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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

New member super nice and helpful but I find her so irritating!

275 replies

Bleachmycloths · 07/04/2023 09:48

Some details changed/not included to avoid outing.
I am in a hobby club. I love it. Members are lovely and we have an enjoyable relaxed time. Leader is great and makes meetings enjoyable.
New member ticks all the boxes for being nice: chatty, smiley, makes tea, talks to everyone, asks them questions to show an interest in their lives, helps to clear up. I feel a bit guilty because I find her a PITA and I am getting grumpy about it.
To avoid drip feeding:

  • At the discussion part of the meeting she tries to draw everyone in by posing a question then asks each person what they think. Some members are shy and I can see they don’t like this.
  • suggests we all go out for the evening to get to know each other and to not to talk about hobby. I joined for the hobby, not to go out for meals.
  • every meeting she announces she can’t remember names and points to each one in turn and gives them their name, often wrong, then she gives them a nickname eg “ Mrs Cake” “Mrs Lovely Red Handbag”
I have other examples but this is already too long. I worry thatI am simply intolerant because I just want to say “Oh, fuck off with your helpfulness and friendliness and leave people alone!” Finally, she is not covering up shyness. She is confident and thinks she’s the bees’ knees. I know this. I am not guessing. AIBU for being intolerant and grumpy? Should I accept her as well meaning and that other people and their behaviour are part of life?
OP posts:
Goldenbear · 07/04/2023 13:36

CurlyhairedAssassin · 07/04/2023 13:34

This is just Amanda from Motherland. As I recall, that character isn't a terrible person and is actually quite vulnerable. I'm sure all you different personalities can rub along quite nicely if you accept that you all have different strengths and weaknesses and personality traits. I would have no issue with her trying to organised a group night out. There will probably be some there who are up for that. Those that are not shouldn't feel forced to attend.

Yes, Amanda from Motherland is like my DH's friend's wife. Tbf these people are usually really good at organising parties and nights out.

Cnidarian · 07/04/2023 13:38

Are you the poster who really didn't like new members at her book club because they didn't follow the old rules that none of the other members except you were bothered by and you insisted on making a specific type of badge?

Goldenbear · 07/04/2023 13:39

OP, sorry if I missed this but has anyone taken her up on her offer of going out. If people are interested it doesn't really cause any harm to you.

AliceOlive · 07/04/2023 13:39

DiddyHeck · 07/04/2023 12:57

She has no idea I find her a bit irritating.

You don't know this for sure.

In fairness, it sounds like she’s too busy leading the club to notice.

Goldenbear · 07/04/2023 13:40

Cnidarian · 07/04/2023 13:38

Are you the poster who really didn't like new members at her book club because they didn't follow the old rules that none of the other members except you were bothered by and you insisted on making a specific type of badge?

I remember that thread.

crochetmonkey74 · 07/04/2023 13:40

Good Lord. As a newly bereaved person and newly single too I joined some hobby clubs to make new friends and get a social life. The ones that were the worst were when everyone came did the hobby and then left. The best were when there were extra bits of chat, extra socialising like pub afterwards etc.
So far, she's been nice, helpful and complimentary . What a cow! 🙄

FatFucker · 07/04/2023 13:40

You sound lovely OP. I want to join your club.

As long as it's not anything arty! I'm shit at that! Hahah

Goldenbear · 07/04/2023 13:41

If it is a book club, I could see why she might ask some leading questions about what people think of the book as isn't that the point of a book club?

GOW56 · 07/04/2023 13:49

It's almost as though the OP wants her to blush and stay quiet until she's spoken to.
I don't think this is fair to the OP. She didn't say that she wanted her to be quiet she said she didn't think she should be changing the ethos of the group and insisting every one in the group responds to her comments and that she says things like everyone should do X.
I would hate this too.

dew141 · 07/04/2023 13:51

This sounds strangely like the flipside of the other thread where the newbie posted that they felt they were annoying the group leader (in fairness, they'd been given some fairly brutal feedback on their personality).

MargaretThursday · 07/04/2023 13:51

Cherryblossoms85 · 07/04/2023 12:34

Oh dear, I'm starting to wonder if this is the flipside of yesterday's post where the new member was told by the coach she was too full-on!

That was my immediate thought too.

I think newcomers can be a breath of fresh air and breathe new life into a group. However it only works well if they spend a little time learning how the group currently works and the current members.
I've been in groups where newcomers have come in with great ideas and made the group much better.
But the other side can destroy a group.

My dm was in a group that had 20+ people attending for over 10 years and one newcomer managed to stop it in six months. I suppose the issue there was that there wasn't a leader; it was something where they mutually all pitched in, so there was no one to stop her or say anything naturally. The one newcomer made it so uncomfortable that one by one they all stopped coming.

dew141 · 07/04/2023 13:54

Sorry cherryblossom, didn't see your post.

