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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:
purplesalad · 21/05/2024 21:05

That’s great OP.

You don’t need a reason. Just not wanting to is reason enough and you don’t have to explain why.

BigMandsTattooPortfolio · 21/05/2024 21:33

Brilliant, op. I suggest you celebrate. 🍾

AgreeableDragon · 21/05/2024 21:41

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.

I know how tough that must have been for you OP. This is your first step to find your voice.

toenails · 21/05/2024 21:43

Congratulations, OP. You are a superstar for doing this. You might feel anxious at first but it's 100% the right decision. Sleep well.

StaunchMomma · 21/05/2024 22:10

Well done for telling her, OP. Did you give her a reason in the end? Or were you

honest about not wanting to go?

The reason she's asking what's wrong is because you've always got straight back to her. I really hope you're enjoying not jumping to attention and start putting your foot down.

Livingtothefull · 21/05/2024 22:16

Well done OP for telling her you are not going on the holiday with her.

That was the hardest part & you have done the right thing. It is also the kindest thing in the long run; I would personally hate it if I ever found out that a friend had spent time with me when they didn't really want to, but felt they couldn't get out of it. I would so much rather they were honest.

NonBinaryBlanket · 21/05/2024 22:31

What a nightmare! OP stop being a mug and put an end to this ‘friendship’. Sure you’ll lose the money for the ticket and the holiday, but it’s a small price to pay to end this situation.

3luckystars · 21/05/2024 22:37

Well do you know what, I used to never open my mouth. I would walk away rather than say anything to anyone. Then one day I did and it changed everything!!

Once I did it once, I was off, I couldn’t believe it.

This is just the first step and you are going to be well able for her now, you will be like a new woman, well done!!!

MoonWoman69 · 21/05/2024 22:56

Well done OP!
As for the job opportunity, I have diplomacy and directness without being nasty, I have a cat and 2 x 5 week old kittens and my specialties are coffee and walnut, lemon drizzle, Pavlova and school cake... Can I be on the team?! You'll all get kitten cuddles when you're on your break?! 😁😁😁

T1Dmama · 21/05/2024 22:57

My God!!
Aboit hee staying over with her BF…. Just a firm ‘No, sorry… as I’ve explained it’s not convenient!’ If she continues to not take no as an answer just respond Please respect the fact that I’ve already said no TWICE!’
As for the holiday… could you not transfer the tickets etc into her BF’s name? Tell her life is too stressful with the house sale and that actually you’d like to go away after you’ve moved house with just you and your DH as you will both deserve a break away!!
In future when she asks for something just say No I don’t want to do that/no you know that’s not my scene/no you know that’s literally my worst nightmare/ or No because I don’t want to!!!!! If she doesn’t take no as an answer and keeps on be blunt… say ‘FFS please stop asking, I’ve said I don’t want to/can’t etc……’

Honestly she sounds exhausting and rather than backing down I think I’d have lost my shit with her ages ago!! I’d say no twice then literally ignore all other messages about it, then after several the same I’d tell her to JUST STOP!!! I’VE ALREADY SAID NO!!!! If she sulks LET HER!! She sounds like a bloody stalker!!
Put down some boundaries and tell her you don’t want to be badgered about holidays or events…. She asks once and if you say no you think she needs to respect that because you’re feeling pressured into agreeing to things you don’t like and then that sets off your anxiety and it’s not bloody fair….

frankly she will either take offence and leave you alone, or she’ll take it on board and respect you more….. either way it’s a win-win because things certainly can’t carry on like they are! She’s going to drive you bloody crazy!! He’ll you’re already having chest pains which sounds like panic attacks! Put your boundaries in place and learn to say NO

T1Dmama · 21/05/2024 23:08

And I hope you’re ok. Did she respond when you cancelled going on holiday with her?

sunglassesonthetable · 21/05/2024 23:35

Just read your update OP.

Well done you! Has a weight been lifted ?

And the world still seems to be turning. I hope this can be a new beginning for you. A massive well done for facing down your anxieties about this.

Onwards

therealcookiemonster · 21/05/2024 23:38

MoonWoman69 · 21/05/2024 22:56

Well done OP!
As for the job opportunity, I have diplomacy and directness without being nasty, I have a cat and 2 x 5 week old kittens and my specialties are coffee and walnut, lemon drizzle, Pavlova and school cake... Can I be on the team?! You'll all get kitten cuddles when you're on your break?! 😁😁😁

you had me at cat...

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 21/05/2024 23:39

T1Dmama · 21/05/2024 22:57

My God!!
Aboit hee staying over with her BF…. Just a firm ‘No, sorry… as I’ve explained it’s not convenient!’ If she continues to not take no as an answer just respond Please respect the fact that I’ve already said no TWICE!’
As for the holiday… could you not transfer the tickets etc into her BF’s name? Tell her life is too stressful with the house sale and that actually you’d like to go away after you’ve moved house with just you and your DH as you will both deserve a break away!!
In future when she asks for something just say No I don’t want to do that/no you know that’s not my scene/no you know that’s literally my worst nightmare/ or No because I don’t want to!!!!! If she doesn’t take no as an answer and keeps on be blunt… say ‘FFS please stop asking, I’ve said I don’t want to/can’t etc……’

Honestly she sounds exhausting and rather than backing down I think I’d have lost my shit with her ages ago!! I’d say no twice then literally ignore all other messages about it, then after several the same I’d tell her to JUST STOP!!! I’VE ALREADY SAID NO!!!! If she sulks LET HER!! She sounds like a bloody stalker!!
Put down some boundaries and tell her you don’t want to be badgered about holidays or events…. She asks once and if you say no you think she needs to respect that because you’re feeling pressured into agreeing to things you don’t like and then that sets off your anxiety and it’s not bloody fair….

frankly she will either take offence and leave you alone, or she’ll take it on board and respect you more….. either way it’s a win-win because things certainly can’t carry on like they are! She’s going to drive you bloody crazy!! He’ll you’re already having chest pains which sounds like panic attacks! Put your boundaries in place and learn to say NO

Well done telling her about the holiday, that must have been hard.

