Day out friends..they left to go to diff restaurant on their own

[TFICoffeetime]

Met up with close friends yesterday. We live opposite sides country. We picked scenic village, countryside & meal at a nice country inn.
We were 40 mins late (it's 2.5 hrs for us) 1 hour drive for us & got caught in traffic then stopped once to let DD go to the toilet & stretched dogs legs so she'd wee. All communicated with friends. We arrived, had lovely stroll, river swim and meal at nice country inn with great views. They had booked the meal...we thought lovely place. But when we got there they said they had to leave at 5.30 to go to another restaurant (just them and child). They are starters and went. They said they hadn't realised this place was a fave restaurant & was close to their home. (So why go today). So we were left. It felt v awkward & like punishment for being late maybe. It had been lovely day and ended on weird vibes.
We finished our meal on own then went to another beautiful inn for pudding. After this I feel perplexed. AIBU to think their actions rude & far ruder than been late. We weren't intentionally late & just how it goes with traffic & teenagers.
I don't understand why we couldn't enjoy the meal together as planned. They booked it on the day (it felt like because we were late). We avoided confrontation but left sour note. Our children were perplexed. Just odd & awkward. This friend doesn't like confrontation even if it's "we were a bit sad you changed to go elsewhere" so she wouldn't discuss if I did. But I'm left feeling am I wrong. I just can't see myself having issues if they had longer to drive and was late & I would not change plans on a meal that was meant to be spent together. Xxx

To quote Wikipedia:

"An entree in modern French table service and that of much of the English-speaking world, is a dish served before the main course of a meal. Outside North America and parts of English-speaking Canada, it is generally synonymous with the terms hors d'oeuvre, appetizer, or starter. It may be the first dish served, or it may follow a soup or other small dish or dishes.

In the United States and parts of English-speaking Canada, the term entrée instead refers to the main course or the only course of a meal."

I wish there was a laughing emoji 🤣🤣🤣🤣

So if the car in front of you hits someone / something , skids, does about turn or the person has a heath problem like a hear attack in the car in front of, causes multiple pile up …you just fly over it all do you ???? Really 🤣🤣🤣

Wrong.

Heart attack and collapses at the wheel

They chose and booked the restaurant!!

I wonder if they wanted you to pay ?

but unexpected job/money worries can occur

Why are so many posters so cross and confused with the OP? Weird!

OP I honestly can’t think that their leaving the restaurant they’d booked for you all to go somewhere else can have anything to do with you being 40 mins late. It’s very very odd behaviour on their part whether or not it did though.

If I stropped off every time friends were late I’d be very lonely. Don’t worry about it. They behaved incredibly strangely but there might be a reason you’ll never guess as to why.

Not when there’s an accident on the motorway.

@Didimum , she didn't add enough of a buffer. A long journey usually takes much longer than you think. My point was to factor in that it could take a lot longer than you think.

Maybe your friend is struggling with her mental health or peri/ menopausal . If kept waiting anxiety levels can rise especially if she doesn’t see you all very often . Glad you have text her hopefully she will enlighten you as to what was up.

Maybe she should have set off a week earlier 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I hate been late so always build in a years buffer!

being - why does my auto correct not work
anymore!

You've decided it because you were late and thats that. You really shouldn't have asked for opinions if you were not going to even consider them.

Personally I think they either wanted a drink with dinner or their favorite restaurant is closer and cheaper.... just because someone earns good money doesn't mean they want to pay over the odds for dinner.

I'd be in a stinking mood if someone was 40 minutes late! You knew your son suffers from travel sickness so surely you leave earlier. I'd be thinking f this, if they can't bother to turn up on time i'm not wasting all my evening with them

@Catladyof7 the decent thing to do is wear a nappy as opposed to risk being late.

Why are so many posters so cross and confused with the OP? Weird!

OP I honestly can’t think that their leaving the restaurant they’d booked for you all to go somewhere else can have anything to do with you being 40 mins late. It’s very very odd behaviour on their part whether or not it did though.

If I stropped off every time friends were late I’d be very lonely. Don’t worry about it. They behaved incredibly strangely but there might be a reason you’ll never guess as to why.

Yes that is seriously weird behaviour and I’d have to find out what the hell was behind it, whether she liked confrontation or not.

I think they double booked and had arranged to meet other friends at the second restaurant. I don’t think it was anything to do with you guys. They looked awkward because it was awkward leaving after starters with no prior explanation. Thats my take on it.

They could have waited 40mins if you travelled 2.5 hours! You let them know, so thry could have been more flexible wtf. YANBU.

Glad you arent anyone i am friends with

Which is ironically one of the many many exact things that the (dyslexic) OP has been jumped on in at least one of her posts.

Anyway, I usually leave for social outings before they’ve actually been arranged, that way I know I definitely won’t ever ever be late for them! I WANT MY PUNCTUALITY MEDAL NOW!! 😂