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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:
EatMoreChocolate44 · 25/06/2025 21:47

This has to be made up. If not then you are very very unreasonable. You invited him, then ditched him when it no longer suited you! 🙈

Shoxfordian · 25/06/2025 21:48

I'd hate to see how you treat people you don't like. You were really rude and out of line op

outerspacepotato · 25/06/2025 21:49

You get Worst Host Of The Year Award.

Do you always do things on impulse (invite this poor fucker) then hulk out when things don't go how you wanted(no spark so worthless)?

Adelle79360 · 25/06/2025 21:49

Crikey OP, you invited him to stay with you for a few days and basically decided to leave him on his own! And then you have the audacity to passively aggressively tell him to leave by sending him screenshots of flights to book. I don’t know how I can explain that this is just so unbelievably not how you treat somebody. Damn right you should have paid for that flight home for him, he’d already booked and paid for his own. Honestly you sound so…unhinged. Do you have many friends IRL?

TomatoSandwiches · 25/06/2025 21:49

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.

Absolutely pathological!

Hankunamatata · 25/06/2025 21:50

Well you were utterly rude and behaved like an immature teen

ThatCyanCat · 25/06/2025 21:50

The idea was to spend time together, initially as friends and potentially as more if it developed that way. But one way or another, you invited him to spend time with you.

And instead you essentially acted as a B&B and ignored him all day in a place he doesn't know, has nothing nearby and nothing for him if he wasn't spending time with you. As he said, he didn't need the free accommodation, he could have just gone on holiday solo if he'd wanted to. He made that 6 hour flight to spend time getting to know you. You left him alone for hours on both days and when he said something about it, you literally sent him packing.

That's the problem!

It was ridiculous to arrange a holiday like this after one date, to be fair, but once it was done you should have acted like a holiday companion, not a hotel proprietor.

LoveWine123 · 25/06/2025 21:50

I don’t think I’ve ever read anything so awful on here (bar abuse stories). You were beyond rude and awkward, that poor man. He definitely dodged a bullet!

Wowzel · 25/06/2025 21:50

Bloody hell. The poor man, you have been beyond awful

Abovethecloud · 25/06/2025 21:51

You have behaved appallingly!

andjustwhatfreshhellisthis · 25/06/2025 21:51

What a horrible experience for that man but he has had a lucky escape.

I doubt you'll be back to comment but if you come back and read the comments, please PLEASE take them on-board and use them to reflect on your appalling behaviour.

You, at the very least, have to apologise to him and maybe consider contributing to the cost of his flights.

You should be ashamed of yourself quite frankly.

Umbrellasinthesunshine · 25/06/2025 21:51

Yeah you’re being a dick. Inflexible, mean and selfish. He’s dodging a massive bullet.

BeachPossum · 25/06/2025 21:51

You've behaved really badly here. Inviting someone on holiday and then basically ditching him from the outset because you didn't want to face up to an awkward conversation and then essentially telling him to fuck off home as soon as he tried to clarify where you both stood is really unreasonable and bad manners. You should have either told him you didn't want to spend any more time with him as soon as you realised, or you should have continued spending time with him on a friendly basis as his host. Inviting him 6 hours away then ditching him without discussion is unbelievably poor form.

icouldholditwithacobweb · 25/06/2025 21:51

He took a SIX HOUR FLIGHT to spend time with you and at literally every possible opportunity you went out of your way to demonstrate to him that his presence in the apartment, where you had invited him to be, was a huge inconvenience to you and that you had no intention of making him feel welcome or that you wanted to spend even the smallest amount of time with him.

You were unbelievably rude and inconsiderate and should be falling over yourself to apologise for being such a shitty person.

Goditsmemargaret · 25/06/2025 21:52

Is this a reverse? I feel really sorry for him (you?)?

KatieDidIt · 25/06/2025 21:52

If this is how you treat a friend, I’d hate to see how you would treat somebody you didn’t like.

milesmachine · 25/06/2025 21:52

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.

He acted off because you were beyond rude to him! Can you seriously not see this??

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 25/06/2025 21:52

You're clearly not going to accept it but you behaved awfully. Poor man.

Hankunamatata · 25/06/2025 21:53

I can't believe you invited him, then ignored him, then basically told hkm to go home by sending him flight details then you couldn't even be arsed to take him to the airport and make him pay your friend

Your an utter psycho

Velvetgoldmine · 25/06/2025 21:53

You were beyond awful. A narrow escape for him not to have to spend any more time with you, ever. What a selfish and mean spirited person you are.

Iwasjustasking · 25/06/2025 21:53

The more I read of this thread the more I think it is either a wind up thread or a reverse thread, because quite frankly i can’t believe anyone would act like that to a guest they had invited on holiday just because there was no spark!

Tiswa · 25/06/2025 21:53

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.

Because you basically ignored him for a day and left him at the beach

you do get this one is on you don’t you

Mrsknowitall · 25/06/2025 21:54

Omg wow what have I just read! You have treated that poor man appallingly, of course he has blocked you on everything, why wouldn’t he! That is truly disgusting behaviour, just because you didn’t have that spark there don’t mean you should be a shit and absent host. I’m so angry on that mans behalf. You are something else

takealettermsjones · 25/06/2025 21:54

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.

He wasn't acting off, you were horrible.

CotswoldSleuth · 25/06/2025 21:54

I was convinced this was a reverse or something.

You’ve treated this man terribly, whether you were interested in him or not, a decent person would have at least spent time with him.