Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I made DP's friend cry.

550 replies

Hugerag · 07/08/2023 21:26

I have been with DP for 3 years, and he has a large social group who he has been friends with for decades. In the 3 years I have been with DP, I have always made an effort with his friends and their partners, and really hoped that as time went on my friendship with them would improve and I'd become more integrated into their group as opposed to being on the periphery.

Two weeks ago, It was my birthday party, and to avoid outing myself, it was quite a big birthday (think 40th). The birthday party was very girly and was only for the women in my life. I set up a group chat on WhatsApp to tell everyone the details of the party, including the venue, catering, drinks orders, games etc I had planned. I invited all of my DP's friends partners, despite not knowing them all that well. I invited them because I wanted to make an effort to be a part of their group and because of DP, who also wants me to become a larger part of his friendship circle. Gradually, over the weeks leading up the party, all of DP's friends partners dropped out... even though by that point they knew that I had spent time, effort and money in catering and drinks orders preparing for them to come. I started to get quite upset, but the final straw was when it was down to the final invitee, who only a few days before my birthday, told me that she had unexpectedly been given tickets to a concert on the same weekend as my party, so she was going to go to that instead. She sent me a text message apologising. It later turned out that she went to the concert with another one of the women in the friendship circle who had also been invited but had dropped out earlier.

Yesterday, DP and I went to a BBQ with the friendship circle. The woman who had dropped out at the last minute because she had been given concert tickets came up to me and apologised to me in person. I told her that I accepted her apology and we'd all move on, however, I was disappointed and upset that none of the women in the group had made the effort to come, I'd spent a lot of time and money which she was aware of having been on the WhatsApp group, and I found it quite rude that she'd dropped out at the last minute because she'd got a better offer. She seemed quite taken aback and the conversation ended there.

Today, DP received a text message from his friend, explaining that I'd really upset his partner and made her cry! DP is now annoyed with me and thinks I am creating unnecessary tension and drama. I am sticking to my opinion that it is me that should be upset with all of them and that I am the person who has been wronged. I'm forever being polite and kind and not speaking up for myself, this is one of the only times in my life that I have actually been assertive!

AIBU?

OP posts:
ToxicBiennial · 08/08/2023 09:31

Hugerag · 07/08/2023 22:52

@FallingStar21 I would have much preferred that they all just declined in the first instance, at least I would've known where I stood and not wasted my time and money. I even handmade favours for everyone (which a few knew about before dropping out). I only reluctantly went to the BBQ for DP, but honestly I won't be bothering in the future.

I’m not sure why it has to be such a black or white response. Why not just keep things on a polite but fairly superficial basis with them in future which is what they seem to want anyway.

OddSockSeeker · 08/08/2023 09:31

Friendships grow with love 🌱

You sound a little bit demanding (sorry). Your response to her apology determined your pass into their friendship circle.

floribunda18 · 08/08/2023 09:32

Theydontknowthatweknowthattheyknow · 08/08/2023 09:18

The arent your friends and they dont want to be

Then OP's dp shouldn't be such a wet blanket. He should have her back and tell them that whether they intended to or not this is how they've made her feel. He should accept that she doesn't owe them shit from now on and firmly shut down any conversation that suggests otherwise.

OP you need to clearly tell your dp the above then wash your hands of all socialising with this group. If it spoils your relationship then at least you're finding out early where his loyalties lie

No he shouldn't. If DH did what the OP did I'd be saying to friends "Yeah, sorry he was a dick about that. I'm sorry he upset you."

If your partner is unreasonable you don't defend them at all costs.

Saschka · 08/08/2023 09:33

Paq · 08/08/2023 08:52

Tbh dropping out at the last minute not because you were ill but because you had a better offer is next level rude and I don't believe anyone would be blasé about it.

I'm glad you have some real friends OP.

This - I am trying to imagine what Apology Woman’s apology consisted of. How exactly do you sugar coat “sorry I’ve had a better offer”??

