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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
AmandaHoldensLips · 25/07/2023 17:35

I would charge an entry fee.
And if you want to really stick it to them, I'd have a strict dress code too.

Make sure you put on a bit of music and loudly open a tin of gin & tonic while they are zipped out in the rain. Exclaim now and then how nice and cosy and DRY you are.

GasPanic · 25/07/2023 17:35

Buy the tent, put it up with a padlock on the zipper and a sign "Entrance £5".

They may well piss off and leave you in alone in your tent though.

dahliatwain · 25/07/2023 17:35

Hire a beach hut and split the cost between you all.

LakeTiticaca · 25/07/2023 17:36

Wow how mean and petty you sound!!

I'm glad I'm not your friend!!

HerAvatar · 25/07/2023 17:37

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.

I agree with this, you'll end up in the tent on your own while they go to a nice cafe, and they'll shove all the stuff in there with you so they won't even learn the lesson about lugging the stuff off the beach! Take an umbrella and leave it at that.

CurlewKate · 25/07/2023 17:37

Yep. Incredibly petty.

Tinkerbyebye · 25/07/2023 17:37

You offered your BF he said no

so I would get a tent for me, they can take their stuff and make a run for the arcades

catsnhats11 · 25/07/2023 17:38

Unless you got to beach a lot it's not worth it, if it does end up cold and rainy (and it's always colder on the beach) you prob won't want to spend the day there anyway.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 25/07/2023 17:39

You can buy a pop.up tent for £10. If it rains, you can all chuck your stuff inside it and then head off to a pub. Obviously don't leave your valuables in there.

carrot87 · 25/07/2023 17:41

Poundland have tents for £12 if you really really want one.

LizzieSiddal · 25/07/2023 17:42

The fact you say your BF and other friends you’re going with, are all “tight with money” I wouldn’t be going away with them. Sounds miserable.

MamaGhina · 25/07/2023 17:46

they're quite tight with money as is BF
Pot kettle black springs to mind.
Buy your own tent if you want one, although I agree that the others will just head to the amusements, cafe etc and you’ll be sat in it on the beach alone.

Hufflepods · 25/07/2023 17:46

Tinkerbyebye · 25/07/2023 17:37

You offered your BF he said no

so I would get a tent for me, they can take their stuff and make a run for the arcades

Sitting by yourself in the pissing rain on the beach?
Theres only one loser in that scenario …

GoodChat · 25/07/2023 17:47

How much stuff will 4 adults need on the beach for collecting it up to even be an issue?

You sound like a bit of a pain, OP. You don't need a tent.

Chatillon · 25/07/2023 17:47

It is funny when people are so tight about money, but spend so much time going to extremes to avoid it. I always think just dedicating that time to doing a bit more paid work of one's vocation is likely to yield much richer results.

Hardbackwriter · 25/07/2023 17:49

Sitting in a tent on the beach in the rain honestly sounds like you're trying to win a competition for most miserable holiday. Of course no one wants to get in your tent.

Iolani · 25/07/2023 17:49

A 2 person.
You want it, you pay for it.
Great for keeping all your stuff in even if it doesn’t rain.

supersop60 · 25/07/2023 17:52

When I was a kid we would have an enormous (as I remember it) groundsheet on the beach. When it rained, we'd put everything on the top half and fold the bottom half over us like a massive blanket, then wait it out until the rain stopped. We loved it.
Just get a big brolly OP, if it's only a shower, otherwise get off the beach and do something else.

Hardbackwriter · 25/07/2023 17:52

I will say though that this

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

seems to suggest that you and your BF are very well suited. There is a crazy level of overthinking all round here.

OrigamiOwls · 25/07/2023 17:53

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.

Absolutely this!

shockthemonkey · 25/07/2023 17:54

I have enjoyed reading about your dilemma. I totally see where you are coming from. I would be tempted to buy for all four and act all superior and gracious when the inevitable rain comes.... and see if they have the grace to make a small contribution, afterwards, towards the cost!

But I don't know about these beach tents nor how difficult they are to fold up afterwards - it would seem they are a bit of a pain.

I'd kind of love to hear how it all goes after you get back!

Likewhatever · 25/07/2023 17:54

I agree with everyone else. If it rains you’ll end up on your own in charge of everyone else’s stuff while they head off to a cafe. Buy cheap umbrellas, waterproof ponchos etc, and have spare, dry footwear. They’ll be a lot more use to you.

gogomoto · 25/07/2023 17:54

You are not going to sit on a beach in the rain! Just take waterproof jackets, umbrellas and nip into places if it's really soggy

HurdyGurdy19 · 25/07/2023 17:54

I get what you mean about having to gather everything up and move it all off the beach if you decide to go to a cafe or arcade.

Depending on where you are going, have a look and see if you can hire a beach hut for the day.

My daughter did this at Walton on the Naze a couple of years ago. I think she paid £60 for the day via Airbnb, but she said it was worth it for the convenience of not having to lug all their stuff with them

A303 · 25/07/2023 17:55

There are beaches one can go to where you take all your clothes off.

What one does is take a large black bin bag with a towel inside. When it rains one takes ones clothes off completely and puts them in the bag, then tie the ends tightly together to keep the bag closed. When the rain stops open the bag, remove towel and dry off before getting dressed in the dry clothes.

If you want to keep your hair dry, then before closing the bag put head inside and draw the ends shut.