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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that i would not choose them as friends?

264 replies

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 13:54

I feel really conflicted about this - my nature is to accept people for who they are, what they are and not to judge, however peri meno seems to be making me increasingly less tolerant!!!
We have some friends - albeit more DH's friends than mine - who live in the village where we used to live. When we lived there we may have seen / socialised with them 1 / 2 times per month so not massively, although they were part of our lockdown bubble and i suppose it got a bit more frequent after that.
We moved house about 2.5 hours away 3 years ago, and honestly you would have thought the world had ended! Some very hurtful stuff was messaged to me by the wife, but I was told to let it all go because "that's just the way she is" - so I did, but it still niggles tbh.
Anyway, since the move, we've had to go back to the area a few times a week for my work and usually stay over at theirs 1 night per week - I can't deny that this is helpful for us financially as even a travelodge in the south is ££££, however on the occasions we don't stay there we get bloody chapter and verse on why would you camp / stay in a hotel / stay with other friends when you've got us??? To clarify though, I provide all the food and drink for when we stay - including alcohol, I cook, I take my own pillows and towels (they don't have a spare room so I sleep on the sofa and DH sleeps on a chair) - they literally are not put out by us.
I just find them sooooooooooooooooooo draining - the husband has recently been late diagnosed ADHD, and whilst he's always been a bit annoying, this seems to have massively increased since the diagnosis. The daughter has also been diagnosed ADHD which appears to have given her free reign to be a narcissistic spoiled entitled brat, but its ok "because ADHD" (a example from yesterday - she launched her almost brand new Iphone 14 in a temper, lost it in a field but that's fine because it's insured). The wife is depressed but wont seek help, gets medication from dodgy sources and goes round in a permanent state of negativity and hate.I've tried suggesting coping strategies / therapy / putting a positive spin on things, but it all falls on deaf ears because they are so stuck in their cycle they won't accept anything ..... DP is a super accepting understanding person adn really just sees it as an interesting scenario - he does get how I feel, but says I should change the way I feel as they can't change the way they are.
I honestly do completely get that all of these things must be so challenging to deal with and will totally mean that life will be nothing like it is for a neuro typical person, but I just find any time with them so draining - they are not even people I would choose for friends in the first place, so I really don't think it's their issues that cause me not to want to spend time with them - they are just not my people!
So....
AIBU - I should just fight my feelings and suck it all up because of their issues
AINBU - It's OK not to like people regardless of their issues

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 22/11/2024 20:44

I seriously don’t get why you haven’t found a new job. Why do you need to be in the office? We still do live meetings/training online. Makes far more sense than people travelling. Why have you been doing this for 3 years when new boss only turned up a year ago?

Of course it’s fine not to like people! You can outgrow friends or really like one but not the partner. We had that with someone who was determined to be friends: we were extremely suspicious because she was so keen to be friends, it was weird. Couldn’t stand her husband, tho, pompous arse who was snobby as hell and tried telling me the wine I’d bought was terrible because it had the supermarket name on it, it was a very nice bottle costing £20, going back quite a few years. Wanker.

shehasglasses48 · 22/11/2024 21:09

Find somewhere else to stay

2Old2BABPpresenter · 22/11/2024 21:45

VickyEadieofThigh · 21/11/2024 13:58

You stay with them, despite the fact they cannot actually accommodate you properly AND they don't feed you either?

Mate - end this nonsense. Stay elsewhere and if they find out, tell them you weren't at all comfortable and leave it there.

This!!! Just call it a day. You can avoid them so do so.

Haveadayofflove · 22/11/2024 23:00

Nah I'd be swallowing the cost of a Chavlodge or seriously look for another job asap

3 years??......absolute tomfuckery on both parties

You do know that you don't have to be friends with people you don't like don't you

Regardless of the circumstances

Gloriia · 23/11/2024 08:01

Haveadayofflove · 22/11/2024 23:00

Nah I'd be swallowing the cost of a Chavlodge or seriously look for another job asap

3 years??......absolute tomfuckery on both parties

You do know that you don't have to be friends with people you don't like don't you

Regardless of the circumstances

A Chavlodge?

peanutmother · 23/11/2024 08:13

Staying over once a week is not normal

Staying in someone sofa once a week is not normal

Book a travel lodge

Book in advance for cheaper rates

peanutmother · 23/11/2024 08:16

MagicFarawayTea · 22/11/2024 17:54

Why did you move 2.5 hours away if you need to be back there every week? And you’re been kipping on a sofa/chair ( ffs🙄) for 3 years with people you don’t like?
Anyone else find this whole situation batshit?

Totally batshit

Haveadayofflove · 23/11/2024 08:24

Gloriia · 23/11/2024 08:01

A Chavlodge?

That's what I call them...I do stay in them
Along with Premier Bin
I stay in those as well 😊

vickylou78 · 23/11/2024 15:01

Get new jobs!!! Honestly unless you are earning amazing money surely it's better to find a job closer to home. Or move back to closer to your jobs.

Don't keep using these people who you don't like.

Waterboatlass · 23/11/2024 15:27

When you finally put a stop to this arrangement, please have the decency and manners not to drop them like a sweaty bollock. They've done you a huge favour even if they're not the easiest company. Please keep up Christmas cards and occasional check ins.

Haveadayofflove · 23/11/2024 15:44

'Drop them like a sweaty bollock'

I've just chortled into my lattè 🤣

LBFseBrom · 23/11/2024 16:21

Waterboatlass · 23/11/2024 15:27

When you finally put a stop to this arrangement, please have the decency and manners not to drop them like a sweaty bollock. They've done you a huge favour even if they're not the easiest company. Please keep up Christmas cards and occasional check ins.

