Excellent thread! Have been following this one and read every post, great job all (including OP). I didn’t chime in because the advice was all so great and insightful.
Now I will. I have done this behavior of either mentioning other men, saying i may go out with said other dudes “as friends” or intentionally tried to cause jealousy in my partner. (Yes, i have issues i am working through). Let me first say that someone mentioned she was seeing how she felt with another guy or lining one up. It was CLEARLY not that from original post. If she was doing either, she would do it covertly. The only reason to TELL you is gauge your reaction. Your reaction for something she wants to know... which could be many things.
I did this behavior because men are sometimes so hard to read because they are so logical, don’t discuss or show emotions much. I did it when I was curious, questioned or wanted to know his level of interest in, how much he cared (or didn’t) about the relationship. Of course this is a horrible technique. Not only is it immature but when he would react with jealousy while i got the answer i was seeking, it hurt his trust in me and damaged the relationship. If he didn’t react (as you didn’t) then I would take it as “he doesn’t care about the relationship, is not an invested in it as i am and doesn't care if i date other men.” Which of course would hurt me, make me distant and start to stray and see the other dude more until he did give a jealous response.
It’s a no win situation for the man when a female does this. I have stopped this behavior after doing it to the same person over and over for six months to “test him.” Eventually i caught on that it’s harmful and doesn’t prove anything to me other than i am behaving like a child.
My sidebar question is: if him not reacting is the best move (and i agree) and she is testing him for that reason, how can he show her he cares without her going to these extremes? How do men show their IL besides spending time with a female? I feel like it’s two different languages spoken.
OP, does your girl seems distant or disappointed that you didn’t react with jealousy?