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Toxic friendship?


Posted: Feb 13, 2012

I would like to ask what people think about my situation with someone whom I had considered to be a good friend.  We've known each other for over 20 years, and worked together as MTs for a number of years.  We've been to each other's homes for dinner and have done things together socially over the years.  She's been a good friend to me, and helped me a lot when I was recovering from surgery on my ankle, for which she's been properly thanked many times.  She's married, I am not, her children are grown and gone.  What has me feeling bad and questioning the friendship is that whenever I phone to ask her to do something such as go out for lunch or breakfast on a day off, she tells me that she has to consult her "schedule," won't give me an answer, but tells me to call back.  Many times, they just don't answer the phone, and her husband has picked it up and hung up on me on one occasion.  This past week, I was told to call on Sunday for a decision about getting together, but never to call at 5:00 because that's their dinnertime.  When I did call this week, I got the answering machine and she did call me back, but instead of asking me what I wanted to do, told me that we would go to a certain restaurant for breakfast, what day and what time.  I asked if she could pick me up as she drives right past my house, but that was not possible because she needed to get groceries after breakfast.  I have a car but just thought it would be easier to go in one.  Needless to say, I got upset and we are not going to be doing anything.  This example is the way it usually works.  She doesn't read my e-mail, and never calls me, I'm always the one to initiate any social get together.  She's retired and involved in a lot of outside activities, but my goodness it's a sad world when we can't make time for our friends.  I'm feeling very manipulated and I'm sure this "friendship" has reached an end as I placed the ball in her court by telling her to call me when she wants to do something, which will probably be never.  It's sad, and I feel guilty when all I am doing is standing up for myself.

If anyone has been in a similar situation or just wants to share, feel free, I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts, and please no snarkiness, it's not what I need now.

 

;

The feeling I got - Susan

[ In Reply To ..]
The first feeling I got when reading what goes on is that maybe her husband is really controlling and doesn't want her hanging out with you.

Maybe if you ever do get a chance to meet her somewhere you could gently bring up your concerns and see what she says.

I got this same feeling too... - wheres_my_job

[ In Reply To ..]
I've had friends like this - not even a husband, but a controlling boyfriend.

Something similar happened to me. - mtlt

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I had a "friend" who I had known for over 20 years. We didn't have a bit of trouble all through school and after graduation. About two years ago she started causing problems for me on Facebook as well as in real life. I tried to talk to her, but she didn't want to hear what I had to say. I ended up blocking her on Facebook and threatening her with a restraining order. She reported me on Facebook as being abusive for the sole reason of unfriending and blocking her. I still don't know why she did what she did, but I do know now that she was not a true friend and that I am better off now without her. Sometimes things are just not meant to be there forever.

For OP, I got a completely different feeling. - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
About half-way through your post, the thought popped out to me that this person is avoiding you. You say she is retired and her kids are grown. Just how much time have you guys spent together? Too much for her taste? Does she think you call her too often?

I would not be too hurt over it, but I would do just what you have done. Leave the ball in her court.

Same here. - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I had the same feeling that you did.

She is avoiding. Best thing to do is avoid her back, move on and make some new friends.

I am currently avoiding a friend (sm) - MT2coder2

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The reason is because she calls ALL_THE_TIME. Yesterday she called me four times (not kidding). It's gotten to the point where I cringe when the phone rings. She is retired and has all the time in the world. I, however, am very busy (and only getting busier!) and do not. Another thing: There's no such thing as a brief 5-minute phone conversation with her. I simply don't have the time to sit and yak away an hour.

I've had that happen on one or two occasions with - (s/m) - Meerkat

[ In Reply To ..]
long-time friends tht just sort of became "unavailable". I think when that happens, the other person has, for whatever reason, justified or not, just become uninterested in pursuing the friendship. When that happens, I usually put the ball in their court, by making one last attempt - a call, or a letter, or an invitation, etc., and if I get no reply, I take that as a "no" and move on.

In most cases, I never hear back from them. In one case, I did, finally, get a letter from them about 4 years later. But then, nothing for another 3 years. If a letter every 4 years is their idea of a friendship, that's fine, but meanwhile, I have a life, and other friends, and they can just get back to me whenever. IF ever.

Intersting that you mentioned the husband hanging up on you. Because I had a variation on the end-of-friendship scenario that revolved around the husband not liking me. In most cases, that would be a non-issue, but in this case, he was a very controlling type. He hung up on me one time, too. Another time, when I went there to see their new baby when they finally brought him home (he had been born way, WAY premature, and was one of those million-dollar miracle-babies you hear about. They still had a nurse coming to the house every day to monitor him - he was that delicate).

