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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ungrateful friend

45 replies

cranberrymoon · 04/07/2018 11:23

Yes I could just be being stuffy but my friend never says thanks for anything!

She comes round for dinner, I cook nice food we have a fun evening and no thank you the next day or anything.

Last month it was her birthday she came round in the afternoon for cake etc. I took some trouble to make it a nice experience champagne, made a cake and some other bits, and got what I thought was a thoughtful present. She didn't thank me for the present at the time, as she was leaving or even a text later on. Nothing! She is godmother to my dd , was a bridesmaid and we have been close but this sort of lack of gratitude pisses me off. She didn't even bother to get dd an Xmas present. It's not a present for a present but we always get her a gift, which she doesn't thank me for...

Our lives have moved in different directions in the past few years, I'm married with kids and she is single and moves jobs a lot. She hasn't had much luck dating and is a bit lonely and a tad depressed. I try to be a good friend, asking how dates have been, how is the new job, let's go to the cinema etc. She often bails on plans she has organised at the last minute. I purposefully don't talk about the kids much. But she always has little digs about my children, what I've been doing, my messy house etc.

I know that I should probably sever some ties but often we have a great time together. But some of the above behavior does make me question if this is worth pursuing?

OP posts:
spanishwife · 04/07/2018 12:41

Are you very grateful to her when she does things? I find that people mirror behaviour - can you start being over the top gushy when she does things? She might start to reflect back. Some people just aren't used to saying thanks and she's come to expect the red carpet treatment from you.

SandAndSea · 04/07/2018 12:43

I would leave it to her to initiate the next date. Then, when arranging it you could say something like, "Well, I know you have difficulties with XXX (eg your kids) because of what you were saying last time, so shall we go to XXX this time?" It's a gentle way of acknowledging the issues.

Also, next time she doesn't say thank you, say, "Tell me, I've often wondered, do you not believe in saying thank you?" It gets it out there in a gentle way. You could go on to tell her how it is for you. It might be that she doesn't realise.

Just some ideas.

Aeroflotgirl · 04/07/2018 12:46

Its not only that, its the put downs and bitchy comments that I would not tolerate off her.

SandAndSea · 04/07/2018 12:50

@Aeroflotgirl - I agree, but the OP might not want to go in hard or end the friendship atm.

veggiethrower · 04/07/2018 12:56

To be honest I'd just let the friendship die. I wouldn't be putting up with digs (little or otherwise) about your children and your home.
Life moves on and people go in different directions. Friendships come and go.
If you are making a massive effort and getting nothing in return, not even a thank you and rude comments on top then it is time to stop buying her presents, stop calling her and stop meeting up.

Fivelittleduckies · 04/07/2018 13:00

Not sure you’ll achieve anything by saying something - other than possibly having a falling out, or feeling guilty if you end up hurting her feelings.

I’d definitely just taper back the friendship until it naturally fizzles

81Byerley · 04/07/2018 13:01

IrmaFayLear When my 2nd child was newly born, I bumped into a friend with her new baby. I was thrilled to see her, and she said "Oh! you've got two now! " and made no attempt to say hello to my 18 mth old or look at my baby. So I went to her pram, and looked at her baby, and said "Hmmm...lovely pram cover"......

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 04/07/2018 13:09

YANBU, I don't like it when people don't say thank you either.
But I agree with SDTG that telling her why you're backing off would be a really good thing to do. SHe might not realise that she's being so poor-mannered.

Tertiathethird · 04/07/2018 13:14

I think when you start to feel resentful of a friendship the right thing to do is let it go a little or otherwise you risk feeding the resentment. So don’t make that extra effort that isn’t appreciated. It’s not uncharitable or selfish to do that, just sensible to react. Friendships ebb and flow and change. It might recover later on when she is happier.

Willow2017 · 04/07/2018 13:17

You really dont need to say anything just be unavailable next time she wants to get something from you/meet up.

I agree with pp about jobs and relationships. Probably all one sided and leaves if she is criticised for anything. Nit8your job to keep propping her up its time she took responsibility for herself and grow up.

Aeroflotgirl · 04/07/2018 13:19

It sounds like she does Sand, and the scales are falling from her eyes, and she is seeing it for what it is. No don't go hard, just pull back a bit, and don't go out of your way for her. Sounds like over time, the friendship has changed.

Hillarious · 04/07/2018 13:29

Just let it fizzle, and she might then take a look at herself and how she behaves. If you have it out with her, she'll simply take the hump and think you've just lost it.

I had a friend like this from uni. I once drove her to a reunion weekend because she was unable to drive - five hours each way. Not once in those ten hours in the car together did she ask anything about my family or my job or my life in general, but I heard plenty about her life. I came to the realisation that the only thing we have in common is that we were at uni together and I just stopped being proactive in seeing her. I doubt she's really noticed, but I feel good!

cranberrymoon · 04/07/2018 14:01

I want her to know she's rude! I don't think she ever gets criticism so will no doubt be taken badly.

OP posts:
heatwave2018 · 04/07/2018 14:05

I'd get rid. Not even a thank you! She doesn't sound like a friend!

HairDyedPink · 04/07/2018 14:17

Just stop inviting her, and be unavailable if she tries to invite herself. Wait until she sends you a decent present or a nice message asking you are and news about your family

BMW6 · 04/07/2018 14:36

Well if you want her to know then tell her - write her a letter and put down exactly how you feel. Then say goodbye.

cranberrymoon · 04/07/2018 15:31

There is so much good advice on here thanks. I feel foolish for making her a godparent.

OP posts:
Tinkobell · 04/07/2018 15:50

Don't feel foolish...you're just a nice person expecting an ounce of niceness back! Honestly don't spend more time and energy on her...she sounds like a spoilt teenager actually.

Confusedbeetle · 04/07/2018 15:52

Slowly let it drift away

cranberrymoon · 25/08/2018 18:43

Two months on and not a peep from her...
I can see she watches my instagram stories though so she can't have completely forgotten about me. Anyway I'll wait to hear from her, I'm not contacting her.

OP posts:
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