Your advice please ilxors

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I'm female and recently ended a relationship with a guy who had a lot of emotional issues I couldn't really deal with. Since that time he's attempted to be friendly, but it seems he really can't handle it at this time, which is fine with me. I understand how he must feel.

Anyhow, i've indentified as bisexual for a long time now, however one of his best friends (female) has recently been making subtle hints that she'd like to perhaps test the waters re: starting some kind of relationship with me. Despite the fact that this ex of mine doesn't seem to be real interested in maintaining a friendship with me, I still don't want to hurt his feelings or make his life anymore uncomfortable than it already is.

So obviously, the question is should I keep entertaining the idea that I could have a nice healthy relationship with this woman or would it be mean and inconsiderate to my ex?

anonymous poster, Friday, 25 June 2004 02:24 (twenty years ago) link

Ultimately, your happiness comes before your ex's, when it comes to moving on; I'd look beyond that to "how would her friendship with my ex affect a relationship with her." She's probably heard terrible things about you: whether she thinks they're true or not, whether she credits the source or not, they're all right there in the pocket the first time you two have a major fight.

Tep (ktepi), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:32 (twenty years ago) link

The Amazing Miko conjures forth the predictory mists, inhales deeply and intones solemnly that taking the path to establishing a sexual relationship with this woman will only end up being more trouble than it's fuckin' worth.

I mean, sure, you should be able to get your freak on with whoever you want, but life's unfair and you're only going to make this guy feel like shit and that could end in ugliness.

Actually, hey, it's your call - can you handle this guy tearing him up inside and possible ugliness?

Mike Stuchbery, Friday, 25 June 2004 02:34 (twenty years ago) link

I agree with tep, I've been in a similar situation although not exactly the same. It'd take a lot of discipline to not drag out the dirt if things got heated.

x-post

E.S.P (ipsofacto), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:35 (twenty years ago) link

Killjoys.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:37 (twenty years ago) link

another possibility is that the ex will be happy for you that you're moving on. the person you've chosen to move on with might make them feel a bit awkward but you shouldn't feel bound by responsibilities to their feelings, especially if they've hurt you.

anotheranon, Friday, 25 June 2004 02:37 (twenty years ago) link

hahaha this is just too funny.

E.S.P (ipsofacto), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:38 (twenty years ago) link

Can we have a man post on this thread please.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:40 (twenty years ago) link

Well, how about a bit of a cool off period? Couple of weeks, minimum? I'm mean, you could go commando deep-cover covert dating before then, but I wouldn't go public for a few weeks if you hit it off with this girl.

Michael Stuchbery (Mikey Bidness), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:41 (twenty years ago) link

Can we have an honest man post to the thread please.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:41 (twenty years ago) link

Hey, what, I'm not being honest?

Michael Stuchbery (Mikey Bidness), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:42 (twenty years ago) link

I was just kidding around, sorry.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:44 (twenty years ago) link

I gotta say though, dating the female best friend of a fucked up male ball of emotional barbed wire isn't best practice, you know what I'm sayin'? I mean, you can be all 'I can date whomever I choose, screw the Ex', but you shouldn't be suprised when there's crazy bad fireworks.

That's cool, Colin.

Michael Stuchbery (Mikey Bidness), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:45 (twenty years ago) link

By honest man do you mean "Hey chick on chick action, rad, maybe I'll get to watch!"?
That ain't coming from this man. Not today.

Anyway, don't let your ex decide your future. It sounds like he's gonna have issues no matter what. Do what you want, you don't owe him anything. But don't, like, rub his face in it by making out with the galpal in the club where he and his friends hang out. That stings.

Huk-L, Friday, 25 June 2004 02:47 (twenty years ago) link

'Not today'

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:48 (twenty years ago) link

1) invite them both over to your large, well-appointed studio apartment
2) ascertain that both were, in fact, in dazed and confused
3) get autographs
4) recite:

YOU: I’ve been going through things, over and over. And I dissected it all, and looked at it a thousand different ways. [Same Sex Friend] - there’s friction between us for the first time in our lives. You hate me dating [EX] and you want me to sign off on this M-TV thing. [EX] - you and I hit a wall, because I don’t know how to deal with... your past, I guess.

