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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:
RampantIvy · 20/05/2024 20:17

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 lets you tie yourself in knots over an abusive "friendship"? He is OK for you to spend £££ on a holiday without him that you don't want to go on?
I don't think he is being very supportive TBH.

My husband would have had a lot to say about that, and would have happily stood up for me if I had found it difficult to say no to someone like your "friend"

Atethehalloweenchocs · 20/05/2024 20:20

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.

This is really good advice. OP, have a look at the centre for clinical interventions workbook called Assert Yourself. It may give you some tips on how to say no clearly. You may want to actually talk to you friend about this process in future - how you need her to accept it when you say no, as you do not want to keep repeating yourself. I would guess she is used to being quite forceful and getting her own way. If she is reasonable, she will accept that. If not, then ending the friendship is probably your best bet.

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 20:22

The holiday is paid in full now, so I'd be loosing a fair chunk of money. But really just don't want to go.

Through various reasons (I absolutely HATE lying) I feel like it's going to be the only way I can get out of this. She won't take a simple 'I don't want to go' so I'm honestly not sure what to say.

It needs to be solid.. 🥺

OP posts:
Atethehalloweenchocs · 20/05/2024 20:26

No is a complete sentence in itself. You probably would not want to start with it if you value the relationship. But you can use the broken record technique and work up to it.

'So, friend, its not possible to do xxx. No, its just not possible. No, cant do it. No'.

She has learned she can wear you down, so you need to keep it short and simple. She may get angry. So what? If she cannot accept what you say, she is not much of a friend.

Flippingnora100 · 20/05/2024 20:27

Some people are just super pushy and care more about getting their own way than about the impact they are having on you. There’s two ways to deal with people like that:
a) be really forceful with your own boundaries and don’t do anything you don’t want to do eg I don’t want to go out. Please don’t ask me again. Or, please don’t get packages delivered here.
b) avoid friendships with people who are boundary pushers. Don’t engage with her and she’ll move on to some other sucker.
I wonder what her deal is, but it seems like she’s unable to read the room (or she can read the room, but cares more about getting her own way).

Flippingnora100 · 20/05/2024 20:29

PS You don’t need her to accept what you say or to understand. You don’t have to cooperate with her. Hold your boundaries.

Keepthosenamesgoing · 20/05/2024 20:29

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 20:22

The holiday is paid in full now, so I'd be loosing a fair chunk of money. But really just don't want to go.

Through various reasons (I absolutely HATE lying) I feel like it's going to be the only way I can get out of this. She won't take a simple 'I don't want to go' so I'm honestly not sure what to say.

It needs to be solid.. 🥺

Can you not say that you forgot to book the time off work and now they won't let you go because of some important work thing?

Caroparo52 · 20/05/2024 20:30

Dear Ex friend
Nothing you suggest is working for me.
It's over

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 20:33

@Keepthosenamesgoing I wish I could go down this route but she knows I was approved the time off. I'd also not put it past her to contact my work / boss and say something like how much I 'need this holiday...'

She has told my hairdresser which she now
Suddenly also uses, a tonne of personal things. To the point that when I went back there a few weeks ago, my hairdresser said how relieved she was to see me, and how worried she'd been after friend has mentioned XYZ happenings in my life.

Anyway, bit waffly there, but essentially I don't think she'd hesitate to do the digging she needs to catch me out Blush

OP posts:
Bigbobalady · 20/05/2024 20:34

She has been taking advantage of your good nature for a long time it seems. The problem is, because you have allowed this behaviour to go on for so long, it feels normal for her to get what she wants. Stop making yourself miserable for someone else’s happiness, you deserve better! X

Upsidedownlife · 20/05/2024 20:38

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 20:33

@Keepthosenamesgoing I wish I could go down this route but she knows I was approved the time off. I'd also not put it past her to contact my work / boss and say something like how much I 'need this holiday...'

She has told my hairdresser which she now
Suddenly also uses, a tonne of personal things. To the point that when I went back there a few weeks ago, my hairdresser said how relieved she was to see me, and how worried she'd been after friend has mentioned XYZ happenings in my life.

Anyway, bit waffly there, but essentially I don't think she'd hesitate to do the digging she needs to catch me out Blush

In that case be honest.
friend, for a while now this friendship hasn’t been working for me and it’s felt one sided
i am taking a step back and won’t be going on the night out, the holiday or taking any more parcels in for you.
then block on everything

PotatoLove · 20/05/2024 20:43

Bloody heck she sounds like hard work! A complete piss taker to boot. Block her.

DoughBallss · 20/05/2024 20:48

Saying exactly what I’m thinking here…you need to grow a pair

pinkyredrose · 20/05/2024 20:50

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 20:33

@Keepthosenamesgoing I wish I could go down this route but she knows I was approved the time off. I'd also not put it past her to contact my work / boss and say something like how much I 'need this holiday...'

