Dodging A Boundary-Breaking Bullet

I meet this guy on a dating site. He seems smart and nice enough, so I agree to go for a walk in the park with him then get dinner after and discuss what we’re both looking for.

It goes wrong almost right away. He sees me, and the first thing he does is hug me. I’m immediately skeeved out, but I laugh awkwardly and step away. We start walking around. He’s super vague about what he does for a living, he doesn’t talk about himself much, and the small talk is super awkward.

Eventually, he starts venturing into some really adult topics. I’m uncomfortable since there are families walking around the park — a lot of kids with their parents — and I’m starting to freak out. He then goes on to say something along these lines.

Guy: “Yeah, my ex said he never wanted to hear from me again, but I had already bought his Christmas presents so I just sent them to his house anyway. He just sent them back. Such a shame; I tried to be nice.”

This man just told me his ex said he never wanted to hear from him again. Then he told me he reached out anyway, breaking a clear boundary. What other boundaries is this guy okay with breaking?

I subtly text my brother asking him to call and say there’s been an emergency. I quickly dip out once I can.

Later, I see that this guy has posted on the dating site.

Guy: “Well, that didn’t go well…”

Guy: “[An interest that I mentioned] is so weird!”

And now he continues to reach out every once in a while, forgetting who I am and how hard he struck out.