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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

With friend’s visit?

40 replies

MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 16:35

My friend is sleeping at mine tomorrow and then we’re travelling to another city for a day trip.

She wasn’t originally going to stay the night with me. She asked last week after having arguments with her partner. I said yes on that basis - to make sure she’s safe/okay.

I feel like it’s spiralling a bit and that’s not the reason she wants to stay. She now wants me to wash and style her hair using my Dyson airwrap as she doesn’t have one. Her hair is extremely long, below her bum. I imagine that it will hours to style her hair. She also wants me to do her makeup and wear my clothes as she doesn’t have an outfit and take photos for her social media.

Plus I’m going to have to get enough food in for her, cook her dinner/breakfast, plus tidy my home for her. It’s just extra effort that frankly I wouldn’t need to do if we just met at the train station…aibu to cancel the sleepover?

There is a backstory where I tend to constantly have to pay for her so feel like there’s a lot of take and she isn’t there for me much.

OP posts:
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FABAND · 22/12/2024 15:15

I agree with other posters...if you backtrack and allow her to stay...she'll 'borrow' your clothes anyway and "could you just be a sweetie and sort out my hair" etc etc.
Say you're out of town that night, last minute plans ( no need to elaborate). But looking forwards to meeting her at 10am at Costa in town.
If she wants to have a hair and makeover day in town another time, why dont you book something for the new year and I'll ping you my share over, bound to be some deals in the new year !. This of course will never happen because you are the friend that brings the magic she enjoys....

OldScribbler · 22/12/2024 13:36

She's a ponce. Be politely unavailable. Whoops, sorry something came up. What was it? Sorry, it's a family matter and I can't discuss.

MissDoubleU · 20/12/2024 17:25

MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 20:37

Thanks for this!

I sent it but instead of the “doesn’t work” bit, referenced feeling overwhelmed due to a personal issue I’m dealing with, that she’s fully aware of.

She didn’t even comment on that or anything, didn’t ask if I’m okay etc. so I think that cements that I made the right decision.

This says everything you need to know really. You’ve done the right thing!

MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 20:37

Christmaseason · 17/12/2024 16:49

Hi Dyson air wrap lover, just firming up our get together plans, you staying at mine doesn’t work for me so let’s meet at the big Costa in xxx town at 10.30 am.
I’m looking seeing you and doing xxx , it will be a lot of fun.

Thanks for this!

I sent it but instead of the “doesn’t work” bit, referenced feeling overwhelmed due to a personal issue I’m dealing with, that she’s fully aware of.

She didn’t even comment on that or anything, didn’t ask if I’m okay etc. so I think that cements that I made the right decision.

OP posts:
MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 20:35

Ahh thanks everyone, I have sent the message! Thanks for giving me the push as I was going back and forth before reading all the comments. She just said it’s fine.

OP posts:
Wavescrashingonthebeach · 17/12/2024 19:54

MadmansLibrary · 17/12/2024 19:47

This. I can already sense OP backtracking. Users are attracted to people like you OP, like moths to a flame. I bet she doesn't have many other friends because they've probably binned her off.

Exactly. And I speak from experience, I used to be a chronic people pleaser and attracted people like this in my life.

Soonenough · 17/12/2024 19:54

Tell her the truth . You really don't fancy all that hassle with hair/clothes / bath after a day at work . Ask her to just keep it casual . No meal at 9pm , breakfast tea and toast and show her where the milk is for cereal. No bed sharing sleep on couch .

MadmansLibrary · 17/12/2024 19:47

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 17/12/2024 18:56

In the nicest possible way, grow a backbone

This. I can already sense OP backtracking. Users are attracted to people like you OP, like moths to a flame. I bet she doesn't have many other friends because they've probably binned her off.

OriginalUsername2 · 17/12/2024 19:43

I had a pushy friend. Her reaction if I said I wasn’t up to this sort of situation would be to find a way around all of my reasons and express lots of disappointment to make me feel guilty.

You’re best off being less useful to her. Don’t go overboard with hosting, do the bare minimum. Say you haven’t got the energy when she wants her makeover - I bloody wouldn’t after a long day out. Pay attention to how she responds. If she’s a good friend she won’t whinge and whine.

Chocolately · 17/12/2024 19:00

It's all about her, she expects you to do all the work. Suggest meeting on the day, don't host her, she's a CF.

