Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think my friend is taking the piss?

257 replies

Linning · 17/11/2017 22:18

Was supposed to meet with friend this evening to help her out with a project and catch up. We were supposed to meet up at around 6pm when she was due out of work but at 6pm she sent me a text saying "Just got off work, I am heading to the gym now, will be done at around 9pm, let's meet then! x" . Didn't say anything, figured I could use the time to do stuff around the house and do a bit of work. Come 9 pm and she sends me another text saying that she "just finished her gym session and was now going to get a shower and go home" so I simply told her to text me when she was home and ready and I would come over (she lives close by), about an hour later I received another text from her saying that she had "just bumped into a friend who has just moved in the area and she was off to check out her new appartment but she would text me when she left her friend's flat so we could meet." It is now 11pm (!) where I am living and I am sat at home supposedly waiting for a text from her to tell me she is now finally ready to meet me.

So am I unreasonable to think she is taking the utter piss? She has a form for this too. She once asked to meet up with her at a certain time, then texted me when I was ready to tell me that she would need an extra hour to clean up her place and have a quick shower, when I got there an hour later, she had "fallen asleep" so I had to wait an extra 30 minutes in her living room while she showered and got ready, we then spent an hour together (where I got dragged along to buy furniture for her place) before she casually told me that she had a skype session scheduled with her therapist in about 15 minutes and did I think we could meet up again when she was done an hour later.

So is that me or this friend absolutely doesn't value me or my time at all? I have no problem being flexible and rescheduling but I have feeling she has taken it to the next level now and I am especially angry as I have refused other plans for the night so I could be available for her and her project and have now been left feeling like a proper mug.

OP posts:
diddl · 18/11/2017 13:43

" I would help her with her project as she needs my expertise"

Why does she? If it's work related she can get help there.

Why is it your concern at all?

Textpectation · 18/11/2017 13:49

I hope you stayed in bed too.

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 18/11/2017 13:52

The moment she said she was going to the gym I would have sacked this off.
Her project can't be that important if she can spend 3 hours in the gym then get pissed.

It sounds like you have plenty of other friends and don't need her.

Who has told you about her depression and bullying? Was it her? I expect the bullying is people telling her to do one after she has taken the piss.

BackforGood · 18/11/2017 15:00

Hoping there is no update as you have slept through this morning, OP Grin

Linning · 18/11/2017 15:23

Good afternoon all!

I come back to update as I know I hate it when people post a thread and then completely disappear. I did end up waking up to help her but only because I received a text from her confirming that she was awake and ready. I had told her the day before that I would be helping her but that I needed confirmation before I went over that she was going be there and be in the right mindset to work as I didn't want to wake up for nothing.

I decided to still meet her at her place for the simple reason that I am still a big softie and would struggle kicking someone out of my house and this friend really has a tendency to overstay at other people's house if she has nothing else planned for the day as she very much dislike being on her own and I really wanted to stick to the 11 am timeline I had given her and knew I would have struggled to show her the door if she was to come here.

So anyway, I ended up going to her place making sure to not arrive fully on time (okay, only got there 10 minutes late but still!) and Mrs was still in her PJs, her friend who actually happened to be two friends and more work colleagues she had befriended than lifelong friends were also there which made the whole thing a bit awkward/annoying at the beginning especially as they were chatting in the background as we were trying to work and my friend sometimes felt the need to join in on their conversation which definitely irritated me.

Anyway, I explained as much as I could explain and gave her as many tips as I could under those circumstances but admittedly didn't give the best out of me as I was very annoyed and even more so as she later discussed very personal topics regarding my life in front of her work colleagues, and while I understand that she didn't do it viciously and just wanted to properly catch up with me, there really are things I don't want strangers to know about myself without my consent and was quite upset/embarrassed that she discussed those topics publicly without previously asking me if it was okay.
To be fair, her friends/colleagues were absolutely lovely and I really got along with them the little time I was there, but I also got the impression that they too didn't have the best opinion of my friend.

To be honest, my friend has quite a low self esteem and it really showed this morning as she made things really awkward several times by repeatedly seeking validation from us all. She would for example do the most normal things like let's say" pop to the loo", but would feel the need to announce it to us all and make it very awkward by saying things such as "I am heading to the loo, please don't judge me!" she would constantly point out at things we would never even have noticed had she not pointed them out in the first place and ask us to "please not judge her." that was very very odd and definitely left us all looking at each other like... Confused Many times.
She definitely already had a form for this but usually just say it once or twice during the day if it's the two of us but this morning it was absolutely constant! (Not sure if it was because we were a group and she felt even more self conscious and feared we would mock her but it really led to a lot of awkward moments/silences/gazes.)

It made me feel a little bit sad for her despite it all as it's very obvious she doesn't really have any social awareness and doesn't really understand what can and will make people feel uncomfortable.

She also mentioned that she was very upset that one of her friend from abroad was currently in the city and hadn't contacted her to meet up, so I do really believe that she is struggling to make friends and keep them in the long-term. She must have noticed I wasn't the most pleased with her though as she thanked me several times when I was at her place and then again via text when I came home.

