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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let them in the tent

300 replies

PinkStarAtNight · 25/07/2023 16:53

So this is kind of lighthearted, its not an argument but I'm just wondering what others would do...

So my BF, myself and our couple friends are planning a weekend at the beach this weekend. I'm worried about the weather as the forecast says wind and rain, but it doesn't look like its going to get much better throughout August so the consensus is that we should just go this weekend and make the best of it. Hotel booked.

I suggested buying one of those pop up beach tents so that if it rains we could get under that until it stops. I said to BF that we could split the cost. BF said he doesn't want to do that, because then who would own the tent? (we don't live together) so he thinks it will be complicated and besides he doesn't think we need a tent anyway, he said if it rains we'll just go into the arcade or something. I said that would mean moving all the stuff off the beach and the rain might only last for 15 mins/half an hour as it says intervals of rain...we're planning to spend all day on the beach for two days so I really want a tent just to bob under if it gets rainy.

I haven't asked our couple friends but I doubt they'll agree to share the cost as they're a bit like BF and will say its an unnecessary cost, we don't need it etc, they're quite tight with money as is BF.

So, I'm looking at tents on Amazon and thinking of just buying one for myself. There's different sizes for 2 people, 4 people etc all at different prices. It can go up to £50 or more if you want a family one to fit 4 people in.

Now I just KNOW that if I buy and take along the tent and it starts raining, they're all going to get into it aren't they? Of course they are, if its there. So I'm thinking should I get a 4 person one? Or should I get a smaller, cheaper 2 person one and risk it being a real squish when they all try to chamber in with me when the heavens open.

Although I'll be the one who fully owns it afterwards, it will mildly annoy me if they all get in but didn't want to pay towards it. And I'm not sure how I feel about paying more money for a 4 person one to make room for them when they're not paying towards it. I could just get a small one that's just big enough for me, but then they might all squish in with me and that will be annoying.

So, WWYD? Would you buy the tent and say to them that its yours and they're not getting in because they didn't pay towards it? Or would you cover the cost yourself, for a 4 person one, and let them share even though they're not paying?

I know this is a first world problem and I'm not making an argument with anyone over it, I'm just quietly wondering whether or not to share the tent and wondered what others would do in this situation. Am I being really petty by wanting to say that its my tent and just for me because they don't want to pay towards it?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Needmorelego · 25/07/2023 16:55

Just take some umbrellas.
Less drama.

DustyLee123 · 25/07/2023 16:55

I wouldn’t bother buying it. I wouldn’t want to sit in a tent on the beach if it was raining, I’d go in a cafe or something

Hufflepods · 25/07/2023 16:56

You want it, you pay for it. It seems ridiculous to expect people to lag you when they will be using it for a day.

barelyfunctional · 25/07/2023 16:56

Bring a rain coat or umbrella. Climbing into a tent every time it rains sounds like a real hassle

FionnulaTheCooler · 25/07/2023 16:57

I think your BF has a point about leaving the beach and doing something else if it rains. Spending a day on the beach crammed into a tent in the pissing rain with 3 other adults sounds like hell to me, I'd go and find a pub instead.

Dillydollydingdong · 25/07/2023 16:57

I've seen inflatable tents up for sale at £20. Just get one. You're not going to need a remortgage.

Missingpate · 25/07/2023 16:57

I agree with both the above comments. You are over thinking it and I speak as someone who routinely overthinks. If it rains you will run to a cafe. Take umbrellas and raincoats for if it looks short lived.

TheFlis12345 · 25/07/2023 16:58

Take an umbrella and a couple of bin bags to keep your stuff dry.

Anewuser · 25/07/2023 16:58

they won’t end up in it. If the heavens open, they’ll head for the cafe/arcade. You’ll end up in the tent by yourself.

Take a waterproof or go in the sea. Don’t take valuables or get a waterproof bag to chuck them in.

FadedRed · 25/07/2023 16:59

Go to Poundland or similar, buy a couple of umbrellas to cover you and your BF and a couple of groundsheets or garden-strength refuse bags to cover your belongings. £4 - job done.

PollyAmour · 25/07/2023 16:59

They’re designed more as sun shades than rain shelters so for that reason alone, I wouldn’t bother. Do you seriously envisage sitting in a tent, on a beach, in the rain? Doing what? If it’s pissing down, cut your losses and go get food/drinks/play the arcades 🏖️

Anewuser · 25/07/2023 16:59

Also, remember if you lean against the tent side, it will drawn the water in. So all of you cramming into a 2 man won’t work.

supersnook · 25/07/2023 17:01

i can see the point in him not wanting to waste money on a tent instead of just doing something sane like going to a pub- but if his reasoning is ‘we might break up and who would own the tent’, that’s tragic!

such a skinflint that in a breakup he’d be chasing his £25 for the bloody tent and he’s worried about this to begin with.

milveycrohn · 25/07/2023 17:13

Dont buy a tent.
They are worthwhile if you have young children, who may want to sleep, get changed, eat lunch away from birds, etc.
If it rains, then I probably would not want to stay on the beach anyway.

OwlBabiesAreCute · 25/07/2023 17:17

We bought a 4 man pop up tent from FB marketplace for £20 if you want something cheap but actually I agree with him.

Take a raincoat, if it gets too wet for that then dive into the arcades.

DinoMummsy · 25/07/2023 17:17

Just take a raincoat with hood and/or umbrellla - job done

2bazookas · 25/07/2023 17:18

  • it will mildly annoy me if they all get in but didn't want to pay towards it. And I'm not sure how I feel about paying more money for a 4 person one to make room for them when they're not paying towards it. I could just get a small one that's just big enough for me, but then they might all squish in with me and that will be annoying. < dot dot dot> ...Am I being really petty by wanting to say that its my tent and just for me..."

    🤐

have a lovely time

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 25/07/2023 17:20

A nap on the beach in the little tent while it rains sounds lovely.

Just get a two-person tent and before you leave remind everyone there is rain in the forecast and they might want to bring umbrellas.

Those tents can be super difficult to re-fold. You might end up having to abandon it. Ask me how I know....

Beargrumps22 · 25/07/2023 17:22

sounds like a lot of faff rather than a pleasure not to mention don't sound like much in common with any of them

longestlurkerever · 25/07/2023 17:23

I think yabu as well OP. No one thinks it's a good use of money or time except you. If you decide to go ahead anyway that's up to you. They're hardly going to complain there's no tent if they get rained on. But would you really want to be sat on your own in a beach tent while everyone has gone off to the pub or arcades? Just sack the whole idea off - you're outvoted.

Pufflebow · 25/07/2023 17:26

BF said he doesn't want to do that, because then who would own the tent? (we don't live together) so he thinks it will be complicated

Buy a tent don’t buy a tent (I wouldn’t)
But the biggest thing here is that your bf can’t commit to the complications of 50/50 custody of a £20 tent with you.

charabang · 25/07/2023 17:27

If I bought one I wouldn't share. My family went camping and we all chose our own sleeping bags. I chose a big one with a fleecy lining and now everyone wants to use it. Hell no!

HeddaGarbled · 25/07/2023 17:27

They’re not going to all sit around on the beach getting wet while you sit in your little tent, are they? They’ll be off somewhere having fun while you sit there on your own, dry but ridiculous 😃

PoshPineapple · 25/07/2023 17:32

Alternatives:

  1. take a carrier bag and stick it on your bonce if it rains
  2. if/when it starts raining, my go to plan is get in the sea - sea or lake swimming in the rain is underated!
  3. take a big enough beach towel and get underneath it
  4. follow the pack and hit the arcades!
Moondust · 25/07/2023 17:32

Don't buy the tent - if it does rain then, yes, you'll have somewhere to sit and keep dry BUT you will then have to refold a soggy, sandy tent and squeeze it back into the too-small bag they all seem to ckme in. The pop up tents are a nightmare to refold even when they are dry!! Just take a raincoat and umbrella.