Turning into a total wimp

You know, I've always thought that learning to say no nicely but firmly is a great life skill which many of us need to learn. It would make life so much easier. Have a nice time anyway.

I have an old and very dear friend whose company I greatly value. Life has not been as kind to her as it has to me. It's the fault of neither of us it's just the way life has turned out. We meet often and chat about what we've been up to etc. I'd hate to think that she was small minded enough to think that I was showing off or trying to put her down just by talking about my life and what had been happening. I'm interested in hearing about her's too. It's just my life as it actually is and hers as hers is. I suppose that's why I'm so irritated at such negative meanings being imputed to the OPs friend. People will take you as you think you are. If you think you're somehow less than them that's down to you!

I suppose that's why I'm so irritated at such negative meanings being imputed to the OPs friend
There are people, though, who will come out with a 'clever' retort to put you down at every opportunity, make remarks about your family etc. Sometimes you just reach the end of your tether with them.

Nanny41

I can't believe that some adults can't find a polite way of saying 'No thank you'.
She can't steam-roller you into going. Belonging to a group surely doesn't mean that you have to take in a 'note from mother', so to speak, to excuse you unless, when you joined, the rules were that you signed up to all the trips.
I belong to Meet up groups and, if you join but then don't go anywhere, you are struck off their list because some trips have to have certain numbers attend.

I've been out all day so am just catching up with the replies. I'm quite touched that so many people thought to bother and it's given me a good laugh!
I shall take the very good advice to turn the conversation back to her life and not mine. Also the the wonderful excuses might come in handy. Especially the one about having nits!
Its hard to explain how she always manages to hit a tender spot but I'll go in a positive frame of mind thanks to you lot!