Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
BlazenWeights · 25/06/2025 23:24

SharpWriter · 25/06/2025 21:41

Lol!!! This cracked me up.

lol I wondered that too 🤣🤣

PurpleFlower1983 · 25/06/2025 23:25

You were bang out of order, rude too.

RedBeech · 25/06/2025 23:26

It was silly to invite him after just one date, and silly of him to take up the offer. But you have behaved appallingly. You've been really cruel. That's not how friends treat each other on holiday. If I was invited by a friend to their holiday home and treated like that I'd feel gutted and deeply miserable. Poor man. You owe him a massive apology.

wineosaurusrex · 25/06/2025 23:28

Is this a reverse? You have been utterly vile! The poor guy! You've basically used him and deceived him - you invite in hoping you'll get a lover out of it, trick him into thinking there is "no pressure" and it's a "friends holiday" yet as soon as you realise you don't want to shag him you ditch him and act NOTHING like a friend. You have behaved so awfully that this was a really painful read because I felt so sorry for the poor. You can't just use and dispose of people like that, and lie to them for your benefit (with the "friends holiday" thing).

3luckystars · 25/06/2025 23:28

If this is real you really need to read and reread the replies here.

Never before have I seen such an outpouring of sympathy for a man here. This is really something.

Soontobesingles · 25/06/2025 23:30

Just for the record OP if you invite anyone on holiday the bare minimum expectation is that as your guest you spend time with them, do activities everyday, eat together and socialise together and communicate clearly when/if you need a bit of space or have other plans.

Wundy · 25/06/2025 23:32

Have you got any brothers op? Or male relatives/friends you like? If so, how would you feel if they'd been treated the way you treated this poor bloke?

miraxxx · 25/06/2025 23:33

whitewineandsun · 25/06/2025 23:10

I want to know why 1% think OP isn't unreasonable.

Edited

She was being herself and hence giving this man ample opportunity to escape? He dodged a hail of bullets with this one.

Noodlehen · 25/06/2025 23:34

Reading this I was petrified that nobody else was going to think you were a horrible person 🤣

miraxxx · 25/06/2025 23:35

3luckystars · 25/06/2025 23:28

If this is real you really need to read and reread the replies here.

Never before have I seen such an outpouring of sympathy for a man here. This is really something.

This thread shall henceforth be preserved, framed in gold and brought out as REFUTATION on all the other threads accusing MNetters of being man haters.

Etoile12345 · 25/06/2025 23:36

Wow. Wouldn't normally reply to these things but shocked how badly you come across in all of this. How rude and zero insight. He's had a lucky escape.

YourWildAmberSloth · 25/06/2025 23:36

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:47

Yes I think this was the case, I panicked. I should have told him I didn’t feel a spark and let’s spend the week as friends. But I didn’t get the chance to have that conversation, he was already acting off and the mood had soured at that point.

You had the chance OP, but you avoided the conversation and him, instead. You acted like an arse, just rude, inconsiderate and weird.

Iamnotalemming · 25/06/2025 23:37

Holy moley how rude!

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 23:38

I accept my actions before I took him to the beach caused his upset. But after that conversation over text I didn’t see anyway of rectifying the mood or coming back from that. So believe that getting him the flight home was the best option

I did offer to drive him places if he wanted to get food and stuff. I didn’t completely ignore him.

OP posts:
Namechangerage · 25/06/2025 23:40

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 22:19

I texted him while he was on the balcony as he didn’t come in while I made something to eat so assumed he didn’t wish to speak to me

Just accept the feedback - it’s pretty unanimous. Maybe you can learn something.

applestrudels · 25/06/2025 23:40

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 22:19

I texted him while he was on the balcony as he didn’t come in while I made something to eat so assumed he didn’t wish to speak to me

Does this mean you didn't offer him anything to eat, even though he was a guest in your house and you were miles from anywhere? 😬

I actually can empathise with the feeling of excruciating awkwardness that would lead you to such behaviour... your thread title was "could I have handled this better", so I'll tell you how you could have.