Anyway, after I saw the baby, and shared some lemonade and catching-up with my friend, as I was leaving out the kitchen door, I stopped to tie an untied shoelace, and just then, the husband drove in the driveway, walked right past me without so much as a "hello", and once inside, I heard his booming voice shouting at my friend, "What was SHE doing here?"

Never heard from her again, calls after that went unanswered. I did hear through the grapevine years later that she finally got fed up with the guy, and left him.

Friends - Chipper1

[ In Reply To ..]
I wonder, too, about the husband. I'm rather torn over some issues w/ my neighbors as they are very needy (he'll bring his lawnmower over for my hubs to service twice a year- no pay- and she doesn't hesitate to ask for anything). Still I like her but can't stand him any more. She's welcome here any time as I recently found out from 3 very trustworthy friends of hers (NOT mine) that her hubs thinks I am the root of all evil and that he is, at least, verbally abusive to her.

That said, maybe it is just time to go your separate ways. People do grow apart, and though it sucks for the time being, it happens. Hugs to you.

I have lost friends I never thought I would. - Still don't understand.

[ In Reply To ..]
Five years ago, we built a house and moved to the country outside of a small town. We had lived in a very large city for 40 years, and I had many friends from high school, and even grade school. The 3 main friends I speak of still e mail me or leave messages on Facebook.

We live 1 hour and 15 minutes away. I have called these friends and let them know when we were going to be in town to arrange a visit/dinner, etc., as we often visit our family who still live there. They do make plans to see me when I drive to the city. We will go to craft sales, dinner, shows/concerts, etc. What hurts my feelings is that not one of them has ever driven to my house to see me when invited. It's always, "Let me know when you are coming back to the city." I know that I am the one who moved away, but what happened to the friendship? Is it not convenient anymore? Doesn't the road go both ways? Whenever I extend the invitation, there is always some excuse as to why they cannot come.

My mother was very ill and in the hospital for a month. I was driving to the city every weekend to be with her before we put her in a nursing home. When I told my friends about this, the response I got was, "You mean you were in town and didn't come by/call?" I was furious!!! Since then, I have waited for their call. It does not come. If I do call them, I will hear, "We miss you. Why haven't you called. Are you too busy for us now?" Really......? Come on, the road goes both ways.
I have lost many friendships which I thought would be forever. - Suzy Q
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It is hard to understand why friendships do not last -- especially those that we had since grade school. I used to be very generous and giving with my friends, but since having many disappointing relationships, I have become very guarded and not willing to get involved with people. I know things happen which can easily effect our relationships. Our best friend may have married someone who does not like her friends, as seen in earlier posts. That I can understand. I have had friends who only were in the friendship for monetary gain or what they could gain from me. Of course that is not a friendship at all. It is hard to trust again when you have been betrayed or taken advantage of many times.

I can relate to poster who said she moved away and her friends would not go to new home to visit. We too have moved away from our home of 15 years. Our friends know where we are, but no one has yet come up to visit. People just get busy with their own lives and work schedules, children and their schedules. I am sorry about your mother having to go in a nursing home. Mine too had to go into nursing home and then she died last year. None of our friends called to offer condolences or to send flowers. No I am wrong, as a couple we have known for 5 years did send flowers. They are from England and say that is what people do in England if their friend's relative dies. So maybe we should just go to England. They sound like they are much more in touch with each other.

I still try to be generous with friends who keep in touch. I email them and send ecards for special occasions. I think in this day and age of high tech and fast-paced lives, it is hard to maintain good friendships -- sadly maybe people are just too busy to have friends!!!!!
friends?? - anon2
[ In Reply To ..]
Sounds like she has a controlling husband. One hang up would do it for me. Also agree you should play it cool and let her call you. If she doesn't, you can't lose what you really didn't have in the first place which is her loyalty. I have "friends" who call when they need me but if I need them, they could go for months because I think they're afraid they'll have to do something. When we bought a house when younger, no one came, as they all lived in apartments still. Had it been the opposite, I would have shown up with a gift. They're not "friends" to me any longer, just acquaintances. Who needs it? Sit on your hands if you have to, don't resist the temptation to call her.
Ex-Friends thru divorce - Cheerio
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I have lost many friends due to divorce. It seems when they get with someone new they drop the "old" friends from when they had their other husbands. I would like to have dinner with her second husband and my friend, but it never happens. I think he seems to think he is just too good for us.

Just a comment.

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