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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I'm going to have to move aren't I?

186 replies

AtlasObscura · 11/04/2019 17:36

Namechanged ....

I love where I live but do sometimes wish people would just fuck off and focus on their own lives.

This is a bit long but I need to rant.

Background - single mum of 4 children, all now flown the nest or at Uni

I work from home and wifi went down on Monday so I decamped to the nearest coffee shop in village to use their wifi. Spotted a few other neighbours there too with the same idea so looked like I wasn't the only one with shit wifi maybe?

Anyway, doing my thing and in comes a woman who I know to say hello to. A friend of a friend, not a close acquaintance at all and I know next to nothing about her. She's with another woman who I don't recognise at all.

They order lunch and then ask if they can join me. I should have explained that I was working (and there were plenty of other free tables) but instead said that it was fine so they sat down.

Friend of a Friend (FOF) starts asking me how I am and we exchange bit of polite conversation. She then starts asking me about my 4 children.

More than just a 'how's family' type question but a bit more searching and she seems to know more about them then she should given the fact we barely know each other.

Now for some more background:

About 18 months ago, a man stopped to chat to me on my dog walk. I know he lives a few streets from me but don't know his name or anything else about him but we often pass when out walking the dogs to say hello (as you do when you have dogs!). We've been passing each other in this way almost daily for the last 10 years at least.

On this particular occasion, he seemed more keen to chat than usual and asked me about one of my daughters in particular and asked how she was doing.

His comments made it clear that he knew which country she lived in at the time and which Uni she was at and a few other details that I can only assume he got from looking her up on her FB page.

It was bloody creepy (she was 20 at that time and he must be in his late 50's at a guess), so I ended the conversation and mentioned it to my daughter and she tightened up her social media accounts to top privacy level.

Anyway, it came about that FOF is distantly related to this man and so when she started asking me about the children in the cafe I was wary and deliberately vague.

She also seemed to know quite a bit about them though, they are all abroad at the moment in different countries either on gap years, or working or on an Erasmus programme so she started asking me questions about that, who was where and doing what. I'm still trying to be vague ...

She asked whether I missed them (of course I do)

Whether I resented them leaving me on my own in the UK (erm of course not, I am enormously proud)

Then she asked how I could afford to support 4 children and afford flights out to visit them etc and support them through Uni (massive assumptions being made here that it's me having to finance these things but essentially no one else bloody business)

So I gave a vague jokey reply about 'kids eh' and 'thank god for Easy Jet'

but this wasn't enough and they clearly wanted more info, FOF looked at me really expectantly as if to say 'well - how do you manage it'

So I'm feeling really on the spot at this point, I'm a really private person normally and now I'm cornered (quite literally in the corner of the cafe).

I didn't want to be rude so I decided to make what I thought would be a really obvious joke and hope that they'd get the hint that this conversation wasn't going anywhere .....

Me: you really want me to explain in detail how I afford to support my children?

FOF: yes, I'm amazed at how anyone can afford it (again, massive assumptions being made by her that it is me that necessarily covers all these costs)

Me: I'm a sex worker I'm not

FOF: Really??? Hmm

Me: yes it pays really well and it's really flexible although I was surprised that someone of my age and with my waistline would find the work

FriendofFOF : Are your clients anyone we would know?

Me: Well it's not the biggest village so yes I would imagine so.

I dont know why I continued contributing to the conversation as she clearly hasn't taken it to be a joke.

This all happened on Monday but she has now been telling everyone since that I am sex worker as the rumours have started and I can only assume that people actually fucking believe it.

I've been avoiding my usual dog walking route in order to avoid creepy neighbour.

I dont know what my AIBU is, I like living here, I feel settled here and it feels like home but I now clearly have to fucking move.

I'm a stupid, STUPID arse and shouldn't be allowed out in public - I don't know how to handle this as I am an awkward moo in social situations and I just know that any further attempts on my part will just end up making things 100 times worse.

Think of the love child of Miranda Hart and Mr Bean and you will just about be able to picture my level of social skill in public Confused

I just need to get this off my chest - apologies Sad

OP posts:
Anothertempusername · 11/04/2019 18:16

Meh. You're my hero. Fuck them and their nosy narrow minded brains!

S1naidSucks · 11/04/2019 18:18

Oh I would just say to anyone that asks, “how’s your husband/partner/adult son keeping as fit as ever, I hope?” Innocent smile, then walk away. 🤣

marvellousnightforamooncup · 11/04/2019 18:18

I live in a village like that too. I was once good friends with the biggest gossip, have since distanced myself from her and her mental database of juicy tittle tattle.

Carry on as normal OP and sooner or later she'll be shown up.

youarenotkiddingme · 11/04/2019 18:18

You now need to make sure to say hi to every woman out and about with their husband - preferably by the husbands first name and a massive grin.

People will stop believing it unless a whole village has reason to believe their husbands hire sex workers!

pinkyredrose · 11/04/2019 18:19

Omg OP! Grin that's the kind of thing I'd say (after a few drinks)!

NWQM · 11/04/2019 18:20

That's brilliant.

Get why you are now embarrassed but honestly that's brilliant.

