In this reply, you have certainly cleared up that meaning, "I've been around." I am quite certain that phrase means exactly what it means here in the United States. "I've been around" phrase is Man Speak for, "I have been doing other activities that has nothing to do with you." It could be hanging out with his buddies at a strip bar, going to the game with his buddies, he could be seeing a local girl for all you know, he could be doing absolutely nothing. During every one of those possible scenarios, you are not a priority of his life during that particular phase when he is doing his own thing.

If he keeps telling you that, "I've been around." Especially when you do not communicate very often. That should be a big red flag to dump this guy. A true gentleman will make time for you and will tell you that he has been thinking of you often during your abscence of conversation.