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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:
DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:54

IAm16StoneHalloween2024 · 21/11/2024 14:39

So what are the issues with simply looking for another job? Even if you took a pay cut it would make you financially better off it seems?

"simply looking for another job" is a little bit more difficult than it sounds!

OP posts:
BeMintBee · 21/11/2024 14:52

Of course you’re using them! Tell them how you really view them and then at least they can decide for themselves if they still want someone who hates them in their home once a week!

freshlaundrysmell · 21/11/2024 14:51

This isnt a dilemma - it's simple. You dont like them and they've sent you weird negative messages and they say weird negative things.

So stop hanging out with them, stop staying with them etc Fade them out.

It has zero to do with ADHD- if we are being equal opportunities here, there are plenty of bloody annoying people who DONT have ADHD who you wouldnt choose to spend time with so why are you treating them differently to anyone else?

It could be peri or it could just be the older you get, the more you realise how precious your time is and that it's not to be wasted on people who drag you down. Take responsibility for your life and cultivate a friendship group that enhances your life, not minimises it.

NewGreenDuck · 21/11/2024 14:50

Completely missing the point, but why move so far away if you have to go there to work several times a week? None of it makes sense.

Orangefruitbrush · 21/11/2024 14:50

It's so very strange that you feel so entitled to stay at their home and yet do not want to be their close friends.

They are doing you a massive favour by saving you so much money and you are full of spite for them.

Babbitbaddit · 21/11/2024 14:50

You see them so frequently and you don’t even seem to like them or want to be their friends, but you need to stay at their house for free because of your work.

I think you and your husband need to get a new job locally so you can stop relying on these people (who probably consider you guys very good friends)

RampantIvy · 21/11/2024 14:49

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:43

No - we stay with them 1 night per week. The other nights we either camp or stay in a travelodge, but the fall out from them over this is draining - it feels like they can't comprehend why we don't actually live with them!!

So, don't tell them you will be coming south.

camelfinger · 21/11/2024 14:49

I wouldn’t be able to stand this arrangement even if it was a luxurious private room at my best friend’s place, so you’re doing well to have put up with it for so long. Could you try to stay in a cheap premier inn on the outskirts of London (if it is London?) There needs to be a sustainable solution. What do your colleagues do? Are they just paying the higher rent or commuting costs?

MatildaTheCat · 21/11/2024 14:49

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:45

I'm not using them - they're my DH's friends mostly and they would be mortified if they knew I felt this way.

You have given a lot of extremely specific information about them on a widely read social media platform so I imagine they will know pretty soon.

user942557 · 21/11/2024 14:49

Doesn't add up at all.

Hoppinggreen · 21/11/2024 14:47

Nothing matters here other than they don't have room for you so you can't stay there, simple.
It will fade away I am sure once you stop that

Anotherworrier · 21/11/2024 14:45

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?

Come on. Be serious. It’s a huge favour!

You’re taking advantage of people you don’t really like very much. Not sure what you’re hoping to get of this thread tbh.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:45

Onlyvisiting · 21/11/2024 14:42

Of course it's OK not to like people. It's not OK to pretend tonlike people so you can use them for your own convenience.
You say you can't afford to pay for accommodation but don't want to stay with them. That leaves other friends that you mentioned? Good luck with that, I bet you don't have as many friends as you think that would willingly house you 2 nights a week. You will wear your welcome out quicker than you think!

I'm not using them - they're my DH's friends mostly and they would be mortified if they knew I felt this way.

OP posts:
Hillrunning · 21/11/2024 14:44

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

What you describe is called being manipulative. No, it isn't OK to do that.

BeMintBee · 21/11/2024 14:44

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

Aahh so what you want to know is if it’s ok to use people to save yourselves a lot of money each week but still ok to slag them off and dislike them behind their backs.

Yeah no that’s fine 🤣

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:43

2024onwardsandup · 21/11/2024 14:38

So you’re staying with them THREE NIGHTS A WEEK

i mean you don’t have to be friends with them at all - but you are totally exploiting these people

No - we stay with them 1 night per week. The other nights we either camp or stay in a travelodge, but the fall out from them over this is draining - it feels like they can't comprehend why we don't actually live with them!!

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 21/11/2024 14:43

oakleaffy · 21/11/2024 14:41

People are self~diagnosing off internet quizzes.

Staying with them when they irritate you so much is a bad idea.
Especially every week.

It's too much, for them as well as you. Utter Purgatory.

Buy a vehicle, like a camper van, and stay in that when you have to drive down South.

And some people receive a diagnosis. Like the dad and daughter in the OP.

And my DD. From a knowledgeable and educated doctor. Not a judgemental poster online.

PontiacFirebird · 21/11/2024 14:42

Yes your explanation does help, thank you OP.
Unfortunately it doesn’t help you in this situation.
The reality is that if you didn’t have a wfh contract, your boss had the right to ask everybody back in at any point.
Which is why really your only solution is to try and find work nearer to where you live now or move back nearer where you actually work.
Renting is difficult yes, but maybe there are cheaper areas actually in daily commuting distance to your office?

eatreadsleeprepeat · 21/11/2024 14:42

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

It is okay to not like people, and not see them. Not sure it is okay to not like them but stay in their house two nights a week.
I would feel both hurt and used if someone I thought was a friend stayed in my house but didn’t actually like me

Hillrunning · 21/11/2024 14:42

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/11/2024 14:41

If someone enthusiastically opens their home to you every week, saving you thousands, and you don't like them... you have to ask yourself AITA?

This was put far more eloquently than my post.

Onlyvisiting · 21/11/2024 14:42

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

Of course it's OK not to like people. It's not OK to pretend tonlike people so you can use them for your own convenience.
You say you can't afford to pay for accommodation but don't want to stay with them. That leaves other friends that you mentioned? Good luck with that, I bet you don't have as many friends as you think that would willingly house you 2 nights a week. You will wear your welcome out quicker than you think!

IAm16StoneHalloween2024 · 21/11/2024 14:42

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

I like attempting to get blood out of a stone, no problem!

It’s fine to not like people.

It’s fine to never see them again.

It’s fine to change jobs.

It’s fine to decide that sleeping in a bed every night is the way you wish to proceed from now on.

HTH.

September1013 · 21/11/2024 14:41

Of course it’s ok not to like people.

It’s not ok to just pretend to like them to their faces because you are reliant on them providing free accommodation for you whilst badmouthing them to strangers on the internet behind their backs.

Even worse that you bring their neurodivergence into it and then try to claim that you are doing this because they need your friendship, when the truth is you would be gone in a shot if you could afford it.

I really hope they see this thread and realise how shamelessly they are being used.

Hillrunning · 21/11/2024 14:41

Stop using people you seem to hate to further your career. You chose to move, now find a job that you can actually afford to have. It really horrible of you to pretend to like them for your own gain.

Just explain to them and put an end to it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/11/2024 14:41

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

If someone enthusiastically opens their home to you every week, saving you thousands, and you don't like them... you have to ask yourself AITA?

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