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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Family Friends being unreasonable - how to react

222 replies

ComfortFoodCorner · 24/10/2023 19:42

We are friends with this family for 5+ years. We are very close, we live nearby, we get along so well, we celebrate all big events together. For any kind of help, this family is the first we turn to, and they never refused to help. We are the same for them too. There is this small issue that's been going on for several years and I feel I need to do something about it now. This is just silly, but hope you dont find that way. They have the habit of decluttering their home, and dump all the unwanted things to us. Repeatedly - to the extent, everytime we go to their home we come back with big bags of items. It doesnt matter we need them or not, they find it easier to unload the items through us. I tried being polite, and I took up the task of donating them myself. Couple years back it became too much for me. I work full time, and I find really hard to keep my house clean. My friend doesn't and she maintains the house very clean. I have told both the husband and wife both, that I hardly find time to clean/declutter, they seem to empathise, but still they dont stop this behavior. It is not just house hold items - but also groceries, clothing, left over food that she spoilt either by making it too spicy/salty that's almost unconsumable, etc. Most of the items must be going to bin, but they dont have the heart to bin them and just dump on us thereby making it our worry to carry the guilt of binning them. Couple times I got annoyed, and I carried the items to their home and gave it back to them saying I dont need them. Then they became clever. Because we are codependent, like she helps in my DD school pickup, and we do exchange special cooked items, she sneaks in the decluttered/leftover items along with the special items. So you can't accept one and say no to the other. Similarly, as she helps in my DD's school pickup, she sends those items through DD and I am in awkward position to keep taking the items back, as I am bit hesitant to upset them, as the next day I do need their help in school pickup. They both do take it really bad when I return the Items they are dumping on us. At one point DH and I accepted to our fate that we just have to take the task of clearing off their declutters. If I have anything that I think they would like it, I will message them asking if they want it. Only if she says yes, I will give them. Same with food as well. I only give the food that i know they will enjoy for sure. I seriously wish they give me the same consideration. Yesterday we met with them and had a really good time playing games and watching movies. When it was time to leave, lo behold, there were 3 bags of declutter for us to carry home. I couldnt say anything, but carried them home with heavy heart. It really upset me so much, to have my cluttered house being cluttered by my friends more... All the things that I told them regarding how much the cluttered house is stressing me, is falling on deaf ears. They are the only family friends we have in this country, and we really dont want to upset them. Apart from this, we love them a lot. As I said, they are the first we share any good/bad news, none of our family events go on without them. And for anything ,they are the first to come for help. How can I handle this situation? Any idea...

OP posts:
UpaladderwatchingTV · 25/10/2023 02:42

OP is it literally rubbish that they give you, for example, would they give you kids clothes that are stained or torn? Would they give you plates that are chipped or cracked? Or is the stuff just generally suitable for a charity shop, other than the food that is? If it is good stuff but you just don't want it, then I agree that you should just dump it back on their doorstep as you leave, every single time. If it's absolute trash, then as others have suggested, take a couple of bin bags with you, and put it straight in those and then leave it by their gate, as if it's been put out for the dustmen.

Have you ever asked why they keep giving you stuff? For example, 'Liz, how come you're always giving your stuff to us? If she says 'well I thought you might be able to use it', then you just respond 'well I can't, and I also don't have room for any more stuff myself, so why don't you just take it to the charity shop?' Maybe you could try asking if she has a shopping addiction, as she always seems to have more stuff than she needs, point out that you've never known anyone to constantly be giving things away, and in this day and age where most people are cutting back on stuff they don't need in order to try and save the planet, doesn't she think it would be better to stop buying, rather than constantly spending money on stuff that she clearly doesn't need. Tell her that you think she's got a problem, and that she needs to get help with it, as it's really not healthy to keep shopping all the time. You say she doesn't work, does she perhaps spend half her time at the shops because she's bored? Does she constantly go to charity shops, buy stuff because it fills her need to shop, and is cheaper, but then she gets home and realises that what she's bought is really just a load of junk?

