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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:
Scout2016 · 25/06/2025 21:41

What did you think he was going to do somewhere remote with no car?
When people say have some time you yourself they mean go for a walk, or you both go to town and go your separate ways for a bit before meeting up again. They don't mean one of you will fuck off for hours on end to be with other people and leave you twiddling your thumbs.

He was your friend and guest and you treated him horribly.

SharpWriter · 25/06/2025 21:41

JackJarvisEsq · 25/06/2025 21:40

Who’s the crazy bastard who voted YANBU??

Lol!!! This cracked me up.

SpryCat · 25/06/2025 21:41

Once you realised there was no spark, it sounds like you panicked, didn’t want to socialise with him, incase you gave him the wrong idea. You made it very clear you had no time for him and I’m not surprised he blocked you, once he arrived home.
You shouldn’t have invited him and met him again after your holiday

Hedgehogbrown · 25/06/2025 21:42

I know someone like this. She goes all in with men, then does something crazy like inviting them to stay for a week, without thinking of the consequences. Then once they have arrived and are stuck, she rapidly goes off them then makes them feel like shit. Don't invite anyone away with you in future, just have the month away on your own. He was right to block you.

TruthOrAlethiometer · 25/06/2025 21:42

Wow. What an absolute dickhead. You were awful. Truly, really awful.

catsand · 25/06/2025 21:43

YABU. You weren’t treating him as a friend but like an inconvenience you didn’t want to spend time with. You treated him really badly. Surely you wouldn’t usually treat a guest (or a friend) like this?

Abhannmor · 25/06/2025 21:44

AtomicBlondeRose · 25/06/2025 21:26

I assume this is a reverse…

That crossed my mind. I'm trying to find a way out. Otherwise it sounds pretty grim ; I don't want to shag him so he's just a nuisance.

namechangeGOT · 25/06/2025 21:44

How you treated this man is inexcusable.

MrsKeats · 25/06/2025 21:44

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

This has absolutely nothing to do with feminism 🙄

AmyDuPlantier · 25/06/2025 21:44

IF this ain’t a reverse…this guy has got a brilliant story to tell about how he dodged the worst holiday ever with a total loon.

Iwasjustasking · 25/06/2025 21:44

Op honestly, you sound absolutely awful, you wouldn’t treat a friend like that, spark or no spark you sound really nasty.

Duckduck2 · 25/06/2025 21:45

JackJarvisEsq · 25/06/2025 21:40

Who’s the crazy bastard who voted YANBU??

It was the op on a different account😂

CandelabraCat · 25/06/2025 21:45

Wow. Yes, you were an absolute see you next Tuesday.

EggnogNoggin · 25/06/2025 21:45

Every time I thought you couldn't have been worse, you got worse.

You are dangerously out of touch woth reality to think he did a single thing wrong and even more so if you can't see the ten different things you did which were obscenely rude.

TTC1x · 25/06/2025 21:46

Dreadful way to treat another person. Shame on you OP.

ChampagneBlossom44 · 25/06/2025 21:46

Hopefully he’ll look back on this one day & laugh. But seriously OP you treated him really shabbily. You’re behaving like a 23 year old fuckboy

Hedgingmybetching · 25/06/2025 21:47

Oh my God that poor guy, I can't believe the level of fucking around you have done to him.

Yes YABVVVVVU, I mean are you even capable of empathising with what it must have been like in his shoes. You've really fucked him around and been super rude to him. You didn't even hang out with him like a friend. He obviously was there to spend time with you and he seems like he would have been happy to do so platonically.

At least refund the poor fucker his expenses.

MagnusCanis · 25/06/2025 21:47

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

He said WHAT??

CanOfMangoTango · 25/06/2025 21:47

You invited him and then refused to spend any time with him.

I feel really sorry for him! He made all that effort and you just couldn't be bothered.

He'd spent money on flights, taken time off work and you left him alone for the majority of the time and didn't want to make any plans with him.

Fair enough you weren't feeling a spark, but that's not how you treat people. Saying you didn't want to be dictated to because he's a guest! Bloody hell, words fail me. You couldn't wait to get rid of him.

FOJN · 25/06/2025 21:47

How magnanimous of you to tell someone you invited to stay with you that they are free to do their own thing when they don't have a car, nowhere is within walking distance and you just go out and leave them stranded.

If he will give you the time of day you owe him a big apology for treating him so badly. He was beyond patient with your incredible rudeness.

Foreverm0re · 25/06/2025 21:47

I feel sorry for him.

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:47

SpryCat · 25/06/2025 21:41

Once you realised there was no spark, it sounds like you panicked, didn’t want to socialise with him, incase you gave him the wrong idea. You made it very clear you had no time for him and I’m not surprised he blocked you, once he arrived home.
You shouldn’t have invited him and met him again after your holiday

Edited

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.

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 25/06/2025 21:47

Wow ! what a bitch.

Who needs enemies with ' friends ' like you.

driftingintheair · 25/06/2025 21:47

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SausageMashBeans · 25/06/2025 21:47

This is madness!! Why did you message him when he was literally sat right there on the balcony?! 😂