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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:
Roundroundthegarden · 21/05/2024 19:11

I really think the OP is enjoying the drama.

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 19:12

After reading so many mumsnet threads like this, I am genuinely considering a business idea where I have these tough conversations on behalf of people who lack the ability to do so.

I'm extremely good at telling people to get stuffed

how much should I charge?

sunglassesonthetable · 21/05/2024 19:13

really think the OP is enjoying the drama.

Really think you should go and find a fly to pull the wings off.

( and admit, this comment is because you like drama )

@Roundroundthegarden

Pipsquiggle · 21/05/2024 19:33

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 19:12

After reading so many mumsnet threads like this, I am genuinely considering a business idea where I have these tough conversations on behalf of people who lack the ability to do so.

I'm extremely good at telling people to get stuffed

how much should I charge?

Please could I be your business partner?

You could have different charges for modes of delivery - assertive, kind, uncharitable, let them down nicely with a touch of disdain, chagrin.....................

brownbreadd · 21/05/2024 19:34

No I absolutely hate the drama. Trust me, I don't WANT it.

I have actually just told her I'm not going on the holiday.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 21/05/2024 19:35

Pipsquiggle · 21/05/2024 19:33

Please could I be your business partner?

You could have different charges for modes of delivery - assertive, kind, uncharitable, let them down nicely with a touch of disdain, chagrin.....................

Can I join you?
Part of my job is replying to emails in the negative. I can be politely assertive, and can get the message across that no means no without upsetting people.

RampantIvy · 21/05/2024 19:36

brownbreadd · 21/05/2024 19:34

No I absolutely hate the drama. Trust me, I don't WANT it.

I have actually just told her I'm not going on the holiday.

👏👏👏

disaggregate · 21/05/2024 19:42

brownbreadd · 21/05/2024 19:34

No I absolutely hate the drama. Trust me, I don't WANT it.

I have actually just told her I'm not going on the holiday.

Good for you.

pinkyredrose · 21/05/2024 19:48

What did you say OP and what did she say?

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 19:57

Pipsquiggle · 21/05/2024 19:33

Please could I be your business partner?

You could have different charges for modes of delivery - assertive, kind, uncharitable, let them down nicely with a touch of disdain, chagrin.....................

of course. but only if you agree to be the person that takes care of "letting people down gently" side of the business. I don't have a diplomatic bone in my body

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 19:58

RampantIvy · 21/05/2024 19:35

Can I join you?
Part of my job is replying to emails in the negative. I can be politely assertive, and can get the message across that no means no without upsetting people.

you sound like an ideal candidate

RampantIvy · 21/05/2024 19:59

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 19:58

you sound like an ideal candidate

I'll send you my cv Grin

Eistigi · 21/05/2024 20:01

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 19:12

After reading so many mumsnet threads like this, I am genuinely considering a business idea where I have these tough conversations on behalf of people who lack the ability to do so.

I'm extremely good at telling people to get stuffed

how much should I charge?

I reckon you could charge thousands 🤑 💸 💶 💷 and you'd be a millionaire in no time 😜

Eistigi · 21/05/2024 20:02

Well done @brownbreadd 👏 👏
Take a deep breath, you did the right thing!

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 20:03

brownbreadd · 21/05/2024 19:34

No I absolutely hate the drama. Trust me, I don't WANT it.

I have actually just told her I'm not going on the holiday.

Well done!

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 20:04

RampantIvy · 21/05/2024 19:59

I'll send you my cv Grin

bonus points if you have a cat/ make cakes

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 20:04

Eistigi · 21/05/2024 20:01

I reckon you could charge thousands 🤑 💸 💶 💷 and you'd be a millionaire in no time 😜

and I could advertise on mumsnet

Eistigi · 21/05/2024 20:06

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 20:04

and I could advertise on mumsnet

It's where you'll get all your business!
🤣

AnnieSnap · 21/05/2024 20:15

Roundroundthegarden · 21/05/2024 19:11

I really think the OP is enjoying the drama.

You do know you can think something without saying it don’t you? Have you considered that you might be wrong and your nasty comment might be really hurtful and upsetting for an OP who is already anxious? Perhaps that doesn’t matter to you 🙄

KTheGrey · 21/05/2024 20:20

Well done OP! Now just hold on.

You can sell thr holiday to her guy or just not go, but don't let her get round you! No means no, the first time you say it.

RampantIvy · 21/05/2024 20:23

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 20:04

bonus points if you have a cat/ make cakes

I adore cats and am a competent baker 🍰
Am I in?

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 20:25

RampantIvy · 21/05/2024 20:23

I adore cats and am a competent baker 🍰
Am I in?

1000% 😊

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 21/05/2024 20:35

Well done op. That's an amazing start.

Thinking what I would say (I sense we are similar personalities). Likely "look, I didn't want to go in the first place, I should have stuck with that decision and not let you persuade me. I don't want to go." Further questions about it - no. Not discussing it. No. You can't change my mind. No.

gertrudeteacake · 21/05/2024 20:37

Well done OP! That's brilliant! I'm sure it took a lot of courage.

Nicole1111 · 21/05/2024 21:00

Stick to your guns. You’ve got this 💪🏻 “You’ve not been respectful of my boundaries about …. recently so I don’t want to go on holiday with you”.

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