As for the food, the next time they bring something round that they've not eaten because it doesn't smell right, then say to them 'what makes you think we'd want to eat stuff that isn't nice enough for you to eat, you presumably don't want to eat it in case it makes you ill, so why would I want to feed my family with it?' Look her straight in the eye as you say it, and then don't say another word. She'll likely bluster a bit, but then you just put it straight in the bin in front of her. Perhaps if you tackle them about WHY they have so much stuff and constantly feel the need to offload it onto you, you may get somewhere with them. If after a conversation like this they still try to give you stuff as you leave, simply say, we've just discussed this, you need to take it to the charity shop, or bin it if you don't want it, and next time you buy something, before you get your purse out, stop and think about whether you really need it. Same thing the next time you visit, or she sends stuff home with your child, take it back and say 'remember, we discussed this, you really do seem to have a problem with buying more than you need, I think you should seek counselling'.

LemonTreeSkies · 25/10/2023 03:07

OP, are you frightened that if you upset them too much you’ll lose their help with school runs?

HazardLights · 25/10/2023 03:31

The reason they help you is so you feel indebted to them. The reason they give you this stuff is to maintain that power over you while reminding you they have it. The fact they’re your first contact in time of need is a problem not something to maintain. This isn’t healthy, that’s why it’s constantly bothering you.

pollyglot · 25/10/2023 03:43

Are you American? Asking for a friend.

Distinguishedandmature · 25/10/2023 03:47
  1. they sound batshit
  2. are any of the non food items worth selling? You can make quite a bit of money re selling things on ebay
  3. I would do the same to them. Keep giving them things and see how they react
  4. you need to end this friendship

They're not your friends as friends would never treat anyone like this. You need to discuss with your husband that this friendship is not healthy. I would send them a text message. Dear friend, I find it utterly bizarre that you offload your unwanted tat to me. Do you think so low of us, are we rubbish collectors? We have said countless times that we don't want your stuff, especially gone off food. What kind of person gives gone off food to people? How dare you get angry because we don't want your stuff. Your behaviour is so weird, do you have a shopping addiction or something?

ASimpleLampoon · 25/10/2023 04:07

Don't Say anything just put it outside their door and leave.

Commonhousewitch · 25/10/2023 04:13

Its difficult to put myself in your position. If someone repeatedly did something to me that i really hated i don't think i would regard them as a friend-equally if asking them to stop made them ostracise me they're not friends.
But equally it seems very odd that having rubbish/charity shop stuff is such a burden on either of you. they give you bags of crap- just immediately put it in a bin and tell them you've done it (and do it at their house) - it doesn't sound like they are bothered about you throwing it away. i would spell out to them that you don't want it, you are taking it as a favour for them (as they seem to have problems in throwing stuff away/buy too much) and tell them you are throwing it away (eg not recycling, not using etc)- just don't give it mind space!

MinnieL · 25/10/2023 04:22

I agree it is a power thing... They do know we want their friendship... more than they want us.

I agree with what you’ve said here massively OP. They know you’re close with them and enjoy their friendship in comparison to others but where does it end when they’re using you like this? You’ve told your friends on multiple occasions that you don’t want the stuff and have even taken it back to their house yet there’s consequences for not allowing yourselves to be walked all over?

I can see how it’s difficult when you rely on them for pick ups and you genuinely do enjoy their company. However they can’t keep giving you unnecessary shit that you then have to deal with. Carry on putting your foot down everytime and be prepared to end the friendship if this carries on. There’s no T&Cs in friendships, no ‘you can only be friends with us if you take our rubbish’ that’s bullshit

JoanOfAllTrades · 25/10/2023 04:36

I think there are a couple of issues here @ComfortFoodCorner

Firstly, you aren’t co-dependent - you are dependent on them for collecting your daughter, but I don’t see what they are dependent on you for.

