Currently I am looking for a flatmate to share my lovely apartment in the retirement community. The search has not been going particularly well. Mainly because I insist on sharing with someone over 30 and Irish, most of whom already own their own place. Now you can scream racism, but having lived on foreign soil for the last 5 years I don’t want to continue enunciating every word and using Jack and Jill language to communicate.
The finding a flatmate process is becoming a bit tiresome and I am seriously considering how I can afford the rent on my own: leaves versus toilet roll or even worse Lidl versus M&S. Last night all my fortunes changed. Viewer number 478 showed up at 7pm. Opening the door with my best, I hope you’re not a freak face I was rendered speechless. Standing in front of me was the most stunning man I have ever seen in real life. He was so perfect I almost bent down to chisel a bit off his toe, just to check he was real.
Now he wasn’t Calvin Klein ad gorgeous more big stubble shaving guy ad – a blokey bloke; complete with sallow skin, hair that actually glowed it was so black and a slightly shy but cheeky smile that made you feel like someone was hugging your heart. At this point I had to slap my hand to my mouth to stop the pool of drool dribbling down my chin. Otherwise he might think I was as senile as my neighbours.
I stuttered a welcome and ushered him in to have a look around. He was just as perfect from the back as the front. Something I continued to check out as he bent over to check out the washing machine. Now the best thing about flat mate hunting is that you get to ask all manner of inappropriate questions – so I did. The basic info is that he is over from the UK, studying to be some type of doctor for kids - swoon. Didn’t get the exact details as my mind was occupied thinking of names for our first born son. He is single and still trying to find his way around. I would happily have given him a guided tour of me. When he’s not working he generally trains in the gym and boy did it show.
Eventually I ran out of legitimate questions to ask and had to let him leave. The sun may have risen and set around 3 times before I realised. Despite this he seemed genuinely interested in the place, if not me, which does create a dilemma. Can I really live with someone that gorgeous with hurling myself at him. It’s like working in a toffee factory and getting fitted with a set of railway track braces – temptation and disaster in one. I need to let him know by the weekend if the room is his. What should I do ?
On a separate but related point. To all the people who keep telling me to get out and meet people, that the man of my dreams isn’t going to come knocking on my door, well guess what – you’re wrong!
Assuming you are very drunk, in a dark room and squinting - a lot. Email me on Irishflirtysomething at hotmail.com
August 9th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Humn. I’ve always been of the view that you shouldn’t take a housemate who you fancy as it could all go horribly wrong - you fall in love/lust with them and then don’t notice you and you tear yourself up in knots when you hear them shagging someone else.
But on the other hand, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth?
August 9th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
LG - think me, gorgeous bloke and white wine will just end in tears, prob mine!
August 9th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Yup my instinct is don’t look a gift horse in the mouth Flirty. Give him a go and if it all ends in tears a few months hence well it’s all grist to the mill and at least you won’t be thinking ‘Wonder if I should have said yes’. Just keep the upper hand, that’s all, don’t let him take over.
August 9th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Nick - does seem selfish to say no but not sure how to maintain the upper hand? shall sleep on it, (the issue not the hand.)
August 9th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
He’s a cock-sucking, gym-going, Audi TT-driving, de-mattefying-moisturiser using, Motorola Razr using, zipper-sniffing, uphill gardening GAY!!!
August 10th, 2007 at 12:09 am
“He was just as perfect from the back as the front.”
LOL - I can just picture the scene… you in some floaty Japanese sliky number, ready to pounce, and him (Got bless him) with no idea.. LOL
Don’t you have a saying flirty that goes “Don’t get your honey where you get your money” or is it “Don’t get your meat where you get your bread!”… is rent = honey + meat???? Hmmm….
Ahhh, jump his bones!!! Think of the blogs!!!
August 10th, 2007 at 12:57 am
Don’t do it. So many reasons why. Awkwardness being the most obvious, and meeting girlfriends being another. Now aren’t I a little ray of sunlight?
August 10th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Ah feck it, go for it flirty. Life is too short and as Amy said - just think of the stories you could tell! ps. about the whole man of your dreams coming knocking on your door…it is true. Happened to me too but thats a whole other story.
August 10th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Akward Sm’akward! If it gets too awkward he can just move out, you’ll be back to where you are now (and closer to seasonal house moving season!Sept / Oct) and you’ll be left with fabulous memories!!
August 10th, 2007 at 9:35 am
It worked for Kate Middleton!
August 10th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Go for it, yes it could be a disaster, but on the other hand it could turn out to be the most brilliant decision you ever make.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Head says no. Heart says yes. Fek it, you’ll regret it if you don’t let him move in! My friend married a man that she met when he knocked on her door - he came to read her gas meter about 6 years ago and the rest as they say is history. GRAB HIM!
August 10th, 2007 at 9:49 am
I’m with Amy (comment 6) - You have to go for it. We, your devoted readers, deserve it.
