Unhealthy Friendships - always cancels

by me
(Richmond, VA)

I have a friend that is always making plans with me, but then later cancels, doesn't call to tell me or just doesn't show up. We were close friends for years, and the saga has always been the same. I've always been the faithful one waiting on the wayside, until I realized, I am worth much more than that, and gave it up completely.



Visitor's Comments
Date: May 26, 2008
Posted By: Catherine, www.Life-With-Confidence.com

Hi Me,

I used to have a friend just like that. I know how very frustrating that is. I eventually realized that she had a problem with commitment and she was also afraid to say No to people. Sometimes when I asked her to do something, I'd add, "It's okay if you don't want to but I'd rather know now so that I can make alternate plans." Then, if she hesitated or hemmed and hawed, then I knew she didn't want to do it. I also told her a few times after she didn't show up, "Would you mind giving me a call if you can't make it? Then I'll know not to wait for you." She started getting better at calling but she wouldn't always. Or sometimes, I knew I was getting dumped because she got a better offer. Or maybe it was because she was more afraid of saying No to them than to me. Whatever the reason, I would always make sure I had back up plans if I had made plans with her and I wouldn't expect her to show up. That seemed to make it easier. I had no expectations about her and I knew it wasn't because there was something wrong with me. It was all about her.

It definitely says a lot about that person. You're still a good person and a good friend, they just have their own issues they haven't dealt with.

But, you're absolutely right. You deserve to be treated much better than that. That's why I think it's important to say things like, "Please let me know if you can't make it so I can find a ride with someone else." Then, you're telling them in a nice way that you don't appreciate it when they just fail to show up.

You're also right in that sometimes it's not worth the effort and the frustration. You can find much better friends who don't have those issues and who appreciate spending time with you.

Thanks for sharing.






Comments for
Unhealthy Friendships - always cancels

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Apr 02, 2010
 Just A Jerk !
by: Anonymous

Very Good Information. I had a friend who did the same stuff. They won't cancel on the other people because they know there would not be a second time. The other person would not ask them again. It's a total waste of time and energy dealing with jerk's like this. They like to see you upset. It makes them feel better about themselves and important. You just end up getting hurt and with few if any other friends!
Oct 14, 2010
 What a d*ckwatt!
by: Anonymous

I hate it when people do that! I had a friend that did the same thing. She would always make plans with me but always cancels without even giving notice. She didn't even text or call saying that she won't make it. I'm always left hanging or waiting! It's very frustrating knowing that I'm the option, not thr priority.

I Know exactly how you feel and trust me, you deserve people bettr than that!
Jan 05, 2011
 If people can't appreciate you, they don't deserve you
by: I

I have been in the same situation with a friend of nearly 12 years. Its just rude! Your time is too precious, don't let them waste it, move on, spend that time doing stuff you love instead of waiting around. If she can't appreciate your presence, then she obviously doesn't deserve you. Sometimes you just have to weigh up how much this is affecting you and make the decision.

Its a question of respect, and she doesn't have the respect, its just plain rude. Would she do the same to somebody 'important' to her - probably not. There you have it, you deserve better, don't even stay in close contact with her- she's a drain to your energy, productivity, happiness and quality of life. She is playing mind games with you to convince herself she is 'important', the truth is she is just 'insecure' and needs to make herself feel better by wasting your time.

She doesn't see you as an equal otherwise she would show basic respect, it's a key principle of friendship. Maybe you feel sorry for her, because you think she has time management issues etc, but if it's making you feel so down, you need to protect yourself first. She doesn't care how you feel, so why should you bother with her. If you keep prioritising people like this and keep tolerating such behaviour, they will walk all over you. If i'm in a friendship, I give it my 100% but then I expect the next person to try their best too. I'm understanding, but there is a limit and once they have crossed the boundary, there's no turning back. Move on.
Feb 05, 2011
 "FRIENDS"
by: Fit 2B Tied!

