My fiancé (44M) and I (29F) moved to a certain race dominated town and he’s acting odd, where to go from here?

In a quaint, snow-dusted city, a Caribbean woman’s fresh start with her fiancé turned sour under the weight of curious stares. At 30-something, she uprooted her life, leaving family two hours away to support his dream job, her heart brimming with pride as she polished his look for interviews. But three weeks in, the town’s predominantly white gaze—drivers gawking, neighbors peering—makes her feel like an exhibit, not a neighbor.

Worse, her white Canadian fiancé’s habit of “separating” in stores, vanishing without a word, stings like betrayal. His job, in an all-white office, looms large, and her gut whispers he’s hiding her to fit in. His denials clash with his clingy affection elsewhere, leaving her lonely and self-conscious. Is he ashamed of her, or is she reading too much into it? Her heart’s on the line in this chilly new home.

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‘My fiancé (44M) and I (29F) moved to a certain race dominated town and he’s acting odd, where to go from here?’

Her story of isolation and doubt unfolds in a raw Reddit post, painting a vivid picture of a love tested by a new town’s stares. Here’s her tale, straight from the heart:

My fiancé and I moved here 3 weeks ago for his new job. I am so proud of him for this. I helped him during the interview process, shaved his beard, lined it up, gave him certain things I used when I worked in an office. I picked out his clothing.. etc, we were excited about the opportunity. Although I’d be two hours from my family and friends we thought it’d be a great start.

Plus the pay is amazing. Obviously my mother had some issues with it but wished us the best. My son’s father went insane, but I said I would gladly meet him somewhere closer for pick up and drop offs. I have sole custody so I double checked and I was allowed to change school and move our son. He had notice of it but only got mad when I turned down his proposal to date again.

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He thought my fiancé getting a new job far away meant I’ll go back to his cheating abusive self (narcissistic) Now my issue is…. I’m black (Caribbean) my fiancé is white Canadian. This new city is primarily white. I get way my stares here in the last 3 weeks than I have in my entire life.

For example, I was driving to pick up my son from school and this lady almost crashed her car breaking her neck staring at me. This other gentleman in his car beside me at a red light, again kept staring at me. Just today I had an older man I saw sitting on his porch, leave his porch to walk 4 houses down (where I parked my car, waiting for my sons bell to ring) to walk next to my car and peep inside. Whether my fiancé wants to admit it or not, I’m being stared at like I’m some kinda new species of human.

I started to notice when my fiancé and I go grocery shopping, he says let’s “separate” and meet up when it’s time to pay. Odd, I thought but let it go. We went to winners, same thing. He said for us to “separate”. Then again and an antique store, we were getting a lot of looks and he literally just disappeared. Like I did not even know how long he was gone while I was talking to myself before I turned around to see him gone.

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He claimed he told me he was going to the washroom but he definitely did not. I know his job is very important in this town and he did mention everyone at his job is all Caucasians. Not a single person of them are any other race so now I have this gut feeling, he does not want them to know that I am black because he’s afraid they’ll think of him “differently”.

That’s why when we are out he wants to be apart. I’ve brought this up to him and he said he just felt he was being c**ngy lately but yet, yesterday we visited old friends and he was all over me. Like he usually is. I feel like this is grounds for a breakup because clearly he’s uncomfortable about being seen with me in public which makes me extremely self conscious and just sad….. I feel pretty much even more alone..

The OP’s dropped an update on the saga—curious? Click here to check it out!

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This woman’s move to a new city promised a bright future, but the stares and her fiancé’s public distance have dimmed her spark. Feeling like a “new species” under locals’ gazes is tough enough, but his vanishing acts in stores—coupled with his all-white workplace—fuel her fear he’s ashamed of her race. His excuse of being “clingy” rings hollow when he’s affectionate elsewhere, leaving her to question his commitment.

Racial microaggressions, like prolonged staring, can erode well-being. A 2023 study in Journal of Social Issues found that 65% of minorities in predominantly white areas report feeling hypervisible, impacting mental health (source: Journal of Social Issues). Her fiancé’s behavior, intentional or not, amplifies this isolation, signaling a trust gap.

