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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friend taking advantage of me. I am not a hotel!

593 replies

brownbreadd · 18/05/2024 20:55

it's a long one!!!! Buckle in!

So I met a new friend online on a Facebook forum locally whereby we realised that we had a lot of the same interests, and therefore decided after a little while of talking to me up for coffee.. eventually things progressed in our friendship and we became quite close...fast forward 2 years are now very good friends!

I have recently started to notice a few things that do not sit well with me and I would consider to be red flags. I don't know if it is just me being paranoid or sensitive so I wanted to pop something up here to get others opinions. 🤷🏼‍♀️

A few months back, DH and I finally sold our house after having been on the market for quite a while... things were going really well, and it was naturally a very busy time for us. We found another property that we liked and we had progressed quite far down the chain in regards to getting the move going!

During this time, my friend would hound me sometimes four times a day (yes really, I've got the screenshots!) about different holidays and trips that she wanted to go on because her annual leave calendar had been updated for the year.
As I say this was a very busy time for us and we were constantly having to get things sorted legally, attending appts etc and so I kept telling her that unfortunately at this point in time I cannot guarantee when or if I can go away with her because I have so much going on at home. My husband and I were also about to start a new job each at the time.. so it was really all very hectic!

She would absolutely hound me from the moment that I woke up to the minute that I would go to bed and even though I kept being polite and declining the offers and explaining my reasons why, she would constantly bombard me with messages and screenshots of holidays. Got to the point where I dreaded opening my phone when I saw a message from her in the morning, and she was putting me in such a negative headspace that I was taking it out on my poor DH. 🥺

Eventually, she caught me on a really hard day through other reasons that I won't go into... and I ended up caving and booking something with her for a few months time. I am really not looking forward to it to be honest and would much rather be here at home as I recently started my new job and I'm missing vital training time. This is by the by, I cannot do anything about it now. It is a holiday for just me and her, my husband is staying at home due to working commitments.

Anyway, in the end, unfortunately a couple of months after the sale etc our buyers had to pull out for financial reasons. It was gutting, we lost chunks of money and the home we loved and were accepted on... but I guess we are able to go on the holiday, but it just feels completely tainted in the fact that she would not take no for an answer from me, even though I was continuously explaining my reasons..

Fast forward to now and she has met a new man who I have met only a small handful of times. He seems nice enough, but I do not know anything about him literally other than his name and profession.

A few weeks ago, my friend started hounding me about an event that she wanted to go to locally one weekend. I suffer greatly with extreme anxiety and ASD and drinking and clubs is really not my scene at all. It makes me highly anxious and it's honestly just my worst nightmare being in that type of situstjon. She went on and on at me so much that again I ended up cracking and saying that I will go with her. It was quite odd. She even made me pinky promise.. Confused

As I mentioned earlier, I am now in my new job, and have since had my rots through for this point in time whereby I am actually scheduled to work the following day on an early shift, so I am actually dreading going out even more now because I want to be able to excel in my job and function properly at work the following day. It's likely I won't be home until early hours of the morning of the day I'm expected into work. My job is set on high performance targets and I don't function well regardless on no / little sleep. I won't be hungover as I don't drink, but I will be shattered!!!!!

Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, she has now met said new man and he has been asked to come along with us to said event, along with my husband now, too. She has said she wants to make it a double date BlushConfused

This morning I received a message from my friend asking if her and her new man can sleep round at mine and DH's house the evening of this event because they have looked into hotels and they are coming out too expensive so they want somewhere free to stay overnight. They both still live with family at home.

My initial reaction to this message was that it was extremely cheeky and rude to ask. I have work the next morning and I have also got a viewing scheduled on our home that morning too. It would not be suitable to have guests in the house that morning when I need to tidy up and prepare for the viewing!

That aside, I do not know this man at all, I don't know anything about him, what he's like etc. I feel in a vulnerable position because the house is often empty due to mine and my partners working schedule, and I don't know who this man might know / what he could do. Not saying he would, but I'm extremely wary already living in a remote location.

I took me a good hour to muster up the courage to text her back. I did, and told her unfortunately this would not be possible because I have work the next day and I also have a home viewing. Yet again, my word was not good enough for her, and she has gone on and on about the fact that accommodation in the area we are going out in is too expensive and they just want to spend one night together...BlushConfused

this obviously makes me feel really uncomfortable, not only the fact that I don't know him but also the fact that they want to spend the night together under my roof!!!!! All day she has been going on and on about the fact that it would just be one night and that they would be out of our way by the morning.

Is it weird that I almost find this more insulting?! It's like they are just using me as a place to sleep together before heading out for the day the next day!!! I just feel completely used and as though my word NO is not good enough or respected.

