'Friends' who let you down last minute

[optimistic47]

I am getting a prestigious award this week. I officially got the award in september but I am actually receiving it this month. Now one night before a certain 'friend' has said him and his wife are ill. He seemed to be up for a drink last christmas and seemed to be up for the award ceremony. Cried off saying that it's chaos - a mutual contact of ours inadvertedly shared pictures of him at christmas parties (when he's blown me out). I think I have an easy definition of what friend entails when he was a former client I kept in contact with. Whilst I understand things do happen, I am not really buying into it. I think he's just stringing me along. Any advice? Perhaps I should just let go because I knew him through a toxic workplace as a client. He's friends with my former work crush which I didn't invite as I've not kept in touch with anyone since I left.

I don't understand any of this

Is this the first time he's blown you out, or does he normally do it? If you tackle him about it and show him the photo, he'll get get all defensive and that's the last time you see him! Is he important in your life? I'd just let him go...

He sounds like a casual rather than close friend so not sure why you'd invite him and his wife to the awards ceremony?

Was this written by chat gpt or have you been drinking wine?

I don't know what the problem is. What sounds like a fairly casual acquaintance cancelled an engagement. What happens next is nothing. You just make a note that this person isn't a good future friend / is unreliable, and don't invite them to anything in future.

This is the second post in two days that I literally cannot understand, so sorry I can offer no help, but I’m wondering if I have a problem now!!

It sounds like they don't really count you as a friend. They see you as an acquaintance which as former clients is probably for the best. It sounds like they have boundaries. If I were you I would take the hint. Be polite if you meet him at a function but he is not your friend. Stop the invites.

I think you need to learn the difference between friends and casual acquaintances. He's the latter.