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A holiday with friends gets this response?

224 replies

SunshineSally99 · 17/01/2026 12:06

What are people’s views on this because I for the life of me cannot get my head around this.

I’ve decided to book a day trip abroad with my friend. We havnt done this since pre Covid so will be looking forward to it.

I told my boyfriend who I’ve been with for almost 2 years and he was really annoyed about it.
we’ve started doing those extreme day trips and overnights abroad after seeing a few groups online about it and we’ve had 2 trips and have a few more booked.

I enjoy travelling and me and this friend had been away before for her divorce and years before I met my boyfriend.

he went quiet and what I think was going in a mood over it saying he was bothered because I’m now doing something with someone else when he thought it was “our thing” and “special to us”

he then said he feels really embarrassed by thinking we had something that was special to us and that he held such a sentiment to it and now it’s not something we do that’s special to us as a couple it’s something I do with whoever.

He then said it’s ok if I don’t go you can just ask someone else or someone else so it’s fine. I said would it be any different if I went away in this country and he said yes because it’s all the time we’ve spent planning and talking and discussing different destinations.

he said not many couples do it and he feels stupid to think that way. He said his ego feels bruised and he feels stupid for thinking we had something together and that I don’t think of it the same way.

He also now says he’s realised that if he doesn’t go I can just ask someone else and I’m like yeah… again pretty normal.

I said I wouldn’t have an issue with him going away with a friend because that’s what people do. I could see his point if I stopped asking or planning holidays away and just went with my friends then I could see his point but a one off trip that I havnt done in years?

I said it’s not so much the activity itself but it’s about the people you spend the time with that makes it important. He’s now saying he’s not that bothered about booking anything else anytime soon because it’s not special anymore and refused to book anything else. I said he was cutting his own nose off here.

I said he’s showing protest behaviour and actually this can look really controlling. He said he doesn’t have an issue with me going away if it was for a birthday, hen do or a reason but he’s struggling with the whole extreme day trip idea.

he says I havnt done anything wrong which I know this and that his feelings are his own and he has to deal with them. I won’t stop myself from going because I’ve not got no reason not to go. I’m only going for a day and it shouldnt be this hard!

I don’t know if he’s jealous or envious because he hasn’t got hardly any friends to do things with but that isn’t my issue.

it’s really concerning because any partner should be like that’s amazing hope you have a nice time… but I get this response? I’m trying to see it from his point of view in thinking that we had something for us but to be honest travelling I feel is a pretty ordinary part of life.

his last relationship they both never had much outside of each other and he felt guilty for having a life outside his marriage because she would guilt trip him for going… and yet now he’s behaving in the same way.

OP posts:
junebirthdaygirl · 17/01/2026 14:30

I sort of get it. Say you and him always went skiing and adored it..planned new slopes etc. Then out of the blue he is going skiing with a mate. You might be taken aback as it was your thing. Obviously you couldn't stop him but you might have some feelings. He said its his issue to deal with so is being honest but l feel for him a bit as he obviously loved the extreme city visit thing and now it's all a bit blah!!

Beachtastic · 17/01/2026 14:31

SpidersAreShitheads · 17/01/2026 13:52

Ah, I don’t know OP. You haven’t done anything wrong but I can see how he’s feeling.

By your own admission you haven’t done this with your friend since 2020, but you have been planning these trips with him, so he thought it was a special thing that you guys enjoy together.

He’s feeling humiliated because he thought it was special but you’ve told him you’re happy to do it with anyone. He’s now feeling silly for thinking it had sentimental value.

It also sounds as if he doesn’t have much experience of a relationship where people do separate things.

He’s admitted to you that he knows it’s not fair.

I don’t think it’s a red flag providing he’s not controlling in any other way. A lot depends on how he behaves going forward.

Humiliated? Special? Sentimental value? These are not ways to describe choices about how to spend your time in life.

Sorry, I don't often play the LTB card but this has red flags all over it.