Not only does she do things like this, but she also often has her deliveries and parcels directed to my home address without having ever asked me if that is okay. I often come home to find parcels of all shapes and sizes on my doorstep addressed to her, and a couple of weeks ago I was getting ready for bed at 11 pm when my ring doorbell alerted me movement outside of my home. I checked my ring doorbell and it was her at 11 pm on my driveway collecting a parcel from my front doorstep. She did not once ask me if she could come at that time of night or even if she could have anything delivered to my address AT ALL. in fact she has never asked!! HmmShock

when I asked her about this, she told me that she cannot have things delivered to her home address since she still lives with her family and they become concerned with her spending habits because she continually has parcels arriving. So, she has to have them delivered to my address to hide that from the family.

Through all of this, I am trying to run my home, maintain a good relationship with my poor DH who is constantly working. I am also trying to excel in my new job, and maintain the house for the market and viewings... to be honest it feels as though she is trying to make things difficult for us.

I am not entirely sure what I am asking here...

I guess I just need an outsiders perspective? I feel like I'm being used and abused for my Home, my address for her parcels, and as somebody that she can fill her free time with. I just feel as though the friendship is very one-sided...

I think I mentioned above, I do suffer extreme anxiety and ASD, so I am sure if it is overreacting or being paranoid... I just feel as though I want this holiday over and done with and then I want to try and distance myself from her a little.

Almost as soon as this holiday was booked, she was then sending me other holidays for later in the year. When I was saying no to the first holiday; she kept telling me that she cannot function without a years worth of plans in advance and that she doesn't know anyone but me, she needs to book up as much as she can with me.

I tried to gently explain to her that I have also got my own things that I want to book, such as special anniversary trip with my husband later in the year!! I think she has been so used to almost being the third person in our relationship for so long, she almost feels as though it is a given that she will attend anything like this with us! I have just tried to make her feeling included where she has been continuously saying how lonely she is.

There is nothing odd going on (!!!) but for example, if DH and I are popping out for a bite to eat, and she is asking me what I'm doing, I will offer for her to come along etc.

When I mentioned about the fact that I will also want holidays later in the year with my husband, she became funny about the fact that I had not asked if she wants to come along. I can only hope that now she has met this new man, hopefully they can start to organise things together themselves.

I feel bad as my fuse is getting shorter, but I am really struggling to regulate my emotions around this situation, and feel as though I am being used and abused. I have plenty of other friends who are low maintenance and lovely and would never be like this to me. Sad

As I say, I'm not really sure what I'm asking here but perhaps an outsiders perspective would help me!

Thank you in advance and thank you for reading if you got this far!!! BiscuitDaffodil

OP posts:
PoppingTomorrow · 18/05/2024 20:59

I wonder if you are being as clear as you think you are when you say no, you can't do a particular thing.

She sounds exhausting and I'm surprised you haven't just dumped her and blocked her number.

shuffleofftobuffalo · 18/05/2024 21:00

TLDR it all.... but she is not your friend. I didn't have to read very far to understand that.

Distance yourself and tell her not to get parcels to your house. Reject the deliveries. Block her if she keeps hounding you. Don't let her or her man stay.

brownbreadd · 18/05/2024 21:01

PoppingTomorrow · 18/05/2024 20:59

I wonder if you are being as clear as you think you are when you say no, you can't do a particular thing.

She sounds exhausting and I'm surprised you haven't just dumped her and blocked her number.

I've tried my hardest to be kind in doing so. I think maybe that could be if anything; where I'm going wrong? I've been polite but direct, saying no.

For example three days ago she sent me a £4,500 holiday to a far away destination over the dates of my anniversary, saying we 'need' to book it as a 4 for her birthday. I despair. I've said no so many times ConfusedBlush

OP posts:
Scarydinosaurs · 18/05/2024 21:01

You’re giving mixed messages by saying no and then saying yes.

That just tells her she needs to keep asking and you’ll change your mind.

Say no to this night out. It doesn’t work, and her staying over definitely doesn’t work. Tell her you need some space and ask her to not message you for a few weeks. Say you care about her, but you need to focus on work and your husband.

If she ignores the boundary then I’m afraid she isn’t a friend. Block her.

PoppingTomorrow · 18/05/2024 21:02

If you are saying no and she keeps ignoring this and trying to wear you down she is not a friend.

Just block her.

midnights0 · 18/05/2024 21:03

Block her

yeesh · 18/05/2024 21:04

why on earth are you friends with her? She is bullying you

therealcookiemonster · 18/05/2024 21:05

she is not your friend. tell her you need time to yourself and will not be in touch for the foreseeable future. tell her if she doesnt block her deliveries, you will just reject them or put them in the bin. dont wait for a response. block and delete.

if she still gets a delivery to your address follow through with your ultimatum.

sorry OP but you have to be harsh.

it could be that you are giving her mixed msgs but her behaviour is abnormal and stalkerish. you can't repair this friendship because she will not respect your boundaries.

brownbreadd · 18/05/2024 21:05

Originally she was a great friend and helped me through a horrible friendship breakdown not long after I'd met her. She can still be great fun, but I'm just finding it draining and more tedious than anything. I often dread opening my messages when I've got one from her because if it isn't a link to something pricey she wants to do / something she knows I don't like doing, it'll be about how bored she is, she hasn't got anyone, she's lonely.. all guilt tripping things.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 18/05/2024 21:06

Dude. She has the hide of a rhino. Telling her and explaining things gently isnt going to work.

