Ungratefulness

[Vinotimes]

I have a friend who has been pestering me at tea time and about his phone not being able to record phone calls as he needs to record a person who will be phoning him as they usually lie and don’t do their job. He kept saying it was urgent. I have dug out my old dictaphone from my course and said he could collect it tomorrow if he needs it urgently as I need to go to work. He says he has a blood test in the morning fair enough and then is going to collect some slabs to build a shed base for his garden.

I understand he has a blood test that was already arranged but he has annoyed me wasting my time saying it was urgent and I got the dictaphone out and now he is acting like we never even had that conversation and has dismissed that I got it out for him. Fed up of ungrateful people.

He has now sent me photos of the ballast bags, unbelievable. He is always self absorbed and rarely asks about me.

Was it a huge deal digging out your dictaphone? Did he ask you for it, or did you volunteer to lend it?

Develop blandness. My phone won’t record = Oh that’s a pity.
I’m going in holiday next week and don’t have anyone to feed the cat/have the dog/water my plants = have a great holiday, I’m going away myself next month.

He asked if I had a spare phone so I had a look. I just wish he wouldn’t waste my time as I have had to get a box out of storage.

Then see it as a lesson. You took on someone else’s problem, and it turns out it wasn’t anything particularly urgent, which has annoyed you. In future, remember that you don't need to come up with solutions to someone else’s issue.

You are right. He was attention seeking because he claims this phone call was urgent and is now back tracking. I won’t be helping him or anyone from now on.

I think that’s an overreaction. Just don’t dash about behaving as if his lack of a bit of tech is your emergency.

I think I will back off from him though, he is quite draining and gives nothing back. Obviously a close friend or relative who is need I would help.

Next time he pulls a stunt like this, listen politely while he witters on, and then channel your inner 'Oh dear, how sad, never mind'.

Be friendly, be sympathetic, and offer no advice or help whatsoever.

Sounds a but weird to me.