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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:
2024onwardsandup · 21/11/2024 17:32

Well you say no to them for two of the three nights per week - what’s so different about saying no to one more night?

JollyZebra · 21/11/2024 17:32

If you cannot afford to stay away from home for your work, and you want to continue to accept the "accommodation" provided by these people, then you are guilty of using them.
You cannot complain about them if you are letting the situation continue because it suits you financially.

Mnetcurious · 21/11/2024 17:31

@DonnyDoris if we chose to stay elsewhere within a 30 mile radius there is outcry from them

This is not your problem. Stand firm and hold your boundary. As I said before, use an excuse like bad backs if you have to but don’t let them make you stay there through fear of their outrage. “We are so grateful for you putting us up all those times in the past but we won’t be staying anymore”. Just keep repeating it. They cannot force you!

N27 · 21/11/2024 17:31

Do you have to like them? No

Do you have to be friends with them? No

Is it ok to stay at their house once a week to save you a bit of cash knowing full well you don’t actually like them and if not for the convenience you’d never see them again? Also no!

LolaJ87 · 21/11/2024 17:29

"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"

You're an adult, you could say "no thank you, I need a bed these days haha" in response to their outcry and sort something yourself... but when anyone has suggested other ideas you say you can't afford them!

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

OP posts:
Mnetcurious · 21/11/2024 17:22

Two thoughts after reading all your posts:

  1. yes it’s fine not to like people and to want to end a friendship. I appreciate they won’t like it but just stop staying there - if you must, claim bad backs from sleeping on the sofa/chair or something. If they continue to argue against it - ignore them! They don’t have any claim over you or the right to make you stay with them.
  2. This situation of living a million miles away from work is completely untenable. Finding more local jobs needs to be your absolute priority and focus. Or finding a house much closer to work. It’s absolute madness.
NiftyKoala · 21/11/2024 17:22

LolaJ87 · 21/11/2024 17:17

I don't like jumping on someone but this isn't really an opinion thing - you're using them and their home because you can't afford to attend your workplace otherwise. You don't like them or want to socialise with them outside of that. At least admit you're using them.

You've done some weird self-deception, justification stuff here.

If you don't think you are behaving like a user I cannot imagine what you would feel is actually being a user.

Gloriia · 21/11/2024 17:21

'This was unsustainable and irrational and ridiculous from week one. Why on earth haven't you both found jobs in your home area? Three years. Three years. And you have the nerve to complain about them..'

Yes what a crazy situation.

Either move back , get a local job, or rent a b&b whilst at work. It's exhausting even reading this. Who sleeps on sofas for 3 years?!

When/if you get a new job ensure t&c re wfh are written in your contract before moving 3hrs away.

Thisismetooaswell · 21/11/2024 17:21

Why did you move 2.5 hours away from work. And yes, even taking food, drink and bedding you are still putting them out by being there in their house

Antsy123 · 21/11/2024 17:21

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:13

ok - if that's what you think

OP - you literally said that you stay there once a week because you can’t afford not to. You are using them.

ThatTealViewer · 21/11/2024 17:20

LolaJ87 · 21/11/2024 17:17

I don't like jumping on someone but this isn't really an opinion thing - you're using them and their home because you can't afford to attend your workplace otherwise. You don't like them or want to socialise with them outside of that. At least admit you're using them.

You've done some weird self-deception, justification stuff here.

This. It’s all a bit baffling.

OP, you did choose them as friends. And you continue to do so. Nobody is making you. You could stop, tomorrow.

This isn’t a dilemma. This is you using people because it’s expedient, then moaning about them.

LolaJ87 · 21/11/2024 17:17

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:13

ok - if that's what you think

I don't like jumping on someone but this isn't really an opinion thing - you're using them and their home because you can't afford to attend your workplace otherwise. You don't like them or want to socialise with them outside of that. At least admit you're using them.

You've done some weird self-deception, justification stuff here.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:13

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 21/11/2024 17:12

Yes you are. You keep banging on about how you're too nice to disappoint them when the truth is you couldn't manage your life without them. User.

ok - if that's what you think

OP posts:
MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 21/11/2024 17:12

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:08

I'm not pretending anything and i'm not a user

Yes you are. You keep banging on about how you're too nice to disappoint them when the truth is you couldn't manage your life without them. User.

LeonoraCazalet · 21/11/2024 17:12

Why would you put yourselves through this?

BerylSnow · 21/11/2024 17:10

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 16:49

I'd love to do this -in my head there are lots of narratives. Sadly, i'm far too restrained / polite / weak to actually voice them

So, what's your plan, then?

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:08

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 21/11/2024 17:05

Please stop pretending you're doing something nice by using them to prop up your unsustainable job while bitching about them. You're not a people pleaser but a user.

I'm not pretending anything and i'm not a user

OP posts:
MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 21/11/2024 17:05

Please stop pretending you're doing something nice by using them to prop up your unsustainable job while bitching about them. You're not a people pleaser but a user.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:04

well - actually yes pretty much, and i do realise this is not normal.I'm a people pleaser and I do generally make sure other people are happy above my own feelings

OP posts:
MyKindCrab · 21/11/2024 17:03

I think they key is they are not your friends, they are really DHs. Peri menopause can make it harder to put up with things, so it will be partly hormone related.
They are DHs friends, so you do not want to spoil his friendship and make it awkward. So i would say I have a bad back and need a bed to sleep in. So from now on we will stay in a cheap hotel. But still arrange to meet up with them for a drink or a meal.

Antsy123 · 21/11/2024 16:55

You don’t have to like them or be friends with them. However it isn’t very nice to pretend to like them and be friends with them purely to save money on a hotel once a week. That’s an awful way to behave.

godmum56 · 21/11/2024 16:53

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 16:20

This is exactly the situation!!! And why I feel so conflicted....

alternatively, your enabling may be what is stopping them from moving out of their bad situation..........

LBFseBrom · 21/11/2024 16:50

Gorgonemilezola · 21/11/2024 16:41

I'm guessing the employer isn't paying because the OP chose to move away. It's not really travel FOR work, it's travel TO her usual place of employment.

That is quite possible.

I do wish the op luck in finding employment nearer to her home (and believe she will). I couldn't cope with all that travelling and dossing down in other people's homes. It's a shame she and her husband had to leave their previous home. Life is tough sometimes.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 16:49

BerylSnow · 21/11/2024 16:48

Tell 'em exactly how you feel. And be sure to report back!

I'd love to do this -in my head there are lots of narratives. Sadly, i'm far too restrained / polite / weak to actually voice them

OP posts: