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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I overreacting? AIBU?

55 replies

HowNowBrownCow12 · 07/06/2019 12:05

Am I overreacting? I can't tell.

My (former) friend (male) has really poor boundaries. It's always been a bit of a problem - he asks fairly intrusive questions often (wants to know about my past, my relationships, even has asked about my sex life - that sort of thing), is known to message at all times of day and night and keep messaging until he gets a response at times, and it's not unusual to tell him I went out on a Friday night and for him to ask - where did you go? who did you go with? what did you talk about? It's always left me feeling a little odd but I've used various strategies over the years to deflect/deal/change the subject etc. We talk every day online and if I don't respond to a message he'll always follow it up with another. It's been intense, but a friendship I still gained a lot from.

About a month ago we had a fairly free and frank conversation about our love lives - he asked me a lot of questions, and we talked about his too. He didn't like some of the advice I gave him so said afterwards he was never talking to me about dating again. Fine, I said, also feeling a little relieved as I didn't like his questions about my love life anyway.

Over the past month we've still talked often (most days) about some big things too, and he has asked me about my love life. I have still not asked about his - I don't actually really care that much, and he had said he didn't want to talk about it, fine. But - it's really hard to talk to someone every day and avoid asking them what they are doing at the weekends/evenings as if he was dating I didn't want him to feel awkward about telling me. So we keep having these odd conversations about what I am doing, in which he didn't say anything about what he was up to in his spare time.

Then he started saying things like "I've been out so much recently" and "I need to drink less" "I need to get some sleep", and still I didn't ask. It came to a head yesterday when he said he'd had a great evening and I asked what he had done and he said that he wouldn't tell me because it's that thing we won't talk about.

I reacted badly - said he'd been hinting at me to ask - and that I found it really awkward and weird not feeling like I can ask him anything about his life. He said that's too bad, that's just the way it's got to be because he's not talking to me about his love life anymore.

The conversation really upset me and now I am wondering if I even want him in my life, but also wonder if I am being a hypocrite and unreasonable for not letting him assert HIS boundaries? I just don't know and would welcome advice.

OP posts:
BumbleBeee69 · 07/06/2019 13:10

He's an ARSEHOLE OP...

Bettyspants · 07/06/2019 13:13

You are both adults. Harsh maybe but this sounds like a friendship my eldest would have, you are using a huge amount of time with these back and forth mind games! Just don't reply ....

AguerosAngel · 07/06/2019 13:16

Sounds like a controlling weirdo to me, I’d get rid.

ChicCroissant · 07/06/2019 13:23

Is this 'relationship' mainly online, OP?

You both sound as bad as each other tbh, a pair of total drama-llamas. I don't have the time or inclination for this kind of game-playing and no-one is forcing you to respond or talk about yourself, so own it and move on.

The exam season for teens is nearly over now anyway (because this is what it sounds like tbh).

spanishwife · 07/06/2019 13:27

You don't HAVE to be friends with anyone. Even if they are nice or have done nice things for you. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable and you actually have to consider whether you want them in your life, what's the point?! Ditch and move on.

happybunny007 · 07/06/2019 13:28

Is this one of those friendships where you know they have a thing for you, and you keep on with it partly as it’s a bit of an ego boost?

Nonotmenori · 07/06/2019 13:30

He's not called Nick is he? Sounds exactly like a guy I used to friends with. It was exhausting.

1moremum · 07/06/2019 13:45

if he once was a friend, he isn't anymore. he has become a creep. he is trying to manipulate you into a sexual relationship at worst, or gathering masturbation images at best. that's a pretty sorry best. get rid.

be aware. if he is involved in various mens groups online, he may think you have no right to 'friendzone' him and being his friend that has talked about sex with him, obviously, you owe him sex. getting rid of him could turn ugly.

thegreatcrestednewt · 07/06/2019 13:50

Eurgh. What a creep. So he wants to talk to you about your sex life. You don't feel comfortable about it but you carry on anyway.

