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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Could I have handled this better? Made him leave

495 replies

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:06

I originally met a man 18 months ago. Although nothing happened, we kept in contact as friends through text and social media. Recently, we started to get closer. For a month we spoke everyday, talking about our days, and deeper conversations to do with our families, past grief, and bad relationships we’d had. So after a month, we decided to go on a proper date. Date went well, although no kiss, both went home separately.

A few days after our date I was due to go abroad for a month to take some time out and relax at my mum’s timeshare apartment in a hot country. As we’d just had our date and I didn’t want to wait a month to see him again, I invited him to fly out and stay for 6 days (6 hour flight away)

We both agreed no pressure, it’ll be a friendship holiday for us both, we’ll each have our own rooms, and we’ll just see what happens. I also told him he can feel free to do his own thing sometimes if he wants. So a week after I flew out, so did he.

He arrived on Sunday very late at night, I picked him up at the airport and we both went to bed soon after we got back, to our separate rooms.

The following morning, on Monday, we went to the beach together. Then we went back to the apartment, and I went to visit my friend for a couple of hours. I came back, and we went out for a meal. During the meal I started to realise that I don’t feel the spark I was hoping and couldn’t see us progressing into anything beyond a friendship. We got back to the apartment and he asked if I wanted to watch something with him. I excused myself and went to bed early but told him to make himself at home and watch whatever.

The next morning on Tuesday I went to the gym alone and ran some errands, I texted him to say I’d be home no later than 4 hours, and once I’m back we’ll go to another beach together. I took slightly longer and he texted me asking how long I’ll be. The apartment is in the middle of no where and nothing I’m walking distance, so I could tell he was getting a bit restless. When I arrived back he didn’t say it but I could tell he had got a bit impatient. I grabbed my things to go to the beach, and told him I’d drop him off at the beach and meet him there later as I had to help the friend I saw the day before with something. He looked put out. I gave him some swimming equipment as I know he likes water sports/swimming. I dropped him off at the beach and said he’d see me later. It felt awkward.

A few hours later I rung him to say I’d only be another hour then I’d pick him up. He said “Pick me up? I thought you were joining me not picking me up?” I said I just wanted to relax at the apartment, it had been a long day. But he was more than welcome to stay there and I’ll pick him up later. He said okay he’ll stay, and will speak to me later.

Then I get a text saying “Do you even want me here? You seem to be taking your time with everything and last night you went to bed early you said to sleep, but I heard your tv on still a couple of hours later. I don’t need free accommodation and lifts if i wanted a holiday alone I could do that. I came to spend time with you.”

I reminded him of our talk before he arrived, that he’ll be free to do his own thing too. It was a casual arrangement and that I can’t put everything on hold because he’s here for 6 days. Said that I’m tired and I don’t feel like chilling on a beach and I need to help my friend. He just replied “Okay help your friend, I’ll call you later when I’m ready to come back”.

At that point it felt more awkward than it had done when I dropped him off, so I screenshotted a flight home for that night, at 11:30pm to him with the message “If it’s going to be awkward like this now and you’re going to make me feel like I can’t do what I’d usually do, I’d rather book you this flight home. You’ve woken up in a mood this morning I’ve not done anything wrong”. He immediately texted back “Okay book it”. I told him to book it and I’ll transfer the money. And said it had been an awkward day.

He said “You’re the one making it awkward, I’ve not been here 48 hours yet and you’re sending me screenshots to flights home because I asked you one question. I said help your friend and I’ll see you later tonight. I can’t fly home tonight It’s 5:30pm already I’ve been swimming I don’t have time to shower and pack and make it to airport in time. I’ll fly home tomorrow, don’t worry no awkwardness from me. See you later”

At this point I’m annoyed that he’s dictating when he will leave as he’s the guest. I texted back “I still think it’s better you leave tonight to be honest I don’t want any awkwardness”. He replied “Okay”.

When we got back to the apartment it stated we were unable to book the flight online as it was under 5 hours from the departure time. As the airport is a while away and there wasn’t a guarantee he would get a seat once arriving there, I said he could stay the night and I’ll sort him a flight for the next day. He was annoyed, he said that he’d also realised we weren’t right together romantically but that I was treating him unkindly and kicking him out so soon because of it, he was still prepared to remain friends. I said I’d asked him to leave as he’s was being awkward, not because of that. He went for a long walk after that, then went straight to his room.

Following morning, on the Tuesday I went out again. When I came back he was sat on the balcony and stayed there. I made some food and went for a shower. Before I go in the shower I texted him “Hey, what time is your flight? I might be able to take you to the airport, if not I’ll get my friend to take you. He’ll do it for half the price taxi drivers charge around here. I can also drop you off at another beach for the day. Just let know what time your flight is so I can plan my day”.
After my shower he knocked on my door and said with a snarky attitude “Why are you texting me when you can see I’m on the balcony? And you say I’m awkward ! I haven’t booked my flight you said yesterday you’d sort it” I replied “No I told you to book it and I’d send you the money for it but fine I’m not going to argue I’ll book it now” I booked him a flight, paid for it with my own money. Only time for that day was at 11:30pm. Told him what time his flight was, and I’d get my friend to take him to airport. He says, again with an attitude “Great nice 6 hour flight at midnight. Fantastic” At this point I can’t wait for him to leave.

