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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed by "I need a favour but have to ask you face to face"

953 replies

Eastie77 · 06/04/2016 18:35

I think IABU but anyway...it's annoying me.

A relative sent me a text message stating she needs to pop round and ask me for a favour. It has to be this week and she asked when I'm free. I have a really busy week with various bits and bobs arranged for the kids, appointments etc. I replied the only times that are convenient would be this evening or early Saturday morning before we leave on a weekend break with the kids. I asked if she could give me a call to discuss the favour. She just replied "Ok see you Saturday". I asked again re. the call and she said no, she has to ask me face to face.

I hate this cloak and dagger shit. Just tell me what you need! If it's something awkward I'd rather she asked over the phone tbh. She lives about 40mins away on the bus (doesn't drive) and I mentioned we will be leaving early on Saturday and she'll have to get up early to get here. As this didn't dissuade her I'm guessing it's something important but what and why can't she ask over the phone?? I am not close to this relative btw.

I will feel bad if it's something 'serious' but at the moment I'm just pissed off as we will be sitting around waiting for her to get here on Saturday before we have to set off on a longish drive.

Anyway. Rant over.

OP posts:
MidniteScribbler · 07/04/2016 01:28

Could people please just watch the thread instead of placemarking? It always ends up filling up the thread before the OP gets to update.

Vintage45 · 07/04/2016 01:36

Im saying that the person still wants to ask for a favour the correct way - face to face. Ive often sent a text saying the same as the OP's asker.

EveryoneElsie · 07/04/2016 01:38

Text her and state if its MLM, Juice Plus or anything similar then no she cant.

CheshireChat · 07/04/2016 01:42

It can't be anything urgent if she's willing to wait until Saturday, maybe check when the first bus is and say you're setting off before that? Does she come across badly over the phone or text?

MunchieCrunchie · 07/04/2016 01:59

Is she going to visit her husband and wants to ask you to look after her house or pets while she is away? Maybe she wants to do it face to face so she can gauge your reaction to her question?

RebeccaCloud9 · 07/04/2016 02:53

Argh I'm already desperate to know!

Wizzles · 07/04/2016 03:35

I've been reading through this thread getting more curious with each post. Gutted to have got to the end & still don't know!

Hope you find out soon OP and tell us

Justputyourshoesonnow · 07/04/2016 04:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JustEat314 · 07/04/2016 05:00

Practice saying no lots of different ways.

"You know, that would be really difficult for me"

"You know, im just not able to say yes to this one"

Etc

Fluffy24 · 07/04/2016 05:04

It's bound to be a total anti-climax now isn't it - she'll turn up with a legal document she just needs witnessed.

hibbleddible · 07/04/2016 05:10

I agree it's likely to be an anticlimax too.

Original poster
Eastie77 · 07/04/2016 05:13

Arghh, wrote a reply but phone ate it!

You have my heartfelt assurance that I will update as soon as I know what she wants. I'm up breastfeeding DS at the moment ruminating over it!!

I have left her a VM saying Saturday morning doesn't work now. I didn't mention times or anything as she lives in a part of London served by 24 hour bus routes so whatever time I say we are leaving, she will be able to get here before then.

I hope it's not a surrogacy request, I only had DS 6 months agoGrin

I'm guessing: request to drive her to see her hubby, pick up a large item from IKEA or similar, airport run, feeding her dogs while she's on hols (hope not - hate both dogs) or signing something for her.

NONE of the above explains why she can only ask me face to face at dawn on a Saturday morning though!!

OP posts:
WellErrr · 07/04/2016 06:31

Maybe she wants to leave you loads in her will?

Hope it's something and nothing!

AgathaF · 07/04/2016 07:10

Surely you wouldn't tell someone you needed a 'favour' if you planning to try and sell them Forever Living or some such nonsense though? - I was asked to buy some FL stuff in exactly this way by a friend a couple of weeks ago. Being gullible, I replied that yes, of course I'd do her a favour, then she came out with what she wanted me to buy,dressing it up as a fabulous thing for me because of the many benefits of aloe vera, etc. Because of that, and other people on here saying it might be FL, I assumed that might be one of their latest 'marketing/sales' ploys.

I think you should back up your VM with a text saying the same thing - belt and braces and all that Grin.

eddielizzard · 07/04/2016 07:24

signing something for her sounds plausible - because you have to physically sign it!

zoomtothespoon · 07/04/2016 07:29

The fact that you have a 6 month old baby makes me feel even more strongly that it's a MLM she's trying to push on you.

Waffles80 · 07/04/2016 07:38

Maybe she's won the lottery? And wants to share her winnings?

FishWithABicycle · 07/04/2016 07:41

It might be something completely innocuous like witnessing her will. But resolve now that whatever it is, unless it has no consequences for you whatsoever so you can say yes, or it's so obviously a terrible idea that you can say no right away, your response will be that you will let her know the answer after you are back - don't agree to anything under the pressure of a face to face pitch.

IpreferToblerone · 07/04/2016 07:56

Place marking! Hope it's good news OP.

Collaborate · 07/04/2016 08:00

Just tell her you need some time to think about whatever it is she's asking. That will avoid you being bounced in to something.

BoopTheSnoot · 07/04/2016 08:02

Place marking!

NicknameUsed · 07/04/2016 08:08

If she wants to be driven somewhere she could get a taxi, and she can use public transport to visit her husband. Just tell her you will be leaving at 8 o'clock sharp, and can it wait until you come back.

MyLocal · 07/04/2016 08:19

Nooooooo NickName it can't wait bail she us back from her hols, we all need to find out what us us NOW, in a weeks time I will have forgotten about this thread 😀

MyLocal · 07/04/2016 08:20

Not bail I meant until, hate iPads.

StrictlyMumDancing · 07/04/2016 08:27

Can we get a shameless placemarking smiley?

I'd have thought it was money or a legal document, next time someone asks me like this I'll be worried its MLM!