I agree with @T1Dmama - when I read that she'd started going to your hairdresser and telling the hairdresser private information about you, that behaviour gave off serious Stalker vibes!!

Your family don't seem to have a clue if they think you can keep your distance, whilst sharing a room on holiday! It sounds like your DH is a much better source of advice and support!

I think you are a kind soul and its been drilled into you as you were growing up to always be polite and kind. I think there is also the fear of offending in the mix. But you should be kind to yourself too. Let her be offended, her intrusive behaviour is offending you. You have to keep telling yourself if she doesn't like it when you say no, that is just too bad.

I note you mentioned that she came along at a time in your life when you were feeling vulnerable. She has wormed her way into every area of your life. I'm not surprised you are finding this stressful. Keep saying no and you will be surprised how the weight of this burden falls from your shoulders.

Soberinthecity · 22/05/2024 06:46

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.

Since when was talking about a problem anonymously, on a forum Literally designed for discussion about problems, openly bitching?

And ghosting?? Very grown up……great advice 🙄

LAMPS1 · 22/05/2024 07:35

Well done OP.
I really hope you are ok and managed to endure her shock and backlash.
It will be hard not to get drawn back in.
Once you have said no and told her you won’t be changing your mind, that’s it. You don’t have to keep repeating it or justifying your decision. Or answering any pushy impertinent questions.
Feel free now to only answer the texts you want to answer (about transferring the flight maybe) and ignore the rest. For ever.
Know that it’s perfectly ok to mute or block once you have said your No.
I bet you feel exhausted from it all.
But be happy that you have really helped yourself. You dug deep for courage to do it.
Lean on your lovely DH.
All the best to you.

frequentlyfrazzled · 22/05/2024 07:52

Well done OP. That must have been difficult for you, but whatever you do don't let her guilt trip you into changing your mind. If you are tempted to back track just stop and do nothing, wait 24 hours to give yourself space to think. It will be difficult leaving your old people pleasing behaviours behind but this is the start of a new you, where you make your own decisions and only answer to yourself. Keep going forward, you can do this!!

Goodtogossip · 22/05/2024 09:42

Ask your husband to message her from his phone saying your phone is broke & won't let you send messages & you'll be in touch once it's fixed. Ask him to mention that you've been having a bad time lately & that you might not be able to go on holiday as you don't feel up to it. Leave it at that.

toenails · 22/05/2024 09:58

Goodtogossip · 22/05/2024 09:42

Ask your husband to message her from his phone saying your phone is broke & won't let you send messages & you'll be in touch once it's fixed. Ask him to mention that you've been having a bad time lately & that you might not be able to go on holiday as you don't feel up to it. Leave it at that.

I wouldn't do this, personally. It feels like kicking the can down the road and she'll be waiting for your phone to be fixed. You need total non-contact with this person.

toenails · 22/05/2024 09:59

toenails · 22/05/2024 09:58

I wouldn't do this, personally. It feels like kicking the can down the road and she'll be waiting for your phone to be fixed. You need total non-contact with this person.

Besides, you've already told her you're not going (brilliant)and don't need to justify yourself in any way.

T1Dmama · 22/05/2024 10:43

Soberinthecity · 22/05/2024 06:46

Since when was talking about a problem anonymously, on a forum Literally designed for discussion about problems, openly bitching?

And ghosting?? Very grown up……great advice 🙄

Yes @Sometimeswinning I think you’re in the wrong place if you think this thread isn’t what mumsnet is for!!
she isn’t even bitching. She’s in a position and needs advice from people who aren’t ‘in it’ or close to it!!
Ghosting her is your advice ?? What are you 13?!

disaggregate · 22/05/2024 10:43

Goodtogossip · 22/05/2024 09:42

Ask your husband to message her from his phone saying your phone is broke & won't let you send messages & you'll be in touch once it's fixed. Ask him to mention that you've been having a bad time lately & that you might not be able to go on holiday as you don't feel up to it. Leave it at that.

This doesn't sound like a good idea and won't help the OP learn how to assert her boundaries. She's managed to withdraw from the holiday (and will hopefully hold firm on that).

Soberinthecity · 22/05/2024 10:46

T1Dmama · 22/05/2024 10:43

Yes @Sometimeswinning I think you’re in the wrong place if you think this thread isn’t what mumsnet is for!!
she isn’t even bitching. She’s in a position and needs advice from people who aren’t ‘in it’ or close to it!!
Ghosting her is your advice ?? What are you 13?!

Exactly!! Only teens ghost ppl…luckily she’s got some pretty sound advice from the majority, though

T1Dmama · 22/05/2024 10:46

Hope you’re ok @brownbreadd ? Did she come back to you about the holiday?
think I’d tell her her new man is welcome to buy the holiday off you, and your ticket to the weekend event. I’d ditch that too as it’s causing you so much stress with work the next day and isn’t something you like anyway.

toenails · 22/05/2024 10:48

T1Dmama · 22/05/2024 10:46

Hope you’re ok @brownbreadd ? Did she come back to you about the holiday?
think I’d tell her her new man is welcome to buy the holiday off you, and your ticket to the weekend event. I’d ditch that too as it’s causing you so much stress with work the next day and isn’t something you like anyway.

I'm not sure I'd do that either - it merely perpetuates the contact. Think of the cost as a 'loss leader' for your newfound liberation.