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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:
Dibbydoos · 19/05/2024 10:21

Some people are intense aren't they?

@brownbreadd you have enough on your plate, so pls stop mincing your words and be straight with your over bearing 'friend'

If you can afford it cancel the event and trip. If not end the friendship after both.

The parcels must stop too.

Only you can tell her in no uncertain terms she has ruined your friendship and over stepped everything you cherish in a friendship.

Your life, your rules, end the 'friendship'.

Sending a hug this sounds horribly stressful x

willWillSmithsmith · 19/05/2024 10:23

brownbreadd · 18/05/2024 21:01

I've tried my hardest to be kind in doing so. I think maybe that could be if anything; where I'm going wrong? I've been polite but direct, saying no.

For example three days ago she sent me a £4,500 holiday to a far away destination over the dates of my anniversary, saying we 'need' to book it as a 4 for her birthday. I despair. I've said no so many times ConfusedBlush

I’d have replied “sorry, no can do” and left it at that. Any further texts would remain unread for at least a week.

Any further demands I might feel inclined to send an appropriate gif passing on the message in clear terms.

Itiswhysofew · 19/05/2024 10:27

I've told people off for using other people's address. It's a real bugbear of mine.

She sounds much too like hard work. Friends aren't supposed to put you in a state of anxiety. Keep your distance or call time.

Roundroundthegarden · 19/05/2024 10:30

How are you saying no? What words are you actually using?
Is it a feeble no (giggle, giggle) or Sorry, but no that will not be happening.
I can't believe that you actually used the word no. I'm absolutely certain that you are giving her mixed messages.

Strictlymad · 19/05/2024 10:39

You aren’t being over sensitive op, she sounds absolutely suffocating and you have been a saint. It is not acceptable that you say no and she nags like a 5 year old. You need to be very clear that while you value her friendship you have boundaries and no means no. And no more parcels!

ThinWomansBrain · 19/05/2024 10:43

sounds as if your "polite" answers aren't clear enough.
I do go away with friends that are married - but typically weekends, etc - £4k breaks are something i'd assume they'd do with families/husbands.
A simple - "If I could afford a break like that, I'd go with DH" "I can't bear clubs and pubbing, wouldn't go in a million years"
You could back out of the clubbing now by saying that now she has a partner to go with, you'll give it a miss.

& TBH if I was going out with friends for the evening, I wouldn't think it was that odd if they asked to stay over - but you still have the option to say no.

Meanwhile33 · 19/05/2024 10:53

OP this is an absolutely ridiculous situation you’ve got yourself into. Don’t go on a holiday you don’t want to go on, with a person you don’t like. What does that achieve?

You said you’re trying your hardest to be kind. Why? She’s not being kind to you, she’s only thinking about herself, and you’re not being fair to you or your DH wasting all this emotional energy on dealing with her. You’ve had plenty of good advice on here. I think the simplest way to get rid of her would be to say you’re finding her behaviour disrespectful and tiring and you no longer want to go on the night out or on holiday with her, and cancel it both things. Then hopefully she’ll strop off and leave you in peace, and go on the hunt for her next victim.

DanielGault · 19/05/2024 10:56

brownbreadd · 19/05/2024 08:26

To answer the other questions about why I feel this way, I think this best explains it.,

She came into my life at a time when i was going through a really horrible friendship breakdown, with my old friends. Looking back I guess she came in and isolated me to the point where I only had her and vice versa. I do have other more normal friendships too, with people I've known much longer which she doesn't approve of.

I used to have a 'friend' like this. She was a bit older than me and was domineering. I was (for want of a better phrase) 'easily led'. I was her lap dog. I was also however growing out of childhood trauma and getting my own mind, and eventually one day I just said no to her (I didn't want to share my tapas 🙄) and she went ballistic altogether. Stopped talking to me, another two work colleagues also stopped talking to me. It made the atmosphere at work awful. But it was a valuable lesson not to let myself be trampled on by anyone. It really showed me what friendship wasn't. Like PP says, good friends respect each other, rather than hound each other.

ilovesushi · 19/05/2024 10:57

Just tell her no. You are not going on holiday with her. You are not going out with her. She can't stay overnight. You won't take in her post. Can you leave a note for delivery companies saying you are refusing all packages for XXXX (her name). Are you worried about hurting her feelings? Or are you worried about confrontation? I assure you she has no qualms about completely exploiting you, inconveniencing you, potentially damaging your relationship with your husband or jeopardising your new job. This woman is BAD NEWS! You do not need her in your life. She is causing you nothing but heartache.

JMSA · 19/05/2024 10:58

This is much too long and I haven't read it all, but for me the staying overnight wouldn't be a problem for a good friend. I'd trust her judgement not to bring a raging psychopath into my home Confused
The issue is that she walks all over you and you back down every time.

Thelnebriati · 19/05/2024 10:59

If you google FOG (fear obligation and guilt), you'll find info about this type of person. She isn't your friend - friends don't do things for you to get something back - and its best to put a stop to all of it.

Meanwhile33 · 19/05/2024 11:05

Also these words you used are really interesting: “my fuse is getting shorter, but I am really struggling to regulate my emotions around this situation”

This is your authentic response to a messed up situation, finally demanding to be heard. Listen to it.

VeraForever · 19/05/2024 11:05

BreatheAndFocus · 19/05/2024 10:06

FGS don’t tell her you’re still happy to be friends, as a PP suggested!! You’ll never be rid of her. You’ll have the same manipulative, self-centred ‘friend’ with a large side of spite because she’ll be pissed off at you!

