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How would a man feel after crying at the presence of a woman?

I, 28F, was having a voice conversation in an online language exchange plateform with a 29M, we were playing truth or dare
I asked one of the typical questions: when was the last time you cried and why?
And he said it was a funeral of a friend his age, and started talking about how shocking it was. I said perhaps it was the first time you lost someone close?
He said no, I lost both of my parents and brother in very different ways. Logically, I asked how. He proceeded to tell me and when it came to his brother he choked up and said, I didn't think of it for a long time. I asked whether he needed to take a minute and he said yeah. He came back laughing and saying how could a silly game lead to such a deep conversation and that he just usually debates and has fun in this plateform. Turns out he debates about religion and I realized he believed in God and in the same things as I do in matter of life and death and had the same philosophy.
So then I started saying how they are resting in peace and rejoicing in God's mercy and how strong he is for his patience and I could tell he was crying the whole time even if he wasn't showing it. We spoke for 4 hours or so, and he was humming in agreement and expressed his gratitude several times, he even paid 5 dollars for me so I could become a premium member in that plateform as a token of gratitude. I was thankful obviously. And as we were talking and I was saying comforting things he started telling me how hard it was and how he remembers them picking him from school and he was struggling not to sob and I asked again whether he wanted to take a minute and he did. It was a long break. Then he came back and thanked me and said that he'd be there if I needed anything etc. The conversation got lighter afterwards and then a 3rd person joined and turns out he knew her, he introduced me to her then said he needed to go.
I sent a supportive message in private, he responded with gratitude. And the next morning I sent a message asking : Good morning... ! How are you feeling now?
He left it on seen.

I noticed he has been online in open rooms during the day, I didn't join. When he left I join another friend like the usual. Today, he was online as well, I joined another room (so he prolly saw me online and not joining him), I didnt wanna send another message so he won't feel crowded and obliged to answer. But still, I can't escape this situation for good.

For one, I felt terribly sad for him, I couldn't even sleep after our conversation that day cause I kept imagining the immense pain he's gone through.
I want to check up on him and don't want this connection to go, but at the same time, I don't want to pressure him and I also wanna protect myself of another seen message and feeling ignored.

I have a few questions that keep coming back to me:
1- Why is he ignoring me this way? Is he that embarassed or still processing the whole thing? Is he ever going to respond to me if I don't make the first (or second lol) move? And should I send another message (like: Good evening, how are you?)

2- How would men feel if they ever were in the same situation? Would they retreat as he did? And what would be the best way to approach them?

Thank you in advance for reading and answering !
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Punxi · F Best Comment
He’s not ignoring you....in my opinion he’s regulating himself.

Perhaps for lot of men, crying in front of a woman, especially a stranger; can feel like being emotionally “seen” in a way they’re not used to....taught to.

You didn’t just have a conversation, you opened a door he had kept closed for a long time.

The silence isn’t rejection for the most part...

It’s protection.

Honestly, the most powerful thing you can do is nothing leave the space open without chasing it.

What you gave him wasn’t just comfort it was a moment of being understood.

And that kind of moment doesn’t get ignored… it just takes time to return to.
@Punxi Beautiful. Truly beautiful interpretation of situation. Thank you so much. I'll do nothing about it and keep living my life while cherishing that moment in my heart.
Punxi · F
@AoNoSora 🙏🏻☮🩷
@Punxi It is hard seeing him online and not reaching out.
It feels like that moment of connection is lost for good. 💔

He associates you now with vulnerability in a negative way because he thinks crying in front of a woman is unmanly, so he associates you now with his shame of unmanliness.

Probably.

I wouldn't text further more. You texted once.

Don't avoid him, it's not your shame. He's the one that needs to work on that. Join the places you want to join. Don't let someone's shame limit you enjoying a platform.

I wouldn't reach out anymore. Men and people that want to talk to you, will.
@greensnacks Thank you for this answer and your insightful interpretation.
I will keep it in mind and leave it as it is. 🙏🏼
Ducky · 31-35, F
A man crying at the presence of a female tells one all they need to know about this topic. 😂
@Ducky It was a mistake, I am so perplexed about the whole thing I didn't even notice the difference.
I was supposed to write male and female, now I changed it to man and woman, happy?
This message was deleted by its author.
@ironborn Wow... that's really straightforward ! I cant think of blocking someone who opened up to me this way. But I get the essence of what you wanna say. So you are saying to just live myself and give myself a week of respite
@AoNoSora yes, the latter.
This message was deleted by its author.
Don't chase him, just keep your presence constant in a place where he knows that you will be and wait.

The ball is in his court now... though maybe try to avoid painful topics like that one for a while in the event that he does come back.
Oh. Of course I won't talk about it anymore. Thank you for answering.
hunkalove · 70-79, M
I cry a lot. Almost every day. But always in private.

 
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