Secondly, you are in a country where you don’t know anyone, these people are from the same place of origin as you and as such, hold the same values etc., which perhaps you feel others around you won’t. But if you both work, what is stopping you from making friends with your colleagues? I think you should check if there’s a social club, bar, church, or similar, where people from your place of origin gather. Since this family have other friends from your home country, how did they meet them? Where did they meet them? And more importantly, why aren’t they helping you meet other families?

Thirdly, your home. You say that you don’t have much time for keeping your house clean, but I’m wondering if you’re using clean and clutter free interchangeably. If indeed, your home is cluttered, then that will require you to do some hard work. I do a lot of work with people around decluttering, organisation and housework. If your house is cluttered, then each day/evening/weekend, you need to commit to at least 30 mins, preferably an hour, where you are going to declutter. Start easy. Get a big basket/bag/box and go into each room and get all the clothes you can see. Your daughter can do this herself in her room. Make it a game. Who can collect the most barbies/Lego, etc., in 10 mins. Have a reward. If she’s older, then it should be enough that you say, please pick up your dolls/clothes/whatever. Once you’ve collected all the clothes you can see (so no looking in drawers, closets, etc.,), then you can go to the living room, or wherever, and sit and go through them. Sort them out into clothes to wash, and clothes to throw away. I’m hoping that there wouldn’t be clean clothes in the bag/box! The clothes to throw away should go straight to the bin. Yes, it would be better to donate them, but unless you’re going to the charity shop the next day, it’s just more stuff in your house. Clothes to wash can go straight into the wash basket. Make sure that you keep on top of washing. Do a wash every other day if need be and if you have enough clothing that requires washing. Make sure you properly shake clothes out straight out of the machine when they’re wet, as once they are dry, you can just put them away immediately and not bother with ironing (where I live, we have very high temperatures and no one ever irons, as ironing in 40+C temperatures is ridiculous, plus even school uniforms, once shaken and hung out, don’t really have big creases. Same with tumble drying during the wet season. Once the clothes have been on the cool setting at the end, they can be immediately taken out, shaken again and put away). So once you’ve dealt with clothes, the next thing should be books/newspapers/magazines. Get your box and collect all those things that are lying around. Books should be rehoused into the bookcases, newspapers thrown out and the same for magazines. Then you can do letters and paperwork. If you have a computer, scan the letters you want to keep onto the PC. Or take photographs on your phone and upload them onto the cloud. Throw the letters away afterwards. If you don’t have a shredder then use a black sharpie, or other permanent marker, on both sides of the paper, to ensure that sensitive information isn’t accessible and also tear them up. Next, go and look in your bedroom. Any cosmetics that are more than a year old shouldn’t really be used. Do you need more drawers for your clothes? Can you utilise the area under your bed for storage of summer/winter clothes? Do you have ornaments that are just collecting dust? Do you actually wear all the clothes you have? Then do the same in your DD’s room. In the bathroom, are you keeping bottles of shampoo, conditioners etc., that only have a few drops left in the bottom? What about cleaning products? You get the idea. You go through each room and do the same. Yes, it will take some time, but investing one hour a day, will pay off. In terms of cleaning, do that as you go. Wash out the sink after brushing your teeth. Buy a window squeegee that is only for the shower and use it for the tiles and glass after showering. I also have bathroom tea-towels, that are completely different from the kitchen ones that are used to wipe over the shower floors after showering, because the 30 seconds of doing that, saves the (adult) kids time when they have to clean their bathrooms and saves me/DH time when we do our bathroom. (And I do a deep clean every 2 weeks to make sure that everywhere is clean but that takes 20 minutes max as I clean as I go). Wipe the kitchen bench tops and cabinet fronts after doing the washing up/loading the dishwasher after the evening meal. During the commercial breaks, quickly dust/polish the living room furniture. Wipe down, or shake out/sweep off (I have a small dustpan and brush that I keep for this purpose) the tablecloth/dining table after eating. Decide on one day per week to do the high dusting in all the rooms. Dust/polish the bedroom furniture after you vacuum/sweep and mop the bedroom floors. Same with the stairs and banisters. Wipe down door handles and light switches once a week. Most of these are little housework jobs that you and DH can do quickly and easily every day, with 10 minutes of time investment. The initial decluttering and tidying will take the most time, but you will soon get into a routine and it will become second nature.

