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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Pathetic friendship issue

57 replies

Addictedtomushroompate · 01/01/2026 20:22

I'm a rare commenter but long term lurker looking for objective perspectives.

I'm in a book club, have been for four years. One of the women (D) is estranged from her mother and her son with few friends. She's been very ill recently and the group has been rallying round. I've walked her dogs, taken her shopping, cooked her meals I've dropped off, accompanied her to a hospital appointment which took 3.5 hours on a work day (where she listed me as her emergency contact). She thanked me but no other recompense (not that I expected or would have accepted it). Then, in a group WhatsApp chat about preparing for a bookclub meet, she made several jibes about veganism (I've turned vegan recently after being veggie for 35 years). I'd said I was happy to bring stuff if she found it difficult and she made stupid comments about not understanding why vegans wanted food to look like meat and that vegan cheese was disgusting. I was very annoyed. One of the others messaged me privately to say D's messages had made her uncomfortable. I drafted a polite message which I sent privately:

Hi D, I just wanted to say that I felt quite hurt and pissed off after your constant jibes about veganism the other night. I'm sure you didn't mean it to come across that way but I found it really rude and insulting to the point that I haven't decided if I'm going to come on Tuesday. I think I've been quite a supportive friend over the last few months and it feels like a real kick for my friendship to be reciprocated in that way. I don't like keeping quiet so wanted to get it out there. Lx

That was 9th November. No further contact until today when she messaged to say she thought we should meet up to sort things out because they had escalated. I replied that if I'd have had an acknowledgment to my message (ideally an apology), there would be no issue but that the lack of response has exacerbated how I felt.

D responded that she's had bigger issues to deal with and she was also pissed off with me. I assume this was that I'd raised the concern at all - I genuinely have done nothing but support her. She has had a tough time (hence the support!) but I have gone out of my way to support someone who, whilst a friend, is not a close one, whilst running a business, raising two children (one with complex health needs) and dealing with other commitments.

I don't think I've done anything wrong here and I've had a tough time lately which has meant her response today has really upset me. Seriously, am I wrong for raising what I did?

OP posts:
BeepBoopBop · 03/01/2026 14:55

You sound like you have been a great friend when she needed one, if she should have the front to call on you again…. tell her you are busy with your quinoa.
She sounds very graceless. I’d have been over the moon to have someone as kind as you helping me out.

Addictedtomushroompate · 03/01/2026 15:33

BeepBoopBop · 03/01/2026 14:55

You sound like you have been a great friend when she needed one, if she should have the front to call on you again…. tell her you are busy with your quinoa.
She sounds very graceless. I’d have been over the moon to have someone as kind as you helping me out.

Thank you. I think I've been nothing but nice but anxiety always makes me think things are my fault!

OP posts:
Addictedtomushroompate · 03/01/2026 17:16

Brideofclover · 02/01/2026 22:31

Can you set up your own book club?

There were only 5 of us. I'm still very close to one member and see her all the time. I'm in contact regularly with another and I can see the final member if I want to. It's a shame this will end book club and I could look to join/set up another if I want to

OP posts:
Brideofclover · 04/01/2026 03:37

Addictedtomushroompate · 03/01/2026 17:16

There were only 5 of us. I'm still very close to one member and see her all the time. I'm in contact regularly with another and I can see the final member if I want to. It's a shame this will end book club and I could look to join/set up another if I want to

Sorry I was rushing when I posted the other day - it’s a shame that one person has ruined it for everyone, but she’ll end up the loser in all this as people will give her a wide berth.

How about an online group rather than a club? If you set one up you make the rules - you could make it as personal or non personal as you like as in whether you plan meet ups with anyone or not etc x

JWhipple · 04/01/2026 07:46

SBGM247 · 01/01/2026 21:05

You took it very personally. I don't understand why vegans want food to look like meat either and it's probably true that vegan cheese is disgusting.

Why would that personally offend you? You are not the food. You are not your diet. Maybe relax.

I assume you know why people are vegan though? Because they care about animals? And maybe they get fed up of snarky comments all the time about superficial nonsense.
Most vegans weren't raised vegans so they are used to certain foods. So yes. Some of them find substitutes for the taste and texture that don't require animal abuse?

If somebody was belittling your beliefs and implying they were stupid, i imagine you'd find it difficult not to view it as personal.

luckylavender · 04/01/2026 08:06

Life’s too short OP. She’s taken advantage of you. You’re better off without her. For the record I had some lovely vegan cheese in a sandwich in Manchester in December. I was very impressed.

BuyWhichHouse · 04/01/2026 08:14

My book club recently "ended" due to a difficult member but we then reformed without her. Maybe yours could do that?

Anyone who is estranged from both a parent and their own child I would view with real suspicion and would avoid getting too close to.

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