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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:
Givenupshopping · 25/06/2025 21:25

Sorry OP, but when you realised there wasn't a spark between you, you clearly lost all interest, and instead of telling him, and saying that you'd prefer to keep things on a friendship only basis, you made him feel very unwelcome. The poor guy had presumably paid for his flights out, and was expecting to have a nice 6 day break, with a friend, and possibly a bit of romance thrown in, instead of which, the minute you realised you weren't interested in him romantically, you just made it pretty clear that you wanted him to go home, which in my opinion was very unkind. How would you have felt if the shoe were on the other foot?

Cososom · 25/06/2025 21:25

You behaved appallingly. So much so that I'm struggling to believe this is real. He dodged a bullet, as they say. Poor bloke.

Barney16 · 25/06/2025 21:25

Ooohhhh, I'm not sure whether to be appalled you are so rude or in awe of your single minded determination. When you want someone gone, you get them gone. Seriously I think you need to do some hard thinking OP, you treated him terribly.

flowersandfoil · 25/06/2025 21:25

If this is even real, and I hope it’s not. You are very unreasonable and sound like not a very nice person. He’s missed a bullet here though at least!

TomatoSandwiches · 25/06/2025 21:26

You were very very rude, I can't believe you made it so awkward and uncomfortable all by yourself.
All you had to do was say the next day was you don't feel the spark between you but since he's here you hope he has a nice holiday and just spent a bit of time at the beach.

You should apologise imo.

AtomicBlondeRose · 25/06/2025 21:26

I assume this is a reverse…

UnimatrixZeroOne · 25/06/2025 21:27

I wonder if OP will be back. 🤣
It's all fairly unanimous so far. What a deluded individual.

Isxmasoveryet · 25/06/2025 21:27

This is classic example of toxic feminist my word poor bloke you sound horrendous how have you any friends with that attitude

TomatoSandwiches · 25/06/2025 21:27

I would have been on your side op of you had mentioned even one instance of him making you feel unsafe but he sounds like a normal guy, do you not feel a bit bad?

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 25/06/2025 21:28

That poor guy!
You treated him appallingly 😠

Melasma · 25/06/2025 21:28

Wow 😮 you sound horrible. Poor man - reflect on yourself

Suednymph · 25/06/2025 21:28

I hope this is not real. I cannot believe anyone would be or act as selfish as you if so.

shortsharp · 25/06/2025 21:29

Oh dear lucky escape (for him from you!).

you've not treated this man well.

pictoosh · 25/06/2025 21:29

"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”."

YOU INVITED HIM.

ItsCalledAConversation · 25/06/2025 21:30

If this is real, which I can hardly believe, then yes you were rude, selfish, awkward and your man there dodged an absolute bullet. Where is your basic humanity!

SalmonEile · 25/06/2025 21:30

AtomicBlondeRose · 25/06/2025 21:26

I assume this is a reverse…

That’s what I thought too

IceCreamWoes · 25/06/2025 21:30

Clearly a reverse!

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:30

Givenupshopping · 25/06/2025 21:25

Sorry OP, but when you realised there wasn't a spark between you, you clearly lost all interest, and instead of telling him, and saying that you'd prefer to keep things on a friendship only basis, you made him feel very unwelcome. The poor guy had presumably paid for his flights out, and was expecting to have a nice 6 day break, with a friend, and possibly a bit of romance thrown in, instead of which, the minute you realised you weren't interested in him romantically, you just made it pretty clear that you wanted him to go home, which in my opinion was very unkind. How would you have felt if the shoe were on the other foot?

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

OP posts:
ItsCalledAConversation · 25/06/2025 21:31

That’s it OP, dig in and defend. It’s working great for you

purpleme12 · 25/06/2025 21:31

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

This update doesn't change my mind about how I voted

Moll2020 · 25/06/2025 21:31

You were very rude.

Couldyounot · 25/06/2025 21:32

Yikes. He's dodged a bullet here all right.

FamilyPhoto · 25/06/2025 21:32

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

Wow.

Honestly, don't date if you think its ok to treat people like this .

YellowTulips · 25/06/2025 21:32

You come across as utterly rude, insufferable, entitled and lacking any decency or manners.

🤮

pictoosh · 25/06/2025 21:33

Yes...you took him to the beach. Like you were dropping a kid off at the park.
Christ.