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 17/12/2024 18:56

In the nicest possible way, grow a backbone

IamtheElephant · 17/12/2024 18:55

I think it's time for you to reconsider this friendship. Not all friendships are meant to last.
Personally, I'd cancel her staying over with a good excuse. Her reaction will be telling.
She comes across as the kind of person who will drop you like a hot potato once she realises she can't use you anymore.

sinckersnack · 17/12/2024 18:45

Cancel as others have said - seriously I've had years of doing this sort of thing and some of the friends I went out of my way for in my twenties I now realise were not really friends. Even now I feel slightly bitter about the times I really put myself out for people - out of duty, kindness, social responsibility, worrying about not being a good friend.... and years later I can see what a waste of time it all was.
You can have a really good trip out on an equal footing and you'll enjoy it far more. Say no - use the suggested wording above and you'll be fine.

Funkyslippers · 17/12/2024 18:38

There is a backstory where I tend to constantly have to pay for her so feel like there’s a lot of take and she isn’t there for me much.

You don't have to do anything. Your choice

ginasevern · 17/12/2024 18:32

She isn't a friend, she's a user. The little enjoyment you get from this relationship is outweighed by the negatives. I would seriously consider going forward with this "friendhip" now you're in your twenties. People outgrow each other all the time.

arcticpandas · 17/12/2024 18:23

MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 17:52

Oooh, this is a hard question!

I went to school with her, feels a bit like a friendship out of duty due to length of time. I don’t think she’s the greatest friend but there’s moments of her being fine. We’re in our 20s and she’s my oldest friend.

Just make a point to always see her outside and always be "short of cash" when she's around. I honestly would not stand to be around a "friend" like this but I'm older and less tolerant about people treating me like an atm/doormat.

MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 17:52

IamtheElephant · 17/12/2024 17:17

She sounds like a user, not a friend.
Do you really enjoy this friendship?

Oooh, this is a hard question!

I went to school with her, feels a bit like a friendship out of duty due to length of time. I don’t think she’s the greatest friend but there’s moments of her being fine. We’re in our 20s and she’s my oldest friend.

OP posts:
MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 17:51

Christmaseason · 17/12/2024 17:24

Do you want to do the next day thing?

I do - I wouldn’t cancel the day trip. We’re going to the theatre etc and it will be a fun/festive day.

OP posts:
MJconfessions · 17/12/2024 17:50

lionloaf · 17/12/2024 16:52

Something has come up. You have to work late/collect something/bring something to a parent etc and won’t be home til late so you’ll just see her the next day.

lol! You got me there.

I’m not sure if I’m going to cancel yet. I have zero plans to do her hair or makeup or provide hotel service though.

I messaged this morning asking if she would have already eaten as she would get to mine at 9pm. She’s been ominous, just replied now saying she’s “not sure but can I get towels ready” for her as she doesn’t want to bring her own and lug them around. I felt a bit annoyed by this.

Personally my response in her shoes would have been to get a takeaway ie sort myself out.

OP posts:
Normallynumb · 17/12/2024 17:29

She's a user.
On this occasion she is using your hosting as an photo opportunity for " the gram"!!
Tell her she can no longer stay over as " something has come up".. you don't need to say what.
Then add you're looking forward to your day out( or go by yourself if she makes nasty comments)
YANBU

SweetBobby · 17/12/2024 17:29

She sounds like a bloody pain in the arse, immature too.

Just text her and say something has come up so she can't stay at yours so you'll meet her in X place at Y time.

Itiswhysofew · 17/12/2024 17:28

You could say - I'll meet you at the station instead of mine, as I won't be home early enough for a sleepover. Sorry about that. See you Thursday.

Don't change your mind or explain yourself to her.

sonjadog · 17/12/2024 17:24

You have work thing for tomorrow evening, so she can't come.

Or if she does come, you don't do all that stuff for her (why on earth were you doing it??). She sleeps on the sofa, dinner is fine to make, but breakfast is just whatever you normally have. You do not spend your evening washing her hair, styling it and taking photos of her in your clothes! That is not normal. Adult friends sit around and chat and drink wine/tea, they don't play dress-up.

Christmaseason · 17/12/2024 17:24

Do you want to do the next day thing?

MounjaroOnMyMind · 17/12/2024 17:21

Don't cave in! The chance of you getting those clothes back is very low, for one thing. Tell her something's cropped up - work, family, anything - and you'll have to cancel everything.