EX: That’s a nice way of putting it. I’d have said the whole double-stuff thing...

YOU: I’m only going to say it once: shut up. Now - I know I’m to blame one way or the other on both accounts. With you, [EX] - it’s my fault because I feel inadequate. Because you’ve had so much experience, had such a big life; and my life’s been pretty small in comparison. And with you [SSF] - I know why you’re having such a hard time with [EX], and it’s something that’s been obvious forever, but I guess I just didn’t acknowledge it. You’re in love with me. You’re attracted to me. Just as, in a way, I’m attracted to you. I mean, it makes sense - we’ve been together so long, we have so much in common...

j e r e m y (x Jeremy), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:49 (twenty years ago) link

That's the other side, too: if you mean a relationship relationship, and you mean best friend best friend (and you like like her, yadda yadda), then you're talking about putting yourself in a position where every time you fuck up or piss her off, your ex is the one who hears about it.

Gold-plated foxfur pussy isn't worth that.

Tep (ktepi), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:50 (twenty years ago) link

Of course you're free to do whatever you want. But if one of my best (male) friends broke up with his girlfriend, and it was a difficult breakup, I wouldn't even CONSIDER trying to start something with her. That's just simple respect for that friendship. I used an example with two guys/one girl, but I don't believe the gender matters here.
I know that the situation I described applies to the woman you're interested in, and not to you, but like it or not, there's going to be a lot of baggage and hurt feelings and jealousy and possibly broken friendships among at least one of you (and possibly all) and you need to ask yourself if this woman is worth all that.

Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Friday, 25 June 2004 02:59 (twenty years ago) link

Have I misjudged the men of ILX? It appears I have.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:01 (twenty years ago) link

I think its a Bad Bad idea. What you have here is the "best friend taking his best friends recent ex rule", which you like, totally dont do (in my universe anyway), and just cos its 2 girls rather than girl/boy dont change that.

My opinion onlee, tho.

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:04 (twenty years ago) link

Have I misjudged the men of ILX?
Are the men of ILX known to encourage their best friends to go out with their exes?

Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:07 (twenty years ago) link

On the other hand, it's a relationship. Chances are pretty good it'll end in misery and hurt feelings all around anyway. Might as well get laid.

Huk-L, Friday, 25 June 2004 03:07 (twenty years ago) link

post of the day!

E.S.P (ipsofacto), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:08 (twenty years ago) link

And a huge weight off my mind, I might add.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:11 (twenty years ago) link

Wot - drink, shag and ruin, for tomorrow we post about it on ILX?
=)

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:13 (twenty years ago) link

That part went without saying! The post asks about a relationship. Christ, you can fuck the ex's mother and he'll get over it; but take her to dinner, and it's all over.

Tep (ktepi), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:15 (twenty years ago) link

come on, how many times have you been with someone for the first time and been thinking in the back of your head, "this is so good right now it can only end horribly."
Or: Why Horace Doesn't Date Anymore

xpost

Huk-L, Friday, 25 June 2004 03:16 (twenty years ago) link

(That would be a whole huge thread-drift, Huck, but as far as I'm concerned most of the problem is in assuming that "ending" is synonymous with "ending in misery." A lot of the misery is the stuff people bring in as an excuse to leave the relationship.)

Tep (ktepi), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:18 (twenty years ago) link

Do you think we're overanalysing it?

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:20 (twenty years ago) link

You were asked to, innit? =)

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:25 (twenty years ago) link

I suppose you're right.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:28 (twenty years ago) link

you shouldn't feel bound by responsibilities to their feelings, especially if they've hurt you

I don't understand this comment. It's as though you're saying it's okay to hurt someone's feelings if they've hurt yours.

