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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:
Viviennemary · 26/06/2025 06:09

Sounds like you were absolutely in the wrong here. You invited him on a holiday which involved a long flight and then made it clear you didn't want to be in his company at all and made every excuse to avoid him. Not surprised he's blocked you.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 26/06/2025 06:09

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:33

Not sure of the point of this? He wanted to go

Wow!
You were still treating him as someone you had no interest in spending time with...

I've had people stay tjat I liked... At short notice where I had stuff crucial to do... But this was the odd hour... Not refusing to spend any time with them!

You need to reflect on your hosting skills

CrownCoats · 26/06/2025 06:12

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 could have rectified it by apologising for your awful behaviour. When you invited him over for 6 days did you tell him you planned to spend the majority of the time without him? It’s one thing telling him he was free to do his own thing and another to just leave him on his own all day. He must have been bored out of his mind and feeling very unwelcome. To then go and watch tv in your room while he watched it in the living room was very weird.

Basically, he pulled you up on your rudeness and you sent him packing. Totally unacceptable behaviour. You owe him a massive apology.

AirFryHalloumi · 26/06/2025 06:13

I actually can’t believe this is real. No one behaves like this surely?

AcrylicMantaRay · 26/06/2025 06:15

No way this is for real.

N27 · 26/06/2025 06:15

This reply has been deleted

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Tourmalines · 26/06/2025 06:16

Jesus, you are a total tool .

Paperweight7 · 26/06/2025 06:19

If this is real, OP, for the sake of your future relationships and friendships, please get some professional help.

No one behaves like this. You need help understanding your lack of empathy, apparent inability to recognise your own negative behaviours, and support learning to communicate with others.

You should start by apologising to this guy. He may never want to hear from you again, but he really didn't deserve the way you treated him.

Freeme31 · 26/06/2025 06:19

You are never going to accept you are completely in the wrong here, take responsibility for how rude a person you are. Im surprised you have any friends are you autistic perhaps or just rude ?

alcoholnightmare · 26/06/2025 06:21

Why did your friend say when you told him/her? The one that drove the unwanted guest to the airport? Were they in agreement with you?

NasiDagang · 26/06/2025 06:23

I can see why you are single, please learn how to interact with people!

Cabotine · 26/06/2025 06:33

You really acted poorly - please stay single

ThisLuckyOpalShaker · 26/06/2025 06:34

That's really mean OP, bless him. Hope you reflect on your actions

EleanorReally · 26/06/2025 06:38

is this how you treat friends?
lucky for him he has blocked you and he never has to see you again.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 26/06/2025 06:39

OP invitef the guy to stay, but ditched him because she didn't feel a spark. Why tell him it was a friendship holiday? Why not hang out and sightsee together? Why not just say you don't feel a connection but that there's lots to do to have fun and enjoy the holiday? OP was pretty rude.

whynotmereally · 26/06/2025 06:40

You were really rude. The week was already set as friends so you didn’t really need to say anything unless he suggested more. But regardless of whether you were friends or romantic he had gone to spend the week with you not wait around your apartment with no transport means or hang out at a beach alone. You made him feel unwelcome and that’s why the mood shifted. Then when he (rightly) asked why you were being rude you got defensive and sent him home.

Obviously it was a mistake to invite him out as you clearly felt uncomfortable, but it was another 5 days you should have shown him the sights, done some activities with him and waved him on his way. You owe him a apology (assuming he hasn’t blocked you)

ChaToilLeam · 26/06/2025 06:44

You were absolutely horrible to him. Inexcusable. No wonder he has blocked you.

Have you really no powers of self-reflection at all?

HomoHeinekenensis · 26/06/2025 06:47

SilviaSnuffleBum · 25/06/2025 21:19

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

This 10%

The more I read, the more my mouth fell open.

You are crazy to think you have behaved in any way reasonably.

lightonmetal · 26/06/2025 06:51

Your behaviour was disgraceful. Absolutely awful. You take him somewhere in the middle of nowhere, then fuck off and do your own thing, leaving him alone and stranded.

He was right. He came to spend time with you, and you avoided him. leaving him alone and not able to get anywhere.

Your behaviour has been awful. What’s worse is that you can’t even see it.

He’s had a massively lucky escape not gettting into a relationship with you. You are hyper ego centred and can’t see you own selfish behaviour or accept responsibility for it. I hope he can see he’s dodged a bullet.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 26/06/2025 06:52

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’s not an au pair or a lodger you were doing a favour for - he was there to see you and spend time with you!

Sounds like he’s had a very lucky escape.

CinnamonBuns67 · 26/06/2025 06:54

Yabu. The poor fella. Fair enough you realised there wasn't a spark. But there was friendship there initially so you should have just said to him "Hey this meal has made me realise this is just a friendship, I hope that's the same for you" and just hung out as mates instead of making it awkward as possible by avoiding him and treating him as if you didn't invite him to spend time together. Then to put him on a long flight in the middle of the night, you could have at least waited for one at a reasonable time the next day.

SecondVerseSameAsThe1st · 26/06/2025 06:54

AcrylicMantaRay · 26/06/2025 06:15

No way this is for real.

I agree. I’ve RTFT and just…not buying it.

lightonmetal · 26/06/2025 06:58

Freeme31 · 26/06/2025 06:19

You are never going to accept you are completely in the wrong here, take responsibility for how rude a person you are. Im surprised you have any friends are you autistic perhaps or just rude ?

I did wonder about autism too. That black and white thinking, inability to see things from the perspective of another, inability to understand the impact of her behaviour on others and inability to accept responsibility really reminded me of my autistic Ex.

Gettingbysomehow · 26/06/2025 06:58

You treated him horribly. I'd never invite someone over and then treat them like that whether there was romance or not.
Then just slinging him out like trash. Bloody hell.

Isthisit22 · 26/06/2025 07:00

Hundreds of people are telling you that you were rude and unkind. Try to take it on board instead of making excuses.

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