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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that i would not choose them as friends?

264 replies

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 13:54

I feel really conflicted about this - my nature is to accept people for who they are, what they are and not to judge, however peri meno seems to be making me increasingly less tolerant!!!
We have some friends - albeit more DH's friends than mine - who live in the village where we used to live. When we lived there we may have seen / socialised with them 1 / 2 times per month so not massively, although they were part of our lockdown bubble and i suppose it got a bit more frequent after that.
We moved house about 2.5 hours away 3 years ago, and honestly you would have thought the world had ended! Some very hurtful stuff was messaged to me by the wife, but I was told to let it all go because "that's just the way she is" - so I did, but it still niggles tbh.
Anyway, since the move, we've had to go back to the area a few times a week for my work and usually stay over at theirs 1 night per week - I can't deny that this is helpful for us financially as even a travelodge in the south is ££££, however on the occasions we don't stay there we get bloody chapter and verse on why would you camp / stay in a hotel / stay with other friends when you've got us??? To clarify though, I provide all the food and drink for when we stay - including alcohol, I cook, I take my own pillows and towels (they don't have a spare room so I sleep on the sofa and DH sleeps on a chair) - they literally are not put out by us.
I just find them sooooooooooooooooooo draining - the husband has recently been late diagnosed ADHD, and whilst he's always been a bit annoying, this seems to have massively increased since the diagnosis. The daughter has also been diagnosed ADHD which appears to have given her free reign to be a narcissistic spoiled entitled brat, but its ok "because ADHD" (a example from yesterday - she launched her almost brand new Iphone 14 in a temper, lost it in a field but that's fine because it's insured). The wife is depressed but wont seek help, gets medication from dodgy sources and goes round in a permanent state of negativity and hate.I've tried suggesting coping strategies / therapy / putting a positive spin on things, but it all falls on deaf ears because they are so stuck in their cycle they won't accept anything ..... DP is a super accepting understanding person adn really just sees it as an interesting scenario - he does get how I feel, but says I should change the way I feel as they can't change the way they are.
I honestly do completely get that all of these things must be so challenging to deal with and will totally mean that life will be nothing like it is for a neuro typical person, but I just find any time with them so draining - they are not even people I would choose for friends in the first place, so I really don't think it's their issues that cause me not to want to spend time with them - they are just not my people!
So....
AIBU - I should just fight my feelings and suck it all up because of their issues
AINBU - It's OK not to like people regardless of their issues

OP posts:
DoreenonTill8 · 21/11/2024 14:28

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:28

My work dictates that I now have to spend 3 days per week in the office - the office is in the south of the country, I live 3 hours away in the north
To comply, I will need to travel nearly 200 miles each way and spend 2 nights per week in a hotel - for a month this costs approx £1k

Why on earth did you move so far away from your and Dhs work??
So you stay with them every week?! Ouch!!

OatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 21/11/2024 14:28

catlesslady · 21/11/2024 14:23

Regardless of whether you want to continue to be friends with these people, it sounds to me like you can't really afford to live in your current home and work several days a week 3 hours drive away. If it only works because you have free accommodation it's not sustainable. Was it expected to be a short term arrangement that has dragged on, or is it a longer term thing?

This. Surely you realise this is unaffordable. If you didn’t like me but used me for weekly accommodation I would be really hurt. You are definitely putting them out, they have to host, can’t use the room you are sofa surfing in, share bathroom facilities, hot water, electricity etc.

potatocakesinprogress · 21/11/2024 14:28

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:12

I'd have to do that commute 3 x per week if i didn't stay over

Still worth it. My peace of mind doesn't have a price tag.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:28

IAm16StoneHalloween2024 · 21/11/2024 14:15

“can't afford £1k ish per month for accommodation and travel”

I need to know more about this.

I’m currently too confused.