E.S.P (ipsofacto), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:37 (twenty years ago) link

Don't do it. Any connection to him should just be severed. I'm sure it hurts him deep and to remember it at all will just be awful. You don't really feel anything for this girl as of right now anyway. You can find anybody else, just find someone new.

David Allen (David Allen), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:42 (twenty years ago) link

'Any connection to him should just be severed.'

That's a bit severe, surely?

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 03:57 (twenty years ago) link

*tries to work out if thats a play on words*

*brain complodes*

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:01 (twenty years ago) link

Give me three cups of coffee and just watch the wordplay!

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:05 (twenty years ago) link

Dude, not to mention that dating your ex's best friend would be seen as a K-BitchX0r act.

Michael Stuchbery (Mikey Bidness), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:24 (twenty years ago) link

the people have spoken!

E.S.P (ipsofacto), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:32 (twenty years ago) link

I represent the opposition. Go for it! To hell with the consequences. Deprive yourself of a potential relationship with someone you like to save the ego of an ex?! Pshaw!!

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:43 (twenty years ago) link

sorry, represent = reprazent

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:45 (twenty years ago) link

You can't go thru life denying yourself pleasure and a life to assuage the fragile egos of your exes.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:55 (twenty years ago) link

I agree. Im still thinking what sort of a friend is this supposed best friend to be considering this? Thats more the issue in my mind. But I avoid anyone who has baggage/recent ex's/issues/stuff still overhanging like the PLAGUE.

Which is why I never dated any gothbois I knew. Drama? Days of Our Lives got nuttin' on that lot.

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 04:58 (twenty years ago) link

If I'd just dated X instead of protecting Y's ego, I would've avoided years of pain with Y and had a nice fling with X in the 80's instead of 12 years later.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:09 (twenty years ago) link

hahaha

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:11 (twenty years ago) link

If there were an enforcable taboo on dating someone who knows your former partner (or is even 'one of their best friends')

a) Dating agencies would do much better than they do
b) Many of us would not be here (or we'd be someone else, spawn of the milkman, perhaps)

Momus (Momus), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:13 (twenty years ago) link

Also, there would be no Leo Tolstoy novels. Or actuyally, no, there would, but we would read them and go , 'that seems very unrealistic - or is it that they do things differently in Russia? Or at that period in history?'

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:14 (twenty years ago) link

(One's Mother, in her youth: 'Well, it's true he's the milkman, but at least he is not my ex-boyfriend Jeff's best friend, the head of the English Department at the University of Surrey. That would be an inexcusable faux pas.')

Momus (Momus), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:15 (twenty years ago) link

A: We're against the marriage in principle. The couple knew each other before they dated; and, worse, they had a mutual friend!

B: No!

A: Seriously! But wait, it gets worse! One of those mutual friends was a former partner of the husband-to-be!

B: Well I never!

A: Of course we won't be attending the wedding. Unless there's mint cake. I love mint cake.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:20 (twenty years ago) link

Hey nabbing yr best mates partner or ex is my rule, it doesnt have to be a universal rule =)

Some time ago, after much angst and deliberation, a friend of mine broke it off with her boyfriend of 3 years, with sadness but glad she did it as they needed to move on.

He went right out and started shagging some lil goth girly they all knew. She was LIVID. I did not understand this - she wanted to leave this guy, he was moving on, whats the problem?

If the girl had been this girls best mate it might have been weirder though. I think all in all, its context and levels of respect for various persons involved that come into play.

Also, if it's gonna put you off your game from all the angst why the hell bother.

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:20 (twenty years ago) link

nabbing = not nabbing, obv. Oh who cares.

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:21 (twenty years ago) link

Oh, that changes the entire meaning of your post.

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:22 (twenty years ago) link

Its late and Im tired. etc. =(

Trayce (trayce), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:32 (twenty years ago) link

Mum: Thank goodness I did not marry my ex-boyfriend Jeff's best friend, the head of the English Department at the University of Surrey. That would have been an inexcusable faux pas.
The Milkman: Wot? Wot's she on about?
You: Strewth, beats me, innit?
Milkman: Yer muvver's on 'er 'igh 'orse again. Speaking of which, come 'elp me reign up Dobbins. There's milk needs delivered!
You: Orroight, Dad. Cor strewth! See yer, Mum!
Mum: Goodbye, Rodge. Goodbye, Gav.

