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Both of my "best friends" were using me?

Started by Cody Jensen, April 13, 2012, 09:55:15 PM

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Cody Jensen

I don't like drama and try to avoid it every chance I get. But lately, three weeks ago, my "best friend" of four years made it clear she never wanted to talk to me again. Every time we made plans to hang out, she ALWAYS cancelled. She's been doing this for a long time. I called her out on it, and she made it look like it was my fault. She was accusing me of cancelling on her, which irritates me, because I've never cancelled, I'v e always been there, waiting for her to show up. Anyways, that stuff aside, now she's out of my life. I'm actually glad. But what really crushed me, was my other best friend of two years who is also my singing teacher (the same girl I have a huge crush on). She charges an unfair amount for her lessons, I confessed how I feel about her and she said "we can be friends" but she's only ever texted me back once and when I say "let's hang out" she doesn't follow up on it (I'm not out yet btw, and I'm not even presenting as male at all). She also forgets to give me back change she owes me and she's done that more than once. Two weeks ago I couldn't make it to her new opera she was in, and she acted all disappointed, which surprised me. Now I just feel like she wanted me there just to make her look good because I was her student. I want to get a new voice coach, but I tried not talking to her, and that messes me up. I feel like I'm all alone, and I know I've got you guys, but I've been crying myself to sleep for the past three days because I don't know what to do with this girl. I don't want her to use me anymore, and the only way to do that is to stop talking to her. But I can't bear that thought. So ya. That's what I've been up to for the past month. How to cope in this situation? Have you ever been used? Was it a friendship? A love interest? Both? How did you deal with it? This has made my suicide thoughts much worse and I'm worried of something happening.
Derp

"I just don't know what went wrong!"
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Adio

Quote from: Cody Jensen on April 13, 2012, 09:55:15 PM
I don't want her to use me anymore, and the only way to do that is to stop talking to her. But I can't bear that thought.

How is that the only way?  Tell her to give you back your change and renegotiate what she charges.  Even if you don't currently have a back up, tell her that if things don't change, you will go somewhere else.  Don't let her use you.  Stick with her if you want to, but do it on your own terms or compromise to get a better deal.

I'm sure I've been used before.  Definitely sure of it.  It really sucked, but that was a bad time in my life overall.  Knowing what I know now, I would have never put up with all that mess.  Not worth it.  Now I'm more focused on compromising or getting the hell out if it's an impossible situation.
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Cody Jensen

Quote from: Adio on April 13, 2012, 10:11:55 PM
How is that the only way?  Tell her to give you back your change and renegotiate what she charges.  Even if you don't currently have a back up, tell her that if things don't change, you will go somewhere else.  Don't let her use you.  Stick with her if you want to, but do it on your own terms or compromise to get a better deal.

I'm sure I've been used before.  Definitely sure of it.  It really sucked, but that was a bad time in my life overall.  Knowing what I know now, I would have never put up with all that mess.  Not worth it.  Now I'm more focused on compromising or getting the hell out if it's an impossible situation.

I feel as though if I do stop talking to her, she won't ever talk to me again. I can't have it both ways.
Derp

"I just don't know what went wrong!"
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Kreuzfidel

Sorry to hear this, Cody.  I agree with Adio - be upfront with this girl.  I mean what's there to lose?  If you keep quiet and ignore her, you look like a jerk and she gets fed up or you both simply just stop talking.  If you tell her that you need to negotiate the lesson pricing, then she either throws a tantrum or accepts it - or at least compromises.  As far as a relationship goes, she's given you her answer.  I don't honestly think it's worth wasting your energy on.  I've been used, and eventually you wake up and realise it's not going to change.  There will be life and friends and love after these people.
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Adio

Quote from: Cody Jensen on April 13, 2012, 10:45:21 PM
I feel as though if I do stop talking to her, she won't ever talk to me again. I can't have it both ways.

Why would you have to stop talking to her?  If you didn't take lessons from her, you could still talk as friends.  I'm not sure what you can't have "both ways".  Not trying to be difficult, just trying to understand.
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Felix

I actually recently was contacted by a friend who I feel used me and never saw me as an equal. Back when we hung out I was far more broken than I am now, though, and so I was a weaker person. I'm having to renegotiate our relationship now. I correct her when she puts me down or is dismissive about things I care about, and I don't give her time or energy I'd rather have for myself or others. Patterns are hard to shake and maybe she's just not a good person for me to be around, but I'm not going to flat-out avoid her without first making an effort to get along on healthier terms.

Good luck however you deal with it. Crying yourself to sleep is dangerous. Find ways to smile and keep your feet on the ground.
everybody's house is haunted
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Cody Jensen

Quote from: Kreuzfidel on April 13, 2012, 10:47:24 PM
Sorry to hear this, Cody.  I agree with Adio - be upfront with this girl.  I mean what's there to lose?  If you keep quiet and ignore her, you look like a jerk and she gets fed up or you both simply just stop talking.  If you tell her that you need to negotiate the lesson pricing, then she either throws a tantrum or accepts it - or at least compromises.  As far as a relationship goes, she's given you her answer.  I don't honestly think it's worth wasting your energy on.  I've been used, and eventually you wake up and realise it's not going to change.  There will be life and friends and love after these people.

I don't know how I'm going to move on. I've already lost one person, my family and I aren't close at all so I literally feel like I have no one. And as cheesy as this sounds I don't know how I'm going to deal with the pain in my chest. I kept hanging onto the hope that one day I'd get my chance to sing my heart out to her in front of a whole crowd and she'd fall for me in that moment. I believed that for so long and I feel so foolish now. This is going to be hard, I get very attached to some people.
Derp

"I just don't know what went wrong!"
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Cody Jensen

Quote from: Adio on April 13, 2012, 11:24:30 PM
Why would you have to stop talking to her?  If you didn't take lessons from her, you could still talk as friends.  I'm not sure what you can't have "both ways".  Not trying to be difficult, just trying to understand.

