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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:
ilovegranny · 20/05/2024 18:08

I feel your pain. I had a friend like this and it took me ten years to finally end it. She was lonely too and saw me as her best friend and therefore somehow beholden. I felt guilty with my husband and family, which she didn’t have. She could be great fun too, but bombarded me with letters and phones calls, rang me if I hadn’t responded in time, completely ignored that fact that I had a life and a job and a husband. She guilt-tripped me when she was ill and had no one to ‘look after her’. Proposed holidays that I couldn’t afford and got round that one by offering to pay. She also chided me about all sorts of things - my weight, my cooking skills, that my car was dirty, my husband, my other friends…
This was meant to be a two-line response, but I can still get carried away by the grief of it all even 15 years later, even though she is dead now, and even though she lived on another continent throughout our friendship. I just wish I had had the courage to stop it years before it finally imploded.

RampantIvy · 20/05/2024 18:26

You need to change "no, no, no, yes" to " no, no, no NO "

disaggregate · 20/05/2024 18:28

sunglassesonthetable · 19/05/2024 21:05

It's not sorting things out, it's putting everything in one final message and making it clear OP knows she doesn't 'need' to use OP's address and then blocking her.

And she'll be back with

too expensive
not in my area
not secure
blah blah blah

It's just feeding the beast. It's how she uses OP. OP has to show her it is irrelevant that she might 'need' something or not.

This kind of person can only understand NO.

@disaggregate

Eh? That's why I said put it in a final message and then block her - then she can't come back with any of that.

sunglassesonthetable · 20/05/2024 18:29

Eh? That's why I said put it in a final message and then block her - then she can't come back with any of that.

@disaggregate

why even bother?

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 18:33

I am still reading through recent comments, can completely understand how people think I'm an enabler. Perhaps I am.

A HUGE factor of ADHD / ASD is being a people pleaser. I've always been this way, goes all the way back to my childhood friendships too. I'm not sure why, I've had a really lovely happy childhood.

Anyway. I've had more messages from her today, but haven't acknowledged them yet.

OP posts:
ThistleTits · 20/05/2024 18:34

@brownbreadd is your friend a toddler? She's certainly behaving like one. Being told no, then persistently asking the same question until she gets the answer she wants.
Deliveries to your home is mega dodgy, what next credit cards and loans via your address?
Are her and the new fella in relationships with other people? Wanting to use your place to cheat.
He'll be invited on the holiday next and then she'll be wanting you to fund the "birthday" holiday.
I'd cancel the night out and the holiday and block this woman. Believe me it will be worth losing the money to be rid of her.

noosmummy12 · 20/05/2024 18:36

Oh OP it sounds tiring! I think I’d just tell her that you just don’t have the time or the money and then ignore her. I don’t think I’d be telling her where I lived when I moved either x

Missingpop · 20/05/2024 18:37

As awful as this sounds but I’d be scared having someone that needy in my life; she wants to know the ins & outs of everything & that’s not healthy for any relationship.

You need to sit down with your Dh & ask his opinion on the matter; does he like having a third wheel in your marriage? Looking for the outside in it looks like your putting her needs well & truly ahead of your Dhs & your own; stop answering the phone to her after a set time so fine 5pm silence her number because that’s yours & your husbands time together; ignore all texts as well & at weekends ignore her completely. If she gets shitty tough she has to learn you do not belong to her your not at her beck & call.

The night out I’d go down with sickness & diarrhoea the worst one you’ve ever had & for them using your home for a quick bunk up not on your nelly; he might be a right weirdo; stand strong & send a message stating No means No & the subject is now closed it sounds like she’s very entitled & hammers on until she gets what she wants but act like a brat treat her like a brat.

Tell her to stop parcels being delivered to your home say your sick of being disturbed by your ring doorbell any left will now be left outside as you now need to lock your porch.
the holiday cut your loses & give the boyfriend the place as a gift & then run & don’t look back this woman is a nutcase & when you move block her on all devices don’t giver her your new address give her one miles away in the opposite direction just ready your post made think bunny boiler.
you deserve to be happy you won’t be with this woman dominating your life.

RampantIvy · 20/05/2024 18:38

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 18:33

I am still reading through recent comments, can completely understand how people think I'm an enabler. Perhaps I am.

A HUGE factor of ADHD / ASD is being a people pleaser. I've always been this way, goes all the way back to my childhood friendships too. I'm not sure why, I've had a really lovely happy childhood.

Anyway. I've had more messages from her today, but haven't acknowledged them yet.

@brownbreadd What is your husband's opinion?
Is he a people pleaser as well?

Why do you find it so difficult to take on the advice of everyone who has posted on here? Not one person has said that you should carry on pleasing this abusive "friend".

Just stop it. Stop it now. You will only make yourself more miserable.

What platform is she messaging you on? If it is WhatsApp you can just mute the messages.

Jeannie88 · 20/05/2024 18:39

Way too pushy and dependent on you, not a healthy friendship. 😒

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 18:43

@RampantIvy I've always been this way. Since day dot.. I know it isn't good and isn't healthy and I recently had a stint of counselling sessions to try to combat it. I am getting there day by day but I'm in no way perfect.. no, DH is very strong minded and doesn't really think twice about what may or may not upset somebody if he feels something needs to be said. We are total opposites.

