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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not tell a friend i know she's fibbing when she cancels arrangements?

36 replies

giraffes · 02/06/2012 19:29

i've a very close friend but she has a bit of a tendency to cancel arrangements for what seem very plausible reasons - sick baby, sick her, etc. At least once before I've subsequently found out through others that she was fibbing to me. Anyway, she cancelled a long-standing evening arrangement the other day due to illness but I've since seen (on the dreaded fb, someone else's profile) that she was in fact out.
She is one of my closest friends but I've seen her fib very easily in other circumstances and she clearly has no problem fibbing to me as well.....I feel a bit sickened at the idea of saying it to her, we chat or see each other once or twice a week, she always includes me/my family in important events, and generally acts very close to me and my family..aibu not to say anything? I don't think it necessarily means she is trying to get out of the friendship, but just maybe she has a bit of a fibbing habit!

OP posts:
cocoachannel · 02/06/2012 19:51

I'd comment on the other person's Facebook photo/status that you are glad to see that X recovered in time for a night out after all, but maybe that's because people lying to me in situations like that brings out the stroppy teen in me...

Nagoo · 02/06/2012 19:49

It's pretty sick really to say that your baby is ill because you don't want to go out with someone.

You have already told her once that you wish she was honest. Tell her again. And tell her that is pisses you off when she treats you like a fool.

madonnawhore · 02/06/2012 19:48

It's really disrespectful IMO. And it's like she doesn't give a shit about your time or anything. What she wants is more important and never mind if you've arranged a babysitter or made plans so that you can keep your date with her.

I definitely don't think you should just suffer in silence. So what if she was your bridesmaid. She's not treating you very well.

TheSecondComing · 02/06/2012 19:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

giraffes · 02/06/2012 19:46

and she has fibbed 'in my favour' before - cancelling a weekend in brighton to see another friend because of my birthday 'oh i'll just tell her the baby is sick'..that kind of thing...

OP posts:
giraffes · 02/06/2012 19:44

well as i said we're otherwise close - she was my bridesmaid so can't imagine just ditching her, i just do feel a bit of an idiot when i find out after sympathising about the sick baby or whatever.....
I don't know how not to put up with it - i've told her in the past I don't mind when she cancels things as long as she's honest..but I'd go so far as to say she really is one of my two or three closest friends - we holiday together most years etc..or is fibbing and cancelling more widespread than I think? Its not something I'd tend to do

OP posts:
Springsister · 02/06/2012 19:43

Had a friend who did this a lot.

She once sent a text cancelling and then another (by accident) inviting another person over to hers!

The very last time she did it. I called her on it. Said I thought you'd cancel anyway. She never contacted me again.

I'm well rid.

DesperatelySeekingPomBears · 02/06/2012 19:42

I think maybe you should stop telling yourself that your friend is 'fibbing' to get out of arrangements and start acknowledging that she is repeatedly bare faced LYING to you. Personally I'd be pulling her on it and asking why she feels the need to lie to you rather than just say 'I've had a better offer, I won't be seeing you today'.

It really amazes me how much some people will tolerate from friends when they wouldn't contemplate putting up with the same level of bullshit from a partner.

TheSecondComing · 02/06/2012 19:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TartyMcFarty · 02/06/2012 19:36

If you're just going to put up with it, what's the issue? I wouldn't personally, but it's your choice.

madonnawhore · 02/06/2012 19:35

Maybe tell her you know and that you feel like a bit of a nob when she lies to you. But say it's not a big deal and that if she wants to cancel stuff in future you won't be offended if she tells you the truth about why she's cancelling.