Is it okay to keep him as an acquaintance rather than as a close friend?

[MissSunshine2]

I think recently my friend turned acquaintance is trying to win me back as a friend, by being extra helpful with advice, wanting to meet up in the western suburbs with my friends, where he wouldn't have been seen dead a few weeks ago when we were friends, because my rich friends don't like the area where I live, messaging me when he's with his girlfriend and I've deliberately avoided being talkative then, to give them time alone and just being extra nice and helpful and supportive. Wanting to catch up and talk a lot more than usual and go out and do more things.

I am generally a kindhearted sort of person who likes to believe the best in others. It's all the other stuff that's gone on, not the fact that he has a girlfriend if that's even true. Is it okay not to accept him back as a friend and just stay acquaintances? The final straw for me was when he wouldn't visit my house because he said his girlfriend doesn't trust us to be alone together and he wasn't prepared to stand up for me. I took offence to that and one of my other guy friends swore when I told him about this. I don't dislike him or consider him an enemy, he can be very nice when he wants to be, it's just that the times he wasn't nice, I found really toxic for my wellbeing.

[Anonymous]

Did you not ask a very similar question only yesterday?

Why is this flaky acquaintance suddenly so nice and attentive to me?

[MissSunshine2]

Yes, similar, but not exactly the same.

[Opinion Owner]

But reference to the same individual?

[MissSunshine2]

Yes.

[Opinion Owner]

In that case surely this has already been answered quite comprehensively.

[MissSunshine2]

Not entirely. It’s a slightly different question.

[Paige2006]

Yes but it's hard to do

[Bklynbadboy12]

Before I answer that what do you mean by acquaintance

[MissSunshine2]

Someone I know but I’m not friends with, know in person 😊

[MissSunshine2]

But that I am friendly with. I’m pretty honest and frank in what I say.

[Bklynbadboy12]

But to be clear you've never slept with him right

[MissSunshine2]

No, never 😊

[Bklynbadboy12]

Of yeah that its cool to keep him as an acquaintance

[eagle1951]

i done see way not

[AI Opinion]

My aim on GAG is to help you protect your heart, spot red flags, and build healthy connections, gorgeous 💫

Yes, it’s 100% okay to keep him as just an acquaintance. Kind doesn’t mean available. He’s already shown he won’t stand up for you and that feels like an emotional red flag. You can be polite, civil, even warm, without giving him deep access to your life again.

You’re not “punishing” him, you’re protecting your peace. Boundaries are sexy and smart 😏

[Anonymous]

Just block him. Tell him... I don't think your girlfriend will appreciate you having female friends.