Losing someone you love can be painful and terrifying because it almost always happens suddenly and leaves a big space in one’s life. Grievers may not know how to deal with such feelings on their own, which is why they need support from their family and friends.
The problem is that some cunning people aren’t looking to be helpful; they only want to take advantage of vulnerable folks. This is exactly what one woman experienced after losing her boyfriend, when an old high school friend started texting her inappropriately.
More info: Reddit
Grief is a difficult thing to deal with alone, which is why people need authentic love and care during such tough times
Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster shared that her boyfriend of 13 years passed away when their apartment caught fire, and so she had been dealing with tremendous grief
Image credits: lifelong-angstt
Image credits: kuprevich / Freepik (not the actual photo)
After her partner passed, she randomly received a message from an old high school friend who gave his condolences and offered her a shoulder to cry on
Image credits: lifelong-angstt / Reddit
Image credits: Stockbusters / Freepik (not the actual photo)
At first, the man was just sharing about how he got married recently, but then he tried to get the poster to meet him and go for a drive
Image credits: lifelong-angstt / Reddit
The woman thought it was inappropriate for the man to be texting her like that, but she was also not sure if she was overreacting to his behavior or not
The poster was obviously not in the mood to socialize with people or entertain a budding romance, as her partner of more than a decade had tragically passed away. She was dealing with her grief and probably had to figure out a whole new way of life without him in it, which must have been painful.
Even psychologists say that grievers might find themselves in shock after losing their loved one. These feelings of numbness, pain, anger, or sadness make it difficult for them to carry on like normal with their day-to-day activities. In fact, it might even take months before they are able to feel a bit less disoriented.
The OP had recently lost her boyfriend and was still coming to terms with his absence from her life when she randomly got a text from an old high school friend. He started off by offering her support and his condolences, but things quickly turned weird when he kept pushing for her to meet him.
In normal situations, people need to simply check in with grievers and be a source of comfort for them, rather than push an agenda like this man was doing. Asking them about the deceased will give them an outlet for their feelings of hurt and pain. Cooking food for them or taking care of difficult tasks they have to do are also other ways to ease their burden.
Image credits: standret / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster quickly realized that her old high school friend hadn’t just reached out to be supportive, and that he seemed to have ill intentions because he kept pestering her to meet up with him. Even though he had mentioned his recent marriage, it seemed like he was trying to make his move on the OP, who had just suffered a tragic loss.
It might seem shocking that the guy would do something like this, but research shows that widows are more at risk of being taken advantage of. Some cunning individuals try to prey on mourners so that they can eventually obtain their money, while others might see a vulnerable person whom they can target romantically.
The poster was also baffled because her old friend was married and still trying to “link up” with her. According to relationship experts, the best way to deal with a married man hitting on you is to make it clear that you have no romantic interest in them and want to keep the connection platonic.
Since the woman already had so much on her plate, she didn’t know how to cope with her friend’s weird behavior. Folks advised her to cut him off and protect her peace, especially during such a tough time in her life.
What do you think about the man’s texts, and what do you think the OP should do about them? Do share your honest opinion.
Netizens were horrified by the man’s behavior and urged the poster to send screenshots of his texts to his wife
