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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:
GripeOfTheDay · 23/11/2024 17:00

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:25

I'm not using anyone, self justifying or any of the other things pp's are saying.
If at all possible I would prefer not to be dependent on or stay with anyone ever - least of all these people
We stay with them because they are DH's friends and if we chose to stay elsewhere within a 30 mile radius there is outcry from them
I cook, provide bedding, towels and DH provides transport - yes we "invade" their space but they appear to want us to be there
I didn't know when we moved that the office rules around my job would change - it's not very easy to quickly change a job or move house - obviously these are solutions to the current situation but not exactly able to be implemented immediately.
I have fully admitted on here that I don't really like these people and would not choose them to be my friends. They are DH's friends - and I believe the ND is important in that it means their social boundaries are different hence they are desperate for us to be there no matter what

Yep.. you're clearly using them, as many people have pointedout but you've refused to see it as anything other than they should be grateful for your presence..

Ever think they might dread you landing on them weekly and may just resent your smug attitude disguised as well meaning attempts on advising the wife on how to sort her life out?

Frankly, I think you probably need to sort your life out, staying with people for three years on the test and passing it off them being as grateful for your company, plus camping... hmm not sure whose being delusional here..

You need to speak to your bosses, sort your work and accommodation arrangements out and give that poor family break.

AlertCat · 23/11/2024 16:28

I think I’d be looking on Air BnB for a room in a house to stay in for the 3 nights a week, or become someone’s lodger. That would be cheaper than £1000/month.
Then you could see this family once a month or so for a meal and just gently disconnect.

LBFseBrom · 23/11/2024 16:21

Waterboatlass · 23/11/2024 15:27

When you finally put a stop to this arrangement, please have the decency and manners not to drop them like a sweaty bollock. They've done you a huge favour even if they're not the easiest company. Please keep up Christmas cards and occasional check ins.

I agree.

Haveadayofflove · 23/11/2024 15:44

'Drop them like a sweaty bollock'

I've just chortled into my lattè 🤣

Waterboatlass · 23/11/2024 15:27

When you finally put a stop to this arrangement, please have the decency and manners not to drop them like a sweaty bollock. They've done you a huge favour even if they're not the easiest company. Please keep up Christmas cards and occasional check ins.

vickylou78 · 23/11/2024 15:01

Get new jobs!!! Honestly unless you are earning amazing money surely it's better to find a job closer to home. Or move back to closer to your jobs.

Don't keep using these people who you don't like.

Haveadayofflove · 23/11/2024 08:24

Gloriia · 23/11/2024 08:01

A Chavlodge?

That's what I call them...I do stay in them
Along with Premier Bin
I stay in those as well 😊

peanutmother · 23/11/2024 08:16

MagicFarawayTea · 22/11/2024 17:54

Why did you move 2.5 hours away if you need to be back there every week? And you’re been kipping on a sofa/chair ( ffs🙄) for 3 years with people you don’t like?
Anyone else find this whole situation batshit?

Totally batshit

peanutmother · 23/11/2024 08:13

Staying over once a week is not normal

Staying in someone sofa once a week is not normal

Book a travel lodge

Book in advance for cheaper rates

Gloriia · 23/11/2024 08:01

Haveadayofflove · 22/11/2024 23:00

Nah I'd be swallowing the cost of a Chavlodge or seriously look for another job asap

3 years??......absolute tomfuckery on both parties

You do know that you don't have to be friends with people you don't like don't you

Regardless of the circumstances

A Chavlodge?

Haveadayofflove · 22/11/2024 23:00

Nah I'd be swallowing the cost of a Chavlodge or seriously look for another job asap

3 years??......absolute tomfuckery on both parties

You do know that you don't have to be friends with people you don't like don't you

Regardless of the circumstances

2Old2BABPpresenter · 22/11/2024 21:45

VickyEadieofThigh · 21/11/2024 13:58

You stay with them, despite the fact they cannot actually accommodate you properly AND they don't feed you either?

Mate - end this nonsense. Stay elsewhere and if they find out, tell them you weren't at all comfortable and leave it there.

