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Should I say anything to my friend?

(62 Posts)
minimo Fri 14-Jul-17 08:42:38

We are very fortunate in having a lot of lovely local friends and last weekend we hosted a bbq with a few people for my DH's birthday. Because I think it's best to keep anonymity I'm going to change their names but my good friend 'Sue' and her husband 'Mike' were there - we see them a lot. Another couple were also there (let's call them Simon and Caroline). Near the end of the evening Caroline and Mike were sitting very close together chatting and for a few moments I saw her hand on his leg. There had been a fair bit of alcohol consumed but I don't drink so was I think more aware than most and there was some definite flirting going on.

I don't think Sue noticed - she certainly didn't say anything but now I don't know what to do. It was at my party so I feel partly not responsible but I don't know....I feel guilty because it happened on my turf. But also, there's nothing to suggest anything went any further but of course we do all see each other quite a lot and I know what I saw. If they have the opportunity when other people aren't around...

Do I warn Sue? She and Caroline aren't particularly close. I don't want to get involved of course but equally I really don't want to see my friend hurt. I think I'd want a friend to let me know if she saw something similar? Would you? Been stewing all week sad

pinkjj27 Fri 14-Jul-17 11:27:04

I am not sure I agree flirting is harmless but from my own experience I would probably not get involved at this stage. I once found out my best friend’s husband was having an affair with a much younger friend of a friend. I told my friend and my life was ripped apart. I not only lost her but all our so-called friends turned on me and I mean turned on me. I was called names, I was labelled as a trouble maker, I was accused of being jealous and making things up. Their kids were not allowed to play with mine. The husband went for me. It was even suggested I had made it up so I could steal her husband. I had only told my friend but she told every one even post stuff on social media. I nearly had a break down over it.
It turned out that my friend had known about it but had turned a blind eye. He left her for the other women when she became pregnant a while later.
My friend wrote to me and said “you should have let me deal with it in my own time if I had of confided in you that would have been the time to tell me.” I never wanted to hurt anyone but that’s the way it was perceived. At the time I just thought if it were me I would want to know. I thought I was supporting my friend.
My friend contacted me last year asking if we could put it behind us and that she had forgiven me !! I had been so badly hurt and lost the whole network that I have just walked away now. So, my advice is say nothing if you need advice or to confide in anyone share it with your husband I wish I had confided in mine.

Tessa101 Fri 14-Jul-17 11:35:26

Don't blow it up out of perportion, nothing wrong with being tactile. It will cause friction between you all, trust me been there and my friend never spoke to me again.

glammanana Fri 14-Jul-17 11:41:11

Just remember that once you open up a can of worms they cannot be put back in again,as stated it would be very strange if the wife was not aware of her hubby's close conversation with the said lady of interest we wives do tend to know everything that is going on at parties.

Mapleleaf Fri 14-Jul-17 11:52:50

Best to keep quiet at this stage. It's probably nothing at all.

adaunas Fri 14-Jul-17 11:57:27

Stay out of it. If he's prone to do that when he's had a few his wife will already know and won't be happy that someone else has noticed it. You might find yourself being asked why you were watching her husband.

Desdemona Fri 14-Jul-17 12:01:29

I totally agree with everyone else that it would be a mistake to say anything, the "flirting" was almost certainly just drink fuelled - and it is absolutely not your fault that this took place at your party - they are adults aren't they? (Albeit intoxicated ones!)

Craftycat Fri 14-Jul-17 12:19:42

I don't think there is anything wrong with a bit off flirting at parties as long as everyone goes home with their own spouse.
If I felt my husband was going a bit far I'd just go & sit next to him. Maybe his wife gave him hell when they got home.
Keep well out of it.

JanaNana Fri 14-Jul-17 12:19:45

Think the alcohol has gone to her head ....maybe loosened her inibitions a bit. Don"t invite the same couples at the same time to any other gatherings you have. Don"t mention it to any of them either. It could cause trouble or embarrassment all round.

Teddy123 Fri 14-Jul-17 13:25:15

There's always the possibility you may be right. However, right or wrong, none of your business.
Anyway, what's wrong with a bit of flirting. Flirting doesn't constitute a full blown affair ......
Don't give it another thought ...

Maidmarion Fri 14-Jul-17 13:31:34

I hardly think that if they ARE having an affair they would be broadcasting it at your party! As others have said let it go...!

sarahellenwhitney Fri 14-Jul-17 13:33:46

Say nothing and you know nothing. Do you?
Were you not too busy making sure all glasses were filled and every one enjoying themselves?

luluaugust Fri 14-Jul-17 13:49:28

I should keep quiet about what you saw, you don't know what was being said to each other maybe she is tactile with people and sometimes people are very silly at parties specially when they have known one another a long time.

Lilylilo Fri 14-Jul-17 14:25:13

OMG stay out of it and never mention it to anyone!! Your friend will not thank you and you might put her marriage in jeopardy! Her husband might be really angry with you for stirring!

petra Fri 14-Jul-17 14:38:05

minimo
Don't come to any of my parties then, you'll certainly have a touch of the vapours.
i saw her hand on his leg I think you've been reading to much Barbara Cartland.

Teddy123 Fri 14-Jul-17 14:47:29

minimo I wish they had a like button here. I think you summed it up perfectly ???

Teddy123 Fri 14-Jul-17 14:54:36

The above thread was for PETRA
Not Minimo.
I'm confused; it's my age ...

wilygran Fri 14-Jul-17 15:28:26

Mind your own business! I agree with everyone who advises "Say nowt!" Other people's marital shenanagans usually end in tears & it's best to stay out of it.

Rosina Fri 14-Jul-17 15:50:44

'A still tongue in a wise head'. I would say absolutely nothing and forget it.

minxie Fri 14-Jul-17 15:51:50

That's far to much drama for just a hand on a knee. Now if you caught them behind the bins with their drawers down is another matter

Chris4159 Fri 14-Jul-17 16:08:33

You could causr a whole lot of gossip and heartache, over nothing. You dont actually know what they were talking about. Leave well alone.

Bez1989 Fri 14-Jul-17 18:28:21

I Agree with the comments made.

Just forget it or make it into a joke inside your head. But keep it there DEFINITELY.

winesunshinewine helps the inhibitions to be lost.

Im looking forward to your next Gathering though. wink

Eloethan Fri 14-Jul-17 18:59:21

It will stir up a lot of bad feeling and you may end up losing more than one friend. You don't know if your suspicions are justified so I think it would be better to just forget it.

Starlady Fri 14-Jul-17 20:29:37

Another vote for staying out of it. No point in "telling' because there's nothing to tell.

maddy629 Sat 15-Jul-17 07:03:42

Stay out of it, your garden but not your business, it was probably a bit of harmless, alcohol induced flirting.Least said soonest mended as my old Gran used to say.

kooklafan Sat 15-Jul-17 08:27:08

I've never understood why so many people think it's ok to flirt? It's not only disrespectful to the partner but also hurtful. Regarding this problem though, I wouldn't say anything because it could just be that the woman is one of those touchy feely types and planting the seed will only cause heartache but why do some women think it's ok to maul men? if a guy sat beside a woman at a party and put his hand on her thigh he'd soon be in trouble.