Friend tries to copy everything!

[LadyGillingham]

Really good friend. We have a hobby in common, so we spend a lot of time together (weekend classes etc). We also have a lot of common friends. Our children are also roughly the same age group. One thing that’s been annoying me is she tries to copy everything. Eg: I bought some new gym clothes and she asked me where they were from. A week later she bought leggings from there. I bought a designer bag, in no time she bought a bag from the same place! We’ve been on a couple of holidays, she is after me to find her a good deal to go there. She either has to get what I have or buy something better straightaway. Also, she comes across as very competitive with kids (activities, achievements etc)

Other than this, everything else is great.
What would you do? Ignore this?

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! I’d take it as a compliment.

As the saying goes; imitation is the best form of flattery!
Maybe she is low in confidence and admires you. The examples you gave given seem okay, don't think she is being obsessive. Maybe give her compliments to build up her confidence.

Ignore it. I can’t really see anything wrong in any of this. It doesn’t sound like she’s buying exactly the same items as you. As for the holiday , again so what, she’s just looking for recommendations by the sound of it.
she sounds like she admires you, and maybe feels inferior to you in some way, hence the competition with the kids.

Ah, I was a lot like this in my younger years. ASD and lacked imagination but knew what I liked when I saw it.

I was lucky my bestie did see it as flattering.

Not the competitive kids stuff though. I think I had gotten past it by then.

Sounds more like she thinks you have good taste, I'd take it as a compliment. Unless she shows in the exact same outfit every time you go somewhere, I don't see the issue.

Competition between kids I'd just deflect and ignore, so unless she is insistant it's fine. We can all be annoying about our kids at times!

I would find that annoying as well. Maybe be vague as to where you brought it. Ie. If she asks, where did you buy xyz, say ‘Bluewater/Trafford centre etc, rather than the actual shop, and if she presses you for more info, be vague or change the subject ‘ Time for a cuppa ‘.

Whilst I do know there are people out there that do this; I have also come across people who thinks everyone is copying them when in face they aren’t. Is it possible that we just live in a small world with only so many shops etc

She’s not your friend

Honestly I can’t stand this 🤣 When its so constant, it’s not a form of flattery anymore it’s a lack of imagination.

Bizarrely encountered this a few times and the same with a rival business 🤣

This sort of thing is rooted in insecurity, although it doesn’t make it any less annoying! If she asked about your clothes, etc be vague or say you’ve had them for years. When she starts comparing the kids, either change the subject immediately or just be direct and tell her to pack it in.

I would just ignore it. Doesn’t seem that bad? Leggings, bag and holiday destination? As people have said, I’d be flattered. If she’s a good friend in every other way, then it’s a really small thing - she obviously thinks you have great taste !

Probably not a big deal but it’s out of order to compare children.

What can you do other than ignore it, really?

Literally everytime someone complains about this on here, it turns out that whatever is being 'copied' is the most standard possible thing, like calling your child George or going on holiday to the Algarve, or buying a popular brand of dishwasher.

Mention the new tattoo you are booked in for.
. And then await her pics...