to be honest, narcissism is not at all what you describe. this is a person that lacks the self confidence and has issues with his own self image. He looks to others to tell him he's special not because he thinks he is, but the opposite is true, he lacks the ability to see his own positive traits in himself and his own uniqueness and bases all of his own self image on what others say. this is not what my understanding of a narcissist at all. Yes it is still behavior that is self directed and comes off as self absorbed but I believe a narc would believe themselves to be more important and superior in some if not many ways than other people and they have no doubts about it. I'm not stating this from clinical description but just based on what I understand myself, of what people consider narcissistic traits.

Now on another note I did just look up info on narcissism and from that article, true narcissism is rare. I had the feeling it was but this confirms that. someone that is conceited, self absorbed and has a superiority complex is not necessarily a narcissist though it does seem appropriate to say people like that are showing narcissistic traits.

But I would say in summary that you probably made a wise choice. whether a narc or someone as I described, lacking in a strong self image, both would be a bad idea to be involved with. He seems dependent on other people to make him feel good about himself and that's the last thing you need if you're looking for a mate on the same level as you.