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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:
recipientofraspberries · 21/11/2024 14:35

You're not "discriminating" by deciding not to stay at someone's house. You know this.

I suspect that what's really causing the turmoil is that stress, resentment and hassle is all getting caught up in this one situation, with people you don't really like. Being hours away from where you work is undoubtedly creating a constant layer of stress. The logistics of bringing food, drink, bedding and towels to someone else's house every week must be a bloody pain in the arse, too. The cost of travel. Not being at home.

On top of that, you don't like these people. It's as simple as that. You're allowed to dislike people, or not particularly gel with them, not matter what disability or diagnosis they have.

I honestly think this resentment and acute feeling of unhappiness is building up because this situation as a whole is entirely untenable. Even if you loved these friends, I can't imagine it would be ideal for any of you to keep this going! And they are being put out by having you over once every week - having people in your house is an effort, even if you're not doing any extra housework for them. You must realise that.

Seriously you're going to have to find another way.

ThianWinter · 21/11/2024 14:36

The solution is to buy a campervan and use that for overnight stays. There are plenty of free or cheap places to stay, stop inflicting yourselves on these poor sods every week!

babyproblems · 21/11/2024 14:37

Just stop staying there and just be polite but not engage with them ever over anything. Slow drift!! Why bother.. it sounds like a huge amount of effort on your part for…??? Not much as I can tell. Deffo stop staying on their sofa and chair. I find this ridiculous for a grown adult tbh and frankly can’t work afford you a hotel?? Travel lodge really isn’t expensive and you’re buying food etc anyway so honestly I think it would cost you the same!!! Just let go of it all.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

OP posts:
pilates · 21/11/2024 14:38

Both get new jobs near to where you now live? I am finding it hard to believe they enjoy putting up with you two every week - no offence but it’s very intrusive.

user8634216758 · 21/11/2024 14:38

Can’t believe a grown adult would choose to sleep on a sofa/chair in a house of people that seem very hard work. Pay for a travel lodge and step away, life is too short!

2024onwardsandup · 21/11/2024 14:38

So you’re staying with them THREE NIGHTS A WEEK

i mean you don’t have to be friends with them at all - but you are totally exploiting these people

2024onwardsandup · 21/11/2024 14:39

It’s very okay to not like them - but it’s not okay to mpret the your friends with them to save you money

IAm16StoneHalloween2024 · 21/11/2024 14:39

So what are the issues with simply looking for another job? Even if you took a pay cut it would make you financially better off it seems?

recipientofraspberries · 21/11/2024 14:40

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

I don't even think it's possible to force yourself to like people. You either do or don't. Feelings can improve over time naturally, but you can't force it.

Also you need to let go of this WW3 worry. You live hours away from them! Who cares if they flip out because you've decided not to stay with them? What are they going to do? Nothing. You can only focus on your own actions and choices. If they feel upset, that's actually ok. Nothing bad is going to happen.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:40

ThianWinter · 21/11/2024 14:36

The solution is to buy a campervan and use that for overnight stays. There are plenty of free or cheap places to stay, stop inflicting yourselves on these poor sods every week!

We looked at this - campervans are upwards of £30k for anything decent, plus around £30 per night on a pitch.
I

OP posts:
OhMaria2 · 21/11/2024 14:41

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:12

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

Sort your life out to accommodate your own needs? What on Earth. You don't like them but you stay with them once a week? This is bizaare

oakleaffy · 21/11/2024 14:41

People are self~diagnosing off internet quizzes.

Staying with them when they irritate you so much is a bad idea.
Especially every week.

It's too much, for them as well as you. Utter Purgatory.

Buy a vehicle, like a camper van, and stay in that when you have to drive down South.

MildredSauce · 21/11/2024 14:41

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:07

DH has work down there too, sort of - thats a whole other thread though!!
Prob is, I can't afford £1k ish per month for accommodation and travel and a 6 hour commute doesn't really work either

Then you are in the wrong job

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/11/2024 14:41

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

If someone enthusiastically opens their home to you every week, saving you thousands, and you don't like them... you have to ask yourself AITA?

Hillrunning · 21/11/2024 14:41

Stop using people you seem to hate to further your career. You chose to move, now find a job that you can actually afford to have. It really horrible of you to pretend to like them for your own gain.

Just explain to them and put an end to it.

September1013 · 21/11/2024 14:41

Of course it’s ok not to like people.

It’s not ok to just pretend to like them to their faces because you are reliant on them providing free accommodation for you whilst badmouthing them to strangers on the internet behind their backs.

Even worse that you bring their neurodivergence into it and then try to claim that you are doing this because they need your friendship, when the truth is you would be gone in a shot if you could afford it.

I really hope they see this thread and realise how shamelessly they are being used.

IAm16StoneHalloween2024 · 21/11/2024 14:42

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

I like attempting to get blood out of a stone, no problem!

It’s fine to not like people.

It’s fine to never see them again.

It’s fine to change jobs.

It’s fine to decide that sleeping in a bed every night is the way you wish to proceed from now on.

HTH.

Onlyvisiting · 21/11/2024 14:42

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

Of course it's OK not to like people. It's not OK to pretend tonlike people so you can use them for your own convenience.
You say you can't afford to pay for accommodation but don't want to stay with them. That leaves other friends that you mentioned? Good luck with that, I bet you don't have as many friends as you think that would willingly house you 2 nights a week. You will wear your welcome out quicker than you think!

Hillrunning · 21/11/2024 14:42

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/11/2024 14:41

If someone enthusiastically opens their home to you every week, saving you thousands, and you don't like them... you have to ask yourself AITA?

This was put far more eloquently than my post.

PontiacFirebird · 21/11/2024 14:42

Yes your explanation does help, thank you OP.
Unfortunately it doesn’t help you in this situation.
The reality is that if you didn’t have a wfh contract, your boss had the right to ask everybody back in at any point.
Which is why really your only solution is to try and find work nearer to where you live now or move back nearer where you actually work.
Renting is difficult yes, but maybe there are cheaper areas actually in daily commuting distance to your office?

eatreadsleeprepeat · 21/11/2024 14:42

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

It is okay to not like people, and not see them. Not sure it is okay to not like them but stay in their house two nights a week.
I would feel both hurt and used if someone I thought was a friend stayed in my house but didn’t actually like me

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/11/2024 14:43

oakleaffy · 21/11/2024 14:41

People are self~diagnosing off internet quizzes.

Staying with them when they irritate you so much is a bad idea.
Especially every week.

It's too much, for them as well as you. Utter Purgatory.

Buy a vehicle, like a camper van, and stay in that when you have to drive down South.

And some people receive a diagnosis. Like the dad and daughter in the OP.

And my DD. From a knowledgeable and educated doctor. Not a judgemental poster online.

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:43

2024onwardsandup · 21/11/2024 14:38

So you’re staying with them THREE NIGHTS A WEEK

i mean you don’t have to be friends with them at all - but you are totally exploiting these people

No - we stay with them 1 night per week. The other nights we either camp or stay in a travelodge, but the fall out from them over this is draining - it feels like they can't comprehend why we don't actually live with them!!

OP posts:
BeMintBee · 21/11/2024 14:44

DonnyDoris · 21/11/2024 14:38

Thank you for all your messages - really appreciate them.
What i really wanted to understand though is if it's ok not to like people or if you should try to force yourself to like them because of a specific situation

Aahh so what you want to know is if it’s ok to use people to save yourselves a lot of money each week but still ok to slag them off and dislike them behind their backs.

Yeah no that’s fine 🤣

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