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Boyfriend doesn't want me sharing a bed with Bestfriend on trip

434 replies

okiedokieokayy · 26/07/2026 21:47

My best friend of around 8 years (we met at uni) has been living abroad for over two years and is finally coming back to the UK next month. I've been so excited to see her. To mark the occasion and make sure we actually get proper quality time together, we booked a little countryside retreat about 4 hours from where I live. Logistics also played a part, as she's coming from visiting family and then jetting off again, so this was the easiest way to make it work. We've had this trip planned for about four months. She made the booking and I was more than happy for her to sort it.
For context, my friend and I have shared a bed completely platonically loads of times over the years. Drunkenly crashing at uni, travelling together as broke backpackers, visiting each other in different cities. It's just never been a thing. So when she booked the room it genuinely didn't occur to me to ask about the bed situation. I'd have been fine with sharing or a twin, it just wasn't a question that entered my head.
It only came up when I was chatting to my boyfriend of nearly two and a half years about the trip. Not the first conversation we've had about it, like I said I've been excited, but this time the topic of rooms came up. He'd assumed we had separate rooms and when I said no, it's one room with a double, his whole mood changed. He said he wasn't comfortable with me sharing a bed with her. I should mention here that my friend happens to be a lesbian, and he knows this. When I asked why it was suddenly an issue, he said it "just feels different" and that he wouldn't share a bed with someone who could potentially be attracted to him, so he didn't see why I would. I tried to explain that we've shared beds plenty of times before, that she's basically family to me, and that she has never once, in eight years, shown even a hint of interest in me like that. He wasn't having it.
He then asked me to at least check if the hotel had twin rooms. I did check, to keep the peace, and there aren't any available. His response was that I need to book a separate room. It's a lot of money and honestly I'm not sure I can afford it, especially for something I don't think is necessary.
The bit that's really bothering me is that I mentioned it to my friend. I told her what he'd said and after some conversation I floated the idea that maybe I should just book the separate room. She went quiet for a second and then said "erm, yeah, okay, if that's what you think's best." There was a definite tone in her voice, like she was holding something back and trying not to cause drama. And now I feel awful. I can't work out if I'm more upset that my boyfriend doesn't seem to trust my judgement, or worried that she's hurt by the inference, because let's be honest, the implication is that because she's gay she can't be trusted to share a bed with a friend, which feels really unfair on her.
I know some people here will use the "what if she was a guy" or "would you be okay with your boyfriend sharing a bed with a straight female friend" argument, and I get why, but I'm honestly not sure it's the same thing. This is someone I've known for nearly a decade with zero history or hint of anything romantic. I don't know how I feel and I don't know what to do. Do I pay for a room I can't really afford to keep my boyfriend happy, or hold my ground and risk a row? And is it unreasonable of me to feel a bit insulted on my friend's behalf?

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · Today 11:14

Op can I ask how your relationship in general is with your partner? Are you normally walking on eggshells with him.

I think your partner is wrong in this situation but I understand that this is not everyone view. However I think it is worrying that you felt like you could not do what you feel is right just because it would cause rows. Does he always lash out if you do not do what he wants?

DaysOfWild · Today 11:15

Arregaithel · Today 10:55

Absolutely zero problem because @Hazzaar67;

a) I'm not insecure, b) I am not homophobic and c) I have neither control nor trust issues.

Within a relationship, each of us should have equal rights with mutual respect and healthy boundaries, so why on earth would I distrust my partner?

If I became someone who felt the need to "allow" a grown human to do anything, because of my own fear, I'd have to reflect seriously as to why I'd become such a numpty!

Out of curiosity, would you object to your DH sharing a bed with another woman?

If so, does that indicate trust issues, control issues, insecurity and 'numptiness'? If it doesn't, why not? What is the difference?

If you wouldn't mind, what would be the point at which it would cross your boundaries? Would a cuddle or a spoon be the line? Something else?

If someone else's boundary is no bed sharing with other people at all, is that inherently unhealthy?

I hope you don't mind me quizzing you - I'm genuinely interested in where people are drawing the line and why!

ZedNotZee54321 · Today 11:49

Your boyfriend sounds ignorant and possibly homophobic. Why does he assume just because your friend is gay she will immediately fancy you? Do we assume every straight person fancies everyone of the opposite gender? If course we don't.

okiedokieokayy · Today 11:56

VointofPiew · Today 07:44

Nobody here would support a man sharing a bed with his gay friend

Many people on this thread have said they would be , myself included.

