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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to tell my friends I do not want to be involved in their open marriage set up?

52 replies

ZingerDinger · 19/02/2019 13:47

I have NC for this as I'm not sure if they use mumsnet. I have a group of friends I have been friends with for 25 years. I am the only single one in the group. We are all in our late 40s, early to late 50s.

A few weeks ago out of the blue, one of the husbands, let's call him X, said he needed to speak to me about a work matter (I work in an advisory business). I met him and we spoke about work then had a few drinks - we were all a bit pissed and I thought I might be misreading it but his behaviour made me feel uncomfortable. He then told me that him and his wife (Y) had decided to experiment with an open relationship and he had always fancied me and would I be up for fun. I said no, made my excuses and left.

Y had not told all of us about this new 'thing' but I asked her closest friend in the group if she knew and she said no but that Y had asked her out for a drink the next day where she said she had something to tell her. Y then (the next day) emails all of us some massive email explaining that she had a very long affair and X had one too with someone else and they had decided they wanted to stay together but carry on seeing other people.

All fine except they had decided to make this all hugely dramatic like it was the biggest news story on the planet for us all. Then to add insult to injury, I see X on the dating site I'm on and he's liked me and Y likes my friend (a man) on there and then starts bombarding me with questions about what he's like. She starts talking to him, he calls me up and says hang on a minute, she's married, she's still having something with the bloke she's had the affair with and she wants someone else?

I have had enough of all their drama. I don't want to be involved in their personal lives at all and I wish they would leave me out of it. I have ASKED them to stop involving me but they seem to think this is all hilarious whereas I don't actually find it funny or interesting at all. I told them all this and they think I am overreacting. So AIBU?

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 19/02/2019 13:50

YANBU. I wouldn’t want to see them again. Creepy fuckers.

Maelstrop · 19/02/2019 14:19

Weirdly, one of my odd fears! Someone I know became very friendly very quickly, insisting on becoming 'best friends', wanted to see us all the time. The first time we were invited round, I honestly wondered if they were swingers! Fortunately they aren't.

I'd be horrified if a friend propositioned me the way your friend has, OP. Are you going to keep up the friendship?

HowlsMovingBungalow · 19/02/2019 14:23

Very creepy and predatory.

I would end the friendship. Leave them to their competitive sex hunting.

ZingerDinger · 19/02/2019 14:26

I don't want to and I'm not even sure she realised her husband propositioned me! This is the problem with these things, you never know who knows what! I don't mind carrying on being friends with her but I just don't want to hear about it all the bloody time - it's like it's new and exciting for them but personally, I got divorced rather than have an affair (i'm not saying I'm perfect, I'm not at all) but we chose to get divorced because I just think the logistics and the emotional shit that comes with being open like this isn't for me. And I don't want to know about them shagging around and who they are trying to date - I just find it odd! And I don't even think I'm that conservative or traditional!

I think the issue is because I'm single, I'm seen as fair game. He isn't the first partner of one of my married friends to come onto me unfortunately. I would never go there though (ever) with anyone who was married (or who I knew was married, a lot of men I've met online dating don't tell you they are and you find out later!).

OP posts:
ZingerDinger · 19/02/2019 14:27

yes I think it's creepy, I'm glad it's not just me

OP posts:
Confusedbeetle · 19/02/2019 14:39

It is creepy. Tell your friend he propositioned you and it made you uncomfortable so dont want to see him. All very tack and will end in tears all round

MissLanesAmericanCousin · 19/02/2019 14:42

Too much drama. Pass!

sagradafamiliar · 19/02/2019 14:44

I hate how some people think that being single means you're fair game, like it isn't your personal choice. Your feelings are secondary (if considered at all) to this couple's sex game...who the fuck do they think they are?

QueenofallIsee · 19/02/2019 14:46

Completely grim, and having everyone know is clearly part of their interest in it. So you are are involved in their sexual fantasies basically.

I don’t give a crap about other people’s relationship status but I would care if my polite requests to be left out of details were disregarded. That says that they are rubbish friends in my opinion

HollowTalk · 19/02/2019 14:46

It's like they're on heat!

supersop60 · 19/02/2019 14:48

YADNBU.

AcrossthePond55 · 19/02/2019 14:49

The next time one of them brings it up, hold up your hand and say "STOP! I don't want to hear about your open relationship. If you value our friendship, you won't bring it up in front of me again". If they do, then you know exactly how much your friendship means to them and you can dump them.

There's nothing wrong with telling a friend that a certain subject is 'off limits'.

BadLad · 19/02/2019 14:49

Lynn, these are sex people.

formerbabe · 19/02/2019 14:50

I wouldn't waste any more time being friends with them. What a load of drama

Hairyporker · 19/02/2019 14:50

This reply has been deleted

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flumpybear · 19/02/2019 14:53

Very hideous! I think there are all sorts of groups and websites for swingers tell them to knock their bloody door 😯

StreetwiseHercules · 19/02/2019 14:54

They sound like sex people!

But if you are single, meh. Wouldn’t worry about it certainly.

KC225 · 19/02/2019 14:54

Yuck. Yuck and thrice Yuck. Talk and white on your own doorstop.

Nothing more boring than people assuming their grubby sex life is big news/of any interest. This will all go tits up - propositioning friends without the other knowing, going on dating sites. They both sound desperate to be the first off the starter block.

I would send a return email (given the odd email announcement) and say hope it goes well for them but you feel their sex life should remain private and you don't wish to know about the details.

I would back away if they continue.

StreetwiseHercules · 19/02/2019 14:54

“Lynn, these are sex people.”

ChakiraChakra · 19/02/2019 14:55

YANBU. He was creepy AF to ask for a business thing and turn it into propositioning somebody he has no inkling was into open relationships. They are both VVVV unreasonable to not drop a subject that you have explicitly asked them to, whatever the subject is and whatever the reason. You don't have any obligations towards them now IMHO they are being rude and you don't have to put up with it.

I know a great many people in poly or open relationships. It requires huge emotional labour between the involved parties, and part of that is being considerate to the requests and needs of others. It also requires huge amounts of discretion, and if somebody you've approached isn't into it, particularly an existing friend who you have no idea is into it, you fkn well be courteous, drop the subject and curse yourself that you ballsed up.

Suspect nobody more experienced in successful poly would have anything to do with this couple.

KC225 · 19/02/2019 14:55

Shite not WHITE

CoolJule43 · 19/02/2019 14:55

Yanbu. I would assume because of the email about their open relationship, that she knows he came on to you. I would therefore be fine with bringing it up with her and telling her hell will freeze over before you would ever become embroiled in such games.

I agree, it's not funny or interesting. It sounds like you are very different people and maybe it's best to find less creepy friends.

GreenTulips · 19/02/2019 14:57

Not sure why she’s trying dating sites if she’s married as she’s effectively lying to the other party about her intentions (sane for him)

I’m sure there are specialist sites for those in open marriages

Ignore all requests for information and every time they mention the situation just say ‘this again?’

53rdWay · 19/02/2019 14:57

Reply All to the big drama email with the single word ‘unsubscribe’.

sagradafamiliar · 19/02/2019 15:04

But if you are single, meh

What is it about being single that makes it ok to be an non-consenting prop is other people's fantasies?
She's not interested in this shit.