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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Distract me please - DM 'missing' abroad

160 replies

Littlebitworried7 · 28/10/2021 23:08

NC just because I post a lot and don't want it linked to my posting history.

My DM went on holiday this morning. We texted most of the taxi journey to the airport, and I last heard from her when she had boarded the plane.

The plane landed at 5pm (I have checked), and it should be a 90min taxi to the hotel, plus getting baggage and covid checks at the airport first. I expected to hear from her 2-3 hours ago.

She always texts to let me know she's arrived, shows off pics of the hotel etc. I haven't heard anything and my WhatsApp is stuck on one tick so not delivered.

Of course now I'm worried about an accident or something. Her friend who she has gone with also has some quite serious health problems, although deemed fit to fly, so wondered if something had happened with him but if she had had to go to hospital with him she would have found a way to let me know I think.

I'm supposed to be working but can't concentrate. Luckily I'm self employed so it only affects me. If any kind posters can keep me company for a while id appreciate it as I doubt I'll be able to sleep until I at least get two bloody WhatsApp ticks!

And I've disabled voting as I'm obviously BU... I'm normally pretty laid back but this is really out of character.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 29/10/2021 06:11

I absolutely don't blame you for not calling. I'm thousands of miles from my Mum and recently thought she was very unwell. It was nighttime here in Australia and I'm ashamed to say that I turned my phone off.

I was so upset and tired already that I knew I'd be up all night if I got bad news...I wanted to receive it in the morning. Luckily she was fine!

custardbear · 29/10/2021 06:18

I hope she's been in touchy now OP

SirVixofVixHall · 29/10/2021 06:35

Hope she is in touch this morning OP.

strawberrydonuts · 29/10/2021 06:56

This is one of the issues around people being constantly switched on and connected. We expect to hear news from them instantly and when we don't we get worried. We wouldn't have had that luxury years ago and just would have had to wait for a postcard!

As you say, something as simple as a little tech issue could have stopped her from getting in touch and is much more likely than anything bad having happened.

It's hard not to worry but it hasn't been much time at all and she is in a foreign country.

Izzy24 · 29/10/2021 07:02

I do hope you hear soon.

On a side note, we never have a real break by going on holiday now. It used to be bliss to really get away and have a break from everything even if that was only an hour down the road!

pilates · 29/10/2021 07:22

Op, I think your title thread is misleading and a tad dramatic. She is not missing just a delay (probably a reception problem) in contacting you.

FortunesFave · 29/10/2021 07:24

@pilates

Op, I think your title thread is misleading and a tad dramatic. She is not missing just a delay (probably a reception problem) in contacting you.
Hmm Nice! Stick the boot in whilst OP is worried and distressed. What's wrong with the title exactly? She put "missing" to indicated that she's not actually missing yet....she didn't put MISSING!! or anything.

Do you not understand what "" does?

JudgementalCactus · 29/10/2021 07:29

@pilates

Op, I think your title thread is misleading and a tad dramatic. She is not missing just a delay (probably a reception problem) in contacting you.
Do you feel better now that you've put that thought out into the world?

Why be deliberately rude to someone who is going through some anguish?

Plus, she put missing in quotes, as to acknowledge it might be an overreaction. People have different levels of uncertainty tolerance and anxiety.

Elderflower14 · 29/10/2021 07:30

Hope you hear from her soon...

Bywayofanupdate · 29/10/2021 07:31

Maybe she has left her phone on the plane. Can you call the hotel?

CallMeRisley · 29/10/2021 07:32

OP what jumped out of one of your posts is that she’s gone away with a male friend that you don’t know and have only met a handful of times? Is it a new boyfriend? How long has she known him?

I do hope you’ve either heard from her or called the hotel, good luck Flowers

myrtilles · 29/10/2021 07:35

Hope you hear from your mother soon.

Littlebitworried7 · 29/10/2021 07:38

@CallMeRisley no they are actually friends - they've worked together for years. When he books a holiday he invites her along so he's not on his own... when DM books a holiday, she invites me Wink

I managed to get a few hours sleep. Still one tick but its a bit early for her anyway, especially on holiday! I remember now that the voltage (?) in this country is lower so everything took much longer to charge last time. Its probably that. Isn't it funny how you're more rational in daylight, and all the replies have been really helpful too.

OP posts:
Littlebitworried7 · 29/10/2021 07:41

@pilates

Op, I think your title thread is misleading and a tad dramatic. She is not missing just a delay (probably a reception problem) in contacting you.
I didn't really know how to briefly put it tbh. As PP said I put the " " because she's not/wasn't really, but how would you say it when trying to keep a title brief? The only other thing I could think of at the time was AWOL but that wasn't true either.

I did deliberately avoid capitals and explanation marks to minimise the drama...

OP posts:
Ducksurprise · 29/10/2021 07:42

@pilates

Op, I think your title thread is misleading and a tad dramatic. She is not missing just a delay (probably a reception problem) in contacting you.
Op doesn't owe you entertainment, this isn't a soap opera it is someone's life, anyway it's quite clear in the title that she is probably just delayed.

Op, hope you hear from her soon.

Cheerbear23 · 29/10/2021 07:45

Email the hotel to ask if she’s checked in if you don’t hear by mid morning?

itsgettingwierd · 29/10/2021 07:47

Hopefully it's some simple explanation.

However my mind goes down the same tracks as yours - especially at night.

"If it's not how it should be - something must be wrong"

When in reality we know it's very unlikely and everything turns out fine!

Fanackapansy · 29/10/2021 07:48

Op doesn't owe you entertainment, this isn't a soap opera it is someone's life, anyway it's quite clear in the title that she is probably just delayed.

Well said.

Arabelladrinkstea · 29/10/2021 07:57

Hope everything is ok :)

Truthlikeness · 29/10/2021 07:58

If she's relying on the hotel's free wifi, it's probably just gone down. Those things are always sketchy.

JenniferAllisonPhillipaSue · 29/10/2021 08:01

As above - I reckon the hotel's Wifi is down.

HaveringWavering · 29/10/2021 08:09

@pilates

Op, I think your title thread is misleading and a tad dramatic. She is not missing just a delay (probably a reception problem) in contacting you.
You might want to brush up on how inverted commas work.
BeneficiaryMadness · 29/10/2021 08:10

Can you give the hotel a quick ring now? It’s after 10am, someone will know if she’s checked in by now?

Thetrainisinthestation · 29/10/2021 08:13

Hope you hear from her soon. She’s probably forgot to log into their WiFi.

Give the hotel a quick ring now it’s morning to give you reassurance

TokyoSushi · 29/10/2021 08:15

Hope you hear from her soon!

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