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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:
MummaMummaMumma · 25/06/2025 22:15

I can't see anything that he has done that is unreasonable.
You have been exceptionally rude to him.

Acheyelbows · 25/06/2025 22:16

This sounds cruel. I think your awkwardness caused you to be unnecessarily mean.

You left him alone for most of the day in a remote apartment and then on a beach with no collection time agreed because you didn't want to put up with him, when he was disappointed that you weren't interested in him romantically.

You weren't willing to be uncomfortable around him and decided he should leave instantly. I feel sorry for him thinking you could be a friend. Are you usually socially awkward or find it difficult to express your feelings?

I think you should foot the bill for his earlier flight as you changed the plans.

JG24 · 25/06/2025 22:16

He's done nothing wrong, you did everything wrong

EdgarAllenRaven · 25/06/2025 22:16

OP you’ve obviously had a massive pile-on… and so I am curious… have you had similar issues with friendships and romances?
Do you find it hard to empathise with people’s situations in general..? You may want to talk to a therapist or psychiatrist if this isn’t the first time you’ve upset someone

yesohno · 25/06/2025 22:16

I couldn’t finish the whole post. It was apparent very quickly how rude you were being.

poor guy

Codlingmoths · 25/06/2025 22:16

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

Oh yeah, you were totally prepare to hang out as friends.
who do you think you are you kidding?? That must be the shittest holiday he’s ever had.

FortyElephants · 25/06/2025 22:17

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 was acting off because you were being awful to him!!

MageQueen · 25/06/2025 22:18

If you come across this badly while telling your side of the story, I dread to imagine what his side sounds like.

Maythefuckinglordopen · 25/06/2025 22:18

Omg what an arsehole you were to him.

RainbowBagels · 25/06/2025 22:18

You say he didnt say goodbye and has blocked you on everything as if that's a surprise! You'll be his 'lucky escape from the psycho' story for decades to come in all likelihood!

GreenEggsIAm · 25/06/2025 22:19

Reading this pmo

yabu

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 22:19

RCJJ · 25/06/2025 22:12

OP you’ve acted terribly, really poor behaviour on your part. The poor guy must’ve felt so unwanted and wondering what the hell he’d done. Texting him when he’s sitting on the balcony is unreal!!

Yes, you are BU.

I texted him while he was on the balcony as he didn’t come in while I made something to eat so assumed he didn’t wish to speak to me

OP posts:
lolacherricoke · 25/06/2025 22:19

You can kid yourself that he wanted to go, but you let him no option!! You were so rude, he has had a lucky escape!!

zeibesaffron · 25/06/2025 22:20

You were cruel and unkind. You seriously need to get some help if you cannot see how awful you were!

Imbusytodaysorry · 25/06/2025 22:20

Brooklans · 25/06/2025 21:33

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

With you ! The perosn he came to see . The one who invited him !

I mean how dare he be annoyed he was being dumped alone on the beach
Selfish and ignorant. Doesn’t seem you are a very nice person.

Marmalade1987 · 25/06/2025 22:20

You really owe this man an apology, the poll speaks volumes so I hope you can see that.

youve been unreasonable, rude, unkind and wasted someone’s time and money. If there had been a romantic spark you wouldn’t have dropped him at the beach and left him like that.

you said you’re there for a month so plenty of time to do what you were doing that day, but instead proba Made this guy feel so unwelcome , alone & isolated.

BuckChuckets · 25/06/2025 22:20

Poor bloke, you were so rude!

Alltheyellowbirds · 25/06/2025 22:21

What did I just read? That is appalling in so many ways.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 25/06/2025 22:21

Holdonforsummer · 25/06/2025 21:35

inwouldnt treat ANYONE like this, friend, partner whatever. This is outrageous! You invited him abroad then basically abandoned him, went out of your way to ignore him and make him feel unwanted then booted him out. Wow. I pity your friends and future partners.

I totally agree! He even said he'd go the next day but that wasn't soon enough.

Awful!

ArtTheClown · 25/06/2025 22:22

You have no insight into how awfully you behaved, do you?

Fedupmumofadultsons · 25/06/2025 22:22

You acted like a complete and utter cow thank goodness he escaped you .you invited someone over because you couldn't wait to see him again realised quickly that you were not compatible. Fine .and was then utterly dreadful going out all day to help friends basically to escape the cockup you caused then treated him appalingly to make him leave .then you have the audacity to blame him .IT IS YOUR FAULT .maybe you will understand with capital letters

StarDolphins · 25/06/2025 22:23

Goodness me, who even treats anyone like this. Poor guy, you sound very unreasonable nd mean.

Pancakeorcrepe · 25/06/2025 22:23

Gosh you are absolutely dreadful if you treated him like this. And if this is a reverse, you are dreadful for doing a reverse

RynNOTerine · 25/06/2025 22:23

You cant be that self absorbed you see no wrong in what you've done? I rarely feel sorry for any male but wow! Very cruel of you

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 25/06/2025 22:24

Are you this oblivious in real life?

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