Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Sounds like most of the posters are women.
As a guy, here is my perspective. You are only obligated to respond and give the level of friendship that you want. However, many guys in similar situations will be open to and try to encourage the friendship to keep progressing forward. I understand that you are interested in maintaining the status quo (same situation as a lot of guys) but he isn't. Do not just ignore all texts completely and especially not the ones that express concern for you. That sends the message that you are not interested in a developing relationship AND you are not interested in maintaining friendship at the current level and will likely create that awkward work situation you are trying to avoid.
So here is my suggestion on what to do. Reply as often as you want to maintain the current friendship. If you get a "Are you okay?" text, reply "I'm fine. Just busy." That's all. If he presses you respond "I'm find. I'll respond when I have time." and leave it at that. If you respond when you have the time, but not others, it sends the message that you are interested in being friends, just not closer friends. You always respond when he escalates, because friends, even platonic ones, can get concerned for each other. But you only respond enough to answer his concern and no more. He isn't entitled to more than "I"m fine." This sets the level and boundaries that you want but doesn't send the wrong suggestion that you want less friendship than you currently have.
NP- I think this is the best answer so far. But the one problem I have is the fact that he keeps inquiring if she is okay. With my friends we'll wait for at least a week of no responses before asking if something is wrong. And if we see FB activity, we might not say anything and just assume they are busy. I think that aspect needs to be addressed in person "hey Larlo, I just wanted to let you know that if I don't respond, it's because I'm busy. No need to check up on me. I'll get back to you when I can."
Anonymous wrote:Sounds like most of the posters are women.
As a guy, here is my perspective. You are only obligated to respond and give the level of friendship that you want. However, many guys in similar situations will be open to and try to encourage the friendship to keep progressing forward. I understand that you are interested in maintaining the status quo (same situation as a lot of guys) but he isn't. Do not just ignore all texts completely and especially not the ones that express concern for you. That sends the message that you are not interested in a developing relationship AND you are not interested in maintaining friendship at the current level and will likely create that awkward work situation you are trying to avoid.
So here is my suggestion on what to do. Reply as often as you want to maintain the current friendship. If you get a "Are you okay?" text, reply "I'm fine. Just busy." That's all. If he presses you respond "I'm find. I'll respond when I have time." and leave it at that. If you respond when you have the time, but not others, it sends the message that you are interested in being friends, just not closer friends. You always respond when he escalates, because friends, even platonic ones, can get concerned for each other. But you only respond enough to answer his concern and no more. He isn't entitled to more than "I"m fine." This sets the level and boundaries that you want but doesn't send the wrong suggestion that you want less friendship than you currently have.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. We're both single right now. He's a really decent guy, I don't want to be harsh or hurt his feelings, but ugh, too much! He's treating me like a girlfriend and am absolutely not his girlfriend. I can't decide if he's just lonely and bored or if he's in to me. If its the latter, I'm getting super uncomfortable and annoyed that he's going to ruin a good friendship.
And he's not at all my type as far as dating goes. I'm not physically attracted to him and while he can be crazy fun, he's also a raging introvert. And has zero interest in having kids. None of these things are things I'm interested in for a potential partner.
Thinking the ignoring is the best route here and hopes he gets the hint. Not the most mature, and definitely passive, but I don't see the direct route as going over well, especially before this trip.
This is what we call a Beta orbiter. He's looking for a way in to your pants by being overly nice thinking that will work. As soon as you disregard his advances get angry and sit there and wonder why Girls don't like nice guys
+1000
Girls don't have to like betas they are not physically attracted to. One of his beta buddies probably gave him bad advice.
Anonymous wrote:
Give the dude's cell phone number to the chick who's 32 and starting to freak out.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. We're both single right now. He's a really decent guy, I don't want to be harsh or hurt his feelings, but ugh, too much! He's treating me like a girlfriend and am absolutely not his girlfriend. I can't decide if he's just lonely and bored or if he's in to me. If its the latter, I'm getting super uncomfortable and annoyed that he's going to ruin a good friendship.
And he's not at all my type as far as dating goes. I'm not physically attracted to him and while he can be crazy fun, he's also a raging introvert. And has zero interest in having kids. None of these things are things I'm interested in for a potential partner.
Thinking the ignoring is the best route here and hopes he gets the hint. Not the most mature, and definitely passive, but I don't see the direct route as going over well, especially before this trip.
This is what we call a Beta orbiter. He's looking for a way in to your pants by being overly nice thinking that will work. As soon as you disregard his advances get angry and sit there and wonder why Girls don't like nice guys
+1000