I raised 7 (5 with SEN) children and worked full time, as did my DH and people used to be amazed that my house was A. clutter free and B. clean and tidy. And for 7 of those years, I was effectively a single parent, as my job and the children’s educational needs meant that I lived 500 miles away from my DH and his job. I was running in fumes and coffee for a lot of those years but my (now grown) children all take care of their homes because whilst your home should actually be a home, it can be neat, clean and tidy.

Fourthly, you need to look at after school clubs/childminders and what entitlement you have for help with paying for this from the government. You can’t be so beholden to someone that you are scared to say “no, thank you. It’s really nice that you thought of us, but we actually don’t need food/clothes/ornaments/books/whatever crap is in that bag that isn’t good enough for your home”.

Fifthly, your DH. He really needs to make friends that are not dependent on a relationship where he can’t say “no” and where he’s actually so scared of losing that friendship that he can’t say “no”. As other posters have said, this isn’t a friendship. What hobbies does he have? Could he join a social club or group tailored to those hobbies?

I hope that all this helps in someway and wish you much luck in the future. I’ve moved away from a country that I lived in for many years, to a country that I was a very frequent (4 times per year for 16 years) visitor too and it’s hard to upend your whole life and go and live somewhere else. People who haven’t ever done that don’t understand, but you moved to where you are now for a reason and part of that move is being proactive and making new friends etc. And it can be done! I have a better social life now to the one I had before (although that might be because I live in a big place in terms of land mass, with a small population and most of the population is centred around the city, which is vast and sprawling and not really a city in terms of a UK city, but really more like a UK town).

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 25/10/2023 04:37

Do it back to them. Fill up a bag of "stuff" and drop it off at their door when you know they are out. Then send them a txt message telling them you've dropped off some stuff at their house that you longer want.

Whatever way they respond, copy that the next time they do it to you again.

Batnm · 25/10/2023 04:56

Next time they say “ok bin then” stick whatever it is straight into their bin outdoors. Just walk out with it, bin it, then come back in and continue getting ready to go. If they are crazy enough to start an argument because you have literally just done what they told you to then you need a serious conversation with them. If you don’t feel up to binning it in front of them then stick it in their bin after you leave.

TealSapphire · 25/10/2023 05:00

It's not an easy situation OP.

My mum is the same. She thinks she's helping me out but really it's just more junk for me to deal with.

She had a big falling out with my brother recently because he snapped and told her he is sick of all the things, they have nowhere to store it etc. My parents are talking about cutting him out of their will now!

What I do is this: smaller things I will just put straight in our bin. For lots of things/bigger items I would hire a skip bin. Just have it emptied monthly and every time they bring things just chuck them straight in the skip as soon as they leave. Or if they give you things to take home just chuck it in the skip on your way inside, that way the bags don't even go inside your house.

My mum is a little better lately thankfully. I think partly because no one she knows has died! She's a classic for dumping all the deceased persons 'treasures' onto me. My Grandma is 95 though so soon enough it'll start again.

HazardLights · 25/10/2023 05:04

It’s as though they’re trying to even out the fact that they need your help too, with this, to put them back in some kind of superior situation again. The whole thing is weird and I don’t know how you can really be genuinely friendly with them with this going on. It’s such a power-play. Also, when you’ve got something this upsetting going on with them, I’m not sure I would really want them around my children unsupervised. What might they be saying about you? What vibe are they giving out?

Also, honestly, I would say being in this friendship is preventing you from making other friendships. It’s like you’re in an exclusive relationship and then of course you don’t have room / the inclination to make other friends. I have a feeling that if you back off from this friendship, suddenly you will make others.