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 17/01/2026 14:53

SunshineSally99 · 17/01/2026 12:26

I won’t be getting an apology I know that much because he doesn’t think he’s in the wrong for his feelings.

i am however going to watch carefully I think how he behaves before I go, during my trip and when I return will be telling. If he’s messaging me normally and stuff but if I get the silent treatment, sulking and refusal then I think it’s a much bigger issue at hand.

Honestly just break up with him

He doesnt think he is in the wrong

You are fundamentally incompatible because you very sensibly dont want to be controlled amd manipulated

He will continue to do this in various ways trying to bring you into line. In 3 decades you'll be asking permission to go the shop or saying things like "oh i cant go see X movie with you Derek wouldnt like it' 🥴😵‍💫

pinkyredrose · 17/01/2026 14:55

junebirthdaygirl · 17/01/2026 14:30

I sort of get it. Say you and him always went skiing and adored it..planned new slopes etc. Then out of the blue he is going skiing with a mate. You might be taken aback as it was your thing. Obviously you couldn't stop him but you might have some feelings. He said its his issue to deal with so is being honest but l feel for him a bit as he obviously loved the extreme city visit thing and now it's all a bit blah!!

You sound as immature as the boyfriend.

Greenlandss · 17/01/2026 14:56

Also OP, you are seeing him at his best.
It often takes about 2 years for men to really reveal themselves.
Should you be silly enough to live with and marry him you will undoubtedly find yourself adjusting your behaviour and slowly find yourself increasingly isolated and distanced from friends.

These insecure men feel perpetually threatened by you having outside contact that might point out to you just what a loser you are with, hence they desperately try to make your life as small as possible.

Crinkle77 · 17/01/2026 14:57

He's a prick but interested to know is your friend male or female? He should trust you but it may affect his reaction.

Makemineacosmo · 17/01/2026 15:02

I'd feel that he was a big fucking baby and trying to manipulate me. I hate that shit and it would be a deal breaker for me.

Makemineacosmo · 17/01/2026 15:03

Ooodelally · 17/01/2026 13:09

He’s pathetic. I’d be disgusted, the “ick”, if you will. Deeply unattractive.

Yes. Much as a detest the saying, I agree.

CatsWhiskersandClaws · 17/01/2026 15:04

I grew up in a house where what sort of tday we had depended on the mood the man in the house woke up in. I’d be astonished if that’s not a likely outcome from what you describe, unless you can lay down boundaries that you’re willing to really keep.

My Dad was a damaged man and I loved him. He could be so thoughtful and kind but so cruel and scary too. I’ve not escaped lifelong consequences from it. No he’s lovely 90% of the time is worth it.

EmbarrassingMama · 17/01/2026 15:12

He sounds unhinged. Get out whilst it’s easy to.

ShawnaMacallister · 17/01/2026 15:15

What's an extreme day trip?

Sally2791 · 17/01/2026 15:19

He’s a wally. Get rid

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 17/01/2026 15:19

OP, given this:

"he hasn’t got hardly any friends to do things with"

do you really think he's telling the truth about his last relationship:

"his last relationship they both never had much outside of each other and he felt guilty for having a life outside his marriage because she would guilt trip him for going"

Have you spoken to his ex? Because I think it's much more likely that HE was the one guilt tripping her and trying to trap her in a little cage.

It's not uncommon for men to claim they were abused by their previous partner, when the truth is that the MEN were abusive. We see this here on MN quite a bit. EVERY time a guy says something like, "My ex was controlling", it should be seen as a red flag for coercive behaviour.

Watch out, OP.

caringcarer · 17/01/2026 15:19

🚩🚩🚩He is controlling and trying to manipulate you. Bin off asap. Take a lucky escape.

WryNecked · 17/01/2026 15:19

ShawnaMacallister · 17/01/2026 15:15

What's an extreme day trip?

Rather depressingly, it appears to mean 'fly somewhere for a day, do some sightseeing and eat something, and fly back again that night.'

