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

Would you message him after a lovely holiday connection went quiet?

1000 replies

BigSpongyHelmet · 21/09/2026 14:04

Name changed obviously as I feel really pathetic.

Recently returned from a solo holiday, met a really lovely man on the Thursday evening (I went home the following Saturday), whilst watching a live band and we chatted for hours about everything and anything. It all felt really natural, he was a little shy but we had a lovely time and I felt comfortable when he offered to walk me back (near to) my apartment. I'd had a few drinks as had he and he asked if I wanted to link arms as I seemed a little unsteady...I probably was to be fair, I was merry but as I don't drink often, it probably takes me much less to get tipsy than others!

Anyhoo, the walk back was 20 mins, in that time we went from linked arms to holding hands, chatted all the way about our jobs, friends, holidays, the fact that we were both single, and ended up sitting on a bench near the apartment until 4.00 a.m. just chatting. It was so lovely. The next morning he messaged me saying he'd had a lovely time and could he see me again, we decided to go and see a singer we'd both talked about the night before, so I met him at 4.30 in a seafront bar, had a couple of cocktails, saw the singer at 6.30 and then he asked if he could buy me dinner. Ended up at the same bar as the night before watching the live band again, didn't stop chatting and laughing and we also had a couple of snogs (discretely, it was very dark). He walked me back again, took a bit longer this time as we were constantly stopping for a kiss, he was a gentlemen, didn't try anything else, walked me to my door, bit more kissing, said he'd love to see when he gets home and then he said he better let me go as I was leaving for the airport at 9 the next day.

He messaged me whilst I was at the airport, said how lovely it had been to meet me and he really wanted to see me again and he'd message/call me when he got home (he was there until Thursday last week). I responded to say I'd really enjoyed meeting him and I'd love to see him again....and then nothing. And still nothing.

I have to say this has really hit me hard and I'm almost embarrassed to admit that, I really liked him and I honestly thought he would get in touch. My friends are in 2 camps, some have said message him (mostly blokes), some have said you messaged last, you made your feelings clear and he DID say he'd message you once home. I have stopped myself from messaging him so many times as I don't want to feel like I'm prompting him, but I would have really liked to see him again. It could have been all bullshit on holiday but then why text me when I'm on my way home.

We're both 52 for context.

WWYD?

OP posts:
PestoPastaLife · 22/09/2026 18:57

Please come back to report on your date OP, we all want to know 😁❤️

jjW29 · 22/09/2026 19:02

RonaldDahl · 21/09/2026 16:24

I work in financial crime prevention, you can’t do anything with those details these days anyway. Chatting up a middle aged woman on holiday is not a particularly effective technique for ID theft!

Glad you said this,knowing someone’s age and first name won’t get a scammer very far! They actually need date of birth and surname.What does place of residence mean ? Address? Who gives out their address to someone in a bar on holiday

BigSpongyHelmetFanClub · 22/09/2026 19:03

I hope it all works out with Mr Lover Man. He sounds great and so do you.
Don’t bother responding to the nay sayers who think he’s trying to harvest your organs 😂

HB1625 · 22/09/2026 19:03

Just caught up on your latest updates.

Your holiday sounds fab. The man that you met sounds very nice. I'm glad you texted him. It's lovely that he not only responded positively, but gave you a quick call on your lunch break too. Pleased to hear that you've managed to fix a date for meeting up. I sincerely hope you have a lovely time on your date and that his company is just as enjoyable here as it was on holiday. Looking forward to the update. All good wishes and zero judgement (ignore the mn vipers!) 💐

LeopardPants · 22/09/2026 19:05

BigSpongyHelmet · 21/09/2026 15:40

Ouch, thanks for your kind words!

I would ignore that - sounds like someone is going to live a miserable bitter life!

somanychristmaslights · 22/09/2026 19:05

I’ve just read all your posts Op (not everyone else’s) and I say good luck to you! 😊Make sure you keep us posted, I’m invested now!

Chagalaga23 · 22/09/2026 19:08

I'd try him again - he might have had an accident or some kind of emergency

Gonners · 22/09/2026 19:09

BigSpongyHelmetFanClub · 22/09/2026 19:03

I hope it all works out with Mr Lover Man. He sounds great and so do you.
Don’t bother responding to the nay sayers who think he’s trying to harvest your organs 😂

I don't think anyone's suggested harvesting organs yet, but now that you've mentioned it I expect they will. 😂

BewareTheGurus · 22/09/2026 19:09

it's telling that people responded to the post where i asked a couple of questions, but not to the following post wishing luck and fun, which I repeat.

I had my reasons for asking, and had a similar experience. The person in questiion maintained that he was in a high powered position in an international bank. I believe now that it was most likely a scam, but one in which I escaped any damage.

Nothing weird about my questions. A lot weird about how things evolved for me personally, and I have no wish to discuss this further.