She has told my hairdresser which she now
Suddenly also uses, a tonne of personal things. To the point that when I went back there a few weeks ago, my hairdresser said how relieved she was to see me, and how worried she'd been after friend has mentioned XYZ happenings in my life.

Anyway, bit waffly there, but essentially I don't think she'd hesitate to do the digging she needs to catch me out Blush

Fucking hell, she's telling your personal business to your hairdresser?

Surely that's the push you need to get her out of your life? She isn't a friend to you, a friend would respect your privacy and not divulge your confidences.

PoppingTomorrow · 20/05/2024 20:54

@brownbreadd genuine question - what would it take for you to dump her? Your bar sounds pretty high.

RampantIvy · 20/05/2024 20:55

Good grief!
Every time you post about her it gets worse.

If I was your boss and your stalker contacted me to check on annual leave she would get short shrift from me. Not to mention that due to GDPR she wouldn't be able to obtain that information.

Are you familiar with the expression "don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm"?
You are a raging inferno.

I'm going to get harsh here. Grow a backbone and end this before she destroys your mental health completely.

And get your wet blanket husband to support you.

She is NOT your friend.

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 20:58

I can't even begin to explain how supportive DH is. He has to deal with my constant indecisiveness, people pleasing etc. he is brilliant and a wonderful support to me. He gets frustrated with her so he often shuts off etc when she's around.

OP posts:
laraitopbanana · 20/05/2024 21:02

hi!

i think this friendship means more for you than her. She knows you can’t say no or that she can push through.
this isn’t friendship op. She is taking the mick and the fact that you are anxious about opening messages from her shows you your feelings towards her. Her showing unanounced, unwelcomed, using YOUR address for her stuffs without asking shows you how she feels for you.

i am sorry but you will have to find another friend!

disaggregate · 20/05/2024 21:12

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 20:58

I can't even begin to explain how supportive DH is. He has to deal with my constant indecisiveness, people pleasing etc. he is brilliant and a wonderful support to me. He gets frustrated with her so he often shuts off etc when she's around.

OP, ask your dh for help with this, and take whatever advice he offers. So many people (strangers on MN) have advised you to shut down the friendship and walk away but you sound like you're going to keep going. Let someone who loves you remind you of your worth, and guide you through this - or see a counsellor. You need to get out of this friendship and don't seem to be able to take the steps you need to end it.

Gonners · 20/05/2024 21:19

disaggregate · 20/05/2024 21:12

OP, ask your dh for help with this, and take whatever advice he offers. So many people (strangers on MN) have advised you to shut down the friendship and walk away but you sound like you're going to keep going. Let someone who loves you remind you of your worth, and guide you through this - or see a counsellor. You need to get out of this friendship and don't seem to be able to take the steps you need to end it.

I absolutely agree with this. He clearly loves you, so if necessary, ask him to be present and back you up when you next speak to her. I expect she will try to claim he is coercing you into dumping her, but you and DH both know he isn't.

I know it's a horrid situation, but you will honestly feel so much better when she's out of your life.

enoughofthiscrap · 20/05/2024 21:20

What does your husband think of all of this?

sunglassesonthetable · 20/05/2024 21:21

It just gets worse and worse.

She's just running rings around you. It's tipping into stalking mode. You feel terrible no wonder, but you can't seem to see it for what it is.

Ask your OH for help.

brownbreadd · 20/05/2024 21:21

I'm not fussed about keeping it going, I'm just trying to find my footing in terms of how I'm going to do it.
She helped me a lot through a similar situation with old friends. I feel sad that I can seem to ever find friends that are good for me, with good intentions. I think I trust too easily and give too much of myself. I am fed up of being taken advantage of.

I feel like she relies on me for her happiness. When she is bored she wants to see me, etc. but I can't stretch myself in so many directions.. I am trying to keep a job, a home, look after pets etc and see other loved ones and friends. It doesn't all revolve around her.

With things like this I have to really build up my strength and courage. It isn't easy for me Blush

I have horrible chest pains from all of the stress

OP posts:
HisNibs · 20/05/2024 21:35

That last sentence tells you what you need to do. Stop with the excuses. Be direct... I don't want to do it, I'm not going to do it. Leave me alone.
And block...

Dragonsmother · 20/05/2024 21:40

I had a sinking feeling reading this as it sounds like you might not have an honest friend.

i might be wrong but there are big red flags:

  1. you sold a house- so have money in the bank? She knows this. She is sending you ways to spend that money. Please please don’t tell her anything about your financial situation.
  2. she has parcels delivered to your home. This is a big no no. Are there letters too? Catalogue shopping? The last person who done this to me set up various accounts etc at my address. Please do a credit check.
  3. She knows too much about you. She is in your life more than you want her.

Her wanting to stay at your house with a new fella makes your feel uncomfortable and she has to respect your no response. She has no boundaries.

you have a very unhealthy friendship and need to walk away from it.

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