This!!! Just call it a day. You can avoid them so do so.

shehasglasses48 · 22/11/2024 21:09

Find somewhere else to stay

Cherrysoup · 22/11/2024 20:44

I seriously don’t get why you haven’t found a new job. Why do you need to be in the office? We still do live meetings/training online. Makes far more sense than people travelling. Why have you been doing this for 3 years when new boss only turned up a year ago?

Of course it’s fine not to like people! You can outgrow friends or really like one but not the partner. We had that with someone who was determined to be friends: we were extremely suspicious because she was so keen to be friends, it was weird. Couldn’t stand her husband, tho, pompous arse who was snobby as hell and tried telling me the wine I’d bought was terrible because it had the supermarket name on it, it was a very nice bottle costing £20, going back quite a few years. Wanker.

MoonWoman69 · 22/11/2024 20:41

And as for blaming the peri menopause?! Not an excuse at all! Clutching at straws there I'm afraid. You've never liked them and I think it's time you were honest and put some effort into getting yourselves sorted out properly. All I can see is excuses as to why nothing else will work. Sounds like you're just settling for the easy option, because you can't be bothered.
You're stringing these people along making them think they have genuine friends. And I think that's truly awful.

Lollypop25 · 22/11/2024 20:38

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:25

I'm not using anyone, self justifying or any of the other things pp's are saying.
If at all possible I would prefer not to be dependent on or stay with anyone ever - least of all these people
We stay with them because they are DH's friends and if we chose to stay elsewhere within a 30 mile radius there is outcry from them
I cook, provide bedding, towels and DH provides transport - yes we "invade" their space but they appear to want us to be there
I didn't know when we moved that the office rules around my job would change - it's not very easy to quickly change a job or move house - obviously these are solutions to the current situation but not exactly able to be implemented immediately.
I have fully admitted on here that I don't really like these people and would not choose them to be my friends. They are DH's friends - and I believe the ND is important in that it means their social boundaries are different hence they are desperate for us to be there no matter what

You have proven your own point re neurodivergence being relevant wrong here. You yourself lack any sort of understanding of social boundaries. You're asking if it's 'wrong' to not like someone but kicking off when you're told you're using them. Everyone else here understands this but you don't so asserting this as something to do with neurodivergence is clear rubbish. You find the husband and daughter annoying, no problem. However you're neurotypical and clearly very, very annoying.

OakleyAnnie · 22/11/2024 20:36

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

You mean force yourself to like them because they’re useful to you.

OakleyAnnie · 22/11/2024 20:33

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

What cheeky fuckers you are.

MoonWoman69 · 22/11/2024 20:33

I do @MagicFarawayTea
OP doesn't like them, slags them off, stays regularly but says she doesn't use them?! Ok then!
The whole situation is batshit!

pamplemoussee · 22/11/2024 20:24

There isn’t a solution to your question it seems because even if it is untenable and ?slightly ridiculous to keep staying with them you’re saying it’s basically your only option - you’ve said you can’t afford the hotel / rent if you weren’t to stay with them … and you have also said you have looked into other options none of which would work ?
What are your plans for the future ? long term will this situation work for you and if not then it sounds like it will have to be a more major change you would need to make in terms of either job or where you live as you’ve exhausted other options

Lollypop25 · 22/11/2024 20:22

You need to bite the bullet and let them know you won't be staying with them going forward. However, you've shown yourself to be pretty ableist based on your comments on ADHD so perhaps reflect on that.

Gabby8 · 22/11/2024 19:28

No wonder they kick off when you don’t stay with them, they must enjoy the food/alcohol/attention.

I get they seem pretty volatile so not wanting to cause offence- could you not say bad back/neck/ sleep walking so need to stay in a bed? Or you will be arriving really late? Basically make it clear you need a bed! Suggest a meal together and then gradually wind down the time there? If she gets funny then you have ammunition to just say it’s better you don’t pop over at all

Crazycatlady79 · 22/11/2024 18:04

Stop using these people - whom you clearly do not like and look down upon - and get a hotel.

Simple.

betterangels · 22/11/2024 17:59

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're still in their house every week. Just book the hotel for everyone's sake.

MagicFarawayTea · 22/11/2024 17:54

Why did you move 2.5 hours away if you need to be back there every week? And you’re been kipping on a sofa/chair ( ffs🙄) for 3 years with people you don’t like?
Anyone else find this whole situation batshit?