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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:
OnYerselfHen · 25/06/2025 22:36

Also @Brooklans when you were making something to eat, did you not ask him if he wanted anything? Surely that's just basic manners and decency when hosting?

nocoolnamesleft · 25/06/2025 22:37

Poor guy. You treated him like dogshit on your shoe.

newyearsresolurion · 25/06/2025 22:37

He's so right to block you wtf!!!!!! Poor man

SaintNoMountainHighEnough · 25/06/2025 22:38

That poor chap.

mediummumma · 25/06/2025 22:38

It sounds like you use the excuse of struggling with awkwardness as a way to justify shitty behaviour. You were beyond unreasonable and were rude, inconsiderate and a crappy host.

Whatsinaname62 · 25/06/2025 22:38

You...sound like a nightmare.

Gymnopedie · 25/06/2025 22:39

MageQueen · 25/06/2025 22:25

I wonder if this is a reverse?

I think if it was the OP would have coughed by now.

It's just intended to whip up a froth.

rainbowlou · 25/06/2025 22:39

Poor bloke.

You’ve wasted so much of his time and mucked him around, not to mention make him feel like shit when he is hours away from home.

Saying you don’t deal well in awkward situations is just an excuse for being rude and out of order.

I wouldn’t be surprised if your actions have put him off ever meeting anyone else again!

Fusedspur · 25/06/2025 22:40

Wowzer!

OP what could this man have done that would have been acceptable? You set him up to fail.

TheJinxMinx · 25/06/2025 22:40

Sorry OP YABVU why invite him? I know you will say but we had a chat we agreed as friends sorry but thats bs you wouldn't invite a "friend" u just went on a date with on holiday. He was right saying if he had of wanted a holiday alone he would have booked one u invited him as a guest u should of at least had the decency to do activities with him. If u knew u were too busy always helping a friend u shouldn't have asked him over or should have rescheduled the friend. U left him all alone on a beach repeatedly in a country he doesn't know and with no transport and then u text him from another room! Thats just embarrassing you are the one who made it awkward u clearly implied u would join him later and yet u want to spend all the time with ur friend and sleeping in the afternoon why bother inviting him. I'm annoyed for him to be honest if a guy did this to a girl everyone would blow up

Alltheyellowbirds · 25/06/2025 22:40

LittleGlowingOblong · 25/06/2025 22:29

I suspect you’ve written this in a way that’s very harsh on yourself, and there are in fact two sides to this tale.
But there’s clearly something else going on. Did you realise you didn’t really even like him as a friend? Were you subconsciously threatened by the possibility of intimacy.
It’s a shame - perhaps it would have gone differently if you’d just FaceTimed him from the timeshare while you were away. But sharing your time was one thing you certainly did not do!

Edited

Really? I’m not sure she feels enough guilt, or has enough insight, to be harsh on herself, I suspect it’s the opposite and she’s minimised her behaviour here. I bet she comes off even worse in his telling of the tale…

In fact I reckon he’ll be dining out on it for the rest of his life.

ilovepixie · 25/06/2025 22:40

God that poor man. I feel so sorry for him. You were a complete and utter twat towards him.

haveyoouuuuuumetted · 25/06/2025 22:41

You’re a terrible human. The least you could do is own up to how horrible you were.

silentlyleavetheirlife · 25/06/2025 22:41

You are a vile human being!

MrBallensWife · 25/06/2025 22:41

Fucking hell..That poor man.
What a bitch you've been to him.

Dpresst · 25/06/2025 22:41

Mate, you’re a dick.

BlondeFool · 25/06/2025 22:42

You are a walking red flag. And really rude.

Moonlightdust · 25/06/2025 22:42

Appalling behaviour.. from you.

wreckingmybread · 25/06/2025 22:42

‘Could I have handled this better?’

Fucking hell 😂

Thetravelingtiger · 25/06/2025 22:42

I actually cant believe you treated this man this way. I wish he could see this thread to know it wasn't him , it was YOU.

Needtodietnow · 25/06/2025 22:44

You were so unreasonable, I can't even begin to put it into words. That poor man Confused

NewBeginnings77 · 25/06/2025 22:44

Well you certainly couldn't have handled it any worse! Vile behaviour.... from you

ZippyStork · 25/06/2025 22:44

Please tell me this is a wind up...

dottydaily · 25/06/2025 22:44

Poor guy,,I hope he is okay.

Puffalicious · 25/06/2025 22:45

JG24 · 25/06/2025 22:28

Can I ask if you are neuro divergent? You really remind me of a friend of mine.

This was my very first thought.

As a mum of 2 ND teens I recognise lots of this thinking.