Most of us remember Joey using the term “friendzoned” to describe his relationship status to Ross on the American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Since then, the problematic word has entered common use, particularly among heterosexual males when female love interests are rejected.
After taking the woman’s rejection personally, the guy sued her twice, claiming that she “traumatized” him and “damaged” his reputation. In 2016, a Singaporean guy called Mr. K. Kawshigan met Ms. Nora Tan, and the two instantly became friends.
As September 2020 progressed, it was clear they saw the partnership differently. While Mr. Kawshigan saw Ms. Tan as “his closest friend,” she viewed him as “simply” a buddy and was uninterested in a more committed relationship.
Tan suggested they spend less time together, saying they needed “boundaries” between them. She urged him to take on the same “self-reliant” attitude. Mr. Kawshigan took offense and hinted at legal action.
The guy allegedly threatened legal action against her on October 22 for “monetary damages deriving from negligent infliction of emotional distress and probable slander.” She told her pal through text that her “discomfort (was) genuine,” but he still issued an ultimatum.
She fears “irrevocable harm to her personal and professional ambitions,” as reported by The Straits Times, unless she “complies with his demands” to advance the status of their relationship.
Ms. Tan agreed to hire an attorney in hopes of settling out of court; but, after 18 months of negotiation, they were unable to reach a compromise. Mr. Kawshigan harassed her through text message, and she responded by bringing a lawsuit against him in court.
It became clear to Ms. Tan that she “could no longer cope with his solicitations for more participation and his refusal to respect her personal limitations,” so she attempted to cut off contact. He threatened to sue her in the high court for $3 million (£2.6 million) because she had broken up with him and caused him “trauma, sadness, and anxiety” by ruining his “excellent reputation.”
At addition, he filed a lawsuit against her for £17,8k (about $22,000) in the magistrates’ court, claiming that she had abandoned their efforts to repair their relationship.
He said he had to forego prospective financial and professional gains as a consequence of their contentious relationship.
Reportedly, he also sought reimbursement for the costs associated with his rehabilitation and therapy sessions.
However, the court found Mr. Kawshigan’s second minor claim to be “manifestly groundless and without substance” in January of this year, and the case was decided against him.
