AITAH for getting in a relationship while taking it slow with another woman?

A man shared his confusion after a woman he had been seeing for months reacted angrily when he entered an official relationship with someone else. He had been clear about his romantic intentions early on, but she insisted on moving extremely slowly and building a friendship first, even rejecting his attempt to kiss her.

What complicates the story is her expectation that he would wait indefinitely without any romantic progression, while considering them more than just friends. His decision to date others after confirming their platonic status has sparked debate about boundaries, communication, and what “taking it slow” truly means.

‘AITAH for getting in a relationship while taking it slow with another woman?’

A man meets a woman six months ago and quickly expresses his romantic intentions.

She emphasizes taking things slow, rejects a kiss, and stresses building friendship first.

He confirms their friendship status, starts dating another woman, and eventually becomes official with her.

This situation illustrates a common mismatch in expectations when one person wants to “take it slow” while the other seeks clearer commitment. The man’s transparent communication—stating intentions early, respecting her boundaries after the rejected kiss, and confirming their friendship—demonstrates reasonable efforts to align on the same page.

Critics might argue he should have waited longer or interpreted “friends first” as an exclusive situationship, implying an unspoken agreement to pause dating others. This view often stems from romantic ideals where patience alone proves worthiness, yet it places unfair pressure on one party to indefinitely shelve their life.

Socially, these stories highlight evolving dating norms: many now prioritize explicit agreements over assumptions. “Taking it slow” typically means gradual physical or emotional intimacy within a defined relationship, not an open-ended limbo. By moving on after months without progression, the man avoided resentment and found compatibility elsewhere, reinforcing that mutual enthusiasm, not endless waiting, builds healthy partnerships.

Check out how the community responded:

Many users backed the man, pointing out that six months without romance isn’t slow—it’s stalled.

A couple of commenters acknowledged nuances, like reasonable limits on slowness in potential relationships.

Others added humor or straightforward takes to lighten the frustration.

The man’s choice to pursue a fulfilling relationship after months of platonic limbo reflects clear communication and self-respect, rather than betrayal. While “taking it slow” varies by person, indefinite waiting without mutual commitment often leads to mismatched expectations.

What’s your definition of “taking it slow” in dating? How long is reasonable to wait for romantic progression before moving on? Have you ever been in a similar “friends first” situation that went sideways? Drop your experiences in the comments.