“You Demand too Much,” He Said
Let me tell you the story of a man I once knew. Let’s call him Jack.
Jack was the kind of man who had it all — a successful career, good looks, and a charming personality. For many women, he was the perfect catch.
In my years trying to find love, I thought I’ve seen it all — the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. But like any rom-com clichés out there, of course, I would say Jack was different. He was a breath of fresh air.
Or so I thought.
I met Jack at a work conference from a previous job of mine, and we hit it off right away. We talked for hours, exchanging stories and laughing over drinks. It was easy to see why so many women were drawn to him. He was charismatic and had a way of making me feel special.
We went on a few dates after the conference, and everything seemed perfect. He was attentive, thoughtful, and made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. But as time went on, things began to change.
Jack started canceling our plans at the last minute, citing work as an excuse. He stopped returning my calls and texts promptly. When we did talk, he seemed distracted and indifferent.
I tried to ignore his obvious detachment, hoping that things would get better. But they didn’t. Instead, they got worse.
On a not-so-fine day, I mustered up the courage to confront him about his behavior. That’s when he said something that shattered my hopes of a genuine relationship with him.
“You demand too much.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was this the same man who had once charmed me with his words? The same man who had made me feel special?
I thought he was different, but I’ve heard this excuse before. It’s a cop-out that men use when they don’t want to take responsibility for their actions. It’s not just Jack. I’ve heard it from countless men who are afraid of commitment.
The more I think about it, the more I realize how much damage men like Jack can do to women. It’s not just about the lies or the broken promises — it’s about the fact that they make us doubt ourselves.
I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t hit a nerve.
Was I asking for too much?
Was I being too demanding?
Was I expecting too much from a man?
But the truth is, I wasn’t asking for much. All I wanted was someone who would show me he was willing to commit to a relationship with me.
Is that really too much to ask for?
The problem with men like Jack is that they want all the benefits of a relationship without actually committing to one. They want emotional support, companionship, and physical intimacy, but they don’t want to be tied down to anyone.
But when one person is unwilling to compromise or communicate, the relationship is doomed from the start. And I know it’s not just women who suffer — many men like Jack are missing out on the joys of a committed, loving relationship, all because they are consumed by the fear of being vulnerable to a woman.
It’s a vicious cycle to be in. Men need to stop using the excuse of “women’s demands are endless” as a way of avoiding commitment. Women need to start believing in themselves and their worth, and not settle for less than they deserve.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we’re asking for too much or that we’re giving away too much, but the truth is, we’re not.
I think all of us will agree that no matter the gender, we are simply just asking for respect, honesty, and commitment — things that should be given in any healthy relationship.
I am not sharing this story to put men in a bad light. I know for a fact that Cupid has not been that good to them in modern dating.
I guess all I’m trying to say is that both men and women should never settle for less.
