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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:
CamillaMcCauley · Yesterday 01:24

Simple fact is that women often have “cozier” friendships than men and the situation of two female friends sharing a bed (whatever the orientations) is miles more likely to come up than two male friends sharing a bed.

The OP’s friend must be feeling like the boyfriend views her as some kind of predator, either that or his own girlfriend can’t be trusted.

The only decision for me would be whether to tell him we’re staying in the same room and he can accept it and show trust or leave, or whether to dump him myself because I don’t want to be with a controlling twat who obviously doesn’t trust me.

Notimeforaname · Yesterday 01:27

okiedokieokayy · Yesterday 00:07

Yes , I will be telling her that he’s being ridiculous and I was ridiculous to let that affect how I acted

I hope so. I feel awful for your friend.

You really made the wrong decision there to offend your friend rather than telling your boyfriend you will not allow him to control what you do with your friends.

Dont ever allow anyone to do this again to you.

Him giving an ultimatum is just him trying to figure out how much you can be controlled.

HollyhocksandPeons · Yesterday 01:28

What, are you students on a budget, not to book two separate rooms? How weird is it, to be sharing a bed if you are both adults? I wonder what the reaction of most MNers will be, if their husband wanted to share a bed with a gay friend? Yes, it is perfectly normal, darling, a gay friend of mine and myself are sharing a bed on a trip we planned for a looooong time together, what is the problem?

CamillaMcCauley · Yesterday 01:35

HollyhocksandPeons · Yesterday 01:28

What, are you students on a budget, not to book two separate rooms? How weird is it, to be sharing a bed if you are both adults? I wonder what the reaction of most MNers will be, if their husband wanted to share a bed with a gay friend? Yes, it is perfectly normal, darling, a gay friend of mine and myself are sharing a bed on a trip we planned for a looooong time together, what is the problem?

I’m a single mum and if I were to go away on a girls’ weekend, I would absolutely share a room with my fellow single mum bestie (who is a lesbian) because we are both on budgets and we love to sit up watching movies and nattering till lights out. Doesn’t mean we are suddenly going to start shoving tongues down each other’s throats.

Franpie · Yesterday 01:41

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.

I get what you mean and I agree with you. I started off thinking that I wouldn’t be happy if DH shared a bed with a long-standing female friend. But then I thought about his close school friend who is gay and I wouldn’t care about him sharing a bed with him. Because DH isn’t gay so nothing would happen in that bed.

So I think you’re right. It isn’t the same. And your bf just needs to get over it and you need to apologise to your friend.

Wingwalk · Yesterday 02:37

HollyhocksandPeons · Yesterday 01:28

What, are you students on a budget, not to book two separate rooms? How weird is it, to be sharing a bed if you are both adults? I wonder what the reaction of most MNers will be, if their husband wanted to share a bed with a gay friend? Yes, it is perfectly normal, darling, a gay friend of mine and myself are sharing a bed on a trip we planned for a looooong time together, what is the problem?

I'm rich as fuck now and so are my 2 best uni friends, and we share a bed when we go away. We're in our late 30s and we share a bedroom because it reminds us of being 20 and piling into our bed after the club for gossiping and waking up hungover to dissect the day. We went away a few weekends ago to a big house in the Lake District and the three of us slept in one room (2 beds) and at 8am all got into the king size bed for chats 😍

Oh and yes I wouldn't care if my DH shared a bed with one of his gay friends. But I agree with PP men tend to be less huggy. My DH's closest gay friend would probably rather die than share with my snorey DH.

Duvetdayneeded · Yesterday 02:57

Please ditch the boyfriend as he’s got trust issues

ReadingSoManyThreads · Yesterday 03:11

I just love how your super insecure boyfriend was so insistent that you book a separate room, and yet YOU are the one to be paying for it.

Fuck that, if he's so insistent, then HE should be paying for it....then off you trot to the lovely hotel, and you can leave that room empty, whilst you share with your best friend as per usual.

I really hope you can sort this out with your friend now, it would be a shame for your friendship to become damaged because of an insecure man.

I'd suggest having a long hard think about your relationship with him. Do you really want a future with a man who cannot trust you, AND who makes such demands on you?

GarlicEverywhere · Yesterday 03:25

Dropping in here to add to the stories of opposite-sex ,heterosexual friends sharing a bed. I've done it loads of times. I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who can't imagine sleeping next to someone without fucking them. And I sure as hell wouldn't want them as a partner.

Wingwalk · Yesterday 03:31

GarlicEverywhere · Yesterday 03:25

Dropping in here to add to the stories of opposite-sex ,heterosexual friends sharing a bed. I've done it loads of times. I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who can't imagine sleeping next to someone without fucking them. And I sure as hell wouldn't want them as a partner.

Yeah I've done it a few times too.

Most recently with a (not that close) make friend when we ended up slightly stranded after a mutual friend's wedding and he had to stay in my bnb. My friend called his wife before confirming (I didn't tell my DH because he was asleep but I knew he wouldn't care) and honestly I respected them both lot more afterwards for both being honest about it with each other, and being cool about it. She was heavily pregnant too bless her. We joked about it the next time I saw her as she said she was secretly pleased to be able to starfish in their big bed when he couldn't get home.

That's trust for you!

lemmein · Yesterday 03:59

Malvasylvestris · 26/07/2026 23:36

I wouldn't be comfortable with my husband sharing a bed with someone who is attracted to males, so it's a no from me.

Why? Is your husband bisexual?

Jane379 · Yesterday 04:45

DaysOfWild · 26/07/2026 22:24

I don't think that's quite fair. My husband has female friends he's known since birth and I wouldn't for one minute think anything would happen between them because I trust and like both my husband and them, but them sharing a bed would still make me uncomfortable. I made this clear at the outset and his reaction was basically a shrug and 'no problem, if that makes you comfortable'. Which was reassuring in itself.

In any event, they may just have wildly different expectations of what's OK in a relationship and that's allowed without one of them having to be the villain. Maybe they're just not compatible.

Edited

Man and woman sharing a bed is a but different though. OP isn't into women, I assume, and they've been friends for a long time. The bed sharing has happened before with nothing romantic, I don't see the issue.

Jane379 · Yesterday 04:49

shuggles · Yesterday 01:16

@okiedokieokayy 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.

Is it controversial to say that men and women are different from each other?

Women will hate me for saying this, but it is simply the truth that the vast majority of men are easily aroused by, and are sexually attracted to, the majority of women.

I suspect that female sexuality, and lesbian sexuality, are different though, and I suspect that a lesbian sharing a bed with a female friend is very unlikely to be thinking dirty thoughts.

Edited

I don't think women will hate you for saying that- at least, I think plenty of us accept male sexuality is different usually.

Jane379 · Yesterday 04:50

nevernotmaybe · Yesterday 00:50

Not with the comment I responded to it isnt. They made it clear that the question isnt' about the other person, it is about the claim made by OP. If that is true, that is true for anyone you are sharing the bed with. If he claims he isnt attracted to the person it should be OK.

It is just the same thing either way regardless though.

He has to trust her claim that she isn't attracted to any woman ever, he can't know she is telling the truth he can only believe her. She would have to trust his claim he isnt attracted to a female friend, she can't know she can only believe him. Both have to trust a claim made, to stay in the bed of the person in question. So female friend is relevant to the comment I responded to, and in general.

Edited

He has to trust her claim that she isn't attracted to any woman ever, he can't know she is telling the truth he can only believe her. She would have to trust his claim he isnt attracted to a female friend, she can't know she can only believe him'

  • it's more likely for a man to be into a female friend. Most women are not lesbian or bisexual.
Jane379 · Yesterday 04:57

Viviennemary · 26/07/2026 22:05

I'm team boyfriend. I was ok up to when you said your friend was gay. So not on. Sorry.

Why is it not on? Care to explain?

Op is presumably straight. Her friend knows this. Do you think this long term friend is going to try to magically 'turn' her in some creepy way? That's not typical female behaviour.

Moreover, do you think being lesbian means the friend is going to fancy OP? Lesbians, like straight women, tend to be far more selective than straight men, who are more likely to find large numbers of women attractive and try it on, including potentially their friends.