Have a good look at your boundaries, OP. He's a weirdo.

NameChangeNugget · 07/06/2019 13:55

He sounds like a right bell end

pigeonscooing · 07/06/2019 13:58

YANBU, you aren't overreacting at all. He's a pain in the neck and if he doesn't want equality in your friendship/conversations then he can get knotted.

Illberidingshotgun · 07/06/2019 14:03

This sounds absolutely exhausting. I can't imagine having such constant and intrusive contact with even my closest friends. You say that it's a friendship you got a lot from - what have you got from it? How have you benefited?

I find the focus on your love/sex life very creepy - how many other friends do you talk with in such intimate detail? Not many, I bet.

Are you currently dating? How would this "friend" react if you were to settle down with someone?

Personally i would be ending the friendship and blocking him. Is he part of a wider friendship group?

Nettie1964 · 07/06/2019 14:19

Sound like a very weird symbiotic relationship. Just stop or are you enjoying all this drama? Think you should both get a life.....seperatly 😀

MummyofTw0 · 07/06/2019 14:29

This sounds like a vets odd friendship

Why are you messaging every day too?

Madnessonestepbeyond · 07/06/2019 14:39

I'm exhausted just reading that.

I would walk away. If you had an equal friendship then the conversations would be on equal ground.

Ok there may be the odd thing you dont want to go into detail about with a friend. That's fair enough. But not for him to drop hints and lead you into a conversation he Is never going to have.

IceQueenCometh · 07/06/2019 16:15

I think you have better things to do with your time than spend it with a nob like that

HowNowBrownCow12 · 07/06/2019 20:03

Thanks for the responses - it’s made me feel better about my decision to distance myself. It’s weird. I don’t have that sort of contact with anyone else. And I take the point at needing to look at my own boundaries too.

He doesn’t have feelings for me though. It’s come up in the past and he’s always been clear on that point. I’m fine with that too, I think I’d find him a bit ott as a partner

OP posts:
HowNowBrownCow12 · 07/06/2019 20:04

Would you recommend saying something then going nc? I don’t know if a slow fade will work

We do have an overlapping friend group though

OP posts:
HomeMadeMadness · 07/06/2019 20:09

You seem to be very worried about his boundaries but not at all about your own. Fine he doesn't want to talk about his love life but you don't want to talk about yours so you should tell him so when he asks. Does he have feelings for you do you think?

SavingSpaces2019 · 07/06/2019 22:39

I wouldn't say anything to him because he isn't mature enough to have that conversation with - and because you don't owe him anything.

I'd just block him from my phone and social media.
If he finds a way to contact you that's when i'd tell exactly how disturbing, controlling and abusive his attitude and behaviour is and that you don't want it in your life.

i'm interested to know what you 'gained' from this friendship though....

yellowgreenbluepurple · 07/06/2019 22:42

You both sound very strange to be honest, I don't think it is just him 🤷‍♀️

ThePerturbedPenguin · 07/06/2019 22:53

This is bloody depressing

oneforthepain · 07/06/2019 23:02

I'm exhausted just reading that.

Me too.

Yes, it is controlling.

Up to you how you handle it but he seems the type who'll try and manipulate you into changing your mind or blaming you. Do you feel able to stand your ground with your decision?

HowNowBrownCow12 · 08/06/2019 02:27

Thanks everyone.

Yes it is depressing. I’ve never had something like this happen before, all my other friendships are normal.

This one was such good support, we went through some pretty big stuff a few years ago together but something shifted at some point and it went weird.

I think I’ll go nc especially now I know AINBU

OP posts:
hazell42 · 08/06/2019 07:11

I have some great, close friends. I don't talk to them everyday.
Hell, I never spoke to my mother every day, and I loved the bones of her.
I don't talk to my (adult) kids every day either
He is massively intense and weird.
And controlling
And weird