Is it normal to have had sex with a guy 30 years older than me?

I'm 19. I just moved to a new city where I know absolutely nobody, and I have a really rocky low self-esteem. I posted online randomly JUST curious about NSA (no strings attached)/casual encounters meetups. I didn't expect to do anything, only see who was out there - there was this guy who responded to my post really nicely. He called me beautiful and all sorts of flattering things. He said he wanted to meet. I really didn't think I would do ANYTHING at all. I honestly didn't. So, out of perhaps (morbid) curiosity, I said let's meet after he kept trying to convince me to. We met in the middle of the night and I went to his house with him. I instantly felt uncomfortable the moment I got in his vehicle. I knew it wasn't what I wanted but at the same time I felt so guilty that he drove the distance and I felt...alone? I don't even know...I just feel sick and guilty and ashamed. I know that other girls have done things like this and have survived self-dignity, but I honestly hate myself right now.

I just can't understand why I stayed in the vehicle with him, why I even got in. I don't understand why I did that to myself. The second I got in the car, I could even tell that he didn't look like the pictures he had sent - he looked much older, much different...and yet *I* felt guilty and like I "owed" him just knowing that. I don't know why, god I don't know why.

Anyway, when we got to his place I told him I felt uncomfortable. He just kept saying nice things and saying over and over "It will be okay, it will be okay, just forget about everything," and he kept pushing my arms away and started to take off my clothes. I'm so mad at myself because I KNEW I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT, but I sort of just let it happen. I let it all happen and it was all in slow-mo and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't make it stop. I only said stop twice, but half-heartedly - I just kept letting it happen and letting him whisper those things.

The second it was done, I asked to go back home. I felt really numb and I still do - and it's just awful. He's 30 years older than me, I made sure he used protection, but I'm going to get tested anyway - I'm always paranoid about things like this, anything that could hinder me in life, I worry about.

He said he was clean, but if he's willing to meet strangers online and have sex with them, I could never trust someone like that - I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I LET HIM DO IT, WHY I WENT THROUGH WITH IT. I'm so mad and sad and gosh, it's just awful. I'm just horrible, or, at least, that's what I feel like.

Is it normal to have done this?
Is it normal to feel this way?
Is it normal to have let it happen?

Has anyone else done anything like this?

I just feel sick and want to know that I'm not a monster.
I'm terrified that somehow someone will find out - and at the same time I want to tell my own mom, like I'd confess things as a child and she'd tell me it would all be okay.

I know I didn't do anything awful; I didn't hurt anyone, but I can't stop feeling like an awful awful awful person.

Voting Results
68% Normal
Based on 41 votes (28 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • I'm sorry you were taken advantage of and you didn't feel like you had the power to leave the situation.

    This is going to hurt you for a while and you'll always look back on it with regret.

    When I was young, I'd got myself into a couple of situations similar to yours, but fortunately I escaped at the last minute where you didn't. Even still, I felt tainted by it and I can't imagine just how deeply horrible you're feeling right now.

    I want you to know that you should forgive yourself for not standing up to him. He took advantage of your naivete and he's a fucking slimeball. Don't blame yourself for not putting up enough resistance to him. He should have known better, especially at his age.

    You've learned this lesson the hard way and I know you won't do the same thing again in the future. If you are still having troubles with this in a few weeks, maybe see a counsellor to work through the feelings of guilt.

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  • Angel_in_a_Glass_Dress

    The age difference doesn't matter.

    It sounds like you were lonely and tried to use sex to fill the void. Even to the point of ignoring your own instincts.

    This doesn't make you a monster.

    It just makes you a woman who knows a little bit more about what she likes and doesn't like.

    So now, when you are faced with a similar decision you have experience to help guide you to an answer that's a better fit for you.

