kaliii is offline kaliii Post #1  February 12,2012, 1:02pm
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Hi! I need some advice, because I really don't know what I should do. I met someone on EH, we got through guided communication, shared our email IDs... and are emailing now. However, there are some small things, and they don't seem right for me. But I don't know. Maybe I'm just over-analysing things... which I tend to do. Or maybe things are really not right and I should tell him? But how do I find out what's the case. The thing is, I live in germany, he in the UK: I send him the GC questions first, coz hardly any of my matches makes a first step. It seemed all nice and compatible. But the thing is: I have a baby and he knows that. Now asked me to come over to the UK, rather in a flirty way, but also with some seriousness. However, I wish he had offered to come see me first, coz it's much easier for him to take the trip than for me. His argument was that I was the one who sent the questions first, so? But I don't think that should mena I have to every step first. Especially when he could think for himself that it takes much more planning for me to get there. And I would visit him if I met him in person here and found it pleasant to be with him. But I can hardly ask him to come over if he doesnÄt suggest it. It's just not appropriate in my eyes. Second, he asked me to put some more pics on EH if I'm ok with it, I was and did it. Then I asked him if he could add just one more head shot to his profile since there was only one and the rest distance shots. Instead, he sent all kinds of pics (about 20) to my email and said "oh, and I'm looking forward to yours" -- which in turn makes me feel awkward, coz I don't want to send pics to somebodys email ID who I haven't met yet. He then said, it's all about trust and he was just being generous, but said ok, then not. But I think he shouldn't have expected it in the first place or at least asked me if I'm cool with that. This way, I feel pushed into something I wasn't ready for. And so it is... there were one or two more smaller things, like he said, he thinks I'd take my time (about 2 years) with finding someone, but he doesb't want to take that long... but then again, this is my slow pace, and it feels weird if things have to go faster than I want. And he said, I wanted someone who knows what he wants. Yeah, sure. That's what I said but not on the cost of making others feel pressurized. Besides that we aslo had things that seemed to be very compatible - interest-wise. But right now I doubt if that's enough if there are already all these other things there. And maybe it will just go on like this, that he's always expecting more and doing things faster and I just can't keep up. That's what I'm worried about, no matter how nice he seems otherwise.
 
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emma_hazards is offline emma_hazards Post #2  February 12,2012, 3:58pm
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First a question--are you new to online dating? Is this the first or second person you've communicated with? If so, it might feel as if things move a little faster than feels comfortable. Either way my advice below stands.

It is perfectly reasonable to ask him to come to see you. You have a child. He is unencumbered. An alternative, would be to meet at some midpoint between the two of you, maybe Paris? In the meanwhile, consider Skype. Since you have misgivings, I would not go to the UK. My compromise would be France. That way you both have "skin in the game."

The photo situation? Whatever. I wouldn't read too much into that. Seems like a mild disconnect in communication styles and expectations. But I would trust your intuition. It rarely if ever leads us astray. I would pay attention and be cautious as I proceed. I don't know what the other things are that concern you. Can you share? Personally, I'd abandon ship if a man tried to push my boundaries or it seemed he might not respect them. I'm not really seeing that based on what you've said. So I would meet him in Germany or France, and then decide.
 
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Wiseman2 is online now Wiseman2 Post #3  February 13,2012, 2:00am
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This match is pushing the envelope and playing games to get everything on his terms. Why accommodate someone who just keeps asking for more and more...but who offers nothing.

There is a manipulative tone to his interactions. He can fiegn "comparability" with certain words and fake interest with some flattery and flirting...however his method is insincere. Why not choose someone more local who interacts in a less confusing, more sincere manner....Good Luck.
 
