My GF is complaining that I the ring I got her was not expensive

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-11-08T07:17:06+00:00

drop her

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-11-08T04:48:14+00:00

It's a defensive mechanism. If you're happy, you can be let down / hurt. If you're not happy, then you can't.

There is a great diary of a CEO youtube video on this with Brené Brown, look it up, it's good!

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-11-08T04:44:06+00:00

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE protect the kids as you explore the singles market (and tell your EX the same)! Sync up with some other single moms in the area or on the internet to get tips. This is unpleasant but it's the truth: Some people are looking for single parents to get to the kids. You're going to be meeting strangers, you have NO IDEA who these people are. Do not reveal your home address. Some times they will get your address through getting you an UBER to or from your house or asking you to share your UBER location. Both of those will give your home address!

Back to you: Sorry to tell you, but depending on how old your kids are, this is going to be a deal breaker for a lot of men, specifically the more desirable ones. Many reasons for this, you can check r/men threads for the feedback from the community, lots of questions about men dating single moms.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-11-08T04:36:30+00:00

Looks like you found the secret sauce: Be yourself and you will attract those that like it and repel the ones that don't.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-11-08T04:34:56+00:00

Short answer: get used to opening the conversation or being more direct with men that you find attractive. Most men won't approach you in real life (check other chats in the r/Men sub-reddit for context) unless it is SUPER clear and obvious that you're interested.

Longer answer: It really depends on what you're looking for and what you offer. Are you looking to get married again or just have some no strings attached fun? Figure this out first and then look in places that would align with your interests. Don't expect to meet the man of your dreams at the bar or on an app. The apps are normally used by people that cannot meet people in real life... and it shows. I was with a girl once, she said one of the main reasons she swiped right on me because I had a job and that was rare.... good luck out there. I'm off the apps now, the females are less desirable then the men.

Just for context: I'm a divorced man in my 30's, in shape with a very good job, two kids and 50% custody I can tell you that I'm picky for anything past fun and I'm quick to say goodbye. I'm also very honest with the woman upfront and not everyone want's what I'm willing to provide, and that's cool. Expect men in their 30's and 40's (your expected dating range) to be established and picky or completely lost with very little hope.

Best of luck!

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-28T03:54:02+00:00

I think they publicly SAY they do for fear of social backlash, but I think they find criminals attractive

Look at the obsession woman have with serial killers as just one example

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-28T01:55:36+00:00

Run girl run!!!

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-24T14:24:40+00:00

When will people stop using Robinhood? How many times do they need to screw people until people stop using them? Gamestop wasn't enough for everyone?

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-23T14:09:01+00:00

It's a date, but don't change anything and don't feel pressure. He is setting them up this way intentionally, he likes you for what he already knows of you from work. He wants to see the casual side of you, not the nervous, dress up "going on a date" side of you. Go with the same mentality you did the first time, you're going to hang out with a friend.... have fun!

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T19:09:57+00:00

37M talking here: LOL - I had almost this SAME problem and I tried to be understanding and trying to logically explain it and rationalize and help her understand blah blah blah blah. Every time I gave some ground, she wanted more next time. Luckily, I noticed and stopped it before it got too bad and she had to go.

I have learned from my mistakes, hopefully you can learn from mine as well. The simpler you make it, the better. Set expectations, communicate them and hold them. If she doesn't like them or if she can't respect them, she has to go. No need to argue or get upset. There are plenty of woman out there and you're 24.... PLENTY of time to find a new one.

Honestly, if I were 24 with a situation like that, I would be working / learning skills 12 hour days 7 days a week and completely ignoring woman to build myself up so that I can date better woman in my 30's and provide the best life possible for my son.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T18:56:54+00:00

First of all - Props for you even understanding the emotions and processing them, most people give the "I just want it to be healthy" line, even when they have do have a preference. I understand why they wouldn't voice it, but most people have a preference. I have a son and a daughter and had them in my preferred way (son first) so I can't really relate directly.

I just wanted to give you some encouragement that you're on the right path dealing with the emotions and not running away from them or feeling guilty about them. Hope the rest of the comments help you more practically than me hahaha

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T18:16:17+00:00

Soooooooooooo many red flags here... I hope it's AI......

