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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To tell friend she WBU over DB's wedding?

181 replies

ridiculouscaper · 09/05/2017 19:49

Have name changed, as the details might out me.

A bit long, sorry.

My friend is upset with me, and has told my DP that she wants an apology. DP thinks I should apologise, but I don't want to as I don't think I've done anything wrong.

Background: My friend, though lovely, can be a bit thin-skinned and high maintenance. She takes offence quite easily and has a tendency to create drama where there really isn't any need for it. She also has very fixed ideas about how social/family things should and should not be done, even when these supposed social conventions are unknown to the rest of us!

This issue all started with her twin brother's upcoming wedding. Her DB and his future DW have been together a long time. My friend has never really liked the bride, and has never made an effort to cultivate a friendship or anything like that. Fair enough, there's no rule to say you have to be friends with a relative's DP! My friend's DSis is fairly chummy with the bride, on the other hand. The bride has now asked the DSis (along with her own DSis and best friend) to be bridesmaid. My friend was livid when she found this out a few days ago.

She reckons she should be bridesmaid because she's his twin, and is upset because she won't be a part of the wedding party, and (apparently??) that means she won't be in any of the photos. I thought she was BU, and told her so, pointing out that her DSis is much closer to the bride, it's the bride's choice, and that it's the bride and groom's day, blah blah blah. I was fairly diplomatic, I think. She calmed down a bit during our conversation, and while she was still pissed off about not being bridesmaid, I thought that was the end of it.

Yesterday afternoon, she sent me a text asking if I could talk. I told her I was a bit busy with a work-related deadline but said she could ring if it was important, if not I could speak to her that evening. She phoned me immediately. Turns out she was still furious about not being bridesmaid, and after she spoke to me a few days ago she went and booked a two-week holiday starting the day before the wedding!! Unsurprisingly, her DB is upset that his twin sister won't be there. Her DD is upset that she is going to miss her uncle's wedding. Even her DM, who normally placates her no matter what, is upset.

I told her I thought she was bang out of order. She disagreed. The conversation ended up getting quite heated. She said she couldn't understand why her DB was upset she wouldn't be there "as it's not like I'm even going to be a part of the wedding". She said her DM should back her up over the bride, and said her DSis had "betrayed" her by agreeing to be bridesmaid without asking if she was going to be one first. Her family have asked her to change the dates of the holiday. She does not want to because she will lose her deposit.

I tried to be diplomatic at first, but the conversation went around in circles and I ended up losing it with her (partly because I thought she was being an arsehole, and also because I was a bit stressed with work). I told her I thought she had no reason to be upset at not being bridesmaid in the first place, and that she had obviously only booked the holiday in a tantrum because she wouldn't be a key part of the wedding. I told her I thought she was being childish, spiteful and attention-seeking, and that she was being unfair stressing her mum out (her DM is getting on a bit, and has been in very poor health recently). I also told her I had better shit to be doing than listening to her whinge about not being the bridesmaid of someone she doesn't like and has made no effort with. She ended up hanging up on me (she has form for that).

She met DP in town today at lunchtime, and told him she was very upset and had been crying all evening because of how I had spoken to her. She told him to tell me she expects an apology or she will consider our friendship over.

WIBU? DP reckons I should apologise to keep the peace, and because it might makes things awkward with mutual friends. I don't think I have anything to apologise for. Maybe I should have been a bit calmer saying it, but I still agree with what I said. I also reckon it'll blow over, as she has told other people that their friendships are over in the past only to be best pals again a fortnight later Grin

So, Mumsnetters? Should I apologise?

OP posts:
NC1nightstand · 09/05/2017 20:06

She sounds like hard work to be honest op. Very childish too. Presumably, this whole thing is coming from a place of insecurity on her part but even so.....?!? You've done your best to listen, advise and support and absolutely no need to apologize imho. She's backed herself into a corner now with the holiday and the ultimatum she's issued you through your dh, very silly and not the worse thing in the world for her to learn lessons that are long overdue.

