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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:
PerfectTravelTote · 19/05/2024 11:59

You're complaining that she doesn't take no for an answer but it sounds like you haven't actually given her no for an answer.

That's your fault, not hers.

pinkyredrose · 19/05/2024 12:01

Originally she was a great friend and helped me through a horrible friendship breakdown not long after I'd met her.

Of course she did, it meant she was No1 friend protecting you from other 'horrible friends'.

You don't enjoy being around her and she's making you do things you don't want to do.

Why not take a deep breath and message her that you don't want to go to the event or the holiday and never did, she pressured you into it. Say that it's a one sided friendship and you no longer wish to continue it and then block her. Also put a big sign on your porch window firmly refusing items with her name on and take a photo of it.

If you lose a few quid on the holiday it'll be money well spent.

angela1952 · 19/05/2024 12:09

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!

Very good idea

DuploTrain · 19/05/2024 12:10

Lots of mentions of “losing money for the holiday”. But that money is already gone.

If you go, you’ll be spending more while you’re there, and probably not enjoying it very much - so best to cut your losses and not go. I bet she’s the kind of person who will also sneakily make you pay for her share of things too and “forget” to pay you back.

JazzHandsYeah · 19/05/2024 12:11

Chatonette · 19/05/2024 08:32

We have friends in different seasons of life…school, university, young motherhood, etc. Some friends are lifetime friends and others drift in and out in our life’s seasons. She was a great friend for you in that particular season of your life. Things have changed, and she is now more of a drain on your time/annual leave/finances (paying for holidays)/marriage. She isn’t working in your current season, and it’s okay to move on.

Completely agree with this ☝🏻

You sound lovely OP, but she’s taking advantage. Not telling her about the impending move and not giving her your address is a great start. You’ve done nothing wrong here.

LLMn · 19/05/2024 12:13

What do people say about meeting people on Apps? Does not matter, dating apps, FB, only odd people (for lack of a better word) form relationships online, I am afraid. Try to make friends in real life, not virtually. You will be surprised how much hassle it saves you!

Acqua · 19/05/2024 12:14

So sorry you're in this situation. In the kindest big sister way. I'm going to be short and blunt.

This is not how real friends behave. She is toxic and will do harm to your mental health, your finances, your career and your relationship with your husband.

You need to cut her out. Block asap.

DanielGault · 19/05/2024 12:17

PerfectTravelTote · 19/05/2024 11:59

You're complaining that she doesn't take no for an answer but it sounds like you haven't actually given her no for an answer.

That's your fault, not hers.

Tbf, I think this other woman knows her 'mark' and is equally culpable. Some people are great at picking out a soft target. They know what they're doing.

UhhhhhhhOK · 19/05/2024 12:18

Block/mute her. If you are good friends, you should be able to be quite bluntly honest. if she has a problem with it, it’s not a bad thing because you also will realise where you both stand in your friendship.

Sorry tldr but also reject all her deliveries and tell her to send it home. She has a home and does not live outside the country so she needs to own up to her actions as well.

DanielGault · 19/05/2024 12:18

LLMn · 19/05/2024 12:13

What do people say about meeting people on Apps? Does not matter, dating apps, FB, only odd people (for lack of a better word) form relationships online, I am afraid. Try to make friends in real life, not virtually. You will be surprised how much hassle it saves you!

Well that's utterly ridiculous!

IDontHateRainbows · 19/05/2024 12:19

Agree with PP that you are giving her intermittent reinforcement by saying no no no maybe yes rather than a consistent NO

She's a boundary invader and your boundaries seem porous.

Toastcrumbsinsofa · 19/05/2024 12:19

Once you’ve said a definite no to the holiday and event, I think this ‘friend’ will probably drop you anyway. You’ll feel so much better once you stand up to her and stop allowing her to bully you. Tell her you can’t afford the holiday and don’t want to attend the event. Also, it’s time to inform her that you will no longer accept any deliveries for her, then block her number on your phone. You can’t be subtle with this person because it won’t work. If parcels are left at your home refuse delivery or leave them outside to get rained on or stolen.

If she turns up at your door, ignore her and yes I agree that you shouldn’t tell her your new address when you move home.

LLMn · 19/05/2024 12:20

I know, right? Meeting weird people online and thinking the outcome will be ,,,,normal? Like broken hearts from American war veterans wanting to romance elderly, sorry, mature women in the UK (along with foreign hard-up surgeons and fighter pilots) - I saw a brilliant documentary where a CIA (CIA, I ask you) woman was conned through a lonely hearts app by a Nigerian. Fascinating. Don't get me wrong, I also have deep, profound conversations with my imaginary friends, but I don't do it online.

Livingtothefull · 19/05/2024 12:23

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!

In your shoes I wouldn't be just in half a mind about this OP.

Do you know what option is open to you? Just block her entirely from today. Do not engage with her at all from now so you are never in a position where she can talk you round.

Block her texts, block/ignore her calls, delete any emails, don't answer the door if she turns up. Lock your porch so deliveries can't be left there, leave a note saying you don't accept deliveries for her. Don't turn up for the evening out or the holiday. Shut her out of your life entirely.

I know it sounds brutal and I am not saying you should definitely do this - but I think you are beyond the point when you should be worrying about being kind. Sometimes when you are anxious and just learning how to be assertive, it is necessary to take extreme measures to protect yourself, whatever makes it easier for you. It takes time and practice to be comfortable asserting your boundaries.

Ask yourself honestly: do you really like her and enjoy her company, and do you want to maintain the friendship (you haven't mentioned it in your posts from what I can see). Or do you just feel a sense of obligation to her for her 'kindness' to you in the past?

If the answer is the latter, then do what it takes to get her out of your life.