I wouldn’t let my 6 year old back out of a classmate’s birthday party because he had a better offer - I expect him to honour his commitments. No 40 year old woman gets a pass on this, sorry. I would have had to say something too. I wouldn’t have lost my temper, but I would have told her I found her spectacularly rude, and I certainly wouldn’t waste my time trying to be friendly at their events going forwards.

OddSockSeeker · 08/08/2023 09:34

You should apologise to her. She was the last man standing and was brave enough to apologise to you.

Saschka · 08/08/2023 09:38

Janieforever · 08/08/2023 08:14

No me neither, specially where you need to order a drink and have it paid for in advance. I mean really, you need to pain for your gin and tonic weeks before. Weird. Sure if a host orders wine for the table or something, but that’s not what she said. So hence why I am not sure she paid for their drinks and food.

It sounds like a package somewhere - obviously I have no idea what, but maybe a Zorbing day, or an escape room, or a private room in a karaoke bar. With an meal and drinks included.

Once OP has confirmed numbers and paid, she can’t cancel it. I don’t know if people were paying her back or whether OP was covering it, but either way dropping out after she’s paid for it because your better friend has invited you to something else is super-rude.

Mary46 · 08/08/2023 09:39

Agree with you op. Very rude food and drink in and people cancel. Im finding people flaky lately.

Ridemeginger · 08/08/2023 09:39

Apologising is not “brave”, especially when you don’t mean it but just want to be validated and absolved for being an arsehole.

SalviaDivinorum · 08/08/2023 09:39

ikno · 07/08/2023 23:33

Also I think maybe it was too soon to start socialising without partners.

After 3 years?. 3 months maybe but 3 years is rather different.

All these people saying you barely know them. After 3 years you must have spent the equivalent of days with them.

They were incredibly rude and I would not waste another moment on them. If DP wants to see his friends he can go alone.

I send DH to his family gatherings alone as his cousins are equally rude to me and I’m sick of being ignored. We’re hosting a big party shortly for DH and they are not on the guest list as I won’t have them in my home. The difference here though is DH has noticed how they treat me and now rarely sees them himself.

Complete INFJ door slam.

cloudydays97 · 08/08/2023 09:39

OddSockSeeker · 08/08/2023 09:34

You should apologise to her. She was the last man standing and was brave enough to apologise to you.

It's not brave to say you cancelled cause you got a better off, that's just rude, what kind of reaction did she expect saying that to OP when OP lost out financially.

Theydontknowthatweknowthattheyknow · 08/08/2023 09:40

floribunda18 · 08/08/2023 09:32

No he shouldn't. If DH did what the OP did I'd be saying to friends "Yeah, sorry he was a dick about that. I'm sorry he upset you."

If your partner is unreasonable you don't defend them at all costs.

I guess that's where our opinions differ because the way OP tells the story I don't think OP was rude. She didn't pick a fight. She didn't insult the friend. She told her straight that the way she treated her was upsetting. If that upsets the partner's friend then she needs to grow a fucking spine. She just doesn't like being called out on her shit.

I am the woman that nobody is really interested in and yet I'm expected to suck up to awful, stuck up people like this. It's taken me a long time to just accept that there's no point trying and I'll be damned if I'm going to let anyone, even my partner, tell me I'm in the wrong for this. I can't make anyone like me but I can sure as hell demand respect from them and choose to spend time with myself or people who actually respect me and nobody is gonna make me feel wrong for doing so

Testina · 08/08/2023 09:44

OddSockSeeker · 08/08/2023 09:31

Friendships grow with love 🌱

You sound a little bit demanding (sorry). Your response to her apology determined your pass into their friendship circle.

Oh give over 😭

What, the apology response was the end of a 3 year initiation ceremony?!!!! 🤣

Saschka · 08/08/2023 09:45

OddSockSeeker · 08/08/2023 09:34

You should apologise to her. She was the last man standing and was brave enough to apologise to you.

Yep, how brave and noble of her to send a text saying “Sarah’s invited me to do something, and I like her more than you, so I’m not coming to your party tonight. Soz hun!”