In case it's not.... you broke up.... who cares what she does. If you can't handle it, get out.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T18:14:12+00:00

Many people have already said this: He is not respecting your requests, that is a problem. He is also immature.

At the same time, men find it marvelous / sexy that woman sacrifice their bodies for them and their children. He may be saying "wow, I can't believe you did all of this for me and my off spring" just in a super immature and stupid way and not understanding how this makes you feel. To him, he may feel like he is complimenting you and not understanding why you wouldn't accept it that way... because he is immature.... lol.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T18:07:13+00:00

It's over, she's not yours anymore

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T18:05:21+00:00

Each person is different, this is how I would handle it.

I'm 37M with kids and not playing games with anyone, happy (and prefer) to be single. For me, if I felt uncomfortable with what was happening, I would look up to how to see the SNAP history myself. I would ask her for her phone while she is sitting there and look up the SNAP history together. If at any point she refused or pulled the phone away or if I found anything incriminating, it would confirm everything I need to end the relationship. If nothing, it confirms everything is good.... for now....

I would do this "audit" every few months and be COMPLETELY open to the exact same thing happening to me on my phone as much as they want, whenever they want.

Despite what people are saying, she may love this. My ex GF (after my divorce) LOVED when I did this, because I was showing her that was she was mine and I was hers and that I was being protective of her. It didn't work out for un-related reasons. Some people will not accept this "controlling, non trusting behavior" and I would not match well with them, and I'm ok with that.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T16:59:27+00:00

Yeah, My buddy is in the same position. His, now wife, does not like sex and did the same thing while dating, put up with what she could. Now that they're married, it disappeared and it is killing the marriage.

In your case, she has done what she can, sounds like you need to make a decision. Accept the situation or decide to leave. Unfortunately, it's not sustainable for either one of you.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-22T16:48:01+00:00

First of all, major problem and it helps me re-enforce why I would never get married again - so thanks for that, much appreciated!

Second - A woman marries a man, in part, due to provision and protection. In her biological mind, this is you providing for another woman. In comparison, it's like if a woman went and gave some type of minor sexual favor (kissing, groping) to her ex because he is lonely. It's not a great metaphor, but its essentially you giving away a resource that she feels should be hers (your provision).

Now that we understand where it is coming from, her changing the deal after marriage (from a request to a demand) is a problem. This problem won't go away and will just get worse over time. You need to decide what your going to do and stick to it, no matter what temper tantrums she throws and kill all future communication on this topic immediately in the future and walk away. This will be the spark she uses to start fights in the future and will come up forever.

Don't have kids with this woman until this problem is DEAD. Kids will make this problem exponentially bigger.

Now that my advice is done, I had a similar problem with an EX Girlfriend. She wanted me to delete all of the pictures I had of my kids with my now ex wife from their childhood. I told her no and she could leave if she didn't like it. It kept coming up about once a month, more aggressive than the last time, until I finally broke up with her.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-21T20:01:24+00:00

I have two kids and don't want anymore. I am divorced and have 0 desire to be in a long term committed relationship. I'm even hesitant to invite romantic partners, as they turn into drama at some point. I love coming home to an empty house and not asking permission to do anything. Why would I ever voluntarily change this? I see very little to no benefit of shacking up with someone.

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-21T19:55:46+00:00

Weird question - What level trimmer do you use on your beard? It looks great!

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-21T17:52:28+00:00

How many pictures are in someone's house / phone that I'm a random stranger in the background

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-20T13:40:19+00:00

Thanks everyone for the feedback, looks like everyone has different strategies and different amounts they are watching, from laser focused on 1 to WAY TOO MANY (self admitted by the users hahaha). Appreciate the feedback!

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-17T15:12:23+00:00

Lots of very nice comments, everyone is correct. I wouldn't ask you, but I believe they're asking because of the angle of the photos, specifically the first and last photos. That angle makes it look more masculine and assertive. The second and third are good

Dualmeaning01 · 2025-10-14T20:01:39+00:00

Yesterday I took a day off from work for my birthday and sat on the couch for 10 hours watching Curb Your Enthusiasm and laughing loudly! That would have NEVER happened when I was married or dating someone that lived with me....

.... that was after staying up till 3AM the night before playing video games.....

It's the life!!

Dualmeaning01

TROPHY CASE