I am not sure I fully want to cut her off as she can be very nice and caring under the right circumstances but I do plan on setting boundaries so that this type of situation never happen again. I will probably follow the advice of one of you and stick to allocated time slots and refuse to reschedule so that she gets that I am not ready to spend my day waiting for her anymore. I work as a freelancer so work mostly from home and while I can be quite flexible with my work schedule, I have a feeling that she just has that idea in her mind of me sitting at home doing nothing and being available for her at whatever time of the day which is definitely not the case.

So thank you again for making me realize how much of a doormat I have been with that friend and while it is very obvious that I still have a lot of work to do on myself and regarding imposing boundaries and not letting other people step all over me, I like to think that I will now be more confident in saying "no" when people are taking too much of the piss (I do get that she still massively took the piss this morning btw) and stick to my guns.

I haven't replied to her last " thank you again!" text but I am thinking that I should probably send her a detailed text regarding my feelings about yesterday/this morning so she gets that it's the last time I am putting up with it. Just need to find the correct wording.

Anyhow, thank you again all, you have all been very helpful! Smile

OP posts:
Linning · 18/11/2017 15:32

HidingBehindTheWallpaper

She is the one who told me about it, I don't know much about the context of the bullying I just know that she used to have some sort of food disorder and got mocked and teased a lot, she still suffers from depression nowadays so takes anti-depressant daily. She definitely said she never had many friends and was always a bit of a loner (not by choice!). She just moved to the city (as have I) and is struggling with not having many people to confide in. She is also very sensitive. The type to get upset and take it very personally when two friends/colleagues /acquaintances hang out together without her as it makes her feel rejected. Which probably put a lot of people off tbh. So it's possible that she perceives some things as bullying when it's actually not (not saying she actually hasn't been bullied as I am sure she has but maybe not to the extent she suggests, yes.)

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 18/11/2017 15:45

Your a very kind person OP..... in fact your too kind.. even after yesterday.... this person casually spills your very private and intimate business to two complete strangers... and you still pity her and give her the upper hand....

you are deluded.... but you are who you are.. I hope you can get something worth while from this friendship.. because I'm struggling to see what .... good luck Flowers

LEMtheoriginal · 18/11/2017 15:50

I think she has still succeeded in making a mug out of you. Please don't give her any more of your time.

Out of interest? Was this work related? As a freelancer how much would you ordinarily charge for your time?

She's NOT your friend. she is not vulnerable and needy she is a manipulative bitch.

LEMtheoriginal · 18/11/2017 15:51

That doesn't take away the fact that you are a kind person but she has taken the piss. Sadly this is the way of the world

FitBitFanClub · 18/11/2017 15:55

Am I reading this correctly? Shock

She wanted your help with a project, but prioritised going to the gym (for 3 hours!!!), taking a shower, visiting a friend's apartment, hosting a sleepover with other friends, and joining their conversations whilst you were giving your expertise to her (for free, presumably) over your time.

Do you have "Welcome" printed across you forehead, like other doormats?

Linning · 18/11/2017 16:27

LEMtheoriginal It was work related yes but I could never dream of charging people I know unless they were asking me to take on a proper project that would require lots of time and commitment on my part and wouldn't allow me to work on other projects. As it happens, she really only needed two hours of my time (not counting the 6 hours I was sat waiting) so it really wouldn't have been no problem and she not seriously taken the piss.

FitBitFanClub
Do you have "Welcome" printed across you forehead, like other doormats?

Ah, that made me laugh! Grin

I know, I know I can be a real mug sometimes and definitely shouldn't put up with that type of attitude, but not really being able to say no when people are taking the piss and having a hard time to set boundaries has always been a recurent theme in my life (since childhood I would say!) so I am slowly working on it but it's quite hard to rewire yourself to stop acting and doing what you have always done. It's actually going to sound crazy but I am actually much better at it now than I was a few years ago (so you can imagine how bad it was before! Blush)

FantasticButtocks forgot to thank you for the book suggestion, I've just buyed it and can't wait to read it, thank you!

OP posts:
Linning · 18/11/2017 16:29

so it really wouldn't have been a problem had she not seriously taken the piss. *

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 18/11/2017 16:30

Your a mug, you should have said no, at the first text.

Worriedobsessive · 18/11/2017 16:33

OP, google “theory of mind” as it seems like your friend is utterly and completely lacking in it. Am being deadly serious btw

RedDogsBeg · 18/11/2017 16:35

I think sending her a text or e-mail regarding last night and this morning's shenanigans is a good idea, OP, and a first step to setting the required boundaries in this friendship. I think you need to spell it all out very clearly why what she did last night and this morning is so totally unacceptable, take emotion out of it and express it calmly and factually.

You do seem a very softhearted and kind person and I think you will have to continually enforce the boundaries and acceptable behaviour from her which may well have the effect of ending the friendship. You say she is very sensitive but she is obviously completely insensitive to the impact her behaviour has on others.

