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AIBU?

To not want friends to come to mine for a reunion?

533 replies

TheDietStartsTomorrow · 26/01/2014 10:51

This is more of a WWYD than a AIBU, but here goes:

There's 6 of them coming over with kids and a few husbands too. They're my friends from uni and I've kept in touch with all of them over the years, some more than others. There have been times times when we've fallen out of touch for a few months or a year. They're not my closest friends; I hung around with another bunch but these were my classmates so I was on good terms wih them. I like them but to be honest, I don't love them.

There are a few who I have also fallen out with over the years and made up with again. One in particular, I'm not very fond of. But one night on whatsapp, we all started talking about meeting up and I went along with it. They decided on my house, so I agreed at the time because I didn't know how to refuse. I rearranged the date because they wanted to come that very weekend and it wasn't convenient for me and neither was the next weekend so they finally settled on this week. I was trying to put it off as long as I could.

Now, there's a few reasons I'm not looking forward to it. Firstly, they expect me to cook them a fantastic multi course meal. There are at least 7 kids coming too. The friend who I'm not particularly fond of has a tendency to expect things. She wants it to be a great weekend and is just expecting me to pull out all the stops. Not only that, she is very, very nosey and opens cupboards and drawers and sticks her head round every door. She's always commented on how my house is and although she tends to be complimentary in her choice of words, I feel it's all a fake. At the moment, my house is in a bit of a state: kitchen unit doors falling off, scribbled walls, no sofa in living room, carpets need changing etc. I can just imagine the comments.

Not only that, but she is loud, brash and generally very excitable. I don't particularly like being around her.

My weekends are very precious to me. I work throughout the week because with children, I spend the weekend recuperating as well as getting things done for the week. Having said that, I do entertain a lot of guests. But most, if not all of these, I enjoy having them over. They don't expect anything, they don't poke their noses in places and nor are they demanding in other ways.

I've been cleaning all week in preparation for them but there is still much to do. I don't mind the cleaning- I was due a spring clean anyway, but I'm feeling a bit of resentment towards them. I can't make an excuse and cancel without them seeing right through it. Although I don't particularly love them, I don't want to lose all the friendships either by cancelling on them. I can't deal with the negativity that would bring.

One thing I do know though is that if we were meeting at any of their homes, they wouldn't be very keen on it. Everyone's a little selfish, including me I guess, and it's just a free weekend away for some.

I'm not normally such a miser. If it was my closest group of friends from university, I'd love to have them over. They're kind, gracious, loving and non judgmental and I love them all.

So what do I do? Shall I just grin and bear it because it's just a weekend or do I have any way out of it without spoiling my relationship with them?

OP posts:
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ScentedScandal · 26/01/2014 12:33

You have been railroaded. Time to start saying no and stick to your guns. Offer up whatever alternative fits round what you can manage, even if it means suggesting another venue like a hotel and if it'll be another date then so be it. If they get funny or shirty then are they honestly such a loss? Anyone can see that's an enormous expectation for one person to host. I think they're looking for a nice freebie here tbh.

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birdybear · 26/01/2014 12:34

That note sounds perfect, and if they don't get it. Cancel it!

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eagerbeagle · 26/01/2014 12:35

OP Woman up and tell them no. Really, what's the worst that c

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brettgirl2 · 26/01/2014 12:36

or you could link them to this thread? Grin

or charge them 200 a night per couple, spend it on a luxury chill out weekend. There may well be another thread 'Am I Being unreasonable to think 200 quid a night is a bit much? ' before too long.

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eagerbeagle · 26/01/2014 12:36

Pressed too soon

What's the worst that could happen? They moan about losing a free weekend away. Well boo hoo. If they are proper friends they'll understand and if they're not, well no loss to you.

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antimatter · 26/01/2014 12:37

I think I would die of exhaustion if I had to host so many families in my home.
Only fair to say to everyone - sorry guys but I am not up to it. I am too tired as it is.
Aplogies, let's arrange another get together.

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Nanny0gg · 26/01/2014 12:40

WhereYouLeftIt

Brilliant!

But the OP won't do it, will you OP?

So, easier to just say NO!!

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antimatter · 26/01/2014 12:40

WhereYouLeftIt - perfect reply!

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pigletmania · 26/01/2014 12:40

Good idea bun baker, be honest and use some of te suggestions here, especially bunbakers

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ScentedScandal · 26/01/2014 12:43

Hmm..Sounds to me like 'awkward friend' is ever so slightly envious of you Diet and is gleefully angling a way to dump this onto you. 'TheDiet has a lovely big six bedroomed posh house and is the best cook ever.'

