To point out a friend's mistake

[SunshineAngel]

Firstly please don't think I'm one of those people who pulls people up on spelling, grammar etc. God knows I'm not perfect!

But this morning, a close friend of mine (we're a group of 4, and all really close to each other) posted a Facebook status, saying she had a near miss, as someone pulled out on her. She included a bit of dash cam footage (which I personally think wasn't actually that bad - the driver was quite a bit in front, plus she was speeding, so if she'd been doing the limit it wouldn't have mattered.. but that's not the point).

She put in her post "Do people not know that the drivers who are ALREADY ON THE FUCKING ROAD have the right-away?"

I "sad-faced" her status, and commented saying "Hugs, hope you're okay! Think you mean right of way though lovely, hahaha xxxxx"

Now, we are close. It never crossed my mind that this wouldn't be an acceptable thing to put. We post funny things on each other's statuses all the time, with no problem whatsoever. She calls me out if I post a photo where I look a bit shit (I'm not the sharing type and only really post group shots, and I don't care what I look like in them).

I always find it quite amusing when people think a phrase is something completely different, and I genuinely thought she'd reply something like "Haha oh yeah I'm such a knob xx" because that's what we do!

Instead, she inboxed me saying how dare I embarrass her in front of her friends and family, and did I do it to feel good about myself, and prove I was better and cleverer than her. She said she felt bullied and wondered why she'd even be friends with someone who would do that.

I deleted my comment straightaway and said sorry, no offence meant, it was just a joke. And then I said I'd said something wrong for years and was eventually corrected and found it really funny (I always heard prima donna as pre-madonna and thought it referred to people who were famous before Madonna.. funny right!) so I though she'd find it funny too to learn what the phrase really was.

She has now BLOCKED me, and her boyfriend has messaged me saying she's in tears, and that I was a bitch for writing the comment.

Am I on another planet here, or is this up there with the biggest overreactions of all time?

I'm posting here as I don't want to get any of our mutual friends involved, and I can always trust MumsNet to tell me if I'm right or being an idiot!

I honestly can't see that I did anything wrong.

Also it's not like she crashed or was hurt. She was doing 37mph in a 30, and had to brake a bit faster than normal. Literally no harm done, and if anything she was the one in the wrong, though I'm aware that's not the point.

[EmiliaAirheart]

You both sound immature tbh.

[Icantthinkofanewname87]

Surely you did her a favor? It’s much more embarrassing for all her friends and family to see the mistake she made (and you’re right - it is funny! Not a big deal at all). What a drama queen.

[WarshipWarrior]

You do sound a bit superior and you chose a bad time. To her she was obviously really upset/shocked and genuinely felt she had a near death experience. It's not the time to pick up on spelling and grammar. Get a bottle of wine/chocs and go round and apologise. She'll be fine when she calms down but your timing sucked.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Blech she's a real speedy snowflake.. just carry on as you are! Maybe tell the BF she needs to get a grip!

But mainly just laugh it off. as she should have done. As you will have to do whenever anyone mentions it in real life...
... that and stop commenting on fb. Tis death to all sensible communication!

[AllFourOfThem]

I’m guessing she had a stressful morning and was looking for support from her friends rather than anything lighthearted. She’ll probably feel a complete idiot for her overreaction when she calms down or else she’ll never forgive you once this inevitably gets into the papers and she knows it refers to her. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Hesafriendfromwork]

To be honest, it was a shitty thing to do. You may have found it funny. She clearly didnt.

[Pardonwhat]

I’d just message her something along the lines of -

Hi, I can see emotions are probably running high. I thought one our usual jokes would have cheered you up. Obviously I miss read the room. This is a ridiculous thing to fall out over. Speak soon x”

But that’s just me. It’s daft. All of it

[user1474894224]

Maybe she already feels a bit sensitive about her writing and you calling her out on it was too much. It wouldn't have upset me but I have quite a thick skin. But it would upset some. If she's a good friend then a card apologising should help.

[Pardonwhat]

*mis-read

[Bringmewineandcake]

She has massively overreacted but it really, really wasn't the time to point out her mistake.
If you're that close she'll probably get over herself soon enough.

[FeckOffGraham]

She sounds very dramatic. It wasn't the best thing to write, but that reaction is very OTT.

Ywb a wee but U, but not U enough to warrant that.

[CTRL]

I dont think you did anything wrong...

It was obviously said in jest. It’s a shame she took it so personally but I can imagine it’s probably because she’s still shaken up

[SunshineAngel]

@EmiliaAirheart If immature means able to have a laugh (usually) and not take things too seriously (again, usually) then bring it in. I'd rather that than be a BOC!

[MindyStClaire]

I think your comment was a bit mean, it's not polite to point others' mistakes out in public. Her reaction does seem way over the top, but I'm wondering if it was the final straw? Have you done similar before?

Basically, a load of drama on all sides.

[AllFourOfThem]

@ Pardonwhat I assumed that was intentional!

[onanothertrain]

Why would you feel the need to do that to a friend? She's clearly had a stressful morning and was looking for sympathy (otherwise you wouldn't put that shite on FB). You both sound childish.

[shearwater]

It was petty and a bit shitty tbh. It's really rude to point out people's mistakes publicly anyway, but especially when they are a bit shaken. She does seem to be reacting rather melodramatically to misplaced humour though. Apologise and move on.

[Bluntness100]

Why post it on her wall and not privately. She was clearly stressed about the incident, why not just support her, why use the opportunity to point out her error publicly?

[Pardonwhat]

AllFourOfThem

Obviously it was

[confusedandemployed]

No I don't think you did anything wrong, and I agree that she massively overreacted.

[TulipsTulipsTulips]

It is a massive overreaction on her part, but you were a bit insensitive to correct her publicly. She may already be insecure about various things and her reaction could be stemming from that. If you care about her then I would apologise, give her a big hug and talk it out. However it sounds to me like you aren’t on the same wavelength so maybe the friendship isn’t worth the hassle...

[MySonIsAlsoNamedBort]

Sounds like she's carrying on like a bit of a "pre-madonna" herself 😂

[Postmanbear]

I thought her mistake was quite amusing and your response was fine if that’s normal in your friendship. This is either about a bigger issue between you, an insecurity on her behalf, or she’s overreacting. I have a relative who would be really hurt by this due to already having low self esteem and I would never joke with them about things like this.

[Coffeeandchocolate9]

Pointing out an SPG error isn't really an appropriate response to somebody who feels shaken by a near-miss experience. Now you know.

She calls me out if I post a photo where I look a bit shit

That doesn't sound like calling you out, it just sounds mean.

[Aprillygirl]

She felt bullied? Wtf! Any normal person would have laughed that off OP. Your friend is a humourless cry baby and her boyfriend is a twat for getting involved and calling you names over something so trivial.