Good excuse?

[goldenoldie]

I'm looking for a good reason not to go to a party. Been invited to a hen night by an old friend who has not been in touch for the last couple of years.

She is desperate that I come, but tbh I don't fancy it. I won't know anyone there (but her) and it clashes with another event that I have been looking forward to for weeks.

Just don't know how to deal with the 'you're my oldest friend, really need you to be there' line she keeps stringing me.

All suggestions welcome.

Sometimes being a good friend means doing the things you don't want to do. You should go, I bet you end up having a great time.

If you have another engagement and you'd rather not go to the hen night, I think it's perfectly ok to say that you're sorry but you already have plans for that day. If you're her oldest friend, she'll understand, surely? If she hasn't been in touch for a while, I don't think you should feel obliged to go.

You have plans already. Make it out that you can't miss the other one.

Sorry, but I don't think you should go if you really, really don't want to.

Let her know you have plans already but suggest you both meet up after the hen party to look at the photos or something. Then see if she gets in touch again to take you up on the offer.

Many thanks.

I bit the bullet and told her I can't miss the other one and it will cost me not to go (which is true - table is booked).

Feel bad, but as I say, we have been out of touch for a while now.