The reason her friendships fail is down to her and the way she behaves, I wish you luck in getting that point across to her.

expatinscotland · 18/11/2017 16:44

Grow a fucking spine. There's nothing endearing about being a mug. You chase this sorry twat like a dog. You feel sorry for her? She's a pisstaking lowlife. My arse she has low self-esteem. She's a user who walks all over you. But hey, it's you she's mugging off, if you're happy to do it, knock yourself out, sounds like you enjoy being a martyr to people like this.

diddl · 18/11/2017 16:58

Low self esteem?

Sounds ore like playing to the audience that she has gathered around you.

FFS-she didn't even take it all seriously enough to enable you to work/explain comfortably!

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 18/11/2017 17:06

Wow so she had a crowd of people there making working tricky and talked about personal issues in front of people you didn't know, kept you hanging around all Friday night, made you do all the work to save her arse (I bet) yet you think you've made a stand?

Can you really not see how she's still got you round her finger?

Sometimes I think the victims of cheeky fuckers almost 'enjoy' being the victim of a cheeky fucker. Maybe it makes them feel worthy or a decent person for putting up with all this crap when no sane person would. I don't know. There's no other logical explanation for your denial over this

Linning · 18/11/2017 17:10

Worriedobsessive, thanks for sharing as I had never heard of it, are you suggesting she may be on the spectrum? I thought she could be as she really has a tendency to over share and do/say things that most people wouldn't do or say as it would make other people uncomfortable but she, so far, seems to be really oblivious to it. We come from two very different countries and cultures though so I am never really sure about what's normal and acceptable in her country and culture and what isn't/is just completely plain weird.

expatinscotland I agree that I should probably grow a "fucking spine" as you so nicely put it but I don't actually believe that I have been "chasing her like a dog" nor that I am enjoying "being a martyr". I am learning to set boundaries and stick to them as I am very conscious that I have issues with that and have admitted already that I have let her walk over me when I shouldn't have.

OP posts:
MrsFezziwig · 18/11/2017 17:12

Going to the gym is optional and does not override a previous arrangement. You have the upper hand if it's your expertise she needs. Tell her you are in bed and if she tries this on in the future nip it in the bud immediately.

expatinscotland · 18/11/2017 17:13

You still let her walk all over you. You set a bloody alarm clock to wake up after about 4 hours of sleep after she, again, fobbed you off when you were doing her a favour and treated you like shit. Then you went over there and again, she had an entourage. You know, denial isn't just a river in Egypt.

Fluffypinkpyjamas · 18/11/2017 17:24

Expat is as usual , spot on, but OP if you’re happy to be used and laughed at, carry on but don’t get arsey with PP when they tell you the facts. I think you’re onto something there helpme some people just enjoy being a victim and being used.!

Linning · 18/11/2017 17:25

aaaaargghhhhelpme
"Sometimes I think the victims of cheeky fuckers almost 'enjoy' being the victim of a cheeky fucker. Maybe it makes them feel worthy or a decent person for putting up with all this crap when no sane person would. I don't know. There's no other logical explanation for your denial over this"

Hum, I am not in denial though, am I ? I have even stated in my update that I knew she had still been taking the piss in the morning. I don't feel happy nor do I enjoy having my time wasted by people I actually consider(ed) friends and that I do/did genuinely value. Putting up with this crap doesn't make me feel or look like a nice endearing person though, it makes me look/feel like a mug/doormat and there is absolutely nothing glorious about it. I am pretty embarrassed at having let way too many people in my life taken the piss out off me, that's why I am willing/wanting to change and learn to set boundaries. I do envy people who were born with a very strong mindset and can easily put people back in their place but it wasn't me. ( I can easily tell a stranger taking the piss to fuck off but really have a hard time when it comes to people I have built a friendship with). I am working on it as I have said and I understand it can be upsetting for other people who wouldn't put up with it to see other people let other people walk all over them but it's also very upsetting for me, trust me and I definitely don't feel good or proud about it .

OP posts:
aaaaargghhhhelpme · 18/11/2017 17:26

So. You KNEW she was taking the piss this morning. You just let her.

Ok. Well that's even worse than denial.

Linning · 18/11/2017 17:38

Fluffypinkpyjamas, I am not being arsey at all. I appreciate expatinscotland's input as I do the others, she has a point, I know she is right and I have no problem acknowledging it. I don't think I have been delusional about the fact that I have a real problem that need tackling. I probably could have dealt with the entire thing better, but like I said, I have really been struggling with that sort of situation for a long while and I am doing my best.

I appreciate all opinions and the few kicks on the butt I am getting as I very obviously need them.

I have been followed by a therapist for a while (for other personal and unrelated issues) and I now feel it might be worth mentioning next time I see her so that she could maybe give me some tips and pointers on what to do and work with me on learning to put my foot down without feeling guilty about it.

Thanks again for everyone who has offered words of advice or book/theories to read as they've all been helpful and appreciated!

OP posts: