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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Visitors inviting themselves after major surgery

95 replies

Reeceseggaddict · 27/05/2024 13:20

My DH of a couple of years is long term friends with a couple who live 2 hours away. I get on ok with them but they are his friends as I have no contact with them between meet ups. We socialize at each others house a couple of times a year max. I’ve just had major surgery a week ago and feel crap with a wound infection and I hear the husband has said they are coming over this week to show us their new car. Initially I thought it was the husband just not thinking so I told my DH that I’d message the wife and ask them to postpone it and explained that I was still on a lot of bed rest especially since the infection and she was a bit off with me / dismissive.
They weren’t invited. Although usually that’s not an issue and it’s how we both roll - will ask the others if they are up for a visit but this time they decided to invite themselves and AIBU to think they should have common sense to at least ask if I’m well enough? If I hadn’t overheard the conversation, they’d just have appeared! My DH is a people pleaser and doesn’t like to say no to people!

OP posts:
Ragamuffin8 · 27/05/2024 15:57

Unfortunately as your husband originally said it was ok, the other couple probably think you’re fine, as if you were really unwell, they assumed your husband would have said on the call.

So your separate message after to the woman was construed as an excuse/fob off, hence the snarky response.

Its an unfortunate misunderstanding. Hope you recover soon.

DaisyChain505 · 27/05/2024 15:54

Your issue is your husband.

You literally said yourself that “it’s how you both roll” inviting yourself to each others and if it’s not a good time you just say.

So the friends have just done what they always do and offered a visit. Your problem is your husband, not the friends.

He should have not been thoughtless about your recent surgery and he also should have been the one to cancel. Not you.

thing47 · 27/05/2024 15:38

Whatever minor mistakes the OP and her DH may have made, they utterly pale into insignificance compared to friend telling @Reeceseggaddict – who has just had an operation which might lead to a cancer diagnosis – that she doesn't believe OP is that ill.

Jesus fucking Christ, who says that? I wouldn't want to socialise with a twat like that at all, let alone when I was still recovering.

ginasevern · 27/05/2024 15:24

I'd tell the snarky bitch to get to fuck personally.

pootlin · 27/05/2024 15:00

My DH didn’t think.

OP, when they come over, who gets the house, food and drinks ready etc?

Is it a joint effort? Would DH have done all this himself or do you usually do it?

OhBumBags · 27/05/2024 14:59

Also, I know this isn't the point but WTF? Who does this? Is going to someone's house to show them a car considered normal behaviour now? Bonkers.

People who are interested in cars do this.

Why is it hard to understand that the OP's DH wanted to see his friend's new car?

I mean it's not my cup of tea but I understand different people have different interests in life.

Reallybadidea · 27/05/2024 14:57

the husband has said they are coming over this week to show us their new car.

OMG do grown men really show off their new toys like that 😳

I wouldn't necessarily expect them to check you're up to a visit because people can be a bit clueless about recovery after surgery, but they shouldn't be off with you for saying no

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 27/05/2024 14:53

As many others have said, your DH is going to need to step up and say no. When you told him you weren't up to visitors it was his job to cancel the plans he'd made with his friends, not yours.

Everything seems to have fallen on your shoulders despite the fact that you're ill - I'd be having stern words and telling my DH that he needs to learn how to say no.

they are coming over this week to show us their new car

Also, I know this isn't the point but WTF? Who does this? Is going to someone's house to show them a car considered normal behaviour now? Bonkers.

saraclara · 27/05/2024 14:51

itsgettingweird · 27/05/2024 13:38

What was her response?

Also what did you say to her in the text?

So much gets lost in the rewritten word and it's easy to read more into what someone meant than they did.

I was about to post the same. Messaging is notoriously difficult when it comes to interpreting the tone in which it was written. She might have misunderstood you or you might have misunderstood her tone @Reeceseggaddict

Newestname002 · 27/05/2024 14:46

@Reeceseggaddict

OP I think you're better off using reserving your mental and physical strength by withdrawing from this thread (my opinion only - you are, obviously, free to do as you choose). I'm sure there are other more positive things you'd prefer to do on this lovely torrential day. 🌹

indianwoman · 27/05/2024 14:45

If you don't even like them why don't you stay in bed and let dh meet up with them by himself? If they are his friends why do you need to tag along every time? Presumably he wants to see their new car, not you, so why don't you just let them get on with it?

They can meet at a pub, look at the car, have a couple of drinks and then everyone goes home.
Non drama?

rainbowstardrops · 27/05/2024 14:40

*Go read the post. I’m pissed off about her response to me asking them to delay. I’ve had major surgery for suspected gynae cancer and she’s sent me a snarky message inferring that I’m not that unwell.. how is that my DH fault?

The comments about leaving my husband are tongue in cheek - mumsnet is notorious for everyone saying LTB.. it was a dig at that - I have no intention of leaving him!

not sure how I’m hard work when I simply asked them with 5 notice to delay their visit?*

I did read the post thanks. And whilst I can understand you being pissed off at the wife's snarky message, there were two other people before her that fucked up! One being her husband and the second one being yours! Why aren't you as cross with them?
Like I said, you're unwell (I hope you're on the mend soon) but this was for your DH to sort with his friend, as he got you into this situation in the first place.
Oh and I realised it was tongue in cheek. Just thought it was weird to jump to repeatedly saying you'd need to leave him.
Bizarre thread

FuzzyWuzzyWuzABear · 27/05/2024 14:37

WASZPy · 27/05/2024 14:28

I also think it's weird to drive around the place to show people your new car. They must be very boring people.