How very self-centred of OP to be upset by that Hmm

sparkleshin · 08/08/2023 09:52

never invite them to anything again and get new friends

cansu · 08/08/2023 09:54

Whilst I understand why you were annoyed you should have kept quiet. You did the invites to make friends and you now have made sure that you won't be friends with this group! Seems a bit pointless. You got to say your piece but was it worth it? It will now be awkward with this group. It was also a bit daft to invite people who are not really your friends to your party. I am guessing the last one dropped out because she realised none of the others were attending and she doesn't know you or your friends well enough. She probably thought she would be uncomfortable on her own.

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 08/08/2023 09:58

You were not BU to say it but I think you should have said it on the group chat and not directed at one person (and the only person who was decent enough to apologise in person).

She didn’t know that all of the other ladies dropped out and you directed all of your anger and sadness on her which is a little unfair.

I completely get why you’d be so upset as no one coming is a bit of a slap in the face but perhaps people were genuinely busy and it’s not because they don’t like you.

I would text this woman and apologise for upsetting her but everyone she’s dropped out and you felt hurt.
Then I would put on the group chat about how you feel and what you said to this woman but direct it at everyone.

ihadamarveloustime · 08/08/2023 09:58

But to accept the invitation, participate in the planning (my time, effort), order food and drinks (my money), then to all gradually drop out... especially for one to admit it was because she got a better offer (to attend a concert with another one of the women who was meant to be coming)... it's just not on, and shows they don't care one iota about upsetting me.

100% this.

She was rude as fuck. And she knew she was rude as fuck. Literally said to herself, 'Ooh, I'd rather do this with X person/people, I don't care that I RSVP'ed yes with OP and that OP has spent time and effort and money on my attending her birthday celebration.'

She just didn't like being called out for being rude as fuck and is now crocodile-tearing.

The problem, though, is that these are OP's partner's friends and their girlfriends. And while OP is 100% in the right here, this will cement the problems OP has having to spend any time with them and fitting in. Because even though they're supposed to care about OP's partner to some degree, and by extension his partner, they clearly don't give a shit. I probably wouldn't want to have any more to do with any of them, but can't see how that will work if OP stays with her partner and her partner doesn't actually tell his friends to stop being rude arseholes to his partner.

floribunda18 · 08/08/2023 10:01

Barbecue food can be frozen and is usually bought on the day or the day before and numbers are always random.

Booze isn't particularly perishable either.

Nevermind31 · 08/08/2023 10:01

I’m not sure I understand… you planned games just for them, and bought specific food and drink just for them? We’re they not part of a larger party?

floribunda18 · 08/08/2023 10:02

Games? Are you sure it wasn't a 7th birthday party?

RattleRattle · 08/08/2023 10:03

This reply has been deleted

This user is a goady troll so we've removed their posts.

RattleRattle · 08/08/2023 10:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Tapasita · 08/08/2023 10:06

I am sticking to my opinion that it is me that should be upset with all of them and that I am the person who has been wronged

I think the mistake you’re making is that these people aren’t your friends. They don’t really know you and vice versa. I think you were coming from a good place to invite them to a big birthday but I would only invite very close friends and family to a “big one.” Just distance yourself now and let them come to you if they choose to

Stickystickystick · 08/08/2023 10:07

SayingwhatIreallythink · 07/08/2023 21:35

How were they bullies? They were invited to something they didn’t seem to be particularly keen to go to, gradually dropped out until there was only one left. I wouldn’t fancy going to a party where I hardly knew anyone, by myself.

So you don't think it's rude to accept an invite knowing someone has paid for food etc then get a better offer and not go. Not the sort of person I would want to be.

Banrockmystation · 08/08/2023 10:07

They were all rude and immature. I dont blame you for calling it how it is and frankly your partner should’ve had your back and told his friend how upset YOU were and how they had caused you upset and inconvenience! He’s a dick for not doing so.

Swipe left for the next trending thread