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

[Eastie77]

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.

Could you ring her up and tell her Mumsnet's dying to know what she wants so she has to tell you now?

No idea what it could be but hopefully she'll give you a ring and not turn up really early Saturday morning.

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Maybe if you have a six month old baby and she doesn't work she wants to offer you free childcare when you return to work

Although if she is 40 mins away and doesn't drive it won't be that practical

More shameless placemarking!

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A relative wants to do a 40 minute journey on the day they know you are heading off on holiday to ask you for a favour?
Yikes. That can't be good. She's getting divorced and wants you to put her up for a bit?

I'm fascinated by the fact she will agree to come to someone's house at the crack of dawn to do this. That in itself isn't normal.

I also will not be able to rest until I know!

I neeeeeeeeed to know what it is too. I hope it's not FL shit. God that's tedious stuff isn't it?

No word back from OP? She's as bad as her relative!!

place marking! :)

I only know about FL because of MN.

I think it's sign something, don't act as a guarantor on a loan, I would rather be hated for not doing that than screwed over when someone messes up their loan.

Lottery win and she is going to give you Dr Evil voice '1 million dollars'

Or more likely, she wants you to drive her somewhere really far away at a very unsociable time for no good reason.

No word back from OP? She's as bad as her relative!!

Er she was feeding her 6 month old at 5am and has an older child[ren]. I imagine that she's up to her knackered eyes in breakfast and getting dressed time.

Really odd OP. Nothing about this relative suggests FL bot stuff given your background on her. But if she wanted you to witness a document the obvious thing would be to say so?

Are you a registered professional of some sort who could witness a passport application?

Also one that NEEDS to know!

Yanbu OP. I'd hate this cloak & dagger stuff too. I'd be saying "Just tell me!"

I think it will be something mundane. IME there is a certain type of person who has to deliver any news bigger than "tried a new kind of tea bag" in person. I guess she could be one of these. Therefore my guess is a lift somewhere.

I'd bet any money its Arbonne or Forever Living or a pyramid-scheme-by-any-other-name. It's exactly the same language my friends (who are all usually texters or messangers/whatsappers would use).

My sister had a request like this from a friend and it was to "accomodate" her nephew for a few weeks as he had just got a job in the area my sis lives and had not had an opportunity to get a flat or similar (he ended up staying for 6 weeks), but as it was face to face dsis felt uneasy refusing.
Could it be something similar, face to face, usually indicates its a request that will put you on the spot, and not give you a chance to refuse without appearing unreasonable

does she have need for an Alibi ??

My money's on it being a pyramid, too. Lurking on the MLM threads in Money Matters has been eye-opening, and "I need a favour" seems a really common way in.

Ditto the air of mystery, inappropriate timing, and total lack of consideration for the "mark".

People describe cancelling their own important stuff to help out a friend in need - only to find it's a marketing pitch dressed up as "I'm so nervous, please help me rehearse my presentation."

Ooh if we're going down the dark paths Madhugger maybe she wants the op to follow her husband about PI style?

Money is my thought!

Could be, could be TheJiminyConjecture.

Could also be that I watch too many eps of CSI and criminal Minds