Yakacm · Yesterday 04:57

Would you be happy with your man sleeping in the same bed as his gay friend? I mean sleeping in the same bed as a person who is attracted to your gender should feel problematic. If you are female there’s no difference between sleeping with a heterosexual man or a gay lady? Get separate rooms.

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:00

lordbaddingham · 26/07/2026 22:42

But OPs best friend is female, she's not sharing a bed with a male friend

Edited

OK, and what do you think the difference is?

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:00

Haikuing · 26/07/2026 23:15

There is a massive difference between men and women in these situations. You might not want to think so, but there is.

And what is that difference?

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:02

Wingwalk · 26/07/2026 22:36

That's not the same though is it, your husband and these female friends you'd feel uncomfortable about are presumably both straight?

In any event I do agree that they're obviously incompatible. But in my view this is because the boyfriend is a jealous, and tbh homophobic, dickhead.

What does he think will happen in a double bed that wouldn't happen in twins?

It's so odd an issue to me that it's not until this, my 4th post or so on this thread, that I clocked that I've shared a bed with my friends who's bi (as well as getting changed in front of her etc) and it would never have occurred to my DH to say anything - although if he did I would of course tell him to piss off and would never be so insensitive as to tell my friend.

Why does it make a difference if they're both straight?

As for what he thinks would happen in a double bed that wouldn't happen in a single - you could ask the same about a man and woman sharing a bed. What's the answer there? Is it different?

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:03

Jane379 · Yesterday 04:45

Man and woman sharing a bed is a but different though. OP isn't into women, I assume, and they've been friends for a long time. The bed sharing has happened before with nothing romantic, I don't see the issue.

Why is it different?

If a man and woman have shared a bed before with nothing romantic happening, is that fine to continue to, and if the boyfriend didn't like that would he also be all the names he's been called in this thread?

HelmholtzWatson · Yesterday 05:07

I probably lean slightly more to your way of thinking about this, but nonetheless, it's a bit weird - is it okay to platonically share a bed with someone of the opposite sex, provided you don't fancy them?

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:10

GarlicEverywhere · Yesterday 03:25

Dropping in here to add to the stories of opposite-sex ,heterosexual friends sharing a bed. I've done it loads of times. I wouldn't want to be friends with anyone who can't imagine sleeping next to someone without fucking them. And I sure as hell wouldn't want them as a partner.

That's a bit manipulative. I don't think it's necessarily that a person "can't imagine sleeping next to someone without fucking them", as I suspect you know, but that's certainly an interesing way to try to make a partner who is uncomfortable with the idea of you sharing that intimacy with someone else into the bad guy so that you can continue to do what you want.

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:13

CamillaMcCauley · Yesterday 01:35

I’m a single mum and if I were to go away on a girls’ weekend, I would absolutely share a room with my fellow single mum bestie (who is a lesbian) because we are both on budgets and we love to sit up watching movies and nattering till lights out. Doesn’t mean we are suddenly going to start shoving tongues down each other’s throats.

And if she had a partner who objected to her sharing a bed with you - another woman (albeit straight) - in that situation, should she be subject to the same name calling and calls to be dumped as the OP's boyfriend?

You raise a good analogy.

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:18

CrypticClueless · Yesterday 00:21

It isn't the same thing.
As a straight male he might happen to fancy a woman he was sharing a bed with.

The OP is straight and will not be fancying her female friend.

Would it still be OK if said female friend was a lesbian herself so no chance she would reciprocate your DH's possible feelings?

Sorry for so many questions but I'm absolutely fascinated to tease out the parameters of this from other people's point of view!

DaysOfWild · Yesterday 05:25

Last one! OP, if your friend found herself with a partner who objected to her sharing a bed with you would you
A) expect her to tell said partner that she's being ridiculous and dismiss her out of hand/dump her
B) call her partner disparaging names and conclude that she is controlling and awful and
C) get quiet and offended yourself if she suggested that you sleep separately in order to make her partner more comfortable?

If not, then this is purely a case of expecting a man to put up with something (silently) that you wouldn't expect a woman to put up with simply because he's a man.