23:33

50 Shades of Grey is some cartoon that you can read tucked up in your pyjamas. The things involved in negotiating relationships with BDSM are complex but I do not ever think I have heard about a good one that starts out with someone vulnerable who is sad about the idea and is confused.

CaptainBeefheartspal · 25/05/2026 23:36

I think that by revealing yourself, he has seen a vulnerability in you that he might want to explore or even exploit. It sounds like you’re not interested in that so hopefully you can be upfront with him about your boundaries. If he tries to push them, then you know he’s exploiting you. Try not to let your happiness cloud your judgement and intuition. Intuition is our most primal expression of survival.

Ladamesansmerci · 25/05/2026 23:45

I'm a lesbian, but practice BDSM 🤷 We're very normal, have very normal jobs, and have a child. I have my issues (as does everyone) but I'm not into BDSM because I'm traumatised or unwell, or a psychopath. I just like it, it's truly no deeper than that. I'm more of a masochist (though will occasionally switch) and it's not really about getting off on causing pain. It's about playing with power dynamics and the thrill of being controlled/told what to do, etc, in a safe space. You can stop at any time.

I actually think it's positive he's spoken about it early. People who aren't in to BDSM don't get it. But BDSM is all about very clearly talking about your limits, informed consent, etc. Most people into it are very sex positive and are very open in discussions. If it's not for you, that's fine. There are lots of abusive men, and yes, some of these practice BDSM (so tread carefully, as all women have to in new relationships), but if you are with someone abusive, this will spill into other areas as well. The men I have known who are into BDSM have been better communicators when it comes to sex than other men by far.

Sodthesystem · 25/05/2026 23:47

Books aren’t real life.

Lots of people like reading about the arrogant prince or whatever, who treats everyone badly because he’s never known love or some other bollocks but in real life he’s a total monster who’s make your life hell.

I love Korean dramas with arrogant male leads. It’s fantasy. In real life the bastard would be out on his arse before he even finished the sentence. “Do you know who I am? I’m-“

In real life, sadists will seriously hurt you.

“I just wanted to be open about it” implies that he fully expects it to be part of your sex life too btw. It’s not like he said “I wonder if that’s ever something you might be into?”. He’s not asking permission, he’s telling you it’s coming. He may just do it during sex out of the blue and if you object it will be “oh but I told you that’s what I’m into”.

Circe7 · 25/05/2026 23:54

ByGraptharsHammer · 25/05/2026 23:33

50 Shades of Grey is some cartoon that you can read tucked up in your pyjamas. The things involved in negotiating relationships with BDSM are complex but I do not ever think I have heard about a good one that starts out with someone vulnerable who is sad about the idea and is confused.

Sure and I’m not for a moment suggesting that anyone tries bdsm for the sake of staying in a relationship. I tend to agree that it’s a fundamental compatibility if one partner wants it and the other doesn’t. It’s a hard impulse to repress long term.

But I just find the shock on this thread about a man expressing an interest in this odd. It’s like reading something from 20 years ago when I was very new to kink and it was talked about as a perversion practiced by damaged people (which has been discredited by multiple studies).

Anyone who has read 50 shades and was aroused by it must understand the desire to a bit even if they have no desire to do any of it in reality. And some don’t want to act out fantasy but plenty do.

If he had said he likes spanking and hair pulling it may still not have been for the OP but I don’t think anyone would be too worried about it. But those things are sadism at its tamest.

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · Yesterday 00:02

I mean if he’s coming out so soon and saying sadism I think he’s testing the water. It’s not gonna be a mild spank it’s probs gonna be tied to a St Andrews cross and getting flogged. To each their own, but I get the feeling it’s not your thing OP, and that’s okay.

I would leave if I were you because in my experience they tend to start slow and then suddenly there’s more and more and more and then you’re way out your depth wondering “fucking hell how did this happen”. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with kink, but I do think the way a lot of men approach it is very sneaky and a bit deceptive. The whole testing the water thing doesn’t sit right with me I think you should be open, honesty, and ideally quiet specific so the other person can make an informed choice - that’s how I go about it.

PlummyAndFruity · Yesterday 00:31

Language is important and this thread is interesting in that regard. Those who enjoy standard sex - and I don't mean just missionary, I mean sex where nobody gets hurt, are referred to as "vanilla", ie dull, boring, and those who enjoy masochism, sadism and any number of paraphilias describe it as a "kink" - such a playful naughty term, when in reality it's perversion.

You can easily see how language is used to erode sexual boundaries - shaming "vanilla" partners into accepting a "kink", whereas what's happening is shaming someone with a healthy sex life into accepting a sordid sex life. I can't see how any good can come of that.