Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Draining guests

138 replies

FunkyGoldfish · 18/11/2024 08:14

We have friends who come and stay once a year. They both eat a lot (much more than we do) and expect breakfast, lunch, snacks and evening meal. They like a drink. This last visit (they stayed 3 nights), we got through 8 bottles of wine, 6 beers plus G&Ts - most of that was consumed by them. They expect us to drive them everywhere when they are here and never offer to use their car. Over the years they bring less with them - they used to arrive with wine, chocolates, flowers - this time, they brought one bottle of wine. They have always paid for an evening meal at a pub on one of the days but we end up paying for coffees/lunch out - they never offer but just say "we're taking you out for a meal" as if that justifies us paying for everything else. They both have good jobs and earn more than us. Their visit costs us a small fortune and we are exhausted afterwards. We have never stayed with them - they've never invited us. I think they see their stay here as a little holiday (we live in a popular tourist area) and, tbh, we feel used. They've only just left and I'm already dreading getting the message asking when they can come next year. What would you do?

OP posts:
LittleBitAlexisLaLaLaLaLa · 18/11/2024 09:01

Do you even like these people? I wouldn’t if I knew them. I wouldn’t be lying about covid or having other people to stay, I’d just being say no to them. No, they can’t come to stay. If they ask why I’d tell them (they’re freeloading fuckwits) and give them examples of that behaviour.

I don’t honestly understand why you’ve put up with this shit for so long? They’re takers who never give back. That’s not a friendship.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 18/11/2024 09:51

@FunkyGoldfish tell them next year that you have found a load of bedbugs!! they wont want to come back!

Funkyslippers · 18/11/2024 09:55

No need to lie about anything. Just say you're finding hosting a bit too much so you won't be able to accommodate them any more

FunkyGoldfish · 18/11/2024 10:03

Francias · 18/11/2024 08:19

Why on earth do you invite them?!

When we first moved here we extended invitations to friends to stay. Now, every year, they send a message asking when they can come.

OP posts:
FunkyGoldfish · 18/11/2024 10:04

Zonder · 18/11/2024 08:18

Just say it doesn't work for you. Do you have any contact with them outside of these visits?

Minimal contact throughout the year - the odd text message.

OP posts:
FunkyGoldfish · 18/11/2024 10:08

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 18/11/2024 08:45

Don't tell them you have other visitors or d&v, it will just mean they suggest different dates, surely

I think you need a longer term solution. Tell then you've changed the spare room into an office / hobby room / nursery and you don't have space to host. Tell them that you find hosting really tiring and are sticking to family only from now on but if they are visiting if you'd love to meet them for a meal (and only pay your share!). Tell them that things are a bit tight and they're welcome to stay and you'll do a meal (and only have a couple of bottles of wine in) but they'll have to sort their own travel and food otherwise

Or if you're not worried about being friends any more (and are you, given how entitlwd and rudw they are?) just message them to say you're feeling a bit taken advantage of, given you never get a return invite and the unequal driving and spending on food, drink and snacks

I do think you have to take some of the blame here. Yes it's a bit awkward but not impossible to ask a waitress to split the bill, or only buy your own at the counter.

They didn't used to be so bad. When they first started coming they did pay their way and bring loads of goodies/gifts. Gradually over the years they have brought less and less and stopped paying for things. This visit was the worst and has left us really upset.

OP posts:
FunkyGoldfish · 18/11/2024 10:11

Plastictrees · 18/11/2024 08:31

You must put some boundaries in place! You do not have to host these people. I agree with PPs suggestions of suggesting going to theirs instead. If you do host, don’t supply all the alcohol - ask them to bring their own. Ask them to drive themselves around. The problem here is that they’ve come to expect a certain level of service from you and they are taking advantage. Say no!

I think this is it. When they first came we were over the top welcoming as we had just moved and were really happy to show them the area and now they expect it everytime.

