What to text when he asks if you'd be upset if he dated around

When a man asks this question, he's not undecided. He's already thinking about dating other people and he wants your permission so he doesn't have to feel guilty about it. The phrasing "would you be upset" is designed to let him continue if you say no. He's not asking because he's torn between you and other options. He's asking because he wants both.

This is also a test. He's checking whether you'll accept less than what you want. If you say yes, he knows you'll accept being secondary. If you say no, he'll know you have a boundary. Neither answer changes what he wants to do, but your answer tells him whether he can do it with your approval or has to do it secretly.

A strong reply does two specific things. First, it tells him exactly what you're willing to accept. Not what you think he wants to hear. What you actually want. Second, it doesn't leave room for negotiation or follow-up questions. You're not opening a discussion. You're stating a fact about what works for you.

The reply should be short enough to send in one message. Long explanations make it sound like you're trying to convince him or that you're open to being talked out of it. He asked a yes or no question. Give him an answer. If it's no, you can add one sentence about what you need instead, but stop there.

Send your reply within a few hours of his message. Don't wait days thinking about it. He's asking because he's either about to do this or already is, and delay makes you look unsure about what you want. Write it when you're steady, not when you're angry or scared.

Once you send it, don't follow up. No matter what he says or doesn't say. If he doesn't reply or replies with pushback, that's your answer too. He either respects your boundary or he doesn't. You'll know within 24 to 48 hours. If he keeps arguing about why you should be okay with it, you're done. That's him trying to negotiate away your no.