Chip Chick
While he still sees Pam fairly often at work, his concern about dating her had nothing to do with the fallout if a relationship with a co-worker didn’t work out. He didn’t want to tell her the real reason he didn’t want to go out with her was her son and his horrible behavior.
Last week, the weather was glorious in their town. Two days ago, their management allowed employees to leave an hour early to soak up the sun, so he and several of his co-workers hung out at an establishment next door to their company. Pam was at the work hangout, and while chatting with him, she broached the topic of dating again.
When he provided the same reasoning as during their last conversation about dating, that he wouldn’t date a co-worker, she pressed and prodded, claiming she didn’t think he was honest about why he didn’t want to go out with her.
Pam questioned if he was uncomfortable going out with other single parents, and he assured her that that wasn’t the case.
“She kept pushing, and I was honest that her kid was too much. Not that I don’t think I could ‘handle’ a tough kid, but I have no desire to put up with that for a kid who’s not mine,” he shared.
From the research he’s done on ODD, it sounds like a lifelong diagnosis. He has no interest in getting himself and his child in a situation involving a child like that. Pam was furious with his views and yelled at him for bringing her child into the conversation, and she walked out minutes later.
The following day, he worked remotely and reflected on the discussion with Pam. He felt bad with how he worded things and wondered if he should say sorry. On the other hand, he pondered about not apologizing and pretending that nothing had happened.
What advice would you give him?
You can read the original post on Reddit here.