Stop explaining to her. Tell her you won't be going on the night out. Not you can't, but won't. Tell her if she bangs on you'll be cancelling the holiday and cancel the holiday.

Mute her phone number for when you can be bothered. Stop being so kind. She isn't being kind to you.

Or get your husband to ring her and tell her.to fuck off if you can't face it.

Reversetail · 18/05/2024 21:07

She sounds like a nightmare, I would fade her out and not to get things delivered to your house. She sounds selfish and not a friend.

brownbreadd · 18/05/2024 21:08

I'm in half a mind not to tell her where we move to, if and when we do, because I will undoubtedly get more deliveries for her there!

OP posts:
Woahtherehoney · 18/05/2024 21:08

Yeah sorry I know you have anxiety but you can’t blame that on just giving in and saying yes. Say no to her - you clearly can because you say it regularly so why do you back down on things you don’t want to do?! Just say no and if she continues just say to her you like being her friend but find her overwhelming and so if she continues to hound you then you’ll step back from the friendship.

sorry OP if I sound harsh but you’re actually just letting her take advantage - she isn’t even trying that hard! I just think you need to push back on this and step up a bit and say no!

Cuppachuchu · 18/05/2024 21:12

Are you still going on holiday with her?
You know it will be a nightmare. 😱

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 18/05/2024 21:12

Woahtherehoney · 18/05/2024 21:08

Yeah sorry I know you have anxiety but you can’t blame that on just giving in and saying yes. Say no to her - you clearly can because you say it regularly so why do you back down on things you don’t want to do?! Just say no and if she continues just say to her you like being her friend but find her overwhelming and so if she continues to hound you then you’ll step back from the friendship.

sorry OP if I sound harsh but you’re actually just letting her take advantage - she isn’t even trying that hard! I just think you need to push back on this and step up a bit and say no!

Agreed here. No is a complete sentence and to be honest OP you’re coming across as a real wet blanket/walkover here.

Mind you I used to be similar but never as bad as OP is. I think sometimes you get to the age where you can’t be bothered saying yes or not saying no anymore.

Ritadidsomethingbad · 18/05/2024 21:13

Jesus OP grow a back bone for gods sake.

Tell her you’re not even going to the event and you need some head space from her.

InsolentNoise · 18/05/2024 21:13

I don’t think I’d even go on the holiday with her, tbh.

AgreeableDragon · 18/05/2024 21:13

Definitely agree with PPs!
Personally I'd would start cancelling some of the things you've already booked.
First, the night out. Tell her this is no longer possible because of work the next day. Don't go into a long explanation just tell her you and DH won't be going.

The holiday- can you cancel this? It might be worth losing your deposit and use it as a reminder to yourself that you need to be firmer in future and not go back on your original decision.

I think you would benefit from counselling. You need help in setting boundaries with people. You give in way too easily, and you need to find tactics to stop this happening again.

And to answer your question, she is absolutely using you!

KTheGrey · 18/05/2024 21:15

She is a boundary trampler, isn't she? She may well not understand how stressful you find her behaviour, because she is a very different kind of person. She sounds very footloose and you plainly work hard and have a lot on with husband and house buying.

I suggest you put in place some hard and fast boundaries. Tell her, for example, that you are stressed by her constant messaging. You could tell her you have time for one message a day and that is all or only to message on the weekend. I think you should tell her that no means no the first time you say it, and that you are upset that she hounds, pressures and coerces you to do things you simply do not have time, money and energy for. I would tell her that anything she has delivered to your house will be returned as not at this address, because she isn't. And hard no on the concert. She and her boyfriend need to go on their own and get a room of their own.

And if the messages continue, mute her for a couple of weeks. The messages will still be there, but you don't have to give them headspace.

Chin up and good luck. We introverts need to protect our chill out time.

Sometimeswinning · 18/05/2024 21:17

Shes just got different ideas about friendship. She’s not a nightmare she’s just not the friend for you. I think your choice to openly bitch about her on mumsnet says a lot about you.

Ghost her. It will be easier on you and she’ll just have to find someone on the same page as her.

Psychoticbreak · 18/05/2024 21:20

On the back of this thread I have decided to watch Single white female this evening.

OP you are too easy going. She is ridiculous. She needs a firm FUCK OFF.

XelaM · 18/05/2024 21:20

midnights0 · 18/05/2024 21:03

Block her

This

LadyWiddiothethird · 18/05/2024 21:21

I take it she doesn’t have many friends?She is using you and is a controlling bully.

If she was a true friend you wouldn’t be starting a MN discussion about her,put your husband first and dump her.

FineWordsButterNoParsnips · 18/05/2024 21:22

Didn't make it to the end, but this woman is not your friend. She's a leech. Text her to fuck off, mute notifications, return her parcels to sender/put a note on your door that you don't accept parcels for XYZ.
Enjoy the peace.

Cbljgdpk · 18/05/2024 21:26

She’s not a good friend; she’s not respecting your boundaries at all