And if you want to squash the rumour then this is exactly what Facebook was invited for.... whip (sorry) up a fake business card and simply say 'you'll never guess what someone actually thought I did for a living today......'

LaurieFairyCake · 11/04/2019 18:24

That's exactly the thing I would do Hmm

I know you feel like you should have shut up but honestly the next person who has the balls to ask you about it directly - screw up your face in incredulity and say 'I was joking!'

Don't move ffs. They're the nobs, not you.

HateIsNotGood · 11/04/2019 18:24

You're a Living Legend OP Star

CheshireChat · 11/04/2019 18:26

I'd move because I'd imagine they were checking if I'm worth kidnapping or burglarizing!

FoxSquadKitten · 11/04/2019 18:26

Hee hee, that's funny 😆

WitchDancer · 11/04/2019 18:30

😂 I agree, feed it back to another gossip that they were being rather personal about your finances so you fed them the untruth that you were a sex worker.

PCohle · 11/04/2019 18:32

That's hilarious Grin

I think it's far more embarrassing for her for having taken it seriously.

I'd be totally honest and say she kept asking you intrusive questions about your finances so you made a joke that you were on the game and she bloody took your seriously.

I'd much rather be known as slightly mad than a totally humourless gossip.

lablablab · 11/04/2019 18:40

That's brilliant OP!! 🤣

If anyone mentions it, say you're really cross with the nosey villager woman though as she keeps stealing your business - for free!

user1474894224 · 11/04/2019 18:47

That's so funny.

I think she was asking as she has kids coming up to travelling age and she has no idea how she's going to cope.

I would be round with a bottle of wine to share with you! And also to find out about your sex work because I can be both very nosey, tactless and gullible too.

UniversalAunt · 11/04/2019 18:52

Wonder if you the only sex worker in the village? Wink...

Next time you cross paths with Lil’ Miss Nosey or Lil’ Ms Gullible, smile sweetly, tilt head & enquire ‘I realise that you were asking me about my source of income & I now realise that you may be looking for work. As I mentioned age & looks are everything in this game, so I am sure you’d do well. Would you like me to introduce you to the Covern? BTW, how is your husband ?’

UniversalAunt · 11/04/2019 18:55

Age & looks are NOT everything, so I am sure that you’d do well...

GregoryPeckingDuck · 11/04/2019 18:57

I would use it to shame people for gossiping.
‘So I heard your a sexworker Atlas’
laughter ‘oh wait, really?’
‘Yeah’
‘Ha ha that’s so weird-where would you even get that from?’
‘Oh FOF told me’
‘Oh her, yeah she’s so weird. Basically, what happened was I had never met her before but friend introduced us and FOF started asking really weird questions about my kids and how I could afford to send them overseas etc and she wouldn’t drop the subject, knew way too much about them and so on, stalker level nosy basically. So I decided to pull her leg and told her I was a prostitute. I can’t believe she’s been telling people-she’s so sad. How anyone could find someone as boring as me interesting enough to talk about is beyond me. And now loads of people must think I’m a sexworker! That’s really funny actually-imagine if they start coming up and asking to be my clients!’

I have been in a similar scenario before with gossip from people I don’t even know filtering back to me. It’s really weird but funny.

YouTheCat · 11/04/2019 18:57

It's her that will look stupid and you'll know where people got the info from as well.

SaveKevin · 11/04/2019 19:00

Op, I don’t think it’s you that needs to move.
How bloody rude of the woman.

Also, great answers.

MitziK · 11/04/2019 19:02

Next time you see her, smile, invite her to sit down and tell her

'Oh, you know my job? Well, I've got a new one now, but you mustn't tell anybody about it. It's a bit hush-hush, you see. No, I couldn't say. Well, it involves a lot of working online, a bit of research, but I prefer that to actually putting the devices in. Didn't expect it, the job offer came out of the blue, but I was approached by somebody at x child's university after they mentioned I learned a bit of [Russian/Persian/Chinese/Coding Language] and some comms/electronics at Uni myself. Oh, it's quite nice work, a bit like audio typing and translation. Can't say who the employer is, though, they are very hot on secrecy privacy, I've had to sign something Official to promise I won't tell anybody or I don't get to go on any of the trips abroad', but I think you're OK, as you wouldn't tell anybody, after all.'

Before you know it, you'll be an International Spy and Woman of Mystery.

Villanellesproudmum · 11/04/2019 19:03

Ha love it! You need to swop your dog walking wellies for thigh high boots and short skirts, pretty woman style. I’d let it run for a while and then say to someone, crikey did she really believe me, some folk eh.

Villanellesproudmum · 11/04/2019 19:04

*swap

Chocolateisfab · 11/04/2019 19:04

Every single time any of their dh's leave the house they will be left wondering.... Bloody genius op!!
Hold your head high.
You have done a fab job bringing up your dc.
Let the fuckers gossip!!
You owe them nowt.

DanielRicciardosSmile · 11/04/2019 19:05

I love it!

And I also find myself wondering how long until "gentlemen" of the village are knocking at your door under cover of darkness to enquire about your... ahem... services.

Jimmers · 11/04/2019 19:06

OP, you are a TOTAL legend!! Laughing out loud on the bus here!