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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:
Zanatdy · 26/06/2025 04:49

Sorry but I cannot see how he has done anything wrong here. Why didn’t you just tell him you didn’t feel a spark and could you continue as friends? To be honest, it was crazy to invite him anyway. But you’ve behaved really badly here, not him. I feel sorry for him, all that travel to be left alone and then pushed out after 2 days.

Middlechild3 · 26/06/2025 04:52

Appalling behaviour on your part. He's done nothing wrong. You have bigger problems if you can't see how utterly bizarre your actions were from start to finish. Poor man, he's had a lucky escape.

JIMER202 · 26/06/2025 04:52

Insane to invite a stranger to stay with you and the way you’ve treated him is horrible.

Mumofnarnia · 26/06/2025 04:55

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.

You sound unhinged op and very avoidant. You went out of your way to avoid him after deciding there was no spark. The only person who has made things awkward is you by avoiding him, taking your time while he was at the beach and not wanting to spend time with him and making him feel irrelevant and unimportant when you’re the one who invited him after saying you “wouldn’t be able to wait a month to see him again” after only one date!
Texting him while you’re both in the apartment and he’s on the balcony WTAF! You need to grow up!
Like I said before, it’s a you problem. He’s done nothing wrong!

JIMER202 · 26/06/2025 04:56

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.

Do you actually want a romantic partner? Have you been in any long term relationships? I can’t imagine treating anyone like this, it’s awful.

JIMER202 · 26/06/2025 04:57

Mumofnarnia · 26/06/2025 04:55

You sound unhinged op and very avoidant. You went out of your way to avoid him after deciding there was no spark. The only person who has made things awkward is you by avoiding him, taking your time while he was at the beach and not wanting to spend time with him and making him feel irrelevant and unimportant when you’re the one who invited him after saying you “wouldn’t be able to wait a month to see him again” after only one date!
Texting him while you’re both in the apartment and he’s on the balcony WTAF! You need to grow up!
Like I said before, it’s a you problem. He’s done nothing wrong!

Edited

Sounds like a personality disorder to me. The way she flipped on him so suddenly should be studied but luckily he found out quick! Poor guy.

ineedtopee · 26/06/2025 05:00

He must be relieved he's dodged a MASSIVE bullet, the poor man. Where is your basic respect and civility?

As he said, he also realised there was no spark, but was prepared to treat you like a friend for the rest of the trip. Just because someone is suddenly of no use to your future plans doesn't mean you drop them like a hot potato and treat them like human scum!

And it wasn't even the sudden distancing but your trying to kick him out suddenly, and then getting annoyed he would even dare to decide his own leaving time.

Say you went on a date, in the middle of the main course during a 3 course meal, both you and your date realised there's no spark. Nothing wrong or offensive, just no spark. So he just ups and leaves you there still eating your meal looking like a knob.

No, hang on, actually — he's leisurely eating the meal because he paid for it. While he's eating, he tries to kick you out while you're mid-meal, because he doesn't fancy you and he paid for the meal. When you say "hang on let me just finish these few bites quickly", he gets aggressive and accusatory towards you. Do you see what asshole (and frankly dangerous/unhinged) behaviour that is? It's fine to make your excuses and leave at some point but at least treat other people like human beings ffs.

EasternEcho · 26/06/2025 05:02

Utterly horrible behaviour on your part. He got a lucky escape not to get involved with you any further.

Mumofnarnia · 26/06/2025 05:07

JIMER202 · 26/06/2025 04:57

Sounds like a personality disorder to me. The way she flipped on him so suddenly should be studied but luckily he found out quick! Poor guy.

Yeah I’d say either narcissistic or avoidant. The way op has treated this guy and now blames him for it! Wow just wow!

ineedtopee · 26/06/2025 05:07

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:30

To be clear, I didn’t tell him to go before I felt no spark. I was prepared to spend time as friends. He was acting awkwardly that afternoon I took him to the beach, and his “help your friend, I’ll call you later when I’m ready to come home” I could tell was passive aggressive. I couldn’t stand another 4 days of that.

Also when I sent the screenshot of the flights he immediately said “Okay book it then” so he was in full agreement

I would have been annoyed too that you were playing some stupid game of avoiding me instead of opening your mouth and telling me you didn't see it romantically.

It's like you see yourself as so superior and him as some kind of pest inevitably deeply in love with you or something. For all you know — and it's likely — he had long realised he wasn't attracted to you as well, but was prepared to talk about it and stay friends for the remainder of the holiday like a mature normal human being.

