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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think she is CF to invite herself to stay?

148 replies

viccat · 29/02/2020 17:58

A friend (if I can call her that) messaged me on FB earlier today to say she was thinking of finally coming to visit London and stay at mine around Easter or perhaps in the summer... she already has a dog sitter sorted and everything, it's perfect for her. Hmm

Now, I knew her ages ago - haven't met her in person for over 14 years, we occasionally comment on each other's FB posts but don't ever speak other than that (last FB messenger exchange was over 5 years ago). We were never super close friends although we were in each other's lives at a time we were both struggling with something (separately) and I suppose felt closer because of that... But I was very young, late teens/early 20s (she's a bit older) and even though we spoke about her coming to visit when I first moved to London, life has moved on A LOT in 15 years! I'd be happy to meet up for a cuppa and a catch up but not give up several days to accommodate her.

AIBU to think she's being a CF thinking she can use me as a free hotel? And to expect an invitation that was maybe made all those years ago is going to be open forever...

My view is coloured by the fact that I'm the biggest introvert and literally never have anyone stay these days. I have a spare room but it doesn't even have a bed, it's my home office. My mental health hasn't been great for months now and the thought of having anyone stay is my worst nightmare. Plus, I'm working and busy with a big work project so it'd be terrible timing. My answer is definitely going to be no, I just need to figure out how to word it so a.) I don't leave it in any way open for her to think she can come another time b.) I don't sound too rude - I don't want to upset her even though I'm definitely not having her stay. Ever. Over my dead body.

If it matters, she would be coming from abroad.
With the corona virus outbreak I also feel like it would be a terrible idea at Easter anyway to fly into Heathrow and come to stay. What if she got ill and ended up in quarantine at mine for 14 days! Shock

OP posts:
PreseaCombatir · 29/02/2020 22:11

Omg faracrossthepond that sounds like a full on comedy skit, running away and hiding from a persistent pen pal with no boundaries 🤦‍♀️😂

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 29/02/2020 22:17

faracrossthepond I actually like your style considering your ex-friends come across as having the skin of rhinos and would not take no, or even the police as an answer.
Glad your parents were supportive. I'd have liked to be a fly on the wall at your flat though.

Samtsirch · 29/02/2020 22:29

Send her a list of local hotels or b&bs and add that it would be lovely to meet up for a coffee and a chat if she manages to secure a booking somewhere.

TorkTorkBam · 29/02/2020 22:36

Don't do her google searches for her. That would be weird. You think she's cheeky not stupid.

Rosalo · 29/02/2020 22:44

Faraway that actually made me laugh out loud.

CFers won't do that again.

scubadive · 29/02/2020 23:13

Hi, it would be lovely to meet for a coffee or meal but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to host you.Also do you think this is a good time to travel with the Coronavirus?

That makes it quite clear but not rude.

Notajogger · 01/03/2020 00:46

@PoloMama - you sound very boring - what a nasty thing to say!! Particularly when the OP has already stated in her post she has been struggling with her mental health recently - how do you think nasty comments like yours are going to help?!
Plus there's absolutely nothing to suggest she even is boring! Being an introvert and not liking visitors doesn't mean boring. What about all that BeKind stuff eh?!

BumbleBeee69 · 01/03/2020 01:14

Did OP respond.. darn it did I miss it 😱

LorenzoStDubois · 01/03/2020 01:36

She is indeed a CF.
Lots of good advice on here about how to ward her off.

TheSerenDipitY · 01/03/2020 02:22

so you reply.... oh my gosh i wish you had spoken to me before you planned everything, so sorry we wont be here we have so much on at the moment and wont be ale to have guests... heres a link to some budget friendly accommodation, good luck and have a great holiday

Lifeinthedeep · 01/03/2020 02:27

Or just don’t answer her. She won’t have your address so she won’t be able to stay. Problem sorted.

TreeTopTim · 01/03/2020 04:08

Have you replied to the CF?

PatricksRum · 01/03/2020 04:41

"Hey, nice to hear from you. It would be lovely to catch up over a coffee at a cafe or something when you're over. Do let me know when you're coming and we'll pick a day to meet."

Kind of ignores the question but gives a clear impression. Any further messages about staying at your place would be met with

"Oh sorry I didn't realise you meant you wished to stay over. Unfortunately that isn't possible but I do know of x place"

PlasticReplacementUterus · 01/03/2020 04:43

@faracrossthepond how old was the penpal?

Blahblahblah12345 · 01/03/2020 05:03

Have you replied to her? You have had some really good suggestions.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 01/03/2020 05:35

"I'm sorry, that doesn't work for me - but if you let me know which hotel you're staying it, I'll meet you for a coffee or lunch one day".

SunnyCoco · 01/03/2020 07:29

Not able to put you up, but would love to meet you for a drink while you’re here. Let me know your dates and we’ll try and get together.

This is the one I would send
DON'T give any reasons as it gives her chance to keep trying to change your mind

GaaaaarlicBread · 01/03/2020 07:55

Deffo reply to her (I can see lots of good text examples), mainly because if she’s anything like a CF I know - she just turned up at my flat where I lived before we bought our first home. It was a one bed flat, no room for a guest. She got my address off a friend of mine she just messaged on FB and said ‘can I have itsemilys address please I can’t get hold of her and I’m worried’ as I hadn’t replied !! Travelled up from London just turned up at my door and said ‘I’ll just sleep on the sofa’!! DH was fuming !! It was for 4 days as well!

GaaaaarlicBread · 01/03/2020 07:56

I should add I’d only ever met the CF once !!! Not even friends just met through a charity convention thing and were FB friends occasionally exchanging comments on posts on the charity page !!

Submariner · 01/03/2020 08:05

"Oh CF this is spooky! I have just booked plane tickets to CF country for Easter. Was going to look at hotels but your message made me think it would be so much nicer to spend the fortnight together. Can you send me your address? Best bit is, this way you don't have to fly halfway across the world to see little old me!"

pollyflicks · 01/03/2020 08:13

What Submariner said!

OP - what did you say and how did CF respond?

viccat · 01/03/2020 09:22

Thanks everyone, good to see it's not just me.
I haven't replied to her yet but will do so based on some of your suggestions and not go into too much detail as I think she is exactly the type who'd say "no bed - no problem, I'll sleep on the sofa/floor/a tent in the garden".

She doesn't have my address and I don't think any of our mutual friends do either so no risk of her just turning up (I don't think she would be THAT much of a CF anyway!)

OP posts:
Chamomileteaplease · 01/03/2020 11:19

Please let us know what happens Grin.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 01/03/2020 12:17

No, she'll probably call you from the airport to come and pick her up!

Be concise and concrete in your response, no wriggle room - you can't do it, that's that.

BumbleBeee69 · 01/03/2020 12:57

good on you OP 🌺

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