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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:
AcrossthePond55 · 23/05/2024 14:05

brownbreadd · 22/05/2024 21:58

I'm sorry for my delay reading and replying, I've been working today.

I have had a mixture of guilt tripping, angry, sad messages etc all over the last 24hrs since I broke the news.. I am trying my best to keep my composure and stand my ground until we come to a solution r/e the holiday going to somebody else. Once done I'm hoping to slowly fade it out.

I am trying my best to keep my composure and stand my ground until we come to a solution r/e the holiday going to somebody else

Don't buy in to the 'sunk costs fallacy'. Look at it this way. I know you're worried about losing money BUT you will have lost money whether you had gone or not. If you tell her 'not my problem' as far as finding a replacement and walk away, yes, you will have lost the money you've spend so far. BUT if you were to have gone on the holiday you would have 'lost' the money anyway because you would have had a miserable time. So go or not, the money would be gone. At least by walking away now you will have saved yourself a miserable time. With the added bonus that she will probably never want to speak with you again. win/win.

strawberryshortcakescat · 24/05/2024 11:56

For goodness sake just say no.

Cancel the evening out due to your new rota. She can go with her boyfriend now.

Do not accept any deliveries for her.

Mute her messages.
And give back word on going away with her.

I had a friend who constantly wanted to do stuff, no where near on this level. She drove me mad. I gradually retreated front he friendship and she found new friends. I still see her but on my terms.

LookItsMeAgain · 24/05/2024 12:59

brownbreadd · 22/05/2024 21:58

I'm sorry for my delay reading and replying, I've been working today.

I have had a mixture of guilt tripping, angry, sad messages etc all over the last 24hrs since I broke the news.. I am trying my best to keep my composure and stand my ground until we come to a solution r/e the holiday going to somebody else. Once done I'm hoping to slowly fade it out.

Well done you!
That is the first sticking plaster ripped off. It's usually the hardest.

What you should do now is mute her WhatsApp account for at least a week. The messages will still come in but you won't get any notifications of them and you can deal with them in your own time. That's one quick way to take the pressure off you.

Then I'd take a day to just breathe - do nothing about the holiday with her. Just be you.

Then I'd muster up my courage and send her one final message saying something like the holiday with her is not on the cards for you and if she wants to go on holiday with her new bloke he can pay to transfer the names on the flights etc. (if you're willing to cut your loses, I'd even suck up whatever you paid for the holiday itself) and just drop contact with your friend. It might be a difficult pill to swallow initially but it may be the cost of your sanity.

You're doing brilliantly though.

3luckystars · 24/05/2024 13:05

I agree you are walking in the right direction x

CountessWindyBottom · 24/05/2024 13:16

'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'

And therein lies your answer. She may simply not be capable of holding down a healthy adult friendship because she has got no boundaries. She has been pushy. aggressive, inappropriate, rude and completely disrespectful of your needs.

I'm glad to hear that you have other friends and a DH who sounds lovely so I would terminate this friendship and tell her why.

Iamawomenphenominally · 24/05/2024 14:06

I'm glad you've told her you won't be going on the holiday.

Have you said no to the night out too? Sorry if I've missed it.

I agree with others who say even if you lose the money for the holiday, at least you haven't also lost that annual leave time with her too! Time is just as precious. Instead you can actually relax!

I suggested before don't reply right away and it's great to see you've been doing that. Keep going with replying as infrequently as you can muster. Once every 24 hours at the very most. Ideally longer.

Eventually she will latch on to someone else. You're doing the right thing!

BustyLaRoux · 24/05/2024 17:37

Dear Pushy
I know you will be disappointed about the holiday. The truth is I never wanted to go. Stupidly I allowed myself to be bullied into it. I said repeatedly that I didn’t want to go but you would not take no for an answer until I relented. I don’t feel this was at all respectful of my wishes which I made very clear. However I should not have agreed to it. The same with the night out we had planned. I have said repeatedly that I don’t want houseguests staying over. But once again you ignore my wishes and continue to try and change my mind, knowing full well it isn’t what I want.
For some time I have found our friendship to be very one directional. I have felt used, bullied, disrespected and anxious. This is not how a friendship should make a person feel.
Regrettably out friendship seems to have run its course. I hope you will understand.
I wish you well,
Brownbreadd

Or some other words. Then block. Forget the money you’ve lost. It’s a small price to pay!!!

Gizmo3 · 25/05/2024 19:17

Hello,
Sorry to say that I only go to half way through your post before I gave up as it was too long and I got the gist after the first 3-4 paragraphs...
Ultimately you are not being unreasonable. You have your own life to lead and I suggest you try and be brave, lean into the conversation and if you need to say no or ask this friend for space, a good friend will understand.
Good luck

Milliemoo6 · 25/05/2024 19:39

Life is too short for relationships like this. It's toxic. Cancel the holiday and move on.

Annanirvana · 25/05/2024 20:02

That's your best shot, don't tell her where or when you move. Ignore her for a few days then message telling her that her constant badgering and demands are causing you real difficulties. Tell her she needs to take a break, be with her new man and make some other friends. You have your partner/family, new job and a house move and have NO time or energy for her right now. Finally, say how you have appreciated her friendship and if she really cares, she will back off and say that you will be in touch in a few months. That will create some breathing space for you and time to decide if she is a friend or just another demanding narcissist. No wonder she has no other friends.

TillyMSF · 25/05/2024 20:27

Some people are takers who hide it until they gauge a new friends cracks. TBH, get rid of her by ghosting, blocking and ignoring her. Don't worry about being rude. She's a pest!

Littlejellyuk · 26/05/2024 08:40

My cousins wife 😇 had a best friend like this. She wouldn't take no for an answer. We nick named her the fruit loop, as she would have a tantrum and harp on and on and on if she didn't get her own way. She treated my CW like her own +1 to all events and would just assume she would go along with her (which she did). It was a one sided friendship and it got stopped when cousin and his wife had children. The children came first, and her badgering tricks didn't grind CW down anymore, as she needed to focus on baby. One sided friendships are no good. She kept her as she found it hard to make friends. Best to be friendless away from this character and stress free, instead of locked in a powerstruggle one sided friendship IMO.

HellieWelly · 26/05/2024 10:29

Um … you need to report this behaviour. This is stalking.

Scarletttulips · 26/05/2024 10:39

I did wonder when you had friendship troubles if she was being manipulative to ensure your two were friends.

Ive seen this so many times where ‘the friend’ removes all other friends and clamps on like a limpet.

I think you need a break and then find some real friends.

BustyLaRoux · 27/05/2024 18:28

HellieWelly · 26/05/2024 10:29

Um … you need to report this behaviour. This is stalking.

Edited

It’s really not. I’m not saying it’s pleasant. But it isn’t stalking.

enoughofthiscrap · 01/06/2024 12:09

How are things? Have you spoke to your friend?

LookItsMeAgain · 06/06/2024 18:26

How are things going for you now @brownbreadd ? Have they improved for you at all?

Sti · 02/08/2024 11:42

Sounds like they are swingers and shes after sleeping with your husband

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