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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Family mocked in group chat- was i overreacting?

168 replies

AncientWasp · Today 18:02

At a wedding not long ago, my parents were there as were several of my friends. Few days later I was sitting near one of my friends and she was scrolling through a chat she has with 2 of our friends. I know it was wrong to look, but I was shocked to see 'Wasp's Mum' something about the dress she was wearing and 2 laughing emojis on the comment.
It moved too quickly to read the full comment properly but it was implied they were having a laugh at whatever my Mum was wearing.
I immediately said to my friend that I did not appreciate that, this was not ok. They don't know my Mum, this wasn't some friendly banter to her face, they were mocking her behind her back.
They don't have to like what she's wearing but I found that very catty. She apologised and said no harm was meant.
I decided to drop it and move on but I am put off this friend a little bit right now. Was I overreacting?

OP posts:
Northernlassie123 · Today 21:21

Namechangefordaughterevasion · Today 20:47

I'd let it go. No one is 100% sweet, kind and pleasant 100%, not even the Dalai Lama or the Pope or the sweetest nursery school teacher is perfect. We all occasionally say something unpleasant or bitchy or thoughtless about friends/family/acquaintances/colleagues/celebrities and strangers on the street. It's not meant for their ears so no harm is done.

I'd be mortified of people knew some of the unkind jokes I've made behind their back. It's private, dark humour and I would never want them to hear it and be hurt. A thoughtless or tasteless quip can be a snapshot of a single moment in time not a reflection of the way I feel about them.

This was a private chat. She didn't intend for you or your mum to see it but sadly you did. Your friend has apologised. You should graciously accept it and move on. I'm sure your friend will be more discreet in future.

Edited

Well this is why uou shouldn’t write anything down if you really have to be nasty about people. If it had just been a flippant remark and hadn’t been in a text message which has taken thought and time to write OP would have been none the wiser. As it is she’s read it and it’s too late. Nasty ..who skits at the way older people and worse your friend’s mum dress ?

Northernlassie123 · Today 21:29

FastFood · Today 18:20

There's a principle with family members (that also applies to countries)
I can say bad things about my sister. No one else can. Absolutely verboten. If I rant about her, you just sit down and listen. Don't even dare nodding.

Exactly this.

MasterBeth · Today 21:30

thestudio · Today 20:36

What on earth do people think when they defend themselves with 'no harm was meant'?

Yes, you did mean harm, you were mocking someone. You wanted everyone to laugh at them, you offered them up as a target.

I guess 'harm was meant' = you punch someone?

Idiots.

How is "harm" done when the recipient of the "harm" has no idea the 'harm" is happening?

PhaedraTwo · Today 21:33

FunStork · Today 18:09

Sounds like common banter that we've all engaged in.

No harm was meant by it.

Chill.

Speak for yourself. I frequently in my own thoughts think something looks awful but I'd never discuss it on a chat.

EasternEcho · Today 21:37

FunStork · Today 19:38

I doubt there's anyone who hasn't, at some point, mocked someone behind their back.

It doesn't make it right but no point lying.

So many posters pretending they've never done this.

I'm calling BS!

It is natural to justify bad behaviour to oneself as everyone does it. Shoplifters do it too. Doesn't make it the truth though, no matter how loud you call BS.

EasternEcho · Today 21:38

Character is what you do when no one is watching. I'm surprised at the attitude that if it was done behind your back, and you were not meant to see it, it's ok.

MasterBeth · Today 21:42

JontyGentooey · Today 19:57

So why are you telling OP how to feel? Are you the friend in question?

I take it you'd tell your DD she was being a drama llama if she came home upset because some nasty bitches friends were taking the piss out of her clothes and sneering behind her back?

The OP asked - on a public forum, no less - if she was being unreasonable about her feelings. I answered with my opinion. Like she asked. And this is me "telling her how to feel" how, exactly..?

And your example is irrelevant to the OP's situation. If my daughter came home upset because her friends had taken the piss out of my clothes, even though she wasn't supposed to be in that conversation, I would warn her about how eavesdroppers run the risk of hearing something they don't want to hear. And I'd wonder why she was sharing the information with me, who knew nothing about any of this so wasn't harmed in any way by it.

Newyearawaits · Today 21:45

AncientWasp · Today 18:15

My parents gave them a lift too which annoys me, mocking someone who's gone out of their way.

I totally understand why you feel upset OP.
This would certainly influence my opinion of your 'friend'.
I would let her go.

StooOrangeyForCrows · Today 21:45

bettyrubble99 · Today 19:28

White
Anglo
Saxons
Protestant
I have no clue neither. Had to google. It's very American i think that's why

Its the OP.

Dreamcatcherat50 · Today 21:56

AncientWasp · Today 18:06

What upset me was that she was trying to make it about 'having a sense of humour'. She said no harm whatsoever was meant and that she 'gets stick' from people herself and it's 'just what people do'

'get's stick'? Ugh, she's an idiot. Ditch her.

Green6 · Today 21:59

Do you know what a friend is?

I mean this with kindness. A friend is someone you can call at your lowest - when you are sat in your PJs having not showered for days or cleaned your house and have a puffy face, lost everything, or have just done something terrible and regret it etc etc - and who will be there for you without any judgement. It is not just a person to have a drink and a dance with at weddings.

Ditch these women and raise the bar a bit. You deserve to have proper friendships in your life.

OhLookASquirrrel · Today 22:01

Making fun of someone that is doing them a favour is horrid behaviour. You know they will also talk about you behind your back, right? Dump them and make friends with nicer people.

Green6 · Today 22:10

Just because you call someone a friend doesn't mean they are. If you never speak to them again you have lost nothing

Conniebygaslight · Today 22:14

I would not be cruel about anyone’s mum, let alone my friends. You are being gaslit. It is not ok, it is very, very unkind and not acceptable. YANBU at all OP, please don’t doubt yourself

latetothefisting · Today 22:14

FunStork · Today 18:09

Sounds like common banter that we've all engaged in.

No harm was meant by it.

Chill.

the whole point and definition of banter is it's a humorous BACK AND FORTH/reciprocal exchange between two/more parties present, not one person bitching behind another's back without them knowing about it.

PenelopeJoanSterling · Today 22:15

AncientWasp · Today 18:06

What upset me was that she was trying to make it about 'having a sense of humour'. She said no harm whatsoever was meant and that she 'gets stick' from people herself and it's 'just what people do'

its bitchy and catty and i get your feelings,

Justanopinionnothingmore · Today 22:18

@FunStork

Eww. Are you the frenemy?

OutwiththeOutCrowd · Today 22:24

I don't think she should have minimised her behaviour on your behalf. She doesn't get to dictate how you should feel. Actually it would have been more forgivable if she had looked shame-faced and apologised rather than insinuating you were lacking a sense of humour. Don't be gaslit. You get to decide whether to give her a second chance - and you would be perfectly justified in not doing so.

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