Mummyoflittledragon · 25/10/2023 05:08

I know pretty much everyone has said go nuclear. The other option is to go through the bags when you are actually with them. Bring a couple of bin bags. Talk about how you get they feel guilty for throwing stuff away so you will help them to do it, which is better than just taking it away and throwing it away yourselves.

With each item, ask them the reason for not wanting it. Then agree with them and say, well that’s a no so one for the bin etc. Comment that it’s interesting how much you both / all agree etc. Then when done, get them to physically bin the bag or put a charity donation in their car (you can go with them) and say, gosh, that feels better.

If they refuse to go through this process, then I would go for the nuclear option.

It sounds as if the friend is perhaps super stressed and cannot deal with the issues and his dw isn’t helping. Maybe she’s the same even though she doesn’t work. Perhaps seeing as your dh laughs until he cries, he sees your dh as carefree and have rationalised that taking this items is something, which isn’t a chore for either of you.

slothfeatures · 25/10/2023 05:10

Yes me!

I’d love to know how they can accumulate so many bags of rubbish they need to force it on people regularly.

Antst · 25/10/2023 05:56

This is 100% on you. You have the ability to say "no." It is no one else's fault if you're not saying it.

littleblackcat27 · 25/10/2023 06:12

pollyglot · 25/10/2023 03:43

Are you American? Asking for a friend.

Rude

HazardLights · 25/10/2023 06:17

littleblackcat27 · 25/10/2023 06:12

Rude

Asking for her rude friend Grin

crackerstuc · 25/10/2023 06:24

I understand you, and understand the cultural element involved.

Realistically though there is no way to stop this without causing a breakdown in your friendship . Once you and your husband have other hobbies and people you can spend time with, then you can address this dynamic head on and be in a stronger position to either make them stop r cut them off if need be .
You need to branch out and get to know some other people so you are not reliant on them for friendship.

StrangePaintName · 25/10/2023 06:26

Honestly, OP, this is mad, craven people-pleasing on your part. The only thing you can change here is your own behaviour. Say no. Keep saying no. If your ‘friends’ keep giving you bags, don’t take them out of their hands. If they put them in your car, take them out and put them back on their property. If they leave them at your house, drive them back, leave them on the doorstep, and ensure one of the foodstuff bags splits. If it becomes more work for them to deal with returned stuff, they will stop. Currently their behaviour has no consequences.

Stop depending on them for things — these people treat you like human bins. Your meek DH needs to grow a backbone and make new friends.

GladysHeeler · 25/10/2023 06:37

This is nuts.

What happens when you see them out of their home?

I just can't understand how you get to the point where you are taking their rubbish when you've told them you won't take it. You've even told them that you can't keep up with your own housework whilst their house is all lovely and still you are taking their rubbish.

Inedible food and used notebooks. Confused

Doingmybest12 · 25/10/2023 06:38

You cant have a friend who gets angry with you when you dont do something (bonkers) that they want. I'd have distanced myself long ago. You'll have to find another way of doing school runs and another friend for your husband.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 25/10/2023 06:50

They aren't really your friends if they get angry when you reasonably push back on something like this. Friends don't treat friends this way.

I would say that you're going to put them in the bin, if they say "that's fine take them anyway", pick them up, carry them to their kitchen and squeeze/pile them up into their bin! Feel free to say with a confused expression "why would I walk them home just to put them in a different bin??".

Even more effective if they have an outside bin and you can it on your way out the door!

pollyglot · 25/10/2023 06:53

Oh, FFS, what's wrong with asking someone if they are American? Would it be OK if I chose to ask whether they are Aussies?

HazardLights · 25/10/2023 06:54

pollyglot · 25/10/2023 06:53

Oh, FFS, what's wrong with asking someone if they are American? Would it be OK if I chose to ask whether they are Aussies?

Not when you’re saying it all sly and faux naive, nope.

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