I haven't said I've not taken on board what everyone has said here, I have; I'm still reading the comments through.. I haven't responded to her last 3/4 messages as I've been working today. This is a good step forward for me, usually I reply almost straight away to anybody.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 20/05/2024 18:45

Is your DH getting exasperated with all of this @brownbreadd ?

AnnieSnap · 20/05/2024 18:52

The main problem here is that you are not being assertive. I realise that is very difficult for many people. There are short courses out there (there may even be some online courses these days) that can help you learn the skills and gain confidence to be more assertive. You can’t blame someone for not knowing what you are saying unless you actually say it. Your reply to your friend’s request to stay at your house with her new boyfriend was to make and excuse. It should have been, “I don’t really know this guy and I have to know a person myself before I would be comfortable with staying”. Just as your reply about booking a holiday should have been “I’ll have a lot on in the coming months, so I don’t want to book a holiday”. You will be happier, less anxious and more relaxed, if you learn to be assertive.

Scarletttulips · 20/05/2024 19:00

I agree. You aren’t being straight forward or assertive.

If she offers you a holiday, start with a ‘Thank you for thinking of me, I am holidaying with DH in October, I hope you find someone to go with’

Short, sharp and sweet.

What you say and what she’s taking away seem to be totally different.

You can say no, people just want to understand where they fit:

Stop the confusion and say what you mean!

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 19:01

RampantIvy · 20/05/2024 18:45

Is your DH getting exasperated with all of this @brownbreadd ?

He easily ignores it, blocks it out. He just carries on in his own little world day to day! We are absolutely fine in our marriage so there's no problems there at all, we are happier than ever!

It just feels there's a leech attached 🙃🤣

OP posts:
AgreeableDragon · 20/05/2024 19:03

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 19:01

He easily ignores it, blocks it out. He just carries on in his own little world day to day! We are absolutely fine in our marriage so there's no problems there at all, we are happier than ever!

It just feels there's a leech attached 🙃🤣

He sounds like a lovely guy.
You need to to try and be more life DH 😉.

lucindasspunkyfunkyvoice · 20/05/2024 19:09

I couldn’t be her friend

time to start the slow fade

Alwaysalwayscold · 20/05/2024 19:18

I'd be really intrigued to see screenshots of her messages.

cantbebothered101 · 20/05/2024 19:21

She actually sounds like a stalker if she’s getting annoyed that you were spending time in your family’s garden and not telling her. She may have been nice to you at the beginning but she has roped you all the way in and considers you hers, to be always at her beck and call. You really would be better off stepping back from this friendship even if you have to do it gradually. I don’t have ASD and this type of behaviour would really unnerve me. You need to look after yourself and your husband.

Sillyname63 · 20/05/2024 19:24

As others have said, you need to be VERY clear, "I am sorry but your contestant bloody texts and harassing me about holidays is not working for me and I am going to STOP our friendship from today So not contact me I will be blocking your number" then you just block her. Do not let her guilt trip you. If she needs to have items delivered she can use those collection lockers in supermarkets everywhere has them . You will probably loose the cash for the holiday but it is nothing compared to leave of mind.

Cherrysoup · 20/05/2024 19:33

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 19:01

He easily ignores it, blocks it out. He just carries on in his own little world day to day! We are absolutely fine in our marriage so there's no problems there at all, we are happier than ever!

It just feels there's a leech attached 🙃🤣

Oh dear 😢Can you pull out of the holiday? I’m picturing the thread in a few months saying what a horrible time you’re having. Has the evening out come round yet? I’d be cancelling that, she has her new bloke to go with. Slow (or not so slow) fade as a pp mentioned and no, don’t give her your new address, definitely contact the originator of the deliveries and remove your address. Cheeky bitch, she is.

Don’t respond to messages. I hope you haven’t so far!

Havinganamechange · 20/05/2024 19:35

This sounds super stressful and I think if you want to continue this friendship, you need to put firmer boundaries in place. She isn’t listening so I think you need to be firmer. If she is messaging too much, block her for a bit. I would ask her to stop having parcels sent and your home is not a hotel, no way would I have some guy I just met in my home. I think be more direct and firmer OP. It may feel stressful now but this will get worse if you don’t deal.

croydon15 · 20/05/2024 19:59

Ask her to refund your money and tell her to go on holiday with her new man (assuming that you have paid a deposit)

Toptops · 20/05/2024 20:09

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.

This. She's really not a friend to cause you so much anxiety. One thing I do if people aren't listening to me if just not answer their messages after I've already said no.
I'm afraid you are facilitating her but caving in when she pressurised you

Moll2020 · 20/05/2024 20:14

Ok, you need to put your big girl pants on. She is using you, you also need to stop the deliveries to your address, if her family are concerned about her spending is it possible that she’s in debt but using your address. She says she has no other friends, this really isn’t surprising. You need to find a way of talking to her about all of this, if she’s a real friend she’ll apologise.

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