This blog post is more personal writing therapy than a way to share (potentially helpful) insights. It has been a week and I’m still furious. But let’s start from the beginning:

Just 1 week before the Corona lockdown, a friend introduced me to a friend of hers, as she could see us as potential match. Let’s call him Manny. The three of us had dinner and a good time. Then the lockdown happened, and we had to spend months separate from each other in self-isolation. 

During that time, Manny and I zoomed a couple of times. We played board games online, laughed a lot and had fantastic conversations that lasted for hours. We talked about really everything! I loved it. He sent me flowers and a bottle of Champagne, which was such a sweet thing to do. Over time, he wanted to go into “relationship territory” conversations, which I wasn’t ready for. Maybe he thought I was being shy.

After the lockdown, he was one of the first people I saw, when I invited a couple of friends over for brunch. Again, we had a great time. Our first real “date” was going to the beach with my dog, followed by dinner, followed by a long walk. He came over to my place after the walk and we finally had “the conversation”. It didn’t go according to his plan. While he had made up his mind that we were already in a relationship, I had to tell him that I was about to move to Berlin. Maybe forever, surely for the summer. He was upset to say the least. Over the next couple of days we exchanged a few courtesy messages, but the tone was clearly icy. So far, none of this deserves a blog post. But then the WhatsApp exchange happened.

For context, a “Phantom” is a Rolls Royce car. Which really makes every single part of his message absolutely disgusting. Showing off the money (and showing me what I’m missing out on?), trying to make me jealous, referring to women and chics. Overall, satisfying every bad cliché people have of Dubai. Well done. The only take-away I can come up with is to make sure you know how your potential partner reacts in different situations, incl the ones that might hurt his feelings or put him under stress. This guy was the sweetest, most caring person. Until I hurt is ego and he turned into the most superficial macho I’ve ever met.

I never responded to the message. There’s really nothing left to say.