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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Eleanor Gordon-Smith

I’m technically an incel but not a misogynist. Why aren’t women attracted to me?

A 19th to early 20th century painting depicting a woman in an elaborate pink dress, sitting at a side table. A man in a hat and long coat sits across from her
‘A big part of feeling attracted to someone is feeling they see you. Correspondingly, it’s very hard to feel attracted to someone if you feel they’re looking past you.’ (Painting: The Love Missive by Carl Herpfer.) Photograph: Artepics/Alamy

I am technically an incel, though definitely not misogynist. I like women and they like me, but not enough to want a relationship or to sleep with. On dating sites I am almost invariably rejected with: “You seem like a nice interesting guy, but sorry, I am not attracted.”

Before I put a stop to it, female friends would come to me complaining about their partners, and would expect (and receive) sympathy. Once a woman who had just found out about her boyfriend’s infidelity told me she was going to sleep around too. “Great,” I said. “You can start right here.” Immediately I got: “Oh no, not you, you’re too good a friend.” She went off with another bloke in our circle.

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