Siwdmae · 09/05/2017 20:06

Why does your dp want you to apologise? Because your mate is a childish idiot?! You have nothing to apologise for, she has been ridiculous, especially given she doesn't even like the bride!

Kimonolady · 09/05/2017 20:06

DO NOT APOLOGISE TO THIS WOMAN!!
She sounds like an absolute nutter.
It also sounds like her reaction to you telling it to her straight was so over the top because it's slowly dawning on her that no-one thinks she's in the right here, and she's cut off her own nose to spite her face regarding missing the wedding. I doubt she's all that upset about what you said, I think she's upset that non-one - not her mum, her twin, her sister, even her DD in a way - thinks she's in the right here. You're just an easy target to project on.
I know you say she's normally very nice, if a bit overly dramatic, but she'd have to be Mother Theresa for me to put up with this. Selfishness at its worst.

RuggerHug · 09/05/2017 20:09

Even if she whinges to other people that you were soooooooo mean to her, there's no way she can say it without looking like a loon when she says why.
Do not apologise! Or do so using the Father Jack sarcasm voice!

SaorAlbaGuBrath · 09/05/2017 20:09

Oh fuck that, I've spent far too many years pandering to spoilt twats who expect the world to revolve around them and I can't be arsed any more. OP you were spot on, and I do not think you should apologise under any circumstances. She's a monumental arsehole.

GreenHillsSunnySkies · 09/05/2017 20:09

Has your friend always been such a self-absorbed drama queen? Good for you for keeping it real and telling her how unacceptable her behaviour is.

That said, and slightly off topic there is a growing trend toward mixed bridal parties here in the USA, ie the bride may have a male relative/friend among her attendants standing with her on her side and groom a female relative or friend as a groomswoman or even Best Woman.

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 09/05/2017 20:09

God no.

I would be a little miffed at not being a bridesmaid if it was my twin getting married and the bride probably should have thought about it more BUT it is ultimately the brides choice and if she doesn't like her future sis in law then she doesn't have to chose her as a bridesmaid.
Your friend was/is being a complete drama llama by going on holiday and she has done it so everyone will be focusing on why she isn't there (or that's what she thinks they will talk/focus on)
Do not apologise to her as you will just be pandering to a spoilt person who needs to grow the hell up!

ILookedintheWater · 09/05/2017 20:10

I would send her a text saying ' I consider you a dear and true friend. Real friends tell you the truth, even when it hurts. I love you and have been your friend for a long time. I can't stand by and let you ruin your relationship with your brother when you are in the wrong. I hope our friendship survives this and that you can understand that I will always do what I think is best for you because I care.'
Melodramatic enough to fuel her need for drama/hopefully make her think but true enough to sock it to her again.
If it doesn't work I'd let the friendship go. She is behaving irrationally and if a good friend can't point it out then what's the point in continuing the friendship?

GloGirl · 09/05/2017 20:10

Actually in her shoes I'd be incredibly hurt, and I think that whilst booking the holiday was pathetic behaviour your 'speaking your mind' to your friend was very harsh.

You could just say that the family being upset with her was entirely predictable and she should absolutely have expected back lash - no reason to be so personal and mean in what you said.

Obviously alone in these thoughts compared to other posters but reading it I just felt really sorry for her. She's venting to a friend and you basically told her your home truths all in one go at a time when she is already feeling crap.

If that was my friend I'd help her to see that there were other perspectives not bollock her.

PeaFaceMcgee · 09/05/2017 20:13

She sounds horrid. Why would you & dp even want to be friends with someone so spiteful?

Sleepdeprivedredhead · 09/05/2017 20:15

Stuff that. She needed to hear she's being ridiculous. But. You didn't cover yourself in glory the way you spoke to her.
I'd leave it though. Best shot of her.

pictish · 09/05/2017 20:15

No. She needed to hear it because it's the truth. Her behaviour is appalling.
I don't think I could be friends with someone as self-important and truculent as she sounds so maybe it's no great loss if she holds a grudge.