I agree.

AlertCat · 23/11/2024 16:28

I think I’d be looking on Air BnB for a room in a house to stay in for the 3 nights a week, or become someone’s lodger. That would be cheaper than £1000/month.
Then you could see this family once a month or so for a meal and just gently disconnect.

GripeOfTheDay · 23/11/2024 17:00

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:25

I'm not using anyone, self justifying or any of the other things pp's are saying.
If at all possible I would prefer not to be dependent on or stay with anyone ever - least of all these people
We stay with them because they are DH's friends and if we chose to stay elsewhere within a 30 mile radius there is outcry from them
I cook, provide bedding, towels and DH provides transport - yes we "invade" their space but they appear to want us to be there
I didn't know when we moved that the office rules around my job would change - it's not very easy to quickly change a job or move house - obviously these are solutions to the current situation but not exactly able to be implemented immediately.
I have fully admitted on here that I don't really like these people and would not choose them to be my friends. They are DH's friends - and I believe the ND is important in that it means their social boundaries are different hence they are desperate for us to be there no matter what

Yep.. you're clearly using them, as many people have pointedout but you've refused to see it as anything other than they should be grateful for your presence..

Ever think they might dread you landing on them weekly and may just resent your smug attitude disguised as well meaning attempts on advising the wife on how to sort her life out?

Frankly, I think you probably need to sort your life out, staying with people for three years on the test and passing it off them being as grateful for your company, plus camping... hmm not sure whose being delusional here..

You need to speak to your bosses, sort your work and accommodation arrangements out and give that poor family break.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 23/11/2024 17:21

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 17:08

I'm not pretending anything and i'm not a user

I disagree...

So these people you appear to loathe have saved you £36 000....

You need to put a stop to staying there...

Is that worth liking them and not dropping these poor people like a stone when you can no longer use them to save money...

You need to put a stop to staying there...and withdraw politely with a nice gift.

"Dreadfully sorry we really do need beds now... But thanks so much for your hospitality for the last three years.. '

Lucy25 · 23/11/2024 22:08

Haveadayofflove · 23/11/2024 15:44

'Drop them like a sweaty bollock'

I've just chortled into my lattè 🤣

😂

Worryer · 23/11/2024 23:44

Your work is only 2.5hrs away - just do a day's work and commute home at the end of the day. Simples. You'll tell me it's a long day - probably true, but 💯 doable

Normallynumb · 24/11/2024 02:29

It appears you think you're doing them a favour by gracing them with your presence, but although you won't admit it, you have been using them for 3 years!
You need them more than they need you
Something has to change. Job or location.
Does your DH not think this is bizarre?

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 24/11/2024 08:44

PontiacFirebird · 21/11/2024 14:18

Are you one of those couples that moved out to the middle of nowhere during Covid times thinking you would be wfh forever and now you’re expected into the office where you used to live? Because normally if you had to travel for work, work would pay for it..
If that is the case I suggest looking for a new job where you currently live or moving back to where you were.
And stop staying with people you hate.

Not only is OP one of those people, but she hasn't done anything to rectify the situation in THREE YEARS!

Treesandsheepeverywhere · 24/11/2024 09:08

OP, you've had plenty of opportunities to change the situation.

You say you wouldn't be able to afford it if you didn't stay with them, so you're expecting them to change for you?

These people behave how they do in their own home. If you wanted to leave that badly, you would have found another solution.
Blame your bad back and let DH stay there if he chooses.

Of course YANBU to not want to stay, but YABU to complain about their behaviour when you know it won't change.

"simply looking for another job" is a little bit more difficult than it sounds!

It's been THREE YEARS!!! Pull your finger out, even if it means a pay cut, it would save on the travelling and accommodation you're paying for.

It wasn't stupid - it was necessary.

Sorry, but it was stupid. I know somone who did this, but at least she had the sense to sell the new house at a loss and move back closer to her job. Expensive lesson, but the hit she took would be the equivalent of two years London travel/accommodation expenses.

Eggy face to admit to your future new colleagues in the North as you'd be admitting how foolish both of you have been, but again, a big lesson.

You're spending money, time, energy on a London job you can't afford.

I'm a people pleaser and I do generally make sure other people are happy above my own feelings

Why?
Especially when they don't seem to reciprocate?
If a dear find was telling you your story, what advice would you give them?

I feel your anger is misplaced.
You should be angry at both of you moving away without a wfh contract in place.
Allowing your husband to call the shots about staying with his friends.
Yourself for not taking matters into your own hands.

Of course you could have rented further out without relocating to the North.
The cost of travel and accommodation would have offset that.

At least admit your poor choices.

You want the best of both worlds, but you can't afford it.

ArminTamzerian · 24/11/2024 09:15

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:54

"simply looking for another job" is a little bit more difficult than it sounds!

Sounds a hell of a lot easier than the way you're currently living.

Plus you're horribly taking advantage of people you actually hate for your own uses
.

WillowTit · 24/11/2024 09:17

dont stay
frame it that it is easier for them that you stay elsewhere
or someone's back hurts

Hackedoffinoldage · 25/11/2024 12:05

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:12

I'd have to do that commute 3 x per week if i didn't stay over

Why did you move so far away if this was going to be the resulting commute?

LBFseBrom · 25/11/2024 12:16

Hackedoffinoldage · 25/11/2024 12:05

Why did you move so far away if this was going to be the resulting commute?

She told us why, early on. It was a good reason.

Monvelo · 25/11/2024 12:18

Wow. This is not a sustainable situation so you'll have to start taking steps to change things. That's either a new job or moving house. If you get a new job then the friendship situation will be a lot less pressured and you can naturally back off and leave DH to take the lead.