88milesanhour · 07/04/2023 14:07

OP I am the other member of your group. I'm not so rude as to make up random nicknames when I cba to learn people's real names but I do know what it's like to be in a community (for my child actually, not even me) and be trying my absolute best to fit in and just be nice and helpful but know that I'm being laughed at and even openly taken the piss out of and contempt shown to both me and my daughter for no reason other than apparently I'm just fundamentally unlikeable. Believe me this woman knows how you feel even if she doesn't seem to notice. Call this woman out if she's upsetting others by all means but otherwise please consider the positive impact that this club might be having on her mental health and just be polite and mind your own bloody business. She has as much right to enjoy this hobby as you do. You don't need to be her best mate but you shouldn't be going out of your way to ostracise her or complain about her without good reason either

Jojobalone · 07/04/2023 14:23

Finally, she is not covering up shyness. She is confident and thinks she’s the bees’ knees. I know this. I am not guessing.

you absolute fruit loop OP 😂

ifIwerenotanandroid · 07/04/2023 14:26

@88milesanhour The OP hasn't done any of the unpleasant things you've mentioned. Neither have the group leader or the other members, from what I've read.

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience in one group & I hope you've found somewhere better. I was once in a group which had fluctuating loyalties, 'in' & 'out' members (varying from moment to moment) & outright bullying for no reason. At the same time, they all told one another that it was a great group, everyone got on, it was so supportive - while bitching behind people's backs. It messes with your mind & can be very hurtful. I left & found a much nicer group where everyone genuinely supported one another. The first group have never really forgiven me for leaving.🙄

AliceOlive · 07/04/2023 14:26

@88milesanhour Some groups are awful. It sounds like you are in one.

ThereIbledit · 07/04/2023 14:28

The only thing that you've posted that I'd do anything about is the nicknames. "Oh Mrs Cake..." "I don't like being called a nickname. My name is Sally."

Whattt44 · 07/04/2023 14:31

dew141 · 07/04/2023 13:51

This sounds strangely like the flipside of the other thread where the newbie posted that they felt they were annoying the group leader (in fairness, they'd been given some fairly brutal feedback on their personality).

I was just going to say the same!

sighofthetimes · 07/04/2023 14:41

You're not unreasonable for being grumpy and intolerant, but you are being grumpy and intolerant.

nopayagain · 07/04/2023 14:46

To be honest if she's being nice I'd just let her be. I have bigger things to worry about rather than a grown adult being 'too nice'

Jojobalone · 07/04/2023 14:56

So not a single other member of those close knit group have suggested or even implied to you that your negative feelings about this woman are shared by others.

And as for your laughable assertion that definitely NOT guessing and you 100% know for sure it’s not nerves… after meeting her half a dozen times in a group environment…. Speaks volumes to me

Bleachmycloths · 07/04/2023 15:05

Antiquiteas · 07/04/2023 13:36

Another day, another thread where posters turn on an OP for literally anything.

It’s like sport, it seems.

”I’m really upset. A newcomer to my WI group punched a hole through my Victoria sponge. She then licked her hand and said it tasted like shit. No one said a word. I can’t face her again.”

”Well, did your cake taste like shit, OP? Perhaps she just doesn’t feel able to lie.”

”I bet you used raspberry jam. Everyone knows it should be strawberry. You kind of brought it on yourself, OP.”

”Jesus, can’t you try being kind to her? She’s new to the group, trying to make friends and clearly has some sort of cake-based trauma in her past. Maybe you should leave if you can’t be decent.”

I wasn’t going to bother posting on this thread anymore as I think it has run its course, but this is so funny, Antiquiteas! If someone posts about an 8 year old little shit who kicked her cat, peed on the rose bush and broke her kids’ toys and how she was extremely angry - she’ll get don’t be so judgemental/ he may be autistic/ have ADHD/ have other issues..
when he just needs a kick up the arse!
METAPHORICAL if anyone is tempted to call me a child abuser.
Thank you, Antiquiteas! 😍

OP posts:
Bleachmycloths · 07/04/2023 15:08

Jojobalone · 07/04/2023 14:56

So not a single other member of those close knit group have suggested or even implied to you that your negative feelings about this woman are shared by others.

And as for your laughable assertion that definitely NOT guessing and you 100% know for sure it’s not nerves… after meeting her half a dozen times in a group environment…. Speaks volumes to me

I know her from other social situations! That’s why I said I know what she’s like. But I can’t give more details as it would be outing.

as often happens on MN this has grown beyond the original post. I have to accept on MN or not bother with it. but I do like MN. It often cheers me up. Pleeeease don’t reply suggesting I am obviously suffering from depression… 😂

OP posts:
Jojobalone · 07/04/2023 15:10

But how on earth can you be 100% certain it’s not nerves?

and my question- it would seem not a single member of the group has shared with you similar feelings about the woman

Bleachmycloths · 07/04/2023 15:11

sighofthetimes · 07/04/2023 14:41

You're not unreasonable for being grumpy and intolerant, but you are being grumpy and intolerant.

I know. And I’m not proud of it. Honestly not being sarcastic.

OP posts: