To not let them in the tent

[PinkStarAtNight]

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?

This is weird.

Do you generally not like sharing?

Or would you cover the cost yourself, for a 4 person one, and let them share even though they're not paying?

Yes. Because I'm not petty. All this over a £50 tent

Either buy it for yourself and hope to use it again in the future or just run into the nearest pub/cafe if it rains

If you are thinking that about them, they aren't really your friends. A tent is not a good idea on a wet beach anyway Buy waterproof anorak and umbrella like everyone else who lives in a maritime climate.

This is the sort i use, easier to carry than a pop up and easier to put away. The ground sheet is great to sit on and it does protect if you get a short sharp shower, especially if your beach is nowhere near a cafe.

Your BF and friends are not the only tight arses.

Why would you sit in a tent in the rain? Just go to the pub

Charge them £10 entry and 50p an hour thereafter.

😆😆😆

You want one of these, OP - room for only one, dirt cheap and you can enjoy people laughing and pointing

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402671792650?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338766898&toolid=20006&customid=84e1cfe0798ff49b3322575b8f19050e&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1yceYU5HbQwOn2s7yAJIwQA27

And I thought I had problems...

I couldn't date someone that stingy with money.

Buy the 4 person and don't let them in:

Just get the 2 man beach tent! They're brilliant!

We use ours every time we go to the beach, fits 2 people in chairs or four people while sat down and it's as easy to put up as an umbrella (buy a 'pop up' one, not one that you have to dick about with poles). If it rains you just chuck everything in and sit it out till it stops! none of your stuff gets wet and it's fun to all cram in and watch the rain! It's a costco one and it's bloody brilliant.

You WILL need a mallet to peg it down though (unless you're going somewhere with rocks around) make sure you get proper cross shape plastic tent pegs (metal one's don't work very well on sand)!

Don't worry about the cost to your friends, as that's just weird, if your boyfriend wants to get in it while it's raining ask for his half of the money upfront! :)

I would imagine a lot of people saying why bother when you can sit in a cafe/pub, probably wouldn't be the sort to want to sit on the beach all day in the first place.

I'd just buy a big huge golf umbrella and take it for yourself.

Slightly similar bugbear we had... Camping with extended family. A good 3;5 hours drive. Our tent was the biggest, nobody could would fit ANY of our other tiny bits & bobs in any of their cars & I promise they could have without any discomfort ( we were squashed to the max ) all the way. We had 2 separate bedrooms/large living area. So slightest hint/trickle of rain, everybody piled in ours. Meaning we had all the grass dragged in, scratches/indent chair marks from everybody else's chairs crammed in, left cups/glasses/rubbish etc. 3 nights in a row. No-one offered to tidy, no one cared if they sat on our chairs, so we had to sit on the rugs. Selfishbuggars. That was the last time we went away with them all.
I think I just wanted to rant then, Thank you😄

Buy it, then charge £5 entry fee if it rains 😆

Another idea is if you take a plastic spade you can dig a moat around the tent to keep them out.

You're going to end up sat alone in your little rain tent of misery while they all fuck off to the pub.

you cant buy a tent for 2 when there are 4 of us
and it seems expensive to buy a tent for 4

We love our pop up beach tent for shade when it's sunny or a bit windy. We have this one in large and it's okay for 3 of us. I'd definitely recommend going for a larger size rather than smaller.

But, it is tricky to put away. Only get a pop up if you're good at logical thinking and dexterity - and practice a few times at home before you try it on a beach.

But, as other posters have said, if your bf/friends are likely to head to the pub/cafe/arcade if it rains, then there's no point taking one and they're a bit of a pain to carry around...

This sounds like a fun outing!.

What would I do? Well I wouldn't sit on the beach in the rain, I'd go do something else with the BF and friends that are seemingly sane and thus don't want to sit on the beach in the rain.

Why are you determined to spend 2 entire days on the beach if the weather's against you? Plenty of other fun stuff to do in most seaside places.

IMO this is alot of drama about a tent! You had the idea, you buy one but one big enough for all.. don’t get a tiny one, it’s pointless.

Some years ago husband dog and myself were using a pop up tent on Croyde Beach. Great weather. Suddenly a rain shower started- it only looked to be a quickie, so husband dog and myself got into the tent zipped it up a bit and sat there blissfully for 5 minutes peering out...the sun then came out and so did we..fond memories of that day on Croyde Beach. I'd go for a double and zip it up quick OP.

Brolly and a raincoat?
Take a binbag for storing the stuff.
Hire a beach hut?

If you've not asked your friends though how do you know they don't already have a beach tent? Would you pay them to share theirs? Or does thinking about doing that make you realise how ridiculous you're being much you're overthinking this?!