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Friends Say Man’s New Relationship Is “Weird And Creepy”, Hide Why They Really Disapprove
Friends Say Man’s New Relationship Is “Weird And Creepy”, Hide Why They Really Disapprove
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Friends Say Man’s New Relationship Is “Weird And Creepy”, Hide Why They Really Disapprove

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Not all friendships are bound to last forever. Sometimes, you must make a difficult yet necessary decision to sever ties with people you once happily considered comrades and confidantes. 

It was a harsh, sobering realization that came to the author of today’s story. After learning about the manipulative tactics and ulterior motives of two people he was once close with, he immediately cut them off without hesitation. And he couldn’t have been any happier. 

You will find the entire text below, along with some reader comments. 

RELATED:

    Some friendships aren’t meant to last

    A man in a checkered shirt looking distressed, relates to friends opposing his new relationship.

    Image credits: BGStock72/Envato (not the actual photo)

    A man was being set up to date one of her mom’s friends, an idea that his friends disapproved of

    Text about a man dating his mother's friend, involving age context and community club activities.

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    Text about Clara joining a club, her closeness with the narrator's mom, and frequent visits for dinner.

    Text about man's new relationship initiated by matchmaking mom.

    Text about planning a date after discussing with mom; involves friends and relationship concerns.

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    Text on a white background about friends opposing a man's relationship with his mom's friend.

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    Friends oppose man's new relationship decision despite family approval.

    Image credits: ChaffChampion

    As it turned out, they were manipulating him into getting back with an ex-girlfriend

    Text about friends opposing a man's new relationship, revealing reasons for disapproval.

    Text discussing reasons friends oppose man's relationship due to age gap and friendship with his mom.

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    Text revealing friends opposing a relationship due to ex's involvement in a romance plot.

    Text about a past relationship ending and moving on, relating to friends opposing a man's new relationship.

    Text recounting a man's experience with friends opposing his new relationship.

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    Text message excerpt about friendship and distancing from an ex's influence.

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    Text about enjoying a date and walk, related to relationship issues with friends.

    Woman enjoying a dinner with wine, representing friends' opposition to a man's new relationship.

    Image credits: Albertshakirov/Envato (not the actual photo)

    He later decided to cut them off

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    Text message about a positive first date experience, with plans for a second date.

    Man blocks ex-friends after opposing new relationship, deciding on a clean break to avoid negativity.

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    The author has so far been happy with his decision, as he enjoys his new relationship

    Text about positive second date with chicken parm and cider.

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    Text about a man's new, confident, smart, and funny relationship.

    Text discussing mom's reaction to new relationship and friends' gossip.

    Text describing a man's decision to distance from friends after their reaction to his new relationship.

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    Text screenshot discussing happiness and relationships without drama.

    Image credits: ChaffChampion

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    Betrayal is a good enough reason to end a friendship

    Image credits: Jeremy Perkins/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

    The author likely felt betrayed after learning about the manipulative tactics of the two people he thought were his good friends. With betrayal comes the dissolution of trust and a good enough reason to sever ties. 

    As clinical psychologist and speaker Dr. Ariana Brandolini points out, trust is the foundation of healthy friendships that are difficult to repair when broken. 

    Some experts may argue that “minor betrayals” like white lies or breaking small promises may be forgivable. According to Austin-based therapist Melody Li, the offending person may deserve a chance if they show genuine remorse.

    However, a breach of trust caused by manipulation and deception is what Dr. Brandolini describes as a “gross betrayal.” In such cases, ending the friendship would be a healthy move. 

    “If they’re able to do this horrible thing to you in the first place, they probably don’t have your best interests in mind,” Dr. Brandolini wrote in an article for Forbes

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    Ending a friendship should be done with respect and tact

    Image credits: Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

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    Animosity and hostility are two avoidable headaches you would want when ending a friendship. This is why experts urge doing so respectfully, regardless of the reason for the break-up. 

    Psychotherapist Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS, has worked with relationship and trauma survivors. In her article Choosing Therapy, one of her top pieces of advice is to have a mature and sensible conversation with the individuals in question. 

    During that talk, Gillis advises going straight to the point. 

    “Sometimes being direct and forthcoming helps prevent avoidance or passive-aggressive behaviors and is often the fairest to the other person,” she wrote, adding that people can end friendships amicably. 

    There is also the gradual fade-out approach, which lets the friendship fizzle out by gradually limiting interactions. As mental health expert Arlin Cuncic, MA, explains in an article for Very Well Mind, it is like taking stitches out of a garment instead of tearing it apart. 

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    As Cuncic points out, this strategy prevents anyone from feeling hurt. She deems it a more effective strategy for dealing with a toxic individual

    In his story, the author chose the direct approach. As he stated, there was “no big fun drama,” which worked out well for him. 

    Most commenters showed support for the man, as some shared similar stories

    Friends discussing new relationship concerns in an online forum, sharing thoughts on manipulation and friendship dynamics.

    Friends oppose man's relationship; user suggests cutting ties.

    Friends opposing man's relationship in online comments debate about trust and reasons for breaking up.

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    Reddit users discuss concerns about a man's new relationship with his mom's friend.

    Comment discussing age gap in relationships and friends' reactions.

    Text from online thread discussing a man's new relationship and friends' opposition.

    Comment discussing friends opposing a man's new relationship, encouraging him to enjoy his date.

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    Comment text discussing a man's relationship and friends' reaction.

    Comment advising man on relationship issues, mentioning age differences.

    Forum comment about age difference in relationships and unsupportive friends.

    Comment on relationship age differences, mentioning family couples where the wife is older.

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    Comment discussing handling advice related to a new relationship.

    Text comment discussing experiences with dating older women.

    Text comment discussing friends opposing a relationship, mentioning age difference and questioning their friendship.

    Comment about friends opposing a man's new relationship, mentioning maturity and loyalty to an ex.

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    Comment celebrating a man's new relationship and fresh start.

    Comment by user applauding boundaries in a new relationship.

    Comment about a man's relationship advice from a user, supporting his decision to move on.

    Comment questioning friend's opposition to a new relationship, mentioning maturity and age concerns.

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    Text from a social media post discussing issues in a new relationship.

    Comment about friends, relationship advice, and distancing from an ex-girlfriend.

    Comment discussing dating age differences and criticism.

    Text post discussing age difference in a relationship and its positive outcome.

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    Poll Question

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    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Read less »
    Miguel Ordoñez

    Miguel Ordoñez

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Struggling writer by day. Frustrated jazz drummer by night. Space Cowboy 24/7.

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

    Read less »

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Ilona Baliūnaitė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

    What do you think ?
    Tams21
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find it somewhat bizarre that anyone would have a problem with it. 8 years age difference isn't a big deal at all at that age and I don't get why her being his moms fiend would make the slightest difference. It's good that the mom and sister are being supportive but it's time to get new friends, I'd say.

    Bartlet for world domination
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cue BP posting a pic of a woman at least ten years older than the one in the story. And married :)

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    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom was 7 years older than my dad, they were married for 68 years when he died.

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    Tams21
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find it somewhat bizarre that anyone would have a problem with it. 8 years age difference isn't a big deal at all at that age and I don't get why her being his moms fiend would make the slightest difference. It's good that the mom and sister are being supportive but it's time to get new friends, I'd say.

    Bartlet for world domination
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cue BP posting a pic of a woman at least ten years older than the one in the story. And married :)

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Lady Eowyn
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom was 7 years older than my dad, they were married for 68 years when he died.

    Load More Comments
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