A friend likes me and it's grossing me out, how do I stop the ick feeling?

[Stars12122]

I worked at a place with this guy for over 7 years. At first he had some really creepy behaviors like calling me everyday after work and walking extremely close to me. He would follow me out of work to the bus stop and I had to talk to him about these behaviors. He didn't see why it was such a problem, but very soon confessed that he liked me.

This put me in a bind as I sat next to him everyday and wasn't planning to leave my job at that time. I politely told him I wasn't interested and over time he stopped all the creepy behaviors. After a number of years we managed to become good friends. I moved departments and we would hangout with mutual friends.

However, two days ago he "confessed" that he still had feelings for me. I listened and politely told him I wasn't interested but would like to continue to be friends if he was open to that. My issue is that it totally grossed me out when he confessed to me. It grosses me out to think about it, I just feel sooo uncomfortable. He's not a bad person but I've witnessed him being apathetic, uncaring to others, he's open about being lazy, has always lived with his parents (he's 33), and he eats with his mouth open. He has other redeeming qualities that make him okay as a friend, but I'm so unattracted to him for all his poor social skills. How do I stop feeling so uncomfortable by the thought of it? 🤢🤮

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

He sounds toxic my opinion, distance yourself from him as much as you can
when he goes one place, you go to another, stop hanging out as friends
tell him you are seeing a guy and he needs to stop his behavior.

[Stars12122]

I agree that distance might be a good idea. He knows I'm not seeing anyone though.

My biggest question though is on the ick feeling. I just feel so grossed out when I think about it and I'm not entirely sure why. I know logically it shouldn't be that way but I still get skeved out when I remember it.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

@Stars12122 I wish you the best on this matter, he sounds like a stalker or creepy for sure

[driven159]

you need to not be friends and tell him to move on there will be nothing between you two

[Anonymous]

It grosses you out that someone finds you attractive and oh poor you whatever are you going to do to stop thinking about it.

Get a fucking life and stop obsessing over how some guy you don’t even like feels about you. Problem solved. 🤷‍♂️

[Stars12122]

Not helpful. It's not just "someone" like a lesson off the street. It's a friend that I've had for years and would like to keep as a friend. I don't want to feel like this but I do and I was seeking advice. Your comment was unhelpful.