TheMorgenmuffel · 17/01/2026 15:20

I assume its when you go to a ridiculous amount of hassle for a day out. Like travelling for ages or spending loads.

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 17/01/2026 15:21

Pepsi4Eva · 17/01/2026 14:09

This. 100%

I am in my 50s and have a good friend in her 60s. Once a year a group of us go away. I am talking a day trip to Bath. An overnighter to Brighton. A cinema trip in the next town over. Her husband of 30 years always, but always sulks beforehand. Then he picks a fight with her during the trip - Every Single Time. She batchs cooks for him beforehand because he moans about how he is expected to feed himself. he ghosts her or picks a fight.

That's her life. She also is the breadwinner and bought the house and pays the mortgage. he is ex-army and his pension is HIS money and she pays for everything else, including Christmas presents for his family from his first marriage.

Over 30 years he has made her feel like she is in the wrong and she flaps around him trying to placate him.

Don't let that be your future.

How can you bear witnessing this? I have a lovely neighbour but her H is like this, and watching her run around anxously because of him makes me so tense that I've had to distance myself from her.

tabbycat897 · 17/01/2026 15:23

What sort of trips are they? It sounds like this has everything to do with the "activity" as opposed to him wanting to stop you doing things with your friends. I am friends with a married couple who are really into climbing and have done all sorts of trips around the world to climb various peaks. If one of them told the other they were going to climb to Everest Base Camp with another friend but their spouse wasn't invited then this would understandably cause friction. Is this something similar?

ByWarmShark · 17/01/2026 15:23

He's jealous but he doesn't want to admit he's jealous so he's put it through his "me, me, me" filter and found a way to make it your fault. There's no point arguing with him as he'll just double down. You also shouldn't give in. Just say something like "I'm sorry you feel that way. For me the relationship is more important than the activity. If I go for a special meal with you and then go for a lovely meal with a friend, it doesn't make the meal i shared with you any less special. I have room in my life for more than one loving relationship. I'm sorry if you feel you can't take holidays with me anymore but there's nothing I can do about that"

PGmicstand · 17/01/2026 15:25

He's ridiculous.
I've been married nearly 30 years. If I told my husband that I was planning a holiday/short break with a longstanding friend [I've done quite a few long weekends of this sort], he'd just tell me to have a nice time.

ShawnaMacallister · 17/01/2026 15:26

WryNecked · 17/01/2026 15:19

Rather depressingly, it appears to mean 'fly somewhere for a day, do some sightseeing and eat something, and fly back again that night.'

Blimey! Never heard of that but I don't think it's a great hobby to develop. Flying is ok for a holiday once or twice a year but how many times are they flying per year for these 'day trips'??

LlynTegid · 17/01/2026 15:29

Some men deserve to be single.

CatsWhiskersandClaws · 17/01/2026 15:32

LouiseMadetheBestBroccoliPasta · 17/01/2026 15:21

How can you bear witnessing this? I have a lovely neighbour but her H is like this, and watching her run around anxously because of him makes me so tense that I've had to distance myself from her.

I’ve had this with my lifelong, childhood friend too. We’ve found a way to meet but he always finds something to ruin before, during or after for her. I’ve never criticised him though. I’ve hung in there because she is one of the dearest people on the planet for me and I want her to know that if she ever picked up the phone, I would be there. Iit is heartbreaking and I would definitely do what you’ve done if I came across it when I was getting to know someone.

TheAutumnCrow · 17/01/2026 15:33

ShawnaMacallister · 17/01/2026 15:26

Blimey! Never heard of that but I don't think it's a great hobby to develop. Flying is ok for a holiday once or twice a year but how many times are they flying per year for these 'day trips'??

AKA spending most of the day trying not to get covid at Gatwick while staring at depressing departure boards full of delays.

ClairDeLaLune · 17/01/2026 15:33

oscalo · 17/01/2026 12:08

Run.

As so often happens, the first poster nails it.

He's manipulative and controlling. Dump him.

Take a one-way extreme day trip to anywhere but where he is.