My work dictates that I now have to spend 3 days per week in the office - the office is in the south of the country, I live 3 hours away in the north
To comply, I will need to travel nearly 200 miles each way and spend 2 nights per week in a hotel - for a month this costs approx £1k

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 21/11/2024 14:27

DH has work down there too, sort of - thats a whole other thread though!!
Prob is, I can't afford £1k ish per month for accommodation and travel and a 6 hour commute doesn't really work either

Why did you move away so far from your workplace if you can't afford to travel back?

catlesslady · 21/11/2024 14:23

Regardless of whether you want to continue to be friends with these people, it sounds to me like you can't really afford to live in your current home and work several days a week 3 hours drive away. If it only works because you have free accommodation it's not sustainable. Was it expected to be a short term arrangement that has dragged on, or is it a longer term thing?

SapphireOpal · 21/11/2024 14:23

A hotel once a week is not going to be £1k and you're doing the travel anyway. Why can't you just book a hotel once a week? Lie and say you're no longer down in London/the south much for work.

Onlycoffee · 21/11/2024 14:23

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:05

I agree - and this is really where my dilemma lies. I'm more than happy not to stay at theirs - obviously! But when we dont, it's like WW3 has kicked off and in their eyes we are rejecting them - so we stay to placate.....

I don't understand, you say you are happy to stay at theirs OBVIOUSLY ?? but you don't really like them?

And you're doing it to placate them?

Then later you say you can't afford the £1000 for hotels or don't want the 6 hour commute.

So which is it? Because to me it sounds like you are in conflict with yourself, you know it's not fair to be using them, but you're not prepared to stop as it is inconvenient to you and don't want to deal with the fallout.

I really don't think anyone can help you when you're not ready to be honest with yourself a out the situation.

LaurieFairyCake · 21/11/2024 14:21

You're literally tied to them now because you moved away and NEED to stay with them

They are still doing you a favour 🤷‍♀️ and it's like a devils bargain

Move back and dump them, you literally can't stand them 😂

FierceQuiet · 21/11/2024 14:21

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:05

I agree - and this is really where my dilemma lies. I'm more than happy not to stay at theirs - obviously! But when we dont, it's like WW3 has kicked off and in their eyes we are rejecting them - so we stay to placate.....

You don't like them, so why are you so desperate to please them, and to think that you're pleasing them by sleeping in their living room, when it doesn't suit you at all, which adds to your resentment about the relationship?

How hard can it be to say that you don't get a good night's sleep on a sofa and chair, and that while you've been grateful for them putting you up to date, you're going to stay in a hotel or AirBnb in future?

PontiacFirebird · 21/11/2024 14:18

Are you one of those couples that moved out to the middle of nowhere during Covid times thinking you would be wfh forever and now you’re expected into the office where you used to live? Because normally if you had to travel for work, work would pay for it..
If that is the case I suggest looking for a new job where you currently live or moving back to where you were.
And stop staying with people you hate.

IAm16StoneHalloween2024 · 21/11/2024 14:17

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:12

I'd have to do that commute 3 x per week if i didn't stay over

Why?

IAm16StoneHalloween2024 · 21/11/2024 14:15

“can't afford £1k ish per month for accommodation and travel”

I need to know more about this.

I’m currently too confused.

ItGhoul · 21/11/2024 14:15

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:05

I agree - and this is really where my dilemma lies. I'm more than happy not to stay at theirs - obviously! But when we dont, it's like WW3 has kicked off and in their eyes we are rejecting them - so we stay to placate.....

Don't tell them, then. Just stay in a Travelodge and don't tell them you're around.

The fact that they're neurodivergent is irrelevant to all of this - you don't enjoy their company or have anything in common with them. It doesn't matter whether or not their neurodiversity is a factor.