Dropped him off at beach for the day and my friend picked him up in evening for airport, he didn’t even say bye to me. Has since blocked me on everything.

I really struggle with awkwardness. Was I BU or was he?

OP posts:
TsunamiSurfer · 25/06/2025 21:12

You are being beyond unreasonable, talk about mucking someone about and deflecting.

even if you wanted just to be friends and “no pressure” you could’ve hung out with him a bit more instead of making him feel like an inconvenience.

Why even bother asking him over in the first place?

lessons for both of you, I’m feeling sorry for him TBH.

OneNaiceSnail · 25/06/2025 21:14

You are rude as fuck. I wouldn’t treat a friend like that at all

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 25/06/2025 21:16

You were hugely unreasonable.

bigyellowtractorface · 25/06/2025 21:16

That poor man. You treated him beyond dreadfully. If someone comes over at your invite whether friend or not, you make an effort and make them a priority. You completely did your own thing, not just a little bit. You’re lucky his response was so subdued. Unbelievable.

Nodlikeyouwerelistening · 25/06/2025 21:16

Why ask him there if you were just going to mug him off every chance you got. You’ve left him stranded, turned up late, changed plans last minute. You sound an absolute nightmare and incredibly rude and disrespectful of this poor man’s time just because you don’t fancy him. Please stay single.

Floranan · 25/06/2025 21:18

You said todo his own thing sometimes, not all the time ! I can’t believe how you treated him, poor man

justforthisnow · 25/06/2025 21:18

Oh wow. The poor man. And that's the first time I have ever said that on here in 19 years.

MoreChocPls · 25/06/2025 21:18

You were so out of order.

SilviaSnuffleBum · 25/06/2025 21:19

You behaved like an absolute cunt towards him, if this is actually true.

AmyDuPlantier · 25/06/2025 21:20

I honestly can’t believe how you treated him. That poor guy. Unbelievably rude, selfish, arrogant.

Fullofthejoysofspring · 25/06/2025 21:21

This can’t be real?

FortyElephants · 25/06/2025 21:21

You have been totally awful.

Fastingandhungry · 25/06/2025 21:22

Oh my goodness you treated him so badly! I’m shocked you can’t see that.

MounjaroMounjaro · 25/06/2025 21:22

I really struggle with awkwardness

You're actually really brilliant at creating awkward atmospheres. Absolutely everything you did here made me cringe. I'm so embarrassed for you and so sorry for him. He sounds like a really decent man and you have treated him really badly.

SquashMeDown · 25/06/2025 21:22

Spark or no spark you must have felt enough for him to invite him to join you, then proceeded to treat him like shit!

You were clear on the just friends bit and it sounds like he fully respected that.

That poor, poor man.

GuevarasBeret · 25/06/2025 21:22

SilviaSnuffleBum · 25/06/2025 21:19

You behaved like an absolute cunt towards him, if this is actually true.

X2

ninjahamster · 25/06/2025 21:22

You behaved so badly. You don’t invite somebody over then leave them alone all the time!

LegoTherapy · 25/06/2025 21:22

Good lord, do you really need to ask? You were very rude, a poor host. Poor guy!

HenDoNot · 25/06/2025 21:23

Appalling behaviour by you. Your lack of insight is astonishing. Affronted that “he didn’t even say bye to me”. Unreal.

Auroraloves · 25/06/2025 21:23

Why did you even invite him?

pictoosh · 25/06/2025 21:24

So you got this guy to fly out for 6 days, decided you didn't fancy him after all then fucked off to live your life while ignoring the fact that you had a guest.

You are very unreasonable and have probably caused him a bit of trauma.

ThisChirpyFox · 25/06/2025 21:24

What have I just read!? You seem like a very unpleasant person. This guy deserves a medal and a hug for putting up with you and staying so calm.

Okay, you're allowed to change opinions about someone romantically but wow! You treated him abysmally.

Normally it's the men I'm slating on here, but boy do you give women a bad name!

I don't know where to start - everything in your post that was awful came from you. Don't ask him to pay you back that's the least you could have done.

Icewithmyslice · 25/06/2025 21:24

SilviaSnuffleBum · 25/06/2025 21:19

You behaved like an absolute cunt towards him, if this is actually true.

This!

2025ismybestyear · 25/06/2025 21:24

Couldn't be bothered to read it all. You are so out of order it's unbelievable. You're an adult yes? Then use your words. Poor man.

Pollqueen · 25/06/2025 21:24

Wow. Poor bloke, but he was stupid to fly out to spend time with a virtual stranger, but you were also stupid to invite him. You did invite him though and then made him feel very awkward and unwelcome

Not nice at all

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