AvoidingCallenetics · 09/05/2017 20:15

Definitely don't apologise - it will only vindicate her tantrum.
I think people should only apologise when they are actually sorry for what they've said - you are not and therefore have no need to say sorry.
She us being selfish and you did tell her you were busy with work and she still insisted on ringing and forcing you to listen to her stroppy behaviour. Fault is entirely on her.
Unfortunately, even though you are right, she won't see it and the friendship is probably done for.
Her poor twin though. What on earth possesses people to think this sort of behaviour is acceptable at someone else's wedding?

Summerisdone · 09/05/2017 20:16

YANBU
I wouldn't be able to bring myself to apologise in your situation as I think you only told her a few home truths, she sounds like a spoilt brat tbh.
What does she not seem to understand about the fact that the wedding is her brother's and his partner's. It isn't her day and yet she seems to think it should be about her, and she has managed it to a point because now it sounds like everything is about how she's going to miss the day rather than it being about the actual bride and groom.

At very best you could perhaps tell her you didn't mean to speak to her in such a way but you truly did mean every word, although if you manage that then you're a bigger person than I am as I'd tell her to go fuck herself if she thinks she's getting an apology

MrsJamesMathews · 09/05/2017 20:16

So friend's DB, family and the bride will no longer have the pleasure nightmare of the company of his batshit crazy twin and you no longer have to endure a GROWN WOMAN calling you up in the middle of the working day to whine about not being a bridesmaid?

Sounds like everyone's a winner to me. Good call.

AvoidingCallenetics · 09/05/2017 20:17

Just to add, it is nice to come across an OP who says exactly what she should in a given situation.

MyPatronusIsAUnicorn · 09/05/2017 20:18

Don't apologise. You ended up snapping because she was going arpu d and around, banging the same drum and not getting how much of a twat she is being. She deserved to hear it, rather harshly as well.

As she has threatened to not be friends with others, does she have form for acting like a twat and others not agreeing with her. I can't think of times where I have told people that tbey need to do x or the friendship is over. Sounds like she has issues.

AmysTiara · 09/05/2017 20:19

Bloody hell she really does think the world should revolve round her doesn't she?

I think it's easier to be mad at you than think about what you said to her. But no way should you be apologising and your DP shouldn't be telling you to.

QueenBeet · 09/05/2017 20:20

I think ILookedInTheWater has it - maintain some sort of contact so that when she's ready to sort herself out and come back, you've left it open, but do NOT apologise, and let her know why you did it. If she decides not to come back, that's up to her, you've done what a good friend should.

OvariesBeforeBrovaries · 09/05/2017 20:21

Fucking hell she sounds like hard work.

TheZeppo · 09/05/2017 20:22

I like ilookedinthewaters message if you want to keep the friendship. Very well played.

Incidentally, I have a twin brother but couldn't care less if I end up in his wedding. In fact, I'd relish the chance to pick my own dress and get pissed Grin

Beelzebop · 09/05/2017 20:23

I think a "No, I'm sorry. I'm a true friend to you, so I'm telling you the truth."

kalinkafoxtrot45 · 09/05/2017 20:23

I think this conversation was long overdue.

runloganrun101 · 09/05/2017 20:27

She's overreacting yes, but to be honest in this situation I'd be hurt too. The friend's future sil knows exactly how much trouble she's causing and probably did this with the expectation of this reaction. Now your friend comes out as the villain when it was the sil who deliberately picked one sister as bridesmaid and left the other one. I bet this sudden friendship with the second sil ends soon after the wedding as she would have served her purpose.

I think you should call her and apologise for being harsh, but that you felt you had to give her some perspective. Tell her that her future sil wAs probably anticipating this reaction and now your friend has played right into her hands - convince her to cancel the holiday.

ScarlettFreestone · 09/05/2017 20:27

If things happened exactly as you have outlined in your OP, hell would freeze over before I would apologise.

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