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AIBU

True friend or not ?

(84 Posts)
Cheeseplantmad Mon 07-Nov-22 21:14:34

A year ago I’d made what I thought were a good friend at our local W.I. We have a lot of things in common, similar age (70), both lost our DH 3 years ago , live in same village , but whereas I have my family and couple friends living close by , she has no family or friends locally . I took her under my wing by inviting her to join myself and another friend for shopping/ lunch , also introduced her to the local church I go to most Sundays , along with taking her food shopping, also drove her on 20 mile round trip so she could have her covid jab , also drove her 10 mile trip to a funeral where I sat in the car and waited for her on both the occasions. I’ve always gone to pick her up / drop her off as she doesn’t drive . She has never once offered petrol money but then I would not accept as , to me , you don’t do that to friends , you are there for one another .
Well, my problem now is that while she has now , in the past couple weeks, eventually moved 20 miles away ( she had always planned that and had her house up for sale ) , at the same point in time I suddenly became unwell and have been very ill in hospital with pneumonia & blood clots on lungs . During these past couple weeks , she has not once contacted me to ask how I am ( I have my phone with me at all times ) so she has no excuses . I not only feel extremely disappointed but also very hurt . I feel that I’ve been a very good friend to her , but that friendship that I’ve offered her is not returned.

grandtanteJE65 Fri 11-Nov-22 14:15:22

I too feel that this woman is either deliberately making use of you or so self-centred that it never occurs to her to even phone and ask how you are.

Right now, please concentrate on your recovery. Often things seem worse than they when we are feeling ill, or have just been ill.

If she gets in touch, I would ask if she knew you have been in hospital and see what she says. She could perhaps have hestitated to phone while you were ill, feeling you might not be up to talking. Not that I feel this is likely, but let's give her the benefit of the doubt.

Once you are feeling better, I would in your place hesitate very much to be so helpful towards her as formerly, but that is, of course, entirely up to you.

Sawsage2 Fri 11-Nov-22 14:54:44

I'd just forget it and move on.

Theoddbird Fri 11-Nov-22 14:55:04

I think you are best moving on from this. Some people are better at taking than giving and do so without even realizing what they are doing. You were a good friend to her....well done for that.

GrauntyHelen Fri 11-Nov-22 15:05:39

You aren't coming over well tome here You sound like you treated this lady as a charity case and felt she should be beholden to you I wouldn't enjoy that type of friendship and would take this chance to make a natural break from you

sharon103 Fri 11-Nov-22 15:18:40

I can't say that I agree with you GrantyHelen.
The friend could quite easily have refused the invitations.
In my mind the op has been more than kind. Now that she has moved 20 miles away the op is now no use to her 'friend'
I'd be miffed and upset too.

biglouis Fri 11-Nov-22 15:30:15

Few relationships in life are truly "equal" even marriages. Why should friendships be any different? Your friend sounds like she lacks emotional intelligence and sensitivity. That doesnt necessarily make her a bad person. Maybe shes given what she is capable of. So perhaps continue of the basis that she is an acquaintance rather than a friend as such and accept her limitations.

You cant make people over into what you want them to be.

queenofsaanich69 Fri 11-Nov-22 15:34:15

Hope you are feeling better,unfortunately you have been taken advantage of,just let things slide best not to get involved,some people don’t even realize how selfish they are,good luck

TwiceAsNice Fri 11-Nov-22 15:38:29

I would be hurt too- after I’d finished being cross. I think this is a very selfish woman there’s not been much sharing in this friendship. If you can I’d start again with someone who is kinder. I have a nice group of friends from my local church might there be some nice people in yours?

MarathonRunner Fri 11-Nov-22 17:13:56

It's funny isn't it how you suddenly stop hearing from so called friends when you are of no more use to them.
Worse than that though when they think they can suddenly pick you up and drop you when it suits them .
Who needs friends like that , I'd rather be lonely lol

FarawayGran Sat 12-Nov-22 01:19:50

I am so sorry that you have been ill. I hope you are feeling better.

Don't waste any time worrying or wondering about her - a good friend would look after you for a change.

She hasn't. She is not a friend.

LRavenscroft Sat 12-Nov-22 08:31:10

Disclaimer: In no way does this reflect on the OP but I have been on both sides. As stated above I had friends since my youth and they dropped me like a hot brick when I had to become my mother's full time carer. However, now I find myself on the other side. I have one friend who used to be fine to talk to on Facetime as she lives on another continent but now I dread our talks. The minute her face appears she starts talking and 2 hours later she is still talking about all her illnesses, problems, difficult relatives, colour scheme in her condo etc. She does not stop for breath and short of either switching her off or shouting to get a word in edgeways, I am simply a listening apparatus. My heart sinks everytime she asks for 'one of our chats'. I have run out of excuses and am now using the time difference as an excuse that I don't get in till 6 p.m. I suppose it is about knowing what suits you and as gently as possible navigate your course down the 'waterway of friendships'. OP please find peace in whatever decision suits you.

inishowen Sat 12-Nov-22 09:18:47

Does she know you're ill? Or is she wondering why you haven't asked how the move went?