5YearsLeft · 19/05/2024 12:24

brownbreadd · 19/05/2024 08:26

To answer the other questions about why I feel this way, I think this best explains it.,

She came into my life at a time when i was going through a really horrible friendship breakdown, with my old friends. Looking back I guess she came in and isolated me to the point where I only had her and vice versa. I do have other more normal friendships too, with people I've known much longer which she doesn't approve of.

I feel like a lot of people don’t quite realize this, but friendships can be abusive too. Isolating you? Not respecting your wants, needs, or boundaries? This has become really toxic, it sounds like.

I hope she had a genuinely kind reason for wanting to help you after your friendship breakdown, but looking at the way she’s acting now, it’s sort of like a Prince Charming saving you from a physically abusive relationship only for you to find out he’s abusive in his own ways, do you know what I mean?

Whatever your friendship with her started as, it’s not that anymore. I recommend at this point that you do tell her no to everything and then immediately block, and call up some of those older friends for support. If they say they haven’t heard from you in a while, just explain that a friend was isolating you and you didn’t really realize until it got so bad. Or however you wish. But many of us have had toxic friendships of our own and would understand.

Hadjab · 19/05/2024 12:24

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!

Kindly, OP, this basically sums up both you and this entire thread.

You only have half a mind to not let her know where you’re moving to? This suggests that you will cave in and tell her - It should be a given that you don’t.

Much as I hate the phrase, you do need to grow a backbone. She’s not going to stop, because she knows she can wear you down. The only person who can change your situation is you.

thisoldcity · 19/05/2024 12:26

You are very lucky that you are moving house soon, because that's your chance to cut ties definitively. Tell her no from now on and tell her you cannot and will not do things. Tell her you are going to go quiet now as you are too stressed by everything and will now block her. And cancel that holiday with her obviously, as that will be a nightmare. If you lose money, it's worth it.

Delphiniumandlupins · 19/05/2024 12:27

When you say "No" to her just say that. Don't give lengthy explanations or excuses which she can argue against. Don't back down after she persists because all she's learning is that your boundaries are flexible. Don't give so much headspace to her messages - if she keeps sending holiday suggestions when you've said "I'm not booking anything for next year" just don't reply.

Have you paid for the event you don't really want to go to? Why not just say you can't go now (as working next day) and her boyfriend take your place? Ditto the holiday you have booked - wouldn't they like to go away together?

Take back some control and this might be a friendship you want to continue. At the moment it is bringing you stress and little pleasure.

Nazzywish · 19/05/2024 12:27

Just.say.NO

twentysevendresses · 19/05/2024 12:29

drusth · 19/05/2024 01:10

Your boundaries are non-existent OP.

My friends can’t even get me to go for a meal if I don’t want, let alone a holiday.

I feel like I should advise you to just say no to her but that’s not working, so maybe time to end the friendhsip.

Same...I just don't understand how some people seem to find it so difficult to say no. My stock answer when asked why I won't do something is a simple, 'because I don't want to 🤷‍♀️'...said with such conviction nobody ever dares to question it 🙌🏻 I'm not obliged to explain myself.

IncompleteSenten · 19/05/2024 12:30

It's important to remember when dealing with these people that the more you say, the less they hear.

Imagine the teacher in Charlie brown. Waawaawaawaa.
It's just noise to them.

Short and sweet.

No.

No.

I won't.

I don't want to.

My answer is no, stop asking me.

If you attempt to explain, to reason with them, to get them to see your pov - all they are hearing is blah blah blah.

Hydenseek78 · 19/05/2024 12:31

Christ Lady where is your back bone? NO is a complete sentence! I'd firmly tell her Sorry I can't the first time she asked, 2nd time would be NO sorry, 3rd and last time would be NO, I've told you this already, i'm not discussing it further! and then ignore all messages regarding it and answer anything else except that. Parcels would be returned to what ever courrier with not at this address written on it or if you dont have time, Moved to the end of the garden away from YOUR safe space. Regarding the holiday over your anniversary that she's sulking you didnt invite her to i'd tell her Its my wedding anniversary, no one come on our honeymoon so no one is coming on our anniversary. The girl is a walking red flag. I'd move and lose her number.

DanielGault · 19/05/2024 12:32

twentysevendresses · 19/05/2024 12:29

Same...I just don't understand how some people seem to find it so difficult to say no. My stock answer when asked why I won't do something is a simple, 'because I don't want to 🤷‍♀️'...said with such conviction nobody ever dares to question it 🙌🏻 I'm not obliged to explain myself.

It comes from childhood I assume? I am a people pleaser as my situation at home was precarious so I never wanted to rock the boat/cause trouble for my mum. I'm still like that as an adult to some extent.

LookItsMeAgain · 19/05/2024 12:32

Two things you can get sorted today.

First - reply to the message about the £4.5k holiday and say "I won't be going on this holiday with you. You'd best find someone else to go on this holiday as I won't be going on it" and press send.

Next - send a separate message saying "Friend, You and your OH won't be able to stay with me and DH on X date (date of the event). You'd best find alternative accommodation for that night as staying with us isn't going to be possible" and press send.

Believe me, when you send both of those short and to the point messages to her, you'll get the full measure of what the situation is with her. She'll either try to come back and try to change your mind or she'll back the hell off. If it's the first, just keep sending her the same message - Not going on holiday or No to staying with us. Keep sending it. Don't send the word sorry in either message.

Then when you've got both of those under your belt, send her the final message saying "I will no longer be able to go on the sun holiday with you on X date. Can we arrange for the transfer of the tickets to your OH as soon as possible please?"

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 19/05/2024 12:36

YANBU, she sounds absolutely mental.

I would be looking to extricate myself from this friendship.

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