Sassybooklover · 21/11/2024 14:14

I absolutely could not put up with this situation!! You're not keen on them, you take food/bedding/towels/lift to the station for you to sleep on a sofa and your husband on a chair, once a week! Nope, sorry, I would be booking a Travelodge or Premier Inn. You have to stop the madness, and stop staying with them. If they don't like it, then tough. Say you're both getting too old to be sleeping on a sofa and chair. You need a proper bed, so you can both get a decent night's sleep. Thank them for the hospitality, send a bottle of wine/flowers, and let that be the end!

MeanWeedratStew · 21/11/2024 14:12

Just make up a bad back or something that requires you both to sleep in a proper bed each night.

If they moan, then it’s “Sorry you feel that way, but we are following our doctor’s instructions. Shall we catch up for dinner instead?”

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:12

AffIt · 21/11/2024 14:10

Obviously a six-hour commute isn't ideal, but if it's the choice between that and this weird situation, then yes, I would be going with the 18-hour day once a week or whatever.

I'd have to do that commute 3 x per week if i didn't stay over

OP posts:
AffIt · 21/11/2024 14:10

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:07

DH has work down there too, sort of - thats a whole other thread though!!
Prob is, I can't afford £1k ish per month for accommodation and travel and a 6 hour commute doesn't really work either

Obviously a six-hour commute isn't ideal, but if it's the choice between that and this weird situation, then yes, I would be going with the 18-hour day once a week or whatever.

Onlyvisiting · 21/11/2024 14:09

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:03

In what way would they be when i provide all of the food, drink, bedding, towels and DP gives him a lift to the station at 5.30am?

You are literally in their house, sleeping in their living room and generally being in their space. Now it's lovely that they are OK with that, and great that you are making yourself as low impact a guest as possible, but stop making it sound like you are doing THEM some kind of favour by gracing them with your presence.
It sounds like they believe you are close friends and you are just using them for your convenience while judging and bitching behind their backs, so yes, I think you should do all of you a favour and stop faking it. Pay for your travel lodge with the convenient excuse that although you really appreciate them letting you stay your back is too old for sleeping in a chair etc.
Meet them for a meal some of the times you are down and gradually scale it back a bit so you are less involved in their lives.

PearlQuail · 21/11/2024 14:08

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:05

I agree - and this is really where my dilemma lies. I'm more than happy not to stay at theirs - obviously! But when we dont, it's like WW3 has kicked off and in their eyes we are rejecting them - so we stay to placate.....

It’s very tricky. I do think you have an ideal excuse though of needing a proper bed for a decent sleep before a days work. Then it needs to be considered whether you want a brief catch up when you are in the area, or if the time has come to let it fizzle out.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:08

GabriellaMontez · 21/11/2024 14:06

Discriminating? What do you think is discriminatory?

Also I've just re read. You've been doing this for 3 years?

Assuming this isn't a wind up.

Start to be more kind to yourself. Sleep in a bed. Especially if you have work the next day.

Of course we're all different and no ones perfect. But don't spend too much time with people you're not that keen on.

Sadly not a wind up - and yes - 3 years this week actually!

OP posts:
GabriellaMontez · 21/11/2024 14:07

Imperrysmum · 21/11/2024 14:05

What a very odd situation you have manifested 😂😂😂

Yes !!!!

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:07

AffIt · 21/11/2024 14:04

In what way are you discriminating?

And why is your DH there if you're travelling for work?

Fuck that for a game of soldiers. I'd either suck up the cost of travel or extend my commute.

DH has work down there too, sort of - thats a whole other thread though!!
Prob is, I can't afford £1k ish per month for accommodation and travel and a 6 hour commute doesn't really work either

OP posts:
GabriellaMontez · 21/11/2024 14:06

Discriminating? What do you think is discriminatory?

Also I've just re read. You've been doing this for 3 years?

Assuming this isn't a wind up.

Start to be more kind to yourself. Sleep in a bed. Especially if you have work the next day.

Of course we're all different and no ones perfect. But don't spend too much time with people you're not that keen on.

Imperrysmum · 21/11/2024 14:05

What a very odd situation you have manifested 😂😂😂