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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel hurt when a friend ignores all group plans?

176 replies

ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 12:36

I'm hoping I don't get my arse handed to me here but will absolutely accept if I'm in the wrong.

I have a long-standing friend (around 12 years now) who I'm very fond of. There are 5 of us who regularly do things together: concerts, theatre, meals out, nights around each others houses etc., so although we all have other friends and interests, I would say that we are close friends.

She never arranges or suggests anything to do and never has us round to her own house, which is fine, none of the rest of us really mind this as we know the idea of it stresses her out (although our 'in' nights are basically drinking wine and eating crisps, not fancy). I do need to point out that she suffers from anxiety. I'm not unsympathetic to this.

The issue is when we arrange anything, it's through our group chat as it's by far the easiest way to 'speak' to each other to talk about dates that we are all free etc. She never (or very rarely) responds to these. She reads them and doesn't respond. She'll message individually about how your day has been but completely ignore the other messages. We've tried all the usual things like tagging her etc but she still ignores. The problem is that if one of us is buying tickets, we don't know how many to buy. If we are arranging lifts, we don't know if we're picking her up or whose car to take etc. She waits until the very last minute then messages one of us privately, which means that person has to message everyone else to let them know what's happening because she just won't message the group chat. Last year one of us was buying tickets for us all to go to a gig and she read and didn't respond, so our other friend went ahead and booked them. Cut to the week before and she messages (in the group chat for once) and asks about arrangements. Not only did we all think that she just didn't want to come, she hadn't paid for a ticket either. She was really upset saying that we had gone ahead without her and had left her out etc etc. So she doesn't want to respond, but still wants to be included.

Now it's happened again and she has ignored my invitation to a get together. I am just sick of wondering if I've done something wrong, or said something to offend her etc. Invariably it's not that, it's just that she says she feels 'overwhelmed' by responding in the group chat. I think we're all so sick of it now. Back to my AIBU. Surely she should actually consider how her ignoring and constantly having us second guess every situation is really pretty shit on the rest of us? I'm actually starting to feel quite upset at just being ignored and I don't think this would even cross her mind.

OP posts:
MsSquiz · 10/05/2026 12:40

Have you actually said to her “if you don’t reply to say yes, we take that as a no?”

ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 12:44

MsSquiz · 10/05/2026 12:40

Have you actually said to her “if you don’t reply to say yes, we take that as a no?”

Oh god loads of times. 'If I don't hear by x, I'll assume it's not for you' or similar. She'll say that she missed the message.

OP posts:
Spottyvases · 10/05/2026 12:44

I hear you.

There is a very similar person in our friendship group. Doesn't like Whatsapp etc and prefers to message someone individually (never me mind you) - I think they don't like me much, but this person is always super friendly when I see them.

As to why? Really don't know. It feels quite manipulative, on the other hand it could be insecurity and a way of exerting control?

Totally agree it's annoying though 😅

SellFridges · 10/05/2026 12:45

I would start saying in the invite/planning messages “feel free to let me know individually anxious friend, but if I don’t hear by x date I’ll assume you can’t join”.

kiwiane · 10/05/2026 12:46

Spell it out each time who has agreed / is going and that anyone (meaning her) won’t be included if they’ve not responded and sent ticket money by a certain time and date. It’s rude for her to then blame you for not including her when she’s causing extra work.

Boxoffrogs21 · 10/05/2026 12:46

In my view, she can have it one way or the other - she can be overwhelmed by the group chat and accept that she’ll miss out, or she can live with that discomfort and be included. She can’t have it both ways to her benefit. I’d point this out to her, kindly and without judgement, but draw a boundary.

FrankieMcGrath · 10/05/2026 12:46

That’s what I’d do too @MsSquizYou don’t have to accept it Op. Stop accommodating her last minute & she’ll soon get the message.

Personally, I also think it’s very unfair on the rest of you as surely it leads to a low level of anxiety for the others in the group as to who is going / how to make arrangements / buying tickets etc etc - so whilst the group may ‘overwhelm’ her, she has no concerns about negatively impacting the mental health of you all!

Spottyvases · 10/05/2026 12:46

Oh that as well - 'I didn't see that message/my phone is on the blink/ my phone wasn't charged'

Yeah right - when they are surgically attached to their phone and it is never out of their sight or hearing ..

SellFridges · 10/05/2026 12:47

I missed your response. It’s her tough luck then. Being anxious is one thing, thinking the world revolves around you is another. I can’t stand flakey friends and this is very similar.

ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 12:48

I think we all may tread so carefully around her because of her anxiety and she is so super sensitive. You always wonder if she's going to take something the wrong way.

OP posts:
ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 12:48

Spottyvases · 10/05/2026 12:46

Oh that as well - 'I didn't see that message/my phone is on the blink/ my phone wasn't charged'

Yeah right - when they are surgically attached to their phone and it is never out of their sight or hearing ..

She is constantly attached to her phone, you're right. We can also see that she's read the messages.

