Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

in not wanting to go? Quick help please!

25 replies

Vivia · 02/02/2010 21:41

I commute 2hrs to work by train. I go twice/three times a week (there and back home in one day). The rest of the time I work from home.

My friend Anna does something similar but stays overnight instead at her boss' place (Jim and his wife). She's from a culturally different background to me and what she says goes, there's no subtlety or feelings involved. She is lovely, though!

Tomorrow, I go there at 8am have meetings 11am-1.30pm and afternoon working in the office, would catch train at 6ish. Yesterday Anna says 'I have organized to do a party at Jim's but I haven't asked him yet. You have to come'.

I say 'I would but he lives miles away and I won't make the late train back'. She says 'stay overnight on Jim's sofa.'

Now not only has she not asked Jim, but she also ignored my pleas. I have had serious feelings of depression lately following a miscarriage a year ago and have had gynaecology problems ever since. Right now, for instance, I'm having a huge menstrual nightmare. Outwardly I try to be my 'usual self' but sometimes my heart just breaks especially at night. I need to be at home at night or at least able to get home. I need to see DH. I need to not have a menstrual flood in a stranger's home where there is no bed for me. Also the party won't start til 10pm, so I'll have to wait in the office for a lift to Jim's (about 40miles away). I feel down and hormonal and crap particularly after 9pm (like right now!) and Anna will not listen to me. I didn't say 'yes' and she ignored my 'no'.

Now she's even emailed saying 'it's Vivia's first party here! Let's make it a wild one!' and Jim knows nothing of it!

Maybe I am BU because I know it's a nice gesture. But I'm physically feeling awful and emotionally oscillating.

My real question is how do I get out of this? Please help!

OP posts:
Vivia · 02/02/2010 21:42

D'oh! When she said 'stay on the sofa' I told her my menstrual woes. Sorry for stealth!

OP posts:
MavisEnderby · 02/02/2010 21:45

e-mail her back and tell her you are poorly/your dh is poorly/ you have a family crisis and you cannot make it.

No one can force you to go and she sounds a bit strident.

Vivia · 02/02/2010 21:48

Thanks Mavis. I've been thinking of that but she'll see me at work tomorrow in the daytime. I might say 'have appointment at home first thing on Thursday morning so must be home Wednesday night'. Sound ok? Not too much of a lie as I need a doctor's appointment soon anyway!

OP posts:
McDreamy · 02/02/2010 21:48

Too short notice, too far, have a great time see you tomorrow - be as clear as possible and ignore her plans for you as she is ignoring your "no" (easier said than done I know) Good luck

itsmeolord · 02/02/2010 21:48

Email her back; " I'm sorry i thought I told you I couldn't make this? Apologies for any confusion, I definitely won't be coming."

I'm so sorry you are feeling so rough at the moment and I am sorry for your loss. Hope you feel better soon. x x

ArizonaBarker · 02/02/2010 21:48

She sounds a bit of a loon.

Just say no and go home when you'e finished work.
You don't have to make excuses and have a 'reason'. Just say no thanks.

ArizonaBarker · 02/02/2010 21:50

And sympathy for what you're going through.

Sure this is the last thing you feel like dealing with.

MavisEnderby · 02/02/2010 21:50

Yes,just be polite but firm.She sounds rather thick skinned,I am sure she is lovely but you need to think of your own wellbeing

Good luck.

Vivia · 02/02/2010 21:50

You guys are truly lovely. I thought I'd get flamed for being unappreciative. Thanks for straightening my head!

And Arizona, how true - I don't need a reason! God, sometimes I need to get a grip and not feel 'inferior' to someone else's decisions/behaviour.

OP posts:
parakeet · 02/02/2010 21:56

How about this:

Say: "I'm sorry I can't help you, but because of various personal reasons, I'm just not up to this party."

WHATEVER else she says to that, you just reply: "Sorry, it's still a no."

Don't get involved in any further debate, just keep repeating that second response.

If she asks you questions about why not, say: "Because I have personal problems. Sorry, it's still a no."

It's a very flexible automatic-response generator.

Wigglesworth · 02/02/2010 22:01

Here are my plans
a) complain at work all day that you feel rough as a bears arse (the symptoms you choose to suffer from are optional ) and you can't make it.
b) DH is working late and DC are ill so have to go home to look after DC.

