I'm almost 40. He is 37.

Like about him: I'm attracted to him, he is intelligent, sweet person, good job

Things we enjoy together: board games, movies outside and at home, easy hikes, I think he would enjoy travel as well. We have similar world views.

Things that throw me off completely:
1. We went to a music show with my friends who invited us. The show was boring. Anyway he and I beat the crowd and walked out before my friends. They were few minutes behind us. He seemed to panic (it felt like he was worried he would have to small talk if he waited) and said my car is parked here, hugged me, and left quickly. I waited for my friends by myself and they asked where he was.

I asked him later on why he didn't wait for my friends and say bye. He said that he had no idea it was a social norm to do that.

  1. Another time my friends invited us bowling. He said that he does not have good hand eye coordination to join. I told him that no one is good at bowling and it was just a social reason to meet. He agreed to come then. He and I went for dinner. My friends called from the bowling place saying they could not get any open lanes and the plan changed to go over to one of their places to hang out. He then insisted that he will go home and that I can go to my friend's place.

  2. We went on a day trip and to this easy hike. There were these somewhat steep unpaved stairs there that go to a beach (you know the kind of stairs they have to get to a beach – a minor adventure). He said he could not do it and we skipped going to the beach. Finished the hike and went back.

  3. One time he wanted to play with a boomerang at a park. I enjoyed that but was hoping we would walk around the city get dinner after. But he got so excited to go buy cardboard to build a boomerang at home. The store was closed and he suggested we go home order in and watch a movie.

  4. He told me he had no friends to introduce me to. Like no one even in another city/state. But he was part of a book club and a movie meet up group and maybe he could invite me to that.

  5. I invited him to an art museum. He said he isn't into art and history but he picked something that he liked that was an art museum made out of Legos. I enjoyed it but it felt like he was very particular about the kind of museum.

I feel lost and worried. Usually most guys I meet are less rigid.

He is a nice guy. I do like him. But these things worry me.

I'm worried there are patterns here I should not avoid. But I'm also worried that I'm 40 and I better just decide to overlook things.

Advice?


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