We have/had these friends who constantly cancel on us, too. I had gotten sick of it a long time ago, but it takes my husband a little longer to "come around." I had it about a decade ago when these "friends" decided to babysit for their grandson instead of going out with us on New Year's Eve as we had planned. After that, I would have my husband call them~I refused to. Well, here it is a decade later, and he is finally fed up with them too (I told you it takes him longer). Anyway, we had made plans to go out with them a week in advance, and they again canceled. Then the wife sent me an E-mail to do something else that afternoon. I told her that we had already made other plans. She quick came down to our house with chocolates and said that she was terribly sorry and that they valued our friendship. Now we are both sick of them. We have finally decided to cut our losses and cut them out of our life. My husband and I would always have a fight because I could see it coming, and he could not. What I do not understand is why people act like this? I think it is sick. There! I got it off of my chest.
Feb 05, 2011
 FRIENDS~HA!
by: Fit 2B Tied!

We have/had these friends who constantly cancel on us, too. I had gotten sick of it a long time ago, but it takes my husband a little longer to "come around." I had it about a decade ago when these "friends" decided to babysit for their grandson instead of going out with us on New Year's Eve as we had planned. After that, I would have my husband call them~I refused to. Well, here it is a decade later, and he is finally fed up with them too (I told you it takes him longer). Anyway, we had made plans to go out with them a week in advance, and they again canceled. Then the wife sent me an E-mail to do something else that afternoon. I told her that we had already made other plans. She quick came down to our house with chocolates and said that she was terribly sorry and that they valued our friendship. Now we are both sick of them. We have finally decided to cut our losses and cut them out of our life. My husband and I would always have a fight because I could see it coming, and he could not. What I do not understand is why people act like this? I think it is sick. There! I got it off of my chest.
Nov 16, 2011
 Same Thing Happened to Me
by: Anonymous

I recently ended a "friendship" with a woman who constantly did this to me. If we made tentative plans, nine times out of 10, she would just blow me off, without so much as a phone call or e-mail. She would just disappear, even though I always asked her to at least let me know if she couldn't keep the date. When I would confront her, she always had some lame excuse. Then she blew me off during my birthday weekend and didn't even e-mail or call to wish me a happy birthday, but wished another friend a happy birthday on Facebook. This was after I'd been to her house for her son's birthday and gave him a check as a gift. (Which she didn't even acknowledge...surprise!) I e-mailed her and confronted her about this, but never heard from her. I realized she can't handle confrontation, and can't say, "No." She just sticks her head in the sand. Ironically, she had all the time in the world for her so-called "best friend," a drama queen with a drinking problem who was constantly fighting with her. I am done. Life is too short for this bull****!
Jan 13, 2013
 People Who Cancel Plans
by: Anonymous

IT could be that your friend suffers from anxiety disorder, agorophobia, fear of the market place. I know because I did for many years. I'd make plans with people that meant very much to me, was thrilled about seeing them in a shared social situation but right at the last my fears would win out and I'd cancel. I felt so horrible about doing this and it would eat at me for months. I lost some very good friends this way but was too ashamed to admit what was going on. In time I found help. We all have our short comings and if you like your friend I'd try to have patience with them and maybe only see them at home or one on one. You never know the shoes other's are wearing so try not to assume anything unless clear information presents itself and find other friend's to do things with socially. Your friend with anxiety has alot to offer.
Apr 14, 2013
 I can relate
by: Anonymous

My very own sister is the queen on canceling and excuses. In fact, she had an argument with me over this same issue not to long ago blaming me for now ever making plans with her and according to her, "choosing my friends over her!" I then pointed out that she ALWAYS cancels plans and waits till the last second. What's more annoying is when she does cancel, she uses this pathetic poor me voice like she's sick or something, but really it's to try to instil sympathy. I used to drive from 45 mins away to her house only to be left at the door with her once again excuses. Then she wondered why I stopped making plans with her and excluded her. This has been going on since we were in our 20's. we are now in our 40's and she's 45! Grow up already! Recently we have been trying to get all the kids and sisters together and she cancelled today for the 4th time. She's now agitated because she found out my other sister and I still planned on meeting tomorrow- as planned with our kids. Apparently she thought the world revolved around her! I'm sick and tired of dealing with someone who would rather go through life making bullcrap excuses than be a reliable and dependable person, not a Debbie the downer!

Fed up baby sister

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