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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To book a solo weekend away without my partner?

131 replies

ijustwanttiread · Yesterday 12:25

My partner is absolutely enraged by the idea I might go away without him. We don’t live together and finances are totally separate.

My mum is a planner and likes to know what we would like for Christmas early. I have always wanted to go to London to the biggest bookshops in Europe. Sad, I know, but I love books. I can’t justify a splurge on them though, so I’ve asked her for vouchers. She still gives pretty decent gifts. My plan is to go for a weekend (£100 hotel and £70 train fare)

My partner is enraged. He thinks I should a) ask for money for both of us to take a holiday together and b) go away with him only.

AIBU to do it anyway?

OP posts:
Keyleads · Yesterday 12:26

Enraged?
WTF?

Dump this nasty controlling loser.

OsfameronTanamoril · Yesterday 12:26

I would ltb. I can't bear possessive men. I do at least 1 solp trip a year and many solo weekends.

PinkyFlamingo · Yesterday 12:26

Seriously you have to ask?

TheHungryHungryLandsharks · Yesterday 12:27

I’m about to go away for two weeks on holiday without DH. DH is 100% supportive (actually his suggestion).

Your partner sounds like controlling. Get rid. You deserve better

Gobbledegoo · Yesterday 12:29

You are not bound together physically or legally. Go on your own and really enjoy yourself. If he kicks off in any way at all dump him. Even if you were married you are still your own person.

Lots of red flags - He is past his sell by date. Bye bye.

SilverPink · Yesterday 12:29

Jesus Christ red flags 🚩 all over this one. How controlling is he?! Please dump this arsehole. He will never change.

Morecoffeeneedef · Yesterday 12:30

Come on OP, how could it be reasonable for you only to go away if you take your boyfriend with you? What century do you live in?

MelonSorbet · Yesterday 12:31

Your partner's an idiot but YABU to go to London just to visit some bookshops. You could get a lot of books for £170!

OK I have googled and the biggest bookshop in Europe is a Waterstones, you can buy from them online!

ijustwanttiread · Yesterday 12:34

MelonSorbet · Yesterday 12:31

Your partner's an idiot but YABU to go to London just to visit some bookshops. You could get a lot of books for £170!

OK I have googled and the biggest bookshop in Europe is a Waterstones, you can buy from them online!

Edited

My town doesn’t have a book shop, and even our closest city is pretty rubbish. I want to go and properly explore, and £170 is totally feasible for me

OP posts:
ijustwanttiread · Yesterday 12:34

Morecoffeeneedef · Yesterday 12:30

Come on OP, how could it be reasonable for you only to go away if you take your boyfriend with you? What century do you live in?

His argument is he can’t afford to travel as much as he would like, so I should only go with him

OP posts:
anonymous24601 · Yesterday 12:35

Yes you must absolutely do it!! (and also dump him when you're ready obvs.) Have a lovely time, I want to do this myself now. What bookshops are on your list? (Foyles presumably, anything else?) I always used to enjoy The Atlantis Bookshop and Watkins, but I'm a bit of an old hippy. You could have a brilliant weekend!

Morecoffeeneedef · Yesterday 12:37

ijustwanttiread · Yesterday 12:34

His argument is he can’t afford to travel as much as he would like, so I should only go with him

He's bonkers. You are not his mum. If he wants to travel he should save up the money. Enjoy your trip, it sounds amazing.

nietzscheanvibe · Yesterday 12:38

MelonSorbet · Yesterday 12:31

Your partner's an idiot but YABU to go to London just to visit some bookshops. You could get a lot of books for £170!

OK I have googled and the biggest bookshop in Europe is a Waterstones, you can buy from them online!

Edited

🤣

Ifeelold48 · Yesterday 12:38

Not only is he controling he's grabby as well. Id throw this one back @ijustwanttiread. I wouldnt allow my husband to tell me what to do and be enraged about my choices let alone a BF.

TruffleSlinky · Yesterday 12:39

He is being selfish and unreasonable.

AnnieDoodling · Yesterday 12:39

Have a wonderful time in London! And whilst you are away, if not before, please rethink this relationship.

Morecoffeeneedef · Yesterday 12:39

MelonSorbet · Yesterday 12:31

Your partner's an idiot but YABU to go to London just to visit some bookshops. You could get a lot of books for £170!

OK I have googled and the biggest bookshop in Europe is a Waterstones, you can buy from them online!

Edited

Not the same as browsing the shelves alongside fellow book lovers, and chatting to well informed staff....

GoodkneeBadKnee · Yesterday 12:40

ijustwanttiread · Yesterday 12:34

His argument is he can’t afford to travel as much as he would like, so I should only go with him

Well, that's not your fault, is it? Keep your finances separate and don't move in with him.

Campanulaceae · Yesterday 12:40

Make sure you visit Hatchards as well 😄

Madamecholetsbonnet · Yesterday 12:40

Who the fuck does he think he is?

Bin him and have a brilliant time. Your trip sounds ace.

fumingrightnow1 · Yesterday 12:41

ijustwanttiread · Yesterday 12:34

His argument is he can’t afford to travel as much as he would like, so I should only go with him

Then as an adult he needs to look for better jobs or cut costs in his life to get extra not expect his partner to fund his lifestyle

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · Yesterday 12:41

If that’s something you really want to do, you should do it!

Don’t listen to anyone saying you can buy more books online for that amount - you want the experience of browsing
and that’s fine!

I would seriously rethink this relationship!

TheWildZebra · Yesterday 12:43

MelonSorbet · Yesterday 12:31

Your partner's an idiot but YABU to go to London just to visit some bookshops. You could get a lot of books for £170!

OK I have googled and the biggest bookshop in Europe is a Waterstones, you can buy from them online!

Edited

People go to London just to go shopping, why is a book store any different?

TheOriginalEmu · Yesterday 12:43

MelonSorbet · Yesterday 12:31

Your partner's an idiot but YABU to go to London just to visit some bookshops. You could get a lot of books for £170!

OK I have googled and the biggest bookshop in Europe is a Waterstones, you can buy from them online!

Edited

Getting them online isn’t the same, if you’re not into books that probably doesn’t make
sense, but the smell of new books, looking at all the covers, reading the blurb etc is all part of the experience. i once was in that shop for 6 hours. its glorious.

summitfever · Yesterday 12:43

This guy has got seriously fucked up ideas about what a relationship should look like and marrying this man and having kids will be a HUGE mistake! Ask me how I know. 😏