OP posts:
Flatandhappy · 18/11/2024 10:13

I would suggest you either respond with “think it’s our turn to come to you, when suits?”, or “sorry, after many years of hosting we have decided that in future we would love to meet up with people for a meal or two when you are in the area but are no longer able to accommodate houseguests”. I changed my house around to ensure we no longer had guest rooms after a particularly brutal experience. I have had the occasional person to stay overnight since then but that is my limit.

Sampler · 18/11/2024 10:14

Say you’ve a foreign student.
They are rude and there’s no point applying logic or reasoning.
I had a guest like that and my imaginary student stopped proceedings.

StitchVic · 18/11/2024 10:14

GrandHighPoohbah · 18/11/2024 08:27

I would definitely go with "Why don't we come to you next time? October is most convenient for us - any dates that suit for you?". And if they start with some old flannel about why they can't host, go back with "Ah well, not to worry. We're taking a break from hosting visitors next year but let's keep in touch".

Exactly this. Or, if you don’t really want to go to theirs either, just use the second half of the above. You could always add vague comments about ‘plans for decorating’, or ‘having a lot on next year’ to really hammer home that you’re not able to host.
And then relax 😊

Zonder · 18/11/2024 10:15

FunkyGoldfish · 18/11/2024 10:04

Minimal contact throughout the year - the odd text message.

In that case I'd let the friendship drift. In fact when they try to make their annual booking I'd say sorry we can't afford to host you this year as it costs quite a lot! Then send them an air BnB link near by!

BMW6 · 18/11/2024 10:17

Reply to next text asking when to come "Sorry but hotel FunkyGoldfish is closed now"

decembersnows · 18/11/2024 10:19

This visit was the worst and has left us really upset.

This comment stands out. A visit from friends should not leave you upset or resentful.
You can handle it in many ways, and you've got a lot of advice upthread.

However perhaps in this case honesty is the best policy. You don't really have anything to lose to be honest. Just tell them how you feel.

Heronwatcher · 18/11/2024 10:21

Just be honest, if they text asking to come again just say that you’ve put an indefinite hold on having guests overnight as you were both finding that hosting took the fun out of it. You could offer to meet at a halfway point for a day out/ lunch instead (obviously paying 50/50) but I suspect it might not be accepted….

thisoldcity · 18/11/2024 10:21

Don't apologise and don't explain. You just can't do it.

Skybluepinky · 18/11/2024 10:25

Grow a back bone and say no.

Alphaalga · 18/11/2024 10:29

Draining guests

Sounds ominous😳

Franjipanl8r · 18/11/2024 10:30

If you do like them I would offer a single night only and say that’s all you have the energy for nowadays and send them links to local air b n bs if they want to extend their trip.

Flossflower · 18/11/2024 10:35

Really, who needs friends who take the piss. Just say you are cutting down on visitors as you find in tiring. This may sound rude but they have been rude to you and they must know it.

Amarige · 18/11/2024 10:37

I'm so disappointed that this thread wasn't posted by a vampire.

NotTram · 18/11/2024 10:38

Say no

NotTram · 18/11/2024 10:43

Do you have dc?
If not I'd be terrible hosts next time. No alcohol, say you've gone dry, minimal basic no brand food, on a budget. Have a few activities planned so you are not around to just etc

SoporificLettuce · 18/11/2024 10:43

GrandHighPoohbah · 18/11/2024 08:27

I would definitely go with "Why don't we come to you next time? October is most convenient for us - any dates that suit for you?". And if they start with some old flannel about why they can't host, go back with "Ah well, not to worry. We're taking a break from hosting visitors next year but let's keep in touch".

This is the way @FunkyGoldfish

No need to lie, no need to make excuses - just exactly this.

NotTram · 18/11/2024 10:44

If you don't have a way to say no

Vaxtable · 18/11/2024 10:44

Say No, sorry doesn’t work for us anymore. Here’s some links to an Airbnb

Swipe left for the next trending thread