Cabbie21 Sat 12-Nov-22 09:37:46

I think, being charitable, that when someone moves away, they have a lot on their plate: the physical move itself, then dealing with things like new curtains, informing banks and other organisations of a change of address, signing up with new GP, etc etc that time passes very quickly and others can be overlooked.
Surely you wouldn’t expect to maintain the same kind of relationship now that you live 20 miles apart? If you still want to be in touch, ring her and see how the land lies. If not, move on.
My closest friends are my oldest ones. Newer ones are just acquaintances really, according to circumstances.

OmaforMaya Sat 12-Nov-22 12:41:07

GrauntyHelen

You aren't coming over well tome here You sound like you treated this lady as a charity case and felt she should be beholden to you I wouldn't enjoy that type of friendship and would take this chance to make a natural break from you

Well GrauntyHelen you don't come over as being a very nice person by saying what you did. I'm glad you're not my friend.

Eloethan Sat 12-Nov-22 21:29:20

cheeseplantmad I am so sorry to hear how poorly you have been and hope you are now feeling better.

How kind of you to invite your friend into your social circle and offer her lifts to various places (by the way, I think most people would at least offer on some occasions to contribute to your petrol costs and I would take it as a warning sign if someone continually availed themselves of my generosity without making such an offer). I think a lot of people would be very surprised and grateful to have found a friend like you - but it appears that the lady you helped was not appreciative and did not have your best interests at heart. Unless there is some very, very good reason why she has not contacted you, I feel she is not a friend and you should avoid her in future.

I am sorry you, quite understandably, feel very upset about what appears to be her lack of concern for you at a time when you were vulnerable. I hope you have many other friends who treat you with the love and respect you deserve. Wishing you all the best.

nadateturbe Sat 12-Nov-22 21:53:13

I think Caleo is right and you should tell her you feel hurt that she didn't ask how you are.

welbeck Sat 12-Nov-22 22:12:35

don't tell her anything.
she's toast.
shake off the crumbs.
get well soon.
onwards and upwards.

nancynunu Sat 12-Nov-22 22:48:36

I'm so sorry you have been poorly and no contact from your so called friend I feel she could have sent a text or flowers at the very least . Some people are selfish and take advantage of a kind soul. There are many sorts of friendship some are long lasting and some just fizzle out when they have run their course you sound like a lovely caring person to me and you are a friend I would be proud to have . Don't let this person spoil friendships to come and I wish you a speedy recovery

Daisymae Sun 13-Nov-22 08:38:46

I think that the key is in your first sentence. You've only known her for a short while so maybe you haven't had time to know what the real person is like. I rather think that now you do. Hope you are now feeling better.

Esmay Sun 13-Nov-22 10:00:29

I touched on this contributing to the post about hypochondria .
Some people are just totally self engrossed .
You've supported them when they need you , but when you do with some sympathy - they don't want to know .

I hope that you get better and I hope that you make a true friend .
Take care .

Caleo Sun 13-Nov-22 10:44:28

Welbeck and Nadateturbe, it depends how you would tell her how you feel. I think it's okay calmly to tell her you feel hurt, no blaming, no whingeing. Best to mention it but lightheartedly, jokingly.

I do however think there is a risk for you the woman may hurt your feelings even more, depending on her reply to you (or lack of any reply). If you keep it on a joking level you would preserve your dignity, which is important to do.

effalump Sun 13-Nov-22 13:19:19

Cheeseplantmad In defense of your friend, it maybe that she is a quiet, introverted person and really doesn't one to be out and about all the time. I say this becuase I am that type of person. Single, no kids, I had two friends - one died last summer and the other is a very busy Ambassador for a sewing company so she's not really 'available' much. Before you say "how sad", I really don't mind. Being a bit of a loner I enjoy just pottering around when I can. I have hobbies and I like to speak to (mainly) dogwalkers even though I don't have a dog of my own yet. I'm really not a people person and I get totally drained if I spend too much time with people. Perhaps you should ask her if she likes having a Saviour. It's notreally a snub, it's just that some people really are solitary.

nadateturbe Sun 13-Nov-22 15:02:54

I get your point effalump, and it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who gets exhausted when socialising.
But surely a text isn't a big ask.
It does seem really odd. I wonder is she all right.

Cymres1 Mon 14-Nov-22 09:22:17

Ailsa43

I have only one thing to say , Can you be MY friend Cheeseplantmad ?... you sound like the type of friend everyone would like to have...

You sound like a lovely giving-of-yourself type person, who would be a treasure of a friend. Sadly, I do think you may have been taken advantage of. It's horrible when this happens, and I am so sorry to hear you've been so ill, without the grace of her support in return. I hope after all you've been through you can put this down to the peculiarities of people, get fit and well and be a smidge more cautious, but still open hearted, next time the situation arises.

sazz1 Mon 14-Nov-22 11:26:24

Hope you are feeling better
Just a thought she could be unwell too. I think you should ring her.
Moving is very stressful and often makes people unwell