Sometimes when people don't get a massive hint you need to lie to stop yourself from telling them to "piss off I don't want to come to the damn party".
Sorry you are going through a rough time [hugs].

weegiemum · 02/02/2010 22:01

Just keep on saying "no, I told you I couldn't come".

Who stays over with their boss several times a week, orgnaises a midweek wild party and then the boss doesn't even know? Sounds like a very weird person to me!

NonVinaigretteRien · 02/02/2010 22:04

god she does sound a loon.

I'd love to know what Jim and his wife makes of her!

I'd stick my heels in and just refuse to go. If you've told her that you don't feel good at the mo, that should be enough.

Vivia · 02/02/2010 22:06

Update! I booked a train ticket home for tomorrow night at 7pm. Now I am thoroughly determined to leave. I'll come on here at this time tomorrow night in my PJs and sipping tea instead of beginning to 'party'. Lovely!

A thousand thanks, you guys - in a matter of minutes - made me take myself and my own feelings seriously. DH is at work and I needed that support - you're all great.

OP posts:
Vallhala · 02/02/2010 22:06

I agree - just keep saying no like a broken record. You don't have to give reasons but if you want to then repeat that you're not feeling well, have a docs appointment next morning and wish to be at home with your DH. If it's easier email her and say it straight, as itsmeolord said.

I hope that life gets better for you very soon and am very sorry for your loss.

Vallhala · 02/02/2010 22:07

Sorry Vivia, we x posted. Good for you, and enjoy your quiet night in.

MarionCole · 02/02/2010 22:07

Don't go, definitely tell her by email though so she doesn't have the chance to talk over you. There can be no confusion if you have written it in black and white.

AnyFucker · 02/02/2010 22:12

I wouldn't be making up any elaborate excuses (that could potentially trip me up)

I wouldn't be putting on a poorly act at work either

I would just tell her straight, you don't want to go and that is it

If she objects, let her talk to the hand

she can't physically force you, and using emotional blackmail is very not on

she sounds like a bully and, frankly, very strange

ArizonaBarker · 02/02/2010 22:14

Good for you!

Now, come back tomorrow night and let us know what Jim and his wife thought about the party...

AnyFucker · 02/02/2010 22:17

sorry, another x-post

good girl

bibbitybobbityhat · 02/02/2010 22:18

I know it can be difficult to be assertive but surely this is not difficult to get out of? All you need to do is say "no". If she says why you say "I don't fancy it".

Who tf wants to go to a party midweek in their bosses house anyway? You should feel sorry for her, she sounds a bit desperate.

thesecondcoming · 02/02/2010 22:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vivia · 03/02/2010 19:56

On the train, almost home!

I saw Anna at a work meeting at 3pm. Her boss Jim was there too. When I walked in, Jim said jovially (he's a lovely guy) 'So, Vivia, I hear you're sleeping on my sofa!' and laughed. I said 'Oh, Anna's party? Didn't she tell you I can't make it?' Anna jumped in with 'Vivia! It'll be a great night, I thought you were excited! I wouldn't have gone to all this trouble otherwise!'

So I responded - truthfully - directly looking at Jim 'this meeting will only end at 5.30 and my train leaves just after six so I won't even have time to come over for a drink, Jim.' Anna laughed 'Ok, whatever!'

At the end of the meeting, I shouted over 'have a good night guys, see you next week!' Jim said 'bye love!' and Anna said 'night, party pooper!'

Ah, never will I be so glad to switch on the kettle and relax in front of MN for the night. Thanks again!

OP posts:
McDreamy · 03/02/2010 21:55

Well done you , enjoy your evening!

Fluffyone · 04/02/2010 10:31

She's an idiot, don't worry about it. I bet you had a lovely evening.
I made a resolution last year and I've stuck to it, I don't do social events if I don't want to, and I don't apologise or make excuses. No "I'm sorry but" - because I'm not sorry.
A good mate of mine keeps on about us going out "on the razz" and me staying the night at hers after. Last time I saw her I just said "I'd love to come out for a pub lunch sometime, or maybe go out for an evening meal, but I don't do going out on the razz anymore. I can't drink much and I'd rather spend the money on something else". Simpleeesss

New posts on this thread. Refresh page