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    • JustDave

      As Angel said, the age difference doesn't matter. We all make bad choices occasionally in life. Learn from it and move on. Consider yourself lucky because things could have ended tragically. Please value yourself enough to not put yourself in such a potentially dangerous situation. Next time you may not be so lucky. You are worth it and have a brighter future to look forward to.

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  • chole

    There is a word for this in my language. Not the whole situation but what you are feeling: A sense of unreasonable guilt at your expense.
    Yes, it is normal for someone to be taken advantage of.
    Yes, it is normal for you to feel this way.
    Yes and no for your last question.
    I suppose this is almost how a rape victim would feel like. In addition, you probably felt even worse because it was almost, in a sense, "consented rape." You could have stopped this from happening but was too weak to. You were much too kind and continued the episode because you did not want to disappoint. Note that what I have just said was all my opinion. It does not reflect truth but is simply offered as suggestion. You want comfort but is too ashamed to confess. The comfort you yearn for would be a persuasion that you aren't tainted. An assurance that will "purify yourself" and rid of all the trauma. Locking this up may inspired hatred towards this man and disgust towards yourself. What will you do with all that? You may unintentionally hurt yourself or direct this hatred towards someone else. I assume that because I doubt you'd want to confront this man again. If you can handle keeping this in without deteriorating yourself, do so. However, if you can forgive yourself and stop yourself from self-abhorrance, move on from this, that'd be great. Do not allow a "next time" to happen or place yourself within these situations again. Wash the bad taste off your mouth and the after taste will disappear within time. Do not waste yourself in the shadow of this deceiving stranger. If you continue being repulsive of yourself, how can you expect to support yourself though this?

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  • WeirdMe

    ewww

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  • associate

    (looks like this is a very old thread actually... so I don't know who revived it - hope it turned out ok for the original poster)

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  • associate

    On top of all that, the age difference between a middle-aged adult and a teenage makes for a big power difference so that makes it even less consensual. Really, all the blame lies with him, not you. There's no reason for you to think about what you *should* have done because this guy was a predator... he should have treated you differently. You did nothing wrong. I promise.

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  • associate

    You said stop *and* he moved your arms... I really think it would be fair of you to consider this rape. Acquiescence isn't consent. He knew you were uncomfortable and he continued anyway, that's sexual assault. Either way, you did nothing wrong. I don't know if you could prosecute this (though it might be worth trying) but at the very least, please go easy on yourself. You aren't made dirty, evil or bad but the horrible actions of someone else. He's a scummy sleazebag.

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  • Dad

    Obviously you sound quite sincere.
    You need to accept it happened and move on.
    Why you went to him in the first place shows your naivety, and mixed emotions of not wanting to be alone.
    Try to control your sexual feelings, ideally meet some girls your age and start to form a network of friends.
    All is not lost from what has happened, people have moved on from much worse first dates.
    I'd ask you over for a 'chat', but I think you may be a bit more reserved on blind dates in future.
    Ideally go back home.

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  • DollyBoots

    I can say yes I have gone through the whole ordeal. N no it's not normal it sux ALOT n wrecks your whole self esteem): idk what advice to give you expect a big hug)): my boyfriend is supportive of me n always tells me it's not my fault :/ it's not your fault honey don't ever think that!! It's in the past just forget him! Forget the whole night n block it from your mind n move on. It was a bad one night stand n you shouldn't torture yourself by reliving the memories)):

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  • This is very wrong for at least two or three different reasons.

    And no, you're clearly not "awful;" at the most you're just stupid. Try to be more assertive next time, okay?

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    • A bad decision doesn't make a person "stupid" otherwise everyone is stupid. But you are right about the need for her to be more assertive.

      I disagree with Angel too. I think that age does matter in this situation because the guy has 3 whole decades worth of experience over her. He has the advantage and the power.

      This poor girl will feel like dirt for months now and she'll cringe for years whenever she thinks back to it. I believe she has suffered enough and will learn from this mistake. But what about her comfort, in the mean time? She deserves comfort right now.

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