Momus (Momus), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:34 (twenty years ago) link

You missed on thing, Momus.

You: Aww, our ma, look!

(Cheetah does a backflip. They both laugh. Fade)

the music mole (colin s barrow), Friday, 25 June 2004 05:50 (twenty years ago) link

You can find anybody else, just find someone new.

Yeah, there's plenty of other fish in the sea, ya know. Why choose one that might cause some pain for someone who's feelings you care about (I assume you do, or other wise this wouldn't even be an issue) and massive inconvenience for you?

oops (Oops), Friday, 25 June 2004 06:33 (twenty years ago) link

don't think with your clit!

oops (Oops), Friday, 25 June 2004 06:34 (twenty years ago) link

Hang on, what this seems to me :

"testing the waters" = girl best friend (GBF) meets a bi girl (BG), as consequence of knowing a mutual bloke (MB). GBF likes BG, and thinks "if I was to have a same sex experience, I could imagine this girl would be a nice experience".

I think GBF is being disingenious offering a possible relationship at this stage.

If you (anonymous poster, are you any relation to adrienne poster?) want to GTB with this girl then hey fine. If a long term relationsip ensues, then that should be taken on on its own terms.

That's how it seems to me. I'm a bloke and reasonably honest.

mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 25 June 2004 10:33 (twenty years ago) link

Deprive yourself of a potential relationship with someone you like to save the ego of an ex?! Pshaw!!

That's why I said -- in the first response on the thread -- that the issue had nothing to do with whether or not the ex would be upset; it had to do with the way the situation stacks the deck against that potential relationship.

Tep (ktepi), Friday, 25 June 2004 12:34 (twenty years ago) link

Excuse me, but I made a post in the time-honoured ILX tradition of posting song lyrics as replies. And now I find that post has been deleted without my permission.

I own the copyright to this song, and to my post:

http://www.thelollies.co.uk/lyrics.htm#susan

I find it incredibly ironic that someone who is so proud of being the subject of a song as to boast so voiciferously on the "Here Is The Thread Where..." about having a song written about them, even going so far as to Googleproof the name of the author has objected to the selfsame song being posted.

He wants to be me (kate), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 14:38 (twenty years ago) link

I saw that thread on the Moderation page. That's gone too. blimey.

mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 14:44 (twenty years ago) link

I have asked about this on the Moderation Board.

I'm trying to find one single reason on the FAQ that warranted the deletion of my post.

He wants to be me (kate), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 14:53 (twenty years ago) link

If those lyrics are about a regular poster here, kate, then "there's a sort of responsibility not to be an arsehole or act destructively. Try to keep personal slams against other posters to a minimum" might come into play. But those lyrics don't even have any relevance to anonymous's question, so I don't know what the big deal is.

Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 15:45 (twenty years ago) link

The only person who has *ever* actually specifically linked that song with a specific poster on ILX, IIRC, by boasting about it on a "thread where I say..." thread, is the very person who asked to have the lyrics deleted.

He wants to be me (kate), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 15:59 (twenty years ago) link

the lollies???!@??!@?!@?!?@

Player Piano Gamelan (ex machina), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 16:01 (twenty years ago) link

kate do you like NOFX? your lyrical style reminds me of Fat Mike.

gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 16:08 (twenty years ago) link

There’s something wrong
With the kids in my neighborhood
They always listen to music
They disregard civil disobedience
They’d rather do what they’re told
They don’t drink or fuck off
They sit home, and read, expand their minds

There’s something wrong with
The kinds in my cul de sac
Their always goin to church
They dress well and they’re
Speaking articulate
They show eachother respect
They’re never late, don’t joke
Or break rules
They eat right, study hard
They like school

There’s something wrong


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