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AIBU?

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For not apologising

36 replies

MissSkate · 11/02/2026 18:06

I've been friends for a long time (I'll call her A). She lives with a lot of chronic pain and several illnesses. We try to help each other out when needed but she really doesn't like to ask for help if possible.

A needed help with a job that was physically too much for her, so I offered help, and we agreed on a day.

I messaged her early on that morning to ask if I was still needed that day as I'd seen that she'd had a bad night and struggled with sleep. Admittedly I did message around 7am because that's the only time I'd have time due to getting myself and 2 kids out to work and school.

I immediately got a message back shouting at me for waking her up, that she wasn't doing anything that day now, and she was going back to sleep.

I left her message on read not replying as my reply would wake her, again. I wanted to reply that I was working that day and wouldnt see her reply until I'd finished my shift (no phones allowed out at work) and I had other things to do, so was trying to organise my time. I'm maybe feeling very sensitive right now as my head isn't in a good space (as she knows) and felt awful all day because of her reply.

A does this a lot, shouts at people, she is in a great deal of pain every day but that's no reason to shout at friends who offer help.

We're now 2 weeks on, I've deleted my SM as I can't cope with it at the mo (she has other ways of messaging). She hasn't apologised and I feel like I've nothing to apologise for. I'm left feeling bad for something i feel wasn't my fault. AIBU for not apologising?

OP posts:
StealthyHealthy · 11/02/2026 18:23

How did she 'shout' if your communication was by text?

In all honesty, I think the issue with text is that it can be read/received in a perceived tone which is not how the sender intended it.

It's not reasonable for her to actually shout at friends though.

IPM · 11/02/2026 18:20

You know full well YANBU.

keepingitcoolagain · 11/02/2026 18:20

What does ‘shouting at you’ actually involve? I only ask as my partner says this when what is actually happening is he is having a conversation with someone assertive .

Endofyear · 11/02/2026 18:19

You have nothing to feel bad about. A needs to realise that shouting at her friend who is trying to help her will result in her having no friends! Leave her be and get on with your life.

ThejoyofNC · 11/02/2026 18:17

Your "friend" is nasty.

Soooooo · 11/02/2026 18:17

She is just rude. My Dad lived with chronic pain for years and he was never horrible. Do not apologise.

nomas · 11/02/2026 18:16

YANBU, she should have organised a time with you in advance.

Just delete her, she doesn't sound nice.

boobaaaa · 11/02/2026 18:15

Nah, fuck her. Don’t apologise.

ColdAsAWitches · 11/02/2026 18:14

How on earth did you know she'd had a bad night's sleep?

And you said she wrote a message so she wasn't actually shouting at you. Deleting all your social media seems like a bit of an overreaction.

JMSA · 11/02/2026 18:10

I actually feel very annoyed on your behalf. The onus is on her to silence her phone during her sleeping hours.
YANBU for not apologising.

craigth162 · 11/02/2026 18:10

Yanbu. If she's that bothered she should put her phone on silent/do not disturb.