  1. Not invited him at all. Disaster waiting to happen. But since you did,
  2. Not disappeared for hours on the second day - either invited him to come along, or shortened your errands given you had a guest.
  3. Gone to the bloody beach with him, as a friend. I get that you panicked, but that was still rude behaviour, and his annoyance was justified.
  4. Apologised to him when he expressed his annoyance. Perhaps that might have been the time to say you don't feel a spark, but you're happy to do something nice tomorrow as friends (even if you didn't want to, that would have been the polite thing to do for your GUEST).
  5. NOT text him suggesting he leave in a few hours. That escalated things majorly. In my book, that's a "you've done something really bad to piss me off, I want you out of my sight immediately" kind of gesture. It was quite an extreme response. And very rude to expect him to get a midnight flight, and not have any time to prepare. I can imagine he must've been quite shocked by that message, and his response is understandable.
  6. On the Tuesday, you shouldn't have gone out, you should have apologised for your rude behaviour, and offered to do something nice together as friends.
  7. When he was on the balcony, you should have gone out to him and offered him something to eat (bearing in mind he's your guest, he's in a foreign country and you're miles from anywhere. No matter how awkward things are, it's the right thing to do).
  8. You should have asked him in person about the flight, not text him.
  9. The misunderstanding over who was booking flights was just that. Shit happens. No one's fault.
  10. When it became clear the only flight was at 11:30 you should have told him he could stay until the next day.
Namechangerage · 25/06/2025 23:41

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 23:38

I accept my actions before I took him to the beach caused his upset. But after that conversation over text I didn’t see anyway of rectifying the mood or coming back from that. So believe that getting him the flight home was the best option

I did offer to drive him places if he wanted to get food and stuff. I didn’t completely ignore him.

He didn’t want a chauffeur, he wanted to spend time with you - romantically or not. You treated him like a piece of gum you’d stepped in.

Maplebean · 25/06/2025 23:42

OP, I think it is a shame you’ve ruined your relationship with this guy. He communicated his feelings maturely and calmly which is a great quality. He actually sounds like a catch.

your response to his communication was to get very defensive which shows you haven’t developed a level of emotional maturity necessary for a relationship. You should work on that. You could of taken on board that he was not enjoying himself and tried to spend more time with him.

you also complained about him not going exactly when you wanted him to that night, despite the fact he wasn’t prepared to go. That’s really harsh behaviour and I don’t think you’ve really thought of him as a person here- more just a thing in your way who you have no use for.

id try to work on empathy.

BeMoreAmandaland · 25/06/2025 23:43

Why am I so afraid of putting myself out there when nice blokes are getting treated like this?

Thanks for the wake-up call, op.

Butchyrestingface · 25/06/2025 23:44

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 23:38

I accept my actions before I took him to the beach caused his upset. But after that conversation over text I didn’t see anyway of rectifying the mood or coming back from that. So believe that getting him the flight home was the best option

I did offer to drive him places if he wanted to get food and stuff. I didn’t completely ignore him.

It obviously could have been worse.

You might have decided you DID fancy the poor, hapless bastard and then given a few months or years (probably months), we'd all be reading about his desperate plight on Mansnet.

RitaFromThePitCanteen · 25/06/2025 23:44

I'm so used to hearing stories of men treating women terribly the instant they realise a relationship or sex isn't on the table (typical "nice" guys, basically), that it's kind of startling to not only read about a woman doing it, but to read it from the women's POV.

But yeah, OP, just because you decide someone isn't fuckable doesn't mean you have free rein to treat them like they're worthless. I feel so sorry for the guy, it must have been so upsetting to be made to feel so unwelcome.

SunnyViper · 25/06/2025 23:44

Lucky escape for him.

EdgarAllenRaven · 25/06/2025 23:44

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 23:38

I accept my actions before I took him to the beach caused his upset. But after that conversation over text I didn’t see anyway of rectifying the mood or coming back from that. So believe that getting him the flight home was the best option

I did offer to drive him places if he wanted to get food and stuff. I didn’t completely ignore him.

When a text message is feeling awkward - that is EXACTLY the time to have a face-to-face conversation.
To go through what caused the upset, what intention was meant if it came across wrong etc And that would have been the time for you to apologise….

NOBODY who is invited to join a holiday, would ever expect their friend to just do their own thing immediately and daily… that’s what felt like a slap in the face to him. Obviously, he would have been expecting time with you to build on the friendship.

I don’t know if you are seeing it from his perspective at all…? Do you have any mental health diagnosis we’re unaware of..?

Tartantotty · 25/06/2025 23:45

What an appalling, entitled and unpleasant person you are. A nightmare.! Poor man, he's well shot of you. I amazed if you have any friends it you treat them in the despicable way.

You need to learn serious manners, Or maybe you're just too self-obsessed and stupid to do so.

CountryMumof4 · 25/06/2025 23:45

All I can say is is that if anyone treated one of my sons like that, I'd be absolutely devastated for them. You've completely messed him around. If the spark isn't there, that's fair enough. But to invite someone to a place so far away and essentially abandon them in the middle of nowhere while you happily go about your life is beyond rude. Fine, you gave him lifts... He flew out to spend time with you, either platonically or romantically. Either way, it doesn't matter - if you have a guest, you just don't do as you've done. You owe him an apology and then to leave him well alone.