Delusional Guy Assumes His Female Friend Is His GF For Over A Year, She’s Creeped Out

As tough as it may be, sometimes you just have to make peace with the fact that you’ve been friend zoned. Of course it’s disappointing, but trying to ignore the situation just makes you creepy and could even ruin the friendship for good.

A woman who went on one date with a guy she met at her climbing gym didn’t feel any spark, so she gently let him know she’d prefer to just be friends. Everything seemed fine, but a year later, he showed up with an “anniversary” gift. Shocked and confused, she turned to an online community to vent.

More info: Reddit

Being friend zoned is less than ideal, but it’s something you just have to accept, unless you want to come across as a creep

Woman suspended on climbing rope at indoor gym, reflecting on guy considering her his girlfriend after one date

Image credits: roya ann miller / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

One woman went on a less-than-romantic date with a guy she’d met at a climbing gym, but decided they’d be better off just being friends and politely told him as much

Text excerpt from a story where a guy considers a woman his girlfriend after one date, and she is horrified by an anniversary gift.

Alt text: Woman horrified after receiving anniversary gift from guy who considers her his girlfriend after one date

Text excerpt showing a woman describing lack of chemistry and frustration with a guy considering her his girlfriend after one date.

Text excerpt describing a guy considering a woman his girlfriend after one date and causing her surprise.

Text image with the phrase I had no idea I was unwittingly someone else's girlfriend, highlighting confusion after one date and anniversary gift.

Couple by a campfire at night with man considering woman his girlfriend after one date and giving anniversary gift.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The guy didn’t put up a fuss, so the pair kept up with the friendship, but a few months later, told her he’d told his friends they’d been dating

Text excerpt about a guy considering a woman his girlfriend after one date and the resulting misunderstanding.

Text discussing discomfort and coldness in a relationship after a guy became overly attached after one date.

Text excerpt discussing doubts about compatibility and ending efforts to initiate hangouts in a budding relationship context.

Text about a guy giving an anniversary gift after one date, confusing the woman who sees them as just friends.

Text excerpt showing a conversation where a guy misunderstands dating intentions and relationship status after one date.

Woman looking horrified holding a wrapped anniversary gift from a guy who considers her his girlfriend after one date

Image credits: dikushin / Freepik (not the actual photo)

To make matters worse, he then showed up with a romantic “anniversary” gift, which creeped her out even more

Text excerpt showing a woman horrified after receiving an anniversary gift from a guy who considers her his girlfriend after one date.

Text about a woman feeling disrespected after a guy considers her his girlfriend following one date and sends an anniversary gift.

Text about communication issues in a relationship where a woman is upset after a guy assumes she's his girlfriend after one date.

Text about a guy considering a woman his girlfriend after one date, causing her to feel horrified by his anniversary gift.

Text on white background saying a woman feels threatened and distrustful after a guy considers her his girlfriend after one date.

Young woman wearing pink glasses looks stressed and worried, reflecting on unexpected relationship anniversary gift.

Image credits: Getty Images / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The woman felt forced to reemphasize the fact that they were just friends, but the guy still wouldn’t get the picture

Text message expressing discomfort with someone considering a relationship too soon and asking for space after one date.

Text about guy considering woman his girlfriend after one date, with woman horrified by anniversary gift, discussing bad communication.

Text post explaining a woman clarifying she was not romantically interested despite a man considering her his girlfriend.

Text excerpt describing a woman feeling blindsided and annoyed after a man considers her his girlfriend and sends an anniversary gift.

Text describing a woman horrified after a guy considers her his girlfriend following only one date and sends an anniversary gift.

Text excerpt showing reflection on ending a relationship after a disappointing anniversary gift from new girlfriend.

Image credits: anon

After she vented to an online community about it, she updated her original post to share that she’d finally blocked the guy’s number to hopefully put an end to his dating delusions

Meeting someone in real life felt like a refreshing change for OP, so she agreed to go on a climbing “date” with a guy she’d met at the gym. After their casual climbing session, she politely explained there was no spark. Case closed, right? Not quite. Instead of moving on, the guy kept texting her, insisting he wanted to stay friends.

Over the summer, things took a bizarre twist. At a bonfire, he casually referred to her as his girlfriend, something she definitely hadn’t signed up for. Startled, she made it clear again that she wasn’t interested romantically. He agreed to “stay friends,” but still assumed her distance and lack of intimacy were just COVID precautions. Talk about delusional.

As the months passed, their “friendship” felt increasingly awkward. He was chronically late, endlessly gassy, and hardly compatible, even as a pal. Then came the cherry on top: an “anniversary” gift of a necklace with her birthstone. Confused, she reiterated they weren’t dating. His response? He thought they were together all along.

By then, she felt disrespected and, frankly, unsafe. Despite setting boundaries repeatedly, he ignored them and clung to his “more than friends” fantasy. Realizing communication wasn’t the issue (his entitlement was) she turned to netizens to vent and ended up ghosting him for good. 

Man with beard smiling casually outdoors, portraying a guy who considers woman his girlfriend after one date.

Image credits: Or Hakim / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

From what OP tells us in her post, the creep clearly didn’t understand, or flat out wouldn’t accept, that he’d been friend zoned. And it’s not like she led him on. So, what do you do when someone just refuses to accept your boundaries? We went looking for answers.

In their article for The Center for Anxiety and Behavior Management, Alexa Vernola and Dr. Cassandra Faraci write that boundaries are a way for us to communicate what makes us feel safe and comfortable. Even the kindest and most respectful presentation of these boundaries often leads the boundary crosser to take offense, however. 

If your boundaries aren’t being respected, it could be happening for several reasons, including not verbalizing them, apologizing for setting them, modifying or abandoning them when they face resistance, or only expressing them once.

New York-based licensed therapist, Kate O’Brien, says that you get to decide what actions to take when someone isn’t respecting your boundaries. Some of these may include recognizing that you can’t control others, setting limits and consequences, and checking in with yourself about how flexible your boundaries really are.

Who can blame OP for cutting off all contact with the creep? He obviously wasn’t going to take no for an answer; maybe this time he’ll take the hint.

What would you have done if you’d found yourself in OP’s shoes? Do you think she could have been any clearer, or is the guy just a deluded freak? Share your opinion in the comments!

In the comments, readers suggested the woman give the “anniversary” gift back, then ghost the persistent guy as soon as possible

Text post discussing how to clarify boundaries after a guy considers a woman his girlfriend after one date and gives an anniversary gift.

Text advice on handling unwanted relationship expectations, focusing on setting clear boundaries after one date.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a man considering a woman his girlfriend after one date and giving an anniversary gift.

Comment discussing a guy who considers a woman his girlfriend after one date and gives an unwanted anniversary gift.

Reddit advice on boundaries and dating issues after receiving an anniversary gift from someone not respecting limits.

Text post explaining how to firmly tell a guy you are not interested in a relationship after one date to avoid misinterpretation.

Comment expressing discomfort about a guy considering a woman his girlfriend after one date, calling it creepy.

Screenshot of an online comment advising to cut a guy out of life after one date and an unwanted anniversary gift.

Screenshot of an online comment stating that a guy who considers a woman his girlfriend after one date is not her friend.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment explaining a clear response to setting boundaries after one date with a partner.

User comment discussing a guy who considers a woman his girlfriend after one date and her horrified reaction to an anniversary gift.

User comment criticizing a guy considering a woman his girlfriend after one date and ignoring her consent, advising to block him.

Text advice on dealing with a guy who wrongly considers a woman his girlfriend after one date and sends anniversary gifts.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!