This is all about us, not you, Flirty.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Really good post and you’re writing almost as if it is fiction. Dream man appears at your door and checks out your ‘washing machine’? Too good to be true. Remember though that he might turn out to be the gorilla in that Harpic ad running right now.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:24 am
When I read the first few lines of your post I thought “why does Flirty want to house share with an Irish minger over 30 when there are so many GORGEOUS foreigners out there?” and a few paragraphs later a hunky English paediatrician turns up on her door. At least somebody’s dreams are coming true.
Go for it. If he’s gay he could be your best mate, if not jump his bones. He might be taken, but you can always find that out in a discreet way.
A word of warning: doctors work very strange and unsociable hours and generally aren’t housetrained.
August 10th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Remember good lucking people generally have good looking mates…
Also as your the live in owner you can ask them to leave for any reason… although “he wouldn’t put out” could be hard to justify!
August 10th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Comment no 1 above really hit the nail - the last thing you want is to share a house with someone you like, and have to listen to and watch them bring a procession of girlfriends into your home. I don’t know… why not just be honest and tell him he can’t move in cos you fancy him? If he likes you, everybody wins; if he doesn’t, well you were never in with a chance to begin with then. Either way, you don’t want him living with you.
My advice to friends on the house-sharing thing is to be a bit business-like but to look for potential great friendships. You’re also highly likely to find love through an interesting new friendship than on a random night out in the pub. Unfortunately, it’s more of a long-term strategy with little up-front reward for the greedy inner child who wants her goodies now!
I know, I know, very boring and rational. Sorry!
August 10th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
DO IT!!!!
August 10th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
You’re going to feel tremendous pressure to look perfect every minute of the day. I don’t think I could cope with that.
August 10th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Bugger, some really good reasons for and against. The gay comment defo struck a cord. am waiting for divine inspiration.
August 10th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Slightly worried by the possible gay spoiler. Patterntastic sounds as if he’s on the inside track here and just KNOWS. But as Epona says he could still be your best mate. Difficult call. But don’t leave it too long as he may have been taken by some other knock-em-dead female looking for Mr Hotshot.
August 10th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Go for it Flirty!!
August 10th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
I think Brian has the right idea about telling him that he can’t move in because you fancy him. At least that way you know where you are straight away!
August 10th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
The operative word being straight??
August 10th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Flirty seriously, NEVER EVER share a gaff on a casual basis with a bloke! You’ll always need a girl to talk to at the end of a days adventures!
Tell Brian you’ll let him rent your bedroom… with you in it.
August 10th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I mean your renting dude, not Brian!! D’oh.
August 10th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Ahhh… Why not? You know it could end badly. But it could also be a lot of fun!
What the hell!!
August 11th, 2007 at 2:32 am
The fellah comes gift-wrapped and you’re hesitating?
Since when did caution enter your thought process?
You could always have a 3-month trial share, right?
Don’t let him get away!!!
August 11th, 2007 at 4:21 am
Call him and ask him out !!
Cue a few months of fun.
Bad idea to share with a guy you fancy (been there) but I did go house-hunting once and met the most droolingly fantastic Spanish guy. He offered me the room, I turned him down but offered something instead
Go for it.
August 11th, 2007 at 6:02 am
He doesn’t sound too much like the little bald fat man who is going to make you laugh.
Especially for the days when life, rather than being too short, is in fact much too long.
I don’t like him.
August 11th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Get him signed up to the Flirty lurve pad. If it all ends in tears we’ll send you some tissues and a big hug.
August 11th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Was in your shoes many years ago and hesitated for the same reason. We ended up flat-mates for 2 years and becoming great friends. I had a fabulous social life because he included me in everything and I met lots of his lovely friends. Your expereince may even be better. You only live once - you have to make the most of opportunities. No regrets!
August 11th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
So did I miss something? Did he actually want the room or is he going to let you know? I’m voting yes, purely because of the aforementioned potential reading material. Go on, you know you’re worth it x
August 11th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
If you dont want him then I’ll have him
Seriously think of his gorgeous brother(s) and friends!
August 11th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
What would I give to have a problem like this! (sigh!) Can’t wait to hear what you decided!
August 12th, 2007 at 12:40 am
Flirty!!! We (I think I speak for the crew here) demand an update!!!!
August 12th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Ohhh if you don’t let him move in then tell him to fly to Australia & he can rent my spare room!!!!
August 13th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Well this sounds like a delicious dilema. I’m jealous
August 13th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I wouldnt be able to say no but thats me! I love drama and it does usually blow up in my face…u would be surprised after af ew wks of living together u may see him totally differently or then again it could turn into something great!! go for it girl!!
August 13th, 2007 at 9:36 am
oh the more i think about it im green wit envy!! I had to find a house mate recently and just went with the first nice girl i met..now she is fab and we get on so well..however i think ill throw her out now and re advertise on the hope ill also get a hottie to apply!!
August 15th, 2007 at 9:13 am
[...] after MUCH agonising on Friday I eventually emailed Dr. McRide telling him he could move in. Now I realise he maybe gay, I can never wear my jim-jams outside the [...]