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Bunbaker · 26/01/2014 12:44

"Good idea bun baker, be honest and use some of te suggestions here, especially bun bakers"

I can't claim the credit for this. I was quoting someone else. I still think that is the best suggestion.

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rubyflipper · 26/01/2014 12:45

Please - just contact them on whatsapp - and say that you can't do it.

You don't even need to speak to them direct.

If you don't cancel now, you will have to go through with the weekend.

You've been handed a ready-made excuse on a plate as your husband is returning from a work trip and will be knackered - so use it right now

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pigletmania · 26/01/2014 12:48

Exactly,the earlier te better. Time for tem to organise hotels, BB, and rework their plans.

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pigletmania · 26/01/2014 12:49

I think bunbakers suggestion is te more realistic. If you don't cancel now, you have only yourself to blame ater on

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JugglingFromHereToThere · 26/01/2014 12:51

I think I'd arrange to meet for meal near yours (say Friday night) have everyone over for the night (if you have the space ?!) host a nice breakfast/brunch, go for a local visit and send them home from there ?
Just scale down plans, use restaurant for main meal, and keep it short and sweet. Still generous to have everyone to stay, and maybe they as well as you will appreciate some time to themselves/ to get ready for the coming week/ get kids homework done, on the Sunday ?

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cat88 · 26/01/2014 12:53

Where you left it - perfect reply.

It does sound like gobby friend is orchestrating a free weekend at your hotel home at your expense.

If you can't do where you left it's suggestion, even putting it into your own words then is there one of thegroup (maybe the one who offered to bring dessert) you could talk to one to one to explain your view and help get the others to see your viewpoint?

I'd be tempted to speak to them individually get them to offer much more help and less effort for you.

I would also rethink the sleeping arrangements, if you are need to, perhaps those that are less willing to help would be ok camping in the garden??

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Bunbaker · 26/01/2014 12:54

It was MmeMorrible's idea, not mine Grin

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TheDietStartsTomorrow · 26/01/2014 12:58

Thanks all of you, your posts really helped me to put this into perspective. I decided that if I can't stand them being here before they get here, it'll be a hundred times worse when they do get here and it would be an injustice to fake it and put on a brave face when yet do arrive or to cancel at the last minute.

I've grabbed the Get out of Jail Free card with two hands and told the awkward friend that I'd love her to take us all in on Saturday night and that I'm looking forward to relaxing at hers (just copying what she said about coming to mine) and tasting all her lovely food. I told them I'll still do a meal for them at mine on Sunday because really, I actually don't mind doing just one dinner for them all because I DO like to cook. Just thinking about that feels like something I'm looking forward to rather than dreading. There's no answer from the rest yet but if there are objections from them then it will just confirm they are a bunch of freeloaders and I'll tell them straight.

Some of you mentioned that I should use my DH coming back home as a reason why they couldn't come. I had already tried a different version of that but it didn't really work. I had asked them to come on Sunday instead of staying over the whole weekend but because one of them is coming from afar and making a 500mile round trip it's not practical for her.
She's actually the nicest one of the lot so when she asked for hotel suggestions I suggested that I'd make space for her only. The rest just decided amongst themselves after that that they'd stay too.

OP posts:
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BlackDaisies · 26/01/2014 13:03

Just be short and sweet. "Look, really sorry, have been thinking this over and just do not have the time to organise so many people staying, and the house just isn't up to it at the moment.. work to do on it etc. I should have said no at the time but I think everyone got carried away! Would still love to see everyone though, how about ..... restaurant..... and .....b and b..... for anyone staying over. Unless any of you are happy for us all to stay at yours." You could even passive aggressive mention rude friend at the end and say "seriously x ,I know you're worried about your cooking but none of us would bat an eyelid if you're up to hosting us all instead?"

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DustBunnyFarmer · 26/01/2014 13:04

The point here is that you have a lovely 6 bed home, not a 6 bedroom hotel....

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BlackDaisies · 26/01/2014 13:05

Cross post! Good for you! Stick to your guns!

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JugglingFromHereToThere · 26/01/2014 13:11

I'm sure lunch at yours will be lovely - I wish I was coming!
So do you have a friend nearby who is hosting Saturday evening? if so, that sounds better.

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sallysoubriquet · 26/01/2014 13:12

Good for you Diet!!

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YouStayClassySanDiego · 26/01/2014 13:17

It sounds as if you've found middle ground that suits you.

That's good but be aware for the next time and be prepared.

Hope all goes well.

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MsAspreyDiamonds · 26/01/2014 13:50

Easy say you have an infestation of mice & have treatment pellets all over so not safe for kids to be around.

If you say you have D & V then they will rearrange for another weekend but nobody will want to come if you have mice.Wink

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