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TheThinker is offline TheThinker Post #4  February 13,2012, 2:53am
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kaliii wrote :
Hi! I need some advice, because I really don't know what I should do. I met someone on EH, we got through guided communication, shared our email IDs... and are emailing now. However, there are some small things, and they don't seem right for me. But I don't know. Maybe I'm just over-analysing things... which I tend to do. Or maybe things are really not right and I should tell him? But how do I find out what's the case. The thing is, I live in germany, he in the UK: I send him the GC questions first, coz hardly any of my matches makes a first step. It seemed all nice and compatible. But the thing is: I have a baby and he knows that. Now asked me to come over to the UK, rather in a flirty way, but also with some seriousness. However, I wish he had offered to come see me first, coz it's much easier for him to take the trip than for me. His argument was that I was the one who sent the questions first, so? But I don't think that should mena I have to every step first. Especially when he could think for himself that it takes much more planning for me to get there. And I would visit him if I met him in person here and found it pleasant to be with him. But I can hardly ask him to come over if he doesnÄt suggest it. It's just not appropriate in my eyes. Second, he asked me to put some more pics on EH if I'm ok with it, I was and did it. Then I asked him if he could add just one more head shot to his profile since there was only one and the rest distance shots. Instead, he sent all kinds of pics (about 20) to my email and said "oh, and I'm looking forward to yours" -- which in turn makes me feel awkward, coz I don't want to send pics to somebodys email ID who I haven't met yet. He then said, it's all about trust and he was just being generous, but said ok, then not. But I think he shouldn't have expected it in the first place or at least asked me if I'm cool with that. This way, I feel pushed into something I wasn't ready for. And so it is... there were one or two more smaller things, like he said, he thinks I'd take my time (about 2 years) with finding someone, but he doesb't want to take that long... but then again, this is my slow pace, and it feels weird if things have to go faster than I want. And he said, I wanted someone who knows what he wants. Yeah, sure. That's what I said but not on the cost of making others feel pressurized. Besides that we aslo had things that seemed to be very compatible - interest-wise. But right now I doubt if that's enough if there are already all these other things there. And maybe it will just go on like this, that he's always expecting more and doing things faster and I just can't keep up. That's what I'm worried about, no matter how nice he seems otherwise.
If you're going to engage matches long distance, you're going to have to be more upfront with what you want and also expect to do more planning.
At some point you're going to have to meet, otherwise what's the point of it?
Tell him your wants & needs. You can't be wishy washy about it.
If he's pressuring you too much, then tell him.
And yes, it's perfectly appropriate.
 
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Wiseman2 is online now Wiseman2 Post #5  February 13,2012, 3:10am
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This match is pushing the envelope and playing games to get everything on his terms. Why accommodate someone who just keeps asking for more and more...but who offers nothing.

There is a manipulative tone to his interactions. He can feign "compatibility" with certain words and fake interest with some flattery and flirting...however his method is insincere. Why not choose someone more local who interacts in a less confusing, more sincere manner....Good Luck
 
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kaliii is offline kaliii Post #6  February 13,2012, 4:37am
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TheThinker wrote :
If you're going to engage matches long distance, you're going to have to be more upfront with what you want and also expect to do more planning.
At some point you're going to have to meet, otherwise what's the point of it?
Tell him your wants & needs. You can't be wishy washy about it.
If he's pressuring you too much, then tell him.
And yes, it's perfectly appropriate.
Hm, no, you're getting me wrong. I even told him in one of our first emails that baby and I will be taking a trip, probably this spring and it could be the UK (coz I love that place). I haven't been wishy washy, but also told him that he's asking for too much too soon. See, that's my problem. If he asked to meet after having talked on the phone or Skype for some time (as the first reply to my post suggested) - fine! But this is a person I don't know expecting all kinds of things from a woman who has to do a lot of logistics before she can come and visit. Plus, my child will be involved and I need more time before I take him along to meet anyone. I told the guy all of this. Besides, I'm a bit apprehensive of him now, bec obviously he has no understanding of how meeting someone with a baby would be. It is totally doable, but the approach has to be different for me. And yes, if things feel good and right after a certain time of getting to know each other I'll be absolutely ready. That's why I'm on EH. But what I don't want is someone who's so quick-paced, then turns everything around and doesn't really ask me if something's ok with me or not. I'm not that kind of girl who likes to be pushed into things by someone who's over-eager. And by the way, as a man I thought or hoped he'd appreciate it a bit more that I'm not sending 20 pics around to online strangers' emails and that I'm taking good care of children, which should be anyone's priority who also wants to settle for a family. I guess, I've just aswered my own question.
Dear Thinker, you and he might have a similar attitude, but it doesn't make a match with mine. I'll have to tell him this so that he can move on and I might get to know someone who's still straightforward but a bit gentler and thoughtful.
 
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kaliii is offline kaliii Post #7  February 13,2012, 4:46am
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emma_hazards wrote :
First a question--are you new to online dating? Is this the first or second person you've communicated with? If so, it might feel as if things move a little faster than feels comfortable. Either way my advice below stands.