Also OP, might get flak for asking this, is there any ND or personality disorder in here or something, because you genuinely don't seem to realise that sending the screenshots of the flight back were akin to kicking him out and was very very rude? Like my above example of a date telling you to leave while you're still only halfway in your main course, cause he's the one paying for the meal and he doesn't fancy you. Then he gets angry when you refuse to leave within a few seconds.

ladyamy · 26/06/2025 05:08

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.

Unreasonable, but I wouldn’t say it caused him trauma

Middlechild3 · 26/06/2025 05:11

JackJarvisEsq · 25/06/2025 21:40

Who’s the crazy bastard who voted YANBU??

OP

ConcernedOfClapham · 26/06/2025 05:18

Good God, you were so unpleasant to this poor guy. Over and over and over again.

I hope you have learnt something from these responses, and apologise for treating him like this.

MaMaMalenka · 26/06/2025 05:21

Not "could have" but rather "should have"

babyproblems · 26/06/2025 05:31

I didn’t read your full post but you sound beyond unreasonable to me and really quite selfish!!? Why on earth did you invite him for SIX days when you were already occupied??
And you don’t then just decide you basically can’t be bothered anymore! Shocking. You sound very self centred and not aware of other peoples‘ feelings or commitments at all

wineosaurusrex · 26/06/2025 05:31

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.

You really need to read and take on board the replies here. There is no excuse for your behaviour yet you continue to make excuses. You really DID do a LOT wrong. Treating someone with such disrespect just because you realise you don't want to shag them is disgusting,especially when you'd lied to him to get him there, by claiming it was a relaxed 'friends' holiday. If there was any awkwardness, it's because you went out of your way to make it awkward. I can't even find words for how cruel you've been, honestly.

cryinglaughing · 26/06/2025 05:43

Wow, you treated him like shit, whilst he sounds thoroughly decent.

You are the problem here and if you can't see it, then you are beyond help.

HoppingPavlova · 26/06/2025 05:46

Well, with the initial info and updates as well, there is the emotional intelligence of a house brick. Such poor behaviour, and the ‘but,but,but’ aspect is beyond staggering.

Horses7 · 26/06/2025 05:48

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.

You still don’t ’get It’ despite everyone telling you your behaviour was appalling.
Read all the answers you’ve asked for again and again until they sink in ……I know that may take a while/year or two!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 26/06/2025 05:54

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.

Yup... This..
You mad eot much worse with your behaviour..

There is a complete difference from saying... Come and use me as a base... Will see you at some point... The person knows they're not being 'entertained'... You're just offering a free base (I've done this to pals gap year kids /friends relatives who are visiting area but pal hasn't got enough space.

AND
We had a nice few dates..
Come out and see how we go?

I would expect this to be, hanging out a bit, eating together, but a good few hours hanging out daily...

Not abandoned and made to feel as inconvenience!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 26/06/2025 05:56

I'm pretty affable /chilled..

But I would be spectacularly pissed off /grumpy if someone treated me like this especially a 6 hour flight away and a remote location

alcoholnightmare · 26/06/2025 05:56

I’m in utter shock. That poor bloke will have to go home and tell his colleagues he had a two day holiday and was made to leave early.

Anyone else feeling better about cringey things they’ve done in the past?

Mumofnarnia · 26/06/2025 06:04

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:30

To be clear, I didn’t tell him to go before I felt no spark. I was prepared to spend time as friends. He was acting awkwardly that afternoon I took him to the beach, and his “help your friend, I’ll call you later when I’m ready to come home” I could tell was passive aggressive. I couldn’t stand another 4 days of that.

Also when I sent the screenshot of the flights he immediately said “Okay book it then” so he was in full agreement

You could stand another 4 days of him being ‘passive aggressive’??
The only person who was being passive aggressive was you by avoiding him rather than telling him you didn’t feel a spark and then trying to get rid of him by sending a screenshot of a flight and texting him while you were in the same apartment together! You’re the awkward, passive aggressive one! Pathetic!
Do you treat all men you’ve dated or had relationships with in this way? I guess so! You sound unbearable.

SoScarletItWas · 26/06/2025 06:07

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.

In your OP you said:
it’ll be a friendship holiday for us both

So the lack of spark and the resulting awkwardness should never have been a thing!

You've behaved really badly here. Hope you’re reading all the replies and realise the many places where you went wrong.

Kicking him out after 48 hours so he has to spend extra money on a long flight (and don’t get me started on you thinking you friend charging the poor blood ‘only half’ what a taxi would charge) - it’s not like you’re kicking him out in your hometown, your petulance has cost him loads of money!

Icanttakethisanymore · 26/06/2025 06:08

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 26/06/2025 00:04

OP-AIBU?
Mumsnet-yes you are and were and behaved terribly
OP-no, it was his fault that I behaved badly. I wasn’t BU

Exactly, why would the OP post if she’s so convinced she’s right 😂

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