Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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:
LittleAlexHornesPocket · 26/06/2025 07:04

Wow! Dodged a bullet there!

He did, that is. You being the bullet.

Seriously, I hope the comments cause you to have some pretty deep self reflection because your behaviour has been awful.

Llamasarellovely · 26/06/2025 07:04

You could not have behaved worse, as a potential date, a friend, an acquaintance, to this man if you'd put some real effort into it. Good Lord.

FlamingoQueen · 26/06/2025 07:07

I feel sorry for him. You definitely could have handled that better and you both could have had a nice holiday. Hopefully, he’ll find someone better and have a nice life.

Cherrysoup · 26/06/2025 07:13

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.

What do you want, a medal?! You treated him appallingly. You were insanely rude, dumping him for other friends then being hours later than you said, then you insist he gets a flight that night and maybe your mate can take him to the airport but will only charge him half! Bloody hell, OP. Nasty.

1415isgreat · 26/06/2025 07:14

You sound like an absolute cow

zeebra · 26/06/2025 07:18

Read this back. Change round who is who so you are seeing it from his point of view. You would then see just how unreasonable you were. (Well hopefully you will!) Mind boggling. Being trapped somewhere with no transport can be an uncomfortable feeling in itself.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 26/06/2025 07:20

You treated him appallingly. Yes there was no spark but you agreed on a friendship holiday anyway. Would you hsve treated a female friend like this? Probably not.

You should be ashamed of yourself

Ivy888 · 26/06/2025 07:22

I was cringing whilst reading this! Your behaviour was AWFUL. You start off by saying you’ve known each other about 18 months, as friends. You don’t treat friends like this! It doesn’t matter if there was no spark, you should still have done stuff together as FRIENDS. This was beyond rude.

woodpeckersounds · 26/06/2025 07:25

JackJarvisEsq · 25/06/2025 21:40

Who’s the crazy bastard who voted YANBU??

Probably the OP.

skippy67 · 26/06/2025 07:27

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.

Wow. You invited him to stay with you. Pretty much blanked him after dinner on the first night. Left him alone in the middle of nowhere for the best part of the day. Dumped him on the beach, then sent him a screenshot of flights home. And you think you hadn't done anything wrong??

Good on him for blocking you.

RainbowBagels · 26/06/2025 07:33

LittleAlexHornesPocket · 26/06/2025 07:04

Wow! Dodged a bullet there!

He did, that is. You being the bullet.

Seriously, I hope the comments cause you to have some pretty deep self reflection because your behaviour has been awful.

Doubt it. Even typing out the OP would have caused anyone else to have a moment of reflection, but no!

MooreMooreMoore · 26/06/2025 07:36

Could you have handled it better? Well you couldn’t have got any worse!
Christ on a bike, the poor guy. I really hope you apologise properly and sincerely for treating him so badly. I hope he realises it’s 100% not him.

AcrylicMantaRay · 26/06/2025 07:37

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.

To me it doesn’t appear that you’ve taken full responsibility for your actions at all. You continue to shift blame onto him, when the behaviour under scrutiny was entirely yours. What you did was not just unkind, it was overtly disrespectful to someone who had done nothing wrong other than not meet your standards of attraction. You invited him, and then treated him with open contempt and unbelievable unkindness. That’s not defensible, he did absolutely nothing to deserve that. And now you’re disregarding feedback from women in a predominantly female space, many of whom might typically be inclined to empathise with you. If this doesn't give you food for thought I don't know what will. What are other relationships like in your life?

Swiftie1878 · 26/06/2025 07:42

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.

Wow. You behaved horribly. He deserves an apology.

Foreverm0re · 26/06/2025 07:43

I really hope you apologise to him profusely.

Busybeemumm · 26/06/2025 07:47

OP, you don't seem to be able to see things from his perspective, are really childish and not ready to be in a relationship.

He took 6 days out of his life, maybe took precious annual leave, to spend time with you. He sounds like a decent man and will surely find someone he deserves.

Maybe seek counselling as you can't treat people this way.

RainbowBagels · 26/06/2025 07:53

Busybeemumm · 26/06/2025 07:47

OP, you don't seem to be able to see things from his perspective, are really childish and not ready to be in a relationship.

He took 6 days out of his life, maybe took precious annual leave, to spend time with you. He sounds like a decent man and will surely find someone he deserves.

Maybe seek counselling as you can't treat people this way.

And as he himself said, he could pay for his own holiday and sit on his own- probably somewhere not in the middle of nowhere!

Rainbows41 · 26/06/2025 07:57

It makes me feel sick to think that's somebody's son you plucked from the comforts of his own country to another one, to stay in a place in the middle of nowhere!
What were you thinking when you invited him?
You hosted someone you barely knew and abandoned them in a foreign country.

Shame on you.
I hope when you have kids, no one treats one of them with such rudeness.

Branleuse · 26/06/2025 07:59

Yikes. Why did you invite him to a random timeshare in the middle of nowhere with no transport, if you weren't going to spend time with him at all.
So weird and unkind of you.

GalaxyWasOnOffer · 26/06/2025 08:05

This is one of those threads you read and think this must be a wind-up because surely no-one could behave this badly and not be able to see it and reflect on it.

Apparently there are some people like the OP who treat others shockingly badly and are still too myopic to understand that they are the problem.

It's not often I feel sorry for a bloke on Mumsnet, but this chap deserves all the sympathy.

OP, you need some help. Treating people in the way that you have treated this man is not acceptable, and the fact that you clearly can't see this, even in the face of obvious consensus, is worrying.

ItDoesntHaveToBeASnowman · 26/06/2025 08:05

Rainbows41 · 26/06/2025 07:57

It makes me feel sick to think that's somebody's son you plucked from the comforts of his own country to another one, to stay in a place in the middle of nowhere!
What were you thinking when you invited him?
You hosted someone you barely knew and abandoned them in a foreign country.

Shame on you.
I hope when you have kids, no one treats one of them with such rudeness.

Oh for goodness sake lol

ClarasSisters · 26/06/2025 08:08

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.

This.

You know the old "it's not you, it's me" break up speech @Brooklans? Really doesn't apply here. It's definitely you.

Blueskiesandrainbows · 26/06/2025 08:09

Have you apologised to him yet OP, surely on reflection after seeing all these comments on here it would be the only acceptable thing to do.
I honestly can’t believe your attitude is still veering towards making excuses for yourself, the way you behaved was deeply shameful, and totally unacceptable.
It was very unkind and almost brutal to treat him in such an inconsiderate and harsh manner after he had made a six hour flight to see you.
You have a very strange outlook on life, maybe you should take a long hard look at yourself.

Bogeyes · 26/06/2025 08:10

Wow. You are a nasty person. I bet you love yourself.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 26/06/2025 08:11

Wrong Thread