Oh, and to the person re counting tenners and licking their fingers, that made me feel slightly nauseous! This of all the germs running around a tenner. Eeeek

Edit - meant to add, completely respect any decision you make regarding what you do or do not wish to divulge, and I assume that this is zero!

Stay safe.

Chagalaga23 · 22/09/2026 19:10

Oh I just saw the post above mine - he's obviously got in touch. Have a lovely time and good luck!!!!

PinkEasterbunny · 22/09/2026 19:13

BigSpongyHelmet · 22/09/2026 18:00

Getting this excited? Am I? Yes I'm looking forward to seeing him but I don't believe I'm getting this excited

I’m definitely getting excited, and I’m not even invited (am I … ??)

MegJoBethandAmytoo · 22/09/2026 19:19

Chagalaga23 · 22/09/2026 19:08

I'd try him again - he might have had an accident or some kind of emergency

Seriously ?!

BigSpongyHelmet · 22/09/2026 19:21

PinkEasterbunny · 22/09/2026 19:13

I’m definitely getting excited, and I’m not even invited (am I … ??)

Of course you are mate, if he turns out to be a dick we can bugger off to the pub

OP posts:
HereWeGo1234 · 22/09/2026 19:22

Lovely story-hope it goes well ❤️

JeanSimmons · 22/09/2026 19:28

BewareTheGurus · 22/09/2026 19:09

it's telling that people responded to the post where i asked a couple of questions, but not to the following post wishing luck and fun, which I repeat.

I had my reasons for asking, and had a similar experience. The person in questiion maintained that he was in a high powered position in an international bank. I believe now that it was most likely a scam, but one in which I escaped any damage.

Nothing weird about my questions. A lot weird about how things evolved for me personally, and I have no wish to discuss this further.

Oh, and to the person re counting tenners and licking their fingers, that made me feel slightly nauseous! This of all the germs running around a tenner. Eeeek

Edit - meant to add, completely respect any decision you make regarding what you do or do not wish to divulge, and I assume that this is zero!

Stay safe.

Edited

I'm sorry, but you seriously think that it was the same person? That is unhinged. I think that some people both have main character syndrome and have watched far too many Harlan Coben series.

LongDarkTeatime · 22/09/2026 19:35

@BigSpongyHelmet hope you have fun when you meet up
Many moons ago (before everyone had mobiles) I had a similar holiday romance. Coincidentally he didn’t reply to my 1st message back either because he was also still on holiday elsewhere. We did meet up afterwards, it didn’t last, but a very fun weekend was had 😁
No regrets.
Enjoy yourself x

WigglywagglyWanda · 22/09/2026 19:35

Well i think Spongy needs to be very careful in case the yomp in the country leaves her backskuttled over a hedge and missing a kidney.

Spongy make sure you have your pepper spray handy

Flowerponyfan · 22/09/2026 19:38

I met my husband on holiday 36 years ago- go for it and good luck xx

Edamcheese · 22/09/2026 19:38

Come on your 52 not a shy 15 yr old. Just message him if you don’t you’ll regret it. So what if he ignores you, as you’ll never see him again. Some you win some you don’t.Just don’t sound too keen and keep it simple. Other posters have given you plenty of tips on what to say. .

BigSpongyHelmet · 22/09/2026 19:40

Edamcheese · 22/09/2026 19:38

Come on your 52 not a shy 15 yr old. Just message him if you don’t you’ll regret it. So what if he ignores you, as you’ll never see him again. Some you win some you don’t.Just don’t sound too keen and keep it simple. Other posters have given you plenty of tips on what to say. .

Seriously?! I give up

OP posts:
SmashThePatriarchy · 22/09/2026 19:42

Good luck! Hope the date goes well. Some people on here are off their actual tits aren’t they.

BigSpongyHelmet · 22/09/2026 19:44

SmashThePatriarchy · 22/09/2026 19:42

Good luck! Hope the date goes well. Some people on here are off their actual tits aren’t they.

😆

OP posts:
Pinky1977 · 22/09/2026 19:45

If he wanted to he would sorry end of , men chase what they want

Calliopespa · 22/09/2026 19:45

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 21/09/2026 15:57

Why was he there alone? Was it a holiday or work? I am naturally very suspicious of these things so my first thought is that he’s not actually single. I would have suggested phoning him rather than a message but appreciate that’s radical these days!

Derail I admit, but please can I ask about your username?

(Not yours op! It's already TMI!!)

Namechangefordaughterevasion · 22/09/2026 19:46

I really hope he is as nice as you remember @BigSpongyHelmet and the date goes well. .

I'm so invested in this thread. I really want to come back to it in a few months time and have it end

'Reader, I married him". Although TBF he sounds a lot nicer than Mr Rochester!

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.
Swipe left for the next trending thread