This went on for several months. He would text me, I would reply, and at some point, I’d say “Shall we get that drink then?” He’d express interest but trying to make a plan was like pulling teeth. In the end, I’d let it go, assuming I’d read the room wrong. A few days would pass and then he’d be back with another question, “How was your weekend?” “What do you think of this article?” “Have you seen Russian Doll?” (it was 2019, okay?!)
Gen Z probably has a term for this kind of behaviour. Breadcrumbing, maybe. Benching, perhaps. But those terms only really make sense in the context of monogamy. When your relationship goal is to meet and “cuff” one person for a romantic and sexual relationship, any behaviour which skirts around the edges of this is going to be met with suspicion.
I’m not monogamous, and neither was this man. So why were we faffing about like this? Why not just be upfront about what we both wanted? Well, eventually that’s what I did. I told him I was enjoying chatting and I’d like to get to know him in person. I wasn’t looking for a pen pal. “What do you want from this?” I asked.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 12, 2023-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 12, 2023-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Ricciardo set for axe - and only has himself to blame
When handed a second chance in Formula One last summer, Daniel Ricciardo had his aspirations set higher than a paltry seat at Red Bull's sister team.
Sri Lankans vote today in shadow of political dynasty
Protesters who toppled the Rajapaksa government in 2022 are hoping for change, but two of the candidates are closely linked to the establishmen
Israeli strike in Beirut kills top Hezbollah commander
Israel says it has killed a top Hezbollah commander in a strike on Beirut yesterday, fuelling fears of an all-out war on the IsraeliLebanon border. Israeli military said that Ibrahim Aqi Aqil, who served on Hezbollah's top military body and was the acting commander of the group's elite Radwan force, was killed along with other senior commanders of the unit.
'The West needs a Russia strategy in place come Putin's inevitable downfall'
In the second part of his exclusive interview, freed dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza tells Tom Watling that the long-term security of Europe rests on a free and democratic Russia
Mother blames hospital for death of 'terrified' daughter
A young woman \"traumatised\" by a stay in a scandal-hit hospital as a teenager died after trying to take her own life years later, an inquest has heard. Melissa Parrish was admitted to Huntercombe Hospital in Maidenhead in 2009 for an eating disorder when she was 15 years old, but the experience left her terrified of being admitted to hospital.
Ninety-four-year-old dies after 'hugger mugger' attack
A 94-year-old man died after he was hugged by a mugger who snatched his bank cards in a bustling London town centre.
Work starts to build refuge after £25,000 donated by one person anonymously
The Independent is thrilled to reveal we can break ground and start building a refuge after an incredible response to the Brick by Brick campaign. Geordie Greig, the publication's editor-in-chief, thanked readers for their generous donations of £71,050 so far, including £25,000 from a mystery supporter.
'Trailblazing' film and soap.star Sylvestre dies aged 79
Actor Cleo Sylvestre has died aged 79, her agent has confirmed.
Cherie Blair: Abuser pushed me down the stairs in court
The KC reveals her decades-long commitment to victims of domestic abuse as she backs our campaign with Refuge
Starmer's five missions at risk of becoming impossible
For a party which won a stonking majority of 174 only two months ago, Labour's annual conference starting tomorrow would normally be a celebration. Yet Keir Starmer can't allow more than a brief nod to his landslide victory, which already feels a long time ago.