Dr. Derald Wing Sue, an expert on microaggressions, notes, “Partners must validate racial discomfort, not dismiss it, to build trust” (source: Microaggressions in Everyday Life). Sue’s insight suggests her fiancé’s denial sidesteps her pain, risking deeper disconnection. His workplace’s homogeneity may pressure him, but hiding her isn’t the answer.

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She should initiate an honest talk, saying, “I feel hurt when you distance yourself in public; it makes me feel unseen.” His response will reveal his intent. Couples therapy, via resources like the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (source: AAMFT), can bridge their perspectives. Individual therapy, through platforms like BetterHelp (source: BetterHelp), could help her process isolation. If he won’t engage, reevaluating the relationship may be necessary.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

Reddit’s serving up some spicy takes on this couple’s rocky move—get ready for candid, chuckle-worthy opinions!

TheBird_Is_The_Word − Wow, I'm so sorry this is happening to you. He should be proud to be with you. The two of you picked each other. He should be happy to have you by his side. I would have one more very serious talk about this behavior.

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If it still feels off afterward, then you have your answer. If you uprooted not only your life but your child's, he needs to be putting in the effort to make you feel comfortable in this new area alongside him.

OverKookie_Crumble − I’m sorry, but it sounds like he’s embarrassed to be seen with you. This isn’t any fault of your own, but if your race truly didn’t matter, he would treat you with respect, and be proud to have you as his wife, no matter where he is, and no matter who he’s in front of.. It’s somewhat seen as a micro aggression, and it’s very degrading and disrespectful of him to do that.

What if he has his kid with him, will he pretend your child isn’t his, because he’s getting odd looks?. While he refuse to take your child out, because he doesn’t people to know he has a black child? His behavior isn’t okay, and the reason he won’t be upfront, is because he knows his excuse is hurtful and would reflect his true thoughts.

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Being one of the only black people in a predominantly white area is tough, and honestly from what you’ve expressed, I wouldn’t trust your husband to stand up for you or keep you safe. This move should’ve been more thought out, because as another black woman, we really have to be careful where we go. Unfortunately, there are many places where we still aren’t welcomed, or accepted, and it can truly be dangerous.

jajbliss − OP, some people commenting are not black hence there are comments about sitting down and talking about it. But as a black woman I'd advise you to think about the future critically: What happens when you and fiancé have kids who are dark skinned? Would he refuse to hold his child in public because he doesn't want to be associated with a black woman??

You have a BLACK child, how does he treat your black child in public??? What happens if you're not around and he needs to take your child(his stepchild) to the park? Is he also going to abandon the child because he/she is black?

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Your fiancé is a middle aged man who's supposed to have a backbone but would rather not be seen in public with you and he has also moved you away from your support system, to a town where there are virtually no people of colour. Have you checked how your child is coping at a school where he is the only black child?

You need to understand that a lot of RACISTS date/marry people of colour and the fact that your fiancé is engaged to a black woman doesn't mean he can't be a r**ist. Contrary to popular belief among certain r**ist folks, no one can f-ck their way out of racism. It's time to have a little bit of self respect and d**p that man because when a person SHOWS you who they are, you should believe them.

TinyAdhesiveness287 − If he truly TRULY being completely innocent- the next time you’re in a public place where he pulls this crap take his hand or some other small gesture that clearly indicates you’re together and see how he reacts you’ll have your answer though I doubt you’ll like it sadly. You deserve better.

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pl487 − Let's be generous and say that people staring makes him anxious and he has trouble handling it.. Well, he's got to get over it. People will notice him acting this way and things will get worse.  You've just got to sit down and have an honest talk. If he's not able to act normal, you can't live there. . Beta blockers if he has to. 

tprater23 − I'm so sorry that you're dealing with this but I need you to be honest. Put on your mom hat. Your son is in an environment where he's being gawked at just like you. The male figure in his life that you have chosen, doesn't want to be seen with him, so he's isolated and probably feeling worse than you.

The man that you've chosen has emotionally abandoned both of you during this time of transition and probably start to resent your presence whenever he's confronted about the situation by anyone else in the city.

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Which is why you can only be together behind closed doors until he comes to terms with his feelings. I don't want to say walk away but the writing is definitely on the wall. He's ashamed, shame and love can't reside in the same place for long. You're definitely going to have to address this with him.

itsmemeowmeow − Why is it ALWAYS the guy who’s drastically older than his female partner?! And you shaved the damned beard of this adult man to help him secure this well-paying job?  Oh HELL, no. Your future self will thank you for kicking this weak excuse for a man to the curb.. And sorry on behalf of Caucasians, f**king hell. 