If the OP's DH and his friends are 'boring' just because they're into cars, wouldn't that make everyone boring just because they have an interest in something you don't?

spov · 27/05/2024 14:33

The woman sounds like a total bitch and I’d be suggesting dh goes out with the man alone.

Navymamma · 27/05/2024 14:33

Reeceseggaddict · 27/05/2024 14:23

Reassuring that 95% of people don’t think I’m being unreasonable.. think the couple who do need to get some sunlight instead of attacking someone who is already feeling extremely shot The woman inferred I couldn’t be that unwell which is out of order when I was cancelling an invite they made! And no matter if my DH or I had texted/called refused their self invited visit, then that is not acceptable. I’m deleting now and focusing on my recovery.

Reasons why she may have responded as she did:

  1. Maybe she thought you can’t have been that unwell because your own husband forgot you’re unwell in his excitement to see the new car? Sorry, but you can’t be off with her if you’re not off with your DH on this.
  2. Your DH did mess them around by saying “yes” and you then saying no. You don’t know what plans they have made in the interim.
  3. Maybe you misinterpreted the situation by thinking it was appropriate for you to rescind your DH’s offer to her husband and she was annoyed at being treated like her husband’s PA.

You may be over-sensitive because you’re unwell. Get well soon.

CJ0374 · 27/05/2024 14:28

I agree its very much 'Keeping up with the Joneses' for adults to do a 4hr round trip to show off a new car!!! 🙄

DH- is your DH a car enthusiast?

WASZPy · 27/05/2024 14:28

I also think it's weird to drive around the place to show people your new car. They must be very boring people.

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 27/05/2024 14:24

Cut yourself some slack.

Your DH was an unthinking child "oooh shiny new brum brum' and can be told so.

She, however, was rude. Quite nasty too if she knows what you had done and chose to denigrate you anyway.

So... suitably chastised DH can contact them and say that, on balance, they were wrong to ask, he was wrong to agree and she was downright rude.

They can work out details for another playdate when it's more convenient.

But don't you dare apologise or feel that you have been unreasonable. Rest well, get better and sod 'em all 😊

TwattyMcFuckFace · 27/05/2024 14:23

cavernclub · 27/05/2024 14:14

I find it a slightly weird reason for a weekend visit- to show off the new car. Now they can't come, the wife is 'off' with you. It sounds very 'keeping up with the Jones's' - that they want to show off their material wealth.
I wouldn't want to be friends with such people - cars are really 🥱 .
YANBU, especially when you're not feeling well. Don't let them guilt trip you - in fact, it's really bad form

The OP's husband wanted to see the new car.

Some people just like cars. It's not always about showing off.

MaggieFS · 27/05/2024 14:23

Yep, happy to agree that there was no need for a snarky response, but equally you shouldn't have got involved, and especially if it was the men who made the plan, you shouldn't have involved her. I've read what you've said about your reasoning, but as you said, they aren't your friends, they are people you know. Yet you messaged HER not him as if part of a sisterhood. Perhaps she felt she had to be defensive? Perhaps behind closed doors she's pissed off at her DH for suggesting it?

Reeceseggaddict · 27/05/2024 14:23

Reassuring that 95% of people don’t think I’m being unreasonable.. think the couple who do need to get some sunlight instead of attacking someone who is already feeling extremely shot The woman inferred I couldn’t be that unwell which is out of order when I was cancelling an invite they made! And no matter if my DH or I had texted/called refused their self invited visit, then that is not acceptable. I’m deleting now and focusing on my recovery.

OP posts:
Bumblingbee101 · 27/05/2024 14:22

@thing47 😂😂Definitely an option! Get DH to clarify and depending on what she said reiterate you've had major surgery and have a nasty infection so would rather recover before seeing people. If this woman can't understand that she definitely isn't a friend. Get well soon OP 💐

Reeceseggaddict · 27/05/2024 14:17

TeenLifeMum · 27/05/2024 14:09

Not sure I’ve read anyone saying leave him. If you’ve applied the same extreme reaction to the response from dh’s friend then maybe you’re being sensitive. It doesn’t take a huge amount of thought for a dh to have a friend say can we come over and him reply, we’d love to but dw is recovering from major surgery so can we delay a few weeks?

And you have messed them around saying yes come/actually don’t. Only minor but I’d still think it would be polite for dh to apologise.

The LTB thing was a joke.. you see it on every thread on here!

Again - my thing is about her response to me asking them to leave the visit. A visit they invited themselves for. We didn’t invite them. All DH could say is the same as what I said. Sorry but x is not up to it yet - can we delay?

OP posts:
cavernclub · 27/05/2024 14:14

I find it a slightly weird reason for a weekend visit- to show off the new car. Now they can't come, the wife is 'off' with you. It sounds very 'keeping up with the Jones's' - that they want to show off their material wealth.
I wouldn't want to be friends with such people - cars are really 🥱 .
YANBU, especially when you're not feeling well. Don't let them guilt trip you - in fact, it's really bad form

Reeceseggaddict · 27/05/2024 14:13

pikkumyy77 · 27/05/2024 14:05

I think from her perspective it might have felt odd getting the text from you since it was a discussion/agreement between the two men that for all we know she wasn’t really a party to. Like you pushed her into some idd “mother” role as if the “kids” had asked for a playdate.

Yeah maybe but I thought given the circumstances of my operation she might have been more understanding as to why I was cancelling. It was just uncalled for in my opinion. Maybe I should have waited and asked him to call them. There was no dispute with him when I said what I’d done. He me he understood and would have texted them and apologized.

OP posts:
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