OP posts:
CharlotteStreetW1 · 10/05/2026 12:49

Well if she keeps missing out on events, I bet she'll find the group chat less overwhelming. She can't have it both ways. I'm sorry but I wouldn't be accommodating this crap.

ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 12:50

FrankieMcGrath · 10/05/2026 12:46

That’s what I’d do too @MsSquizYou don’t have to accept it Op. Stop accommodating her last minute & she’ll soon get the message.

Personally, I also think it’s very unfair on the rest of you as surely it leads to a low level of anxiety for the others in the group as to who is going / how to make arrangements / buying tickets etc etc - so whilst the group may ‘overwhelm’ her, she has no concerns about negatively impacting the mental health of you all!

This is it in a nutshell, it doesn't seem to occur to her. She pulled a last minute stunt last year that ended up making me late for something which really stressed me out!

OP posts:
Boxoffrogs21 · 10/05/2026 12:51

Spottyvases · 10/05/2026 12:46

Oh that as well - 'I didn't see that message/my phone is on the blink/ my phone wasn't charged'

Yeah right - when they are surgically attached to their phone and it is never out of their sight or hearing ..

I do miss messages due to being chronically unorganised and easily distracted/forgetful. However, the difference is that I accept that it will mean I miss out on stuff and sometimes cause inconvenience to others, which I apologise for unreservedly. I accept that some people won’t be able to cope with that aspect of who I am (and I am constantly trying to find ways to manage better) and we drift apart.

TomatoSandwiches · 10/05/2026 12:52

She doesn't sound anxious, she sounds attention seeking, most pwople who are really anxious know they're reactions or non reaction is a pain in the arse and don't try to emotionally manipulate people who have been affected by their own choices.
I'd carry on as you are and ignore the histronics.

ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 12:54

Boxoffrogs21 · 10/05/2026 12:51

I do miss messages due to being chronically unorganised and easily distracted/forgetful. However, the difference is that I accept that it will mean I miss out on stuff and sometimes cause inconvenience to others, which I apologise for unreservedly. I accept that some people won’t be able to cope with that aspect of who I am (and I am constantly trying to find ways to manage better) and we drift apart.

We really do try with her, but honestly I feel like all we've done is facilitate this over the years and it's really not fair on the rest of us. That and the fact that it seems to be getting worse.

OP posts:
ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 12:55

TomatoSandwiches · 10/05/2026 12:52

She doesn't sound anxious, she sounds attention seeking, most pwople who are really anxious know they're reactions or non reaction is a pain in the arse and don't try to emotionally manipulate people who have been affected by their own choices.
I'd carry on as you are and ignore the histronics.

This is exactly what one of the other friends said, but I really don't want to think that's what it is. There's definitely starting to feel like an element of manipulation is involved now.

OP posts:
CruCru · 10/05/2026 12:56

Honestly? This is the sort of situation that leads to a new group being set up - “The one without Maude”. Then she’ll notice that no one posts on the group she’s in and get upset about that.

FrankieMcGrath · 10/05/2026 12:58

CruCru · 10/05/2026 12:56

Honestly? This is the sort of situation that leads to a new group being set up - “The one without Maude”. Then she’ll notice that no one posts on the group she’s in and get upset about that.

Good idea!

Bunnyotter1896 · 10/05/2026 12:59

I know you shouldnt need to and she should just reply on the group chat....but I would just message her individually. For whatever reason she doesnt communicate well on group chats. Accept that and dont give it headspace. If she is otherwise a nice person then in the interest of being drama free I would just message her individually.

Pinkissmart · 10/05/2026 12:59

If she has anxiety, do you think , maybe that WhatsApp is one thing she can switch off? I regularly ignore messages as there’s sometimes just too much

Watcher2026 · 10/05/2026 13:01

Sorry but it's very clear there's no understanding how bad an anxiety issue can be from a lot of replies. I would never reply on a group chat afraid of saying the wrong thing...It will also take me a few days of considering and re considering again and again before making a decision which trust me of I could help it I would..

Lovernotafighter83 · 10/05/2026 13:02

I hit you are being unreasonable by mistake 🤣🤣

My brother is EXACTLY like this and it drives me mad. You never know if he’s coming to things or not, won’t ever reply to anything on a group (and to be clear, he has no anxiety issues). I definitely think there’s some people who find group chats more difficult, but it’s very frustrating when you’re arranging things. She’s probably done it for so long, it’s normal to her - but it’s rude.

ForDucksSake · 10/05/2026 13:03

Pinkissmart · 10/05/2026 12:59

If she has anxiety, do you think , maybe that WhatsApp is one thing she can switch off? I regularly ignore messages as there’s sometimes just too much

But she'll WhatsApp you about something separate on the same day and still ignore the invitation. If you ask her on what's app separately she goes quiet on you. You can be 'chatting' back and forth and then she just goes silent as soon as you mention it.

OP posts:
FruitFlyPie · 10/05/2026 13:03

And that's understandable watcher but it's not realistic to suggest that OP can accommodate this by buying a ticket just in case. The ticket could be £100+ if it's a concert or something.

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