It is perfectly reasonable to ask him to come to see you. You have a child. He is unencumbered. An alternative, would be to meet at some midpoint between the two of you, maybe Paris? In the meanwhile, consider Skype. Since you have misgivings, I would not go to the UK. My compromise would be France. That way you both have "skin in the game."

The photo situation? Whatever. I wouldn't read too much into that. Seems like a mild disconnect in communication styles and expectations. But I would trust your intuition. It rarely if ever leads us astray. I would pay attention and be cautious as I proceed. I don't know what the other things are that concern you. Can you share? Personally, I'd abandon ship if a man tried to push my boundaries or it seemed he might not respect them. I'm not really seeing that based on what you've said. So I would meet him in Germany or France, and then decide.
Hey! Thanks for your reply. Ya... I've been thinking about it all. Those are mostly the things that concern me. It's also that I told him in one of our first mails that baby and me will be travelling this year, maybe in late spring but I have to get the little critter used to it. It's as if I'm already offering an inch and he's taking an ell. He could have just waited until the time's ripe and then asked me again, yes, or offered to come see me in maybe the Netherlands (that's between London and my place). Other matches I had were from the south of Germany and that also takes ages to get there. I'm cool with the distance but with anyone I'm communicating with I'd need more time. And when I told him this it seemed as if he had this strict agende of finding someone until then and then and other people are also dating after such and such a short time. Just I'm not other people. He should probably get a girl without any luggage who's closer by, that's what I've been thinking in the meantime. Thank you for your answer!
 
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kaliii is offline kaliii Post #8  February 13,2012, 4:50am
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Wiseman2 wrote :
This match is pushing the envelope and playing games to get everything on his terms. Why accommodate someone who just keeps asking for more and more...but who offers nothing.

There is a manipulative tone to his interactions. He can feign "compatibility" with certain words and fake interest with some flattery and flirting...however his method is insincere. Why not choose someone more local who interacts in a less confusing, more sincere manner....Good Luck
Not sure... could be. What I've rather come to think is that he just expects very different things and needs a girl who's all there for him. Which he might find. B ut he doesn't seem to have any idea that I can't cater for that right now. Such things need more time to develop, lots of patience, understanding and a careful way of communicating ( at least for me). And I don't see that with him. I'll tell him bye bye today, coz whatever the matter is, this is already a bad start and that shouldn't be. You're right, there are other guys who might be more compatible.
 
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Goomph is online now GoomphAdvice Member-Moderator Post #9  February 13,2012, 5:03am
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Welcome to the boards !

My first impression after reading your post (and please use paragraphs) was that he is too pushy for my liking. And you have a baby but he wants you to fly to him, obviously with the baby. Very inconsiderate and I am sort of uneasy at the thought going somewhere with your baby, especially across the border.

Based on your description of the events, and I might be wrong, I did not get any good vibes about this man at all. If you decide to go, which you should not, please be very careful. If he wants to meet, he should come and pay you a visit. That way you can arrange reliable/trusted baby sitting for your baby and be able to spend time with him.
 
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dovegirl is online now dovegirlAdvice Member-Moderator Post #10  February 13,2012, 7:43am
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kaliii wrote :
Not sure... could be. What I've rather come to think is that he just expects very different things and needs a girl who's all there for him. Which he might find. B ut he doesn't seem to have any idea that I can't cater for that right now. Such things need more time to develop, lots of patience, understanding and a careful way of communicating ( at least for me). And I don't see that with him. I'll tell him bye bye today, coz whatever the matter is, this is already a bad start and that shouldn't be. You're right, there are other guys who might be more compatible.

If the bolded is the way you feel about relationships (and there's nothing wrong with that), you might want to try to avoid long distance matches. Because to my way of thinking there is inherent risk involved in those kinds of matches, and you have to move outside of your comfort zone. Doing things like meeting earlier, sharing lots of pictures, compromising on costs/meetups are kind of par-for-the course with a successful long distance match.

You say you can't work that way because of your child. That's great that you are thinking of the childs' needs. But you should also consider what would work for you and whether you are being fair to potential matches my initiating long distance matches and then forcing them to come to you.

In your specific case I would say the guy is being manipulative and you should never do something that makes you uncomfortable. I just wanted to point out that you should also have realistic expectations yourself regarding how a long distance relationship works.
 
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