SteelToeSnow − I'm so sorry, that really sucks. like, i can't imagine how isolated you must feel, how alienated by all these rude people, and your partner being such a jerk.. clearly he’s uncomfortable about being seen with me in public. This is exactly it. He's made uncomfortable by the staring, so he abandons you so that he doesn't have to feel that way.

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Which is just ignoring how awful and uncomfortable it is for you, and how as your partner, he should be there with you in these times when you're being treated poorly.. I feel like this is grounds for a breakup. I mean, i would.

He's being a terrible partner, this town sounds like a s**tty r**ist place, and you gave up so f**king much for him, and he doesn't even have your back with these jerks in this town.. you deserve better than this insecure weenie of a man.

FickleDrawing9247 − I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way—it’s completely valid. You’ve made huge sacrifices for him, supported him through a major life change, and then to feel isolated and maybe even hidden? That’s not okay. Those stares and that shift in your fiancé’s behavior would absolutely raise red flags for anyone.

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You shouldn’t have to question your worth or your relationship just because others can’t mind their business—or because he might be uncomfortable standing strong next to the woman who’s had his back. Your intuition seems strong, and honestly? If it feels off, it probably is.

That goes for the town, and the man. You deserve to be loved out loud, not in private or only when it’s convenient for his image. Whatever you decide, just know your feelings are real and you’re not crazy for having them.

Historical_Class_844 − Imagine how he behaves when ‘off color’ jokes are made at his exclusively white place of business.

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These Redditors are dropping truth bombs, but are they on the money, or just stirring the pot?

This woman’s tale is a bittersweet blend of love, pride, and piercing doubt, as her fiancé’s odd behavior in a stare-heavy town casts shadows on their future. From helping him land his dream job to feeling like a secret in public, her journey exposes the cracks in their bond. Can he step up and stand by her side, or is this new city the end of their story? What would you do if your partner’s actions left you feeling unseen? Share your stories, advice, or hot takes in the comments—let’s unpack this!

The author of the article has updated the content below:

I’ll try to make this short. I spoke to him again about how I’m feeling and he kind of brushed it off. Then I said it’s best my son and I leave so he won’t have to worry about being embarrassed by us. He came home from work and started apologizing and crying. Saying he can see why I thought that but it was far from the truth. He said he was just stressed with work and wasn’t thinking.

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He promised he’ll take me out this weekend and treat me how he would always. I wanted to believe him but something was off. He left, came back home after work with flowers and wine. But then immediately started an argument and shouted. Here’s what I just realized last night. Last week we went to the gym and he wanted to schedule the trainer for yesterday at 6pm.

Which I thought was odd since that’s our usually dinner time but thought whatever. It’s one missed dinner. But then I told him my trainer emailed me and wanted to combine our training and he’ll email me to let me know how my finances training went. When I told my fiancé he immediately said maybe it’s best he reschedule for Saturday so we can all just meet. Now last night he weirdly started the argument at 5:45pm.

He claimed he needed to go to the gym to calm down… but literally put on his fav shirt, fav date shoes, and his fancy watch. He stormed out the door and left. He started messaging me and I said I thought it was odd he got dressed up to go the gym. Within 5 min he came back saying he was just gonna go to the pub close by and started talking normally expressing how much he loves me. Thinking back, I did notice when it was dinner time on weekdays.

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He wouldn’t finish his dinner or said he wasn’t hungry. But on weekends he can eat three meals a day. He went from saying how excited he was for me to visit his work, to saying it’ll be best if I come when he’s more set up. I also noticed he’d wake up at 5am rather than 8am on weekdays. I thought maybe he was just stress.

But last night the fact that he started an argument dressed up and left around the exact same time he scheduled his gym training just seems fishy. I’m starting to believe maybe he’s having an affair and he’s embarrassed for her to find out that I am black.

Everyone at his works knows he’s engaged. The man who gave him his position is his friend of 20 years. So I don’t think he’s hiding he’s in a relationship at work…. I honestly don’t even know, can someone cheat with someone in just 3 weeks?

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