You don’t get it. She wasnt supportive at that difficult time in your life. She didn’t/doesn’t care about you. She saw an opportunity and took it. She wheedled her way in by pretending to care, then she tried to isolate you from your other friends knowing you’d be too much of a doormat to object. That’s all you are to her, not an individual, just a tool for her to use. When you get rid of her, she’ll just replace you with a new doormat.

Spot on.

Liann811 · 19/05/2024 11:10

You need to get rid and fast she is not respecting your boundaries and clearly only hears what she wants. She knows what she is doing . Stop feeling guilty and be honest with her and say I'm so sorry but we are unable to attend the event as we got a family thing to attend or something along those lines so you cant stay. Then block her

OliveTheaBough · 19/05/2024 11:14

I would cancel any planned holidays and leave the friendship - block block block

Livingtothefull · 19/05/2024 11:42

'....for me the staying overnight wouldn't be a problem for a good friend. I'd trust her judgement not to bring a raging psychopath into my home'

I don't think I would trust her though, she has no reasonableness and is pushing the OP's boundaries. I wouldn't want a stranger in my home either in these circumstances.

Her reason for having parcels sent to your home sounds ridiculous and possibly spurious. As others have pointed out, do you know what is in them? Do you know whether you are being unwittingly made complicit in something dodgy?

You need to put a stop to all of this. I get that it is hard because she is forcing you in a position when you have to be firm, but kindness isn't working so you may have to forget about being kind.

JLou08 · 19/05/2024 11:45

I think your friend could be nerodiverse too, even if it's undiagnosed. I don't think she is using you, I think she lacks awareness of typical boundaries.
Tell her straight up that the way she acts is causing you anxiety and you want her to take no for an answer the first time. If she can't change you're just not compatible as friends. Doesn't mean to say anyone is a bad person. Some people are just too different to get along well.

sugarrosepetal · 19/05/2024 11:45

Completely cut ties with this person. She is not a friend. She does not respect you or your boundaries.

Text and tell her you're not longer going on the night out as you have work early the next day and other things to do. She can make it a date night with her new beau but you cannot and will not be used as a hotel for the night.

Tell her she either stops all deliveries coming to your house, or you will be putting up a notice/calling the delivery companies to return all mail to sender as she does not live at your address. (She could be using your address for credit or anything).

Nn9011 · 19/05/2024 11:46

Hi my lovely, this sounds so difficult. I obviously can't diagnose her but something to keep in mind is that many therapists will say people who have narcissistic traits are often drawn to neurodivergent people because they can manipulate them easier. This is usually in relationships but it can also be in friendships.
As another autistic person, I want to reassure you that this person is not acting how a friend should. This is not normal and is unacceptable. It is absolutely ok for you to say I'm not comfortable with how you are treating me.
Something that always sticks with me is that no is a full sentence. It's so so hard but it's ok just to say no and not explain why you are saying that.
If you don't feel you can communicate well to this person, you might find it easier to type out your feelings and send it in a message, maybe get dh's help, it sounds like she'll react negatively however you put it but at least you're giving her a chance by trying to communicate how you're feeling.

Allthesea · 19/05/2024 11:47

She sounds ghastly and YANBU at all!

Bollindger · 19/05/2024 11:47

Tell her right now you need to concentrate on your husband with regards to holidays. And your not sharing time with him.
The event, tell her since she has a partner your going to bow out. No matter what she says say no, that won't work for us...
Also tell her she can have things dropped off at boxes in stores. Please don't use your house as your not happy with it....
Repeat repeat repeat.

KreedKafer · 19/05/2024 11:49

Er… your friend is absolutely nuts. She’s an obtuse, tactless, obsessive, selfish, pushy, overbearing nightmare and I think most people would have told her to fuck off at the point where she started messaging you constantly about the holiday.

You mention you have ASD. I’m wondering whether this might affect the way you manage personal boundaries? Your friend is absolutely the one in the wrong here and she is making you miserable. You need to tell her a very firm ‘no’ to everything and end this friendship. She’s suffocating you with her behaviour, it’s almost bullying. Please tell her to get lost!

Gettingbysomehow · 19/05/2024 11:50

For Gods sake 10 pages of waffle about how you are unable to say no to somebody.
Just say no you are too busy right now and you can't do anything or go anywhere.
Stop answering her calls. Eventually she will give up. Cancel the holiday.
Get a backbone.

Daleksatemyshed · 19/05/2024 11:51

@brownbreadd you've gone along with this because she can be fun and she helped you when you were lonely but now she needs to go. She disrespects your decisions, your marriage, your home, basically everything is about HER and she will never change, she will just get worse.
Some people think they're entitled to do as they like, you say No, she harasses you until you give in. It's no good setting boundaries because she can't cope, she has to have her iwn way. If you don't break away she'll be asking to borrow money or move into your house, nothing will be off limits.
Please do yourself a massive favour and say No, when she won't accept it then block her.

KreedKafer · 19/05/2024 11:52

brownbreadd · 19/05/2024 08:26

To answer the other questions about why I feel this way, I think this best explains it.,

She came into my life at a time when i was going through a really horrible friendship breakdown, with my old friends. Looking back I guess she came in and isolated me to the point where I only had her and vice versa. I do have other more normal friendships too, with people I've known much longer which she doesn't approve of.

Please get rid of this woman. She’s AWFUL.

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