OP posts:
VointofPiew · Today 13:03

okiedokieokayy · Today 11:56

Many people on this thread have said they would be , myself included.

They wouldnt though. They think men are gay (not even bi) for the silliest things and they think it is disgusting for the most part. They think men are gay for wanting certain sex acts with women.

If you were a man, the majority of people here would not support you sleeping in bed with your gay friend.

VointofPiew · Today 13:04

DaysOfWild · Today 11:15

Out of curiosity, would you object to your DH sharing a bed with another woman?

If so, does that indicate trust issues, control issues, insecurity and 'numptiness'? If it doesn't, why not? What is the difference?

If you wouldn't mind, what would be the point at which it would cross your boundaries? Would a cuddle or a spoon be the line? Something else?

If someone else's boundary is no bed sharing with other people at all, is that inherently unhealthy?

I hope you don't mind me quizzing you - I'm genuinely interested in where people are drawing the line and why!

They draw the line at women being able to do what they want with who they want and men having to obey women and mind their boundaries.

PrizedPickledPopcorn · Today 13:08

I think some of the differences of opinion here are to do with people’s general relationship behaviour. If you’re physically intimate with friends- doing each other’s hair, lounging against each other like a heap of puppies, you’ll feel very different from someone who is quite self contained.
I’d hate to share a bed with someone, and DH can’t sit touching on the sofa, so it just wouldn’t be a normal thing for us. I know it is for other people though.

Touching, beds, intimacy, - it isn’t all about sex.

DaysOfWild · Today 13:18

ZedNotZee54321 · Today 11:49

Your boyfriend sounds ignorant and possibly homophobic. Why does he assume just because your friend is gay she will immediately fancy you? Do we assume every straight person fancies everyone of the opposite gender? If course we don't.

No, but interestingly more people seem to agree that it wouldn't be acceptable for a straight man and woman to share a bed.

I doubt that's considered heterophobic, but you could level exactly the same charge of, "why do you assume every straight person fancies everyone of the opposite sex?" in similarly outrages tones.

It seems this comes down to several positions:

A) ALL ALLOWED: the people who have said they wouldn't have a problem with their straight partner sharing a bed with someone of the same sex NOR opposite sex - it's different to my feelings but they're being consistent.

B) PARTNER SEXUALITY: the people whose only consideration is the orientation of their partner (e.g. a straight men could share a bed with a man - gay or straight - but not a woman because that's someone the partner could potentially be attracted to; a lesbian woman could share with a straight or gay man but not a woman; a straight woman could share with a lesbian or straight woman; a bisexual could not share with anyone etc.) on the basis that sexuality is fixed and cheating (or impure thoughts!) is far less likely.

C) MEN ARE THE PROBLEM: the people who think that any women can share a bed regardless of the sexuality of the two because either it's more common (and therefore the choice to do so is less automatically suspicious) or women are less likely to cheat anyway when presented with the opportunity. Men should not share with other men regardless of sexuality because of the inverse of the above (weird that they would want to as it's not the norm and/or they are more likely to cheat given the opportunity) nor should they share with women on the same basis.

D) HETEROSEXUALS ARE THE PROBLEM: the people for whom the only issue is a heterosexual man and heterosexual woman (or bisexual in either case?) sharing a bed. All other combinations are allowed (including two gay men / 2 gay women) because...[reasons I have not worked out]

E) NONE ALLOWED: the people who would not like their partner sharing with anyone, either because they are worried about giving an 'open goal' for cheating of any kind or because they consider bed-sharing itself to be an intimate thing to be reserved just for their romantic relationship.

Have I missed any?

Edited: to say that interestingly, the one position I have absolutely not seen articulated here is the homosexuals are the problem. i.e. a straight man and straight woman can platonically share, but not if one or both the participants are gay. It genuinely seems that homophobia is the only position actually missing from the positions put forward.

AMurderofMurderingCrows · Today 13:19

VointofPiew · Today 13:03

They wouldnt though. They think men are gay (not even bi) for the silliest things and they think it is disgusting for the most part. They think men are gay for wanting certain sex acts with women.

If you were a man, the majority of people here would not support you sleeping in bed with your gay friend.

You are stating your thoughts and opinions as fact.

You cannot possibly know what 'they' would or wouldn't be happy with. Just because you wouldn't be happy with it doesn't mean others are the same.

I can't believe I've having to explain this to an adult. Assuming you are an adult.

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