Because we wouldn't even be friends through lessons, she'd completely stop talking to me. Btw we agreed on "student rate" which is a lot more affordable. But I still don't know how to deal with the fact that she's using me, and I don't like it at all. I'm so sick of being used.
Derp

"I just don't know what went wrong!"
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Edge

*BIG HUGS*
I'm sorry I can't say anything to make it easier. I've been used too. Each time, all I can do is force myself to do what I need to do to stay alive and sane.
I agree that being upfront would be a good idea. It might turn out to be a fixable situation.
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Cody Jensen

Quote from: Edge on April 14, 2012, 06:01:11 AM
*BIG HUGS*
I'm sorry I can't say anything to make it easier. I've been used too. Each time, all I can do is force myself to do what I need to do to stay alive and sane.
I agree that being upfront would be a good idea. It might turn out to be a fixable situation.

But my sanity's quickly slipping away. Upfront? But what do I say? I was thinking of something like "it's dangerous for myself to be around you". I don't WANT to make this more dramatic though.. I need a script :(
Derp

"I just don't know what went wrong!"
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Adio

Quote from: Cody Jensen on April 14, 2012, 12:34:08 PM
But my sanity's quickly slipping away. Upfront? But what do I say? I was thinking of something like "it's dangerous for myself to be around you". I don't WANT to make this more dramatic though.. I need a script :(

I think you have to figure out what you want/need to do first.  Do you want to stay friends?  Do you want to continue lessons with her?  Do you want her to give your change back?  Do you want her to reduce your rate?  Do you want to continue to talk to her?  Do you want to go to her operas, shows, etc?

Based on your answers to these questions (yes/no), then you can go from there.  Without having a clear picture in mind, all you're going to get is more misery.
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King Malachite

Quote from: Adio on April 14, 2012, 01:01:24 PM
I think you have to figure out what you want/need to do first.  Do you want to stay friends?  Do you want to continue lessons with her?  Do you want her to give your change back?  Do you want her to reduce your rate?  Do you want to continue to talk to her?  Do you want to go to her operas, shows, etc?

Based on your answers to these questions (yes/no), then you can go from there.  Without having a clear picture in mind, all you're going to get is more misery.

This ^ 

If she would completely stop talking to you because you didn't take lessons from her then that's not a friend.  It may appear that she's more interested in the "you giving her money" part of the relationship.  For me when I am crushing on a woman I just want to give her all my money.  If she is short changing you then that is not a friend.

Like Adio implied it's best see what you want first.  Had it been ME I would drop her in a heartbeat.  I was going through some threads a from a while ago and you mentioned tap danving or some sort.  What happened to that dream?


I had people use me all the time in my life....my last two online ex girlfriends and a few of friends from years ago.  How do I cope with it?  I just shut down and be less trusting of people to sugar coat it.


Feel the need to ask me something or just want to check out my blog?  Then click below:

http://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,135882.0.html


"Sometimes you have to go through outer hell to get to inner heaven."

"Anomalies can make the best revolutionaries."
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MrTesto

It seems like there are a couple things happening here at the same time. The first is getting a way of being with her - as a student, as a friend - which doesn't leave you feeling used or cheated. The other thing is managing your own feelings, fantasies of being with her romantically, and getting through the time when you are apart and things are uncertain.

Honestly, the second one is the most urgent right now. If you are having feelings of hurting yourself, or thoughts of suicide, please get in touch with a counselor, if you have one. If you don't, or you don't feel like calling them today, you can call the Trevor Project phone line at 866-488-7386. Feeling like being with an unpredictable person is "dangerous" doesn't give you the best chances of having a forthright conversation with her.

About the music lessons etc: if she owes you money, and you know how much, you can just let her know that your next payment is coming out of the "change." That's treating you both like adults. You don't have to attend her performances if you don't want to, and if she holds that against you, she's lacking in self-confidence. And even though you have been friends, there are a lot of complications that make a healthy dating relationship unlikely at this time. (From what I am reading.) I'm not saying it can't happen in the future, especially if you are not her student, but an equal. Get things in order for yourself personally, and then you will be in a better position to decide more freely whether being with her is fun and fulfilling.
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Adio

Good advice, MrTesto.  I especially like this part, wish I had thought of it:

Quote from: MrTesto on April 14, 2012, 07:13:05 PM
About the music lessons etc: if she owes you money, and you know how much, you can just let her know that your next payment is coming out of the "change." That's treating you both like adults.
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Epi

Quote from: MrTesto on April 14, 2012, 07:13:05 PM
About the music lessons etc: if she owes you money, and you know how much, you can just let her know that your next payment is coming out of the "change." That's treating you both like adults.

I'm going to go with the assumption this girl isn't running a legitimate business, however, she is rendering some type of service.  He can't just withhold future payments for lessons in order to satisfy a debt that he believes he is owed.  (Real friends help friends out though and don't use them as a source of income.)  If he withheld payment, he's just as much in the wrong as she is.  Also, given the fact he knows how much the session costs exactly and that she has kept his change in the past, he still allowed it to happen again.  "Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me."

Some states see a verbal demand the same as written, but all prefer written.  If the OP wants the money/change he did not receive  he should make a detailed list of the dates she withheld change and the amounts that were withheld and ask her for it.  If she says no, he can write her a follow-up demand letter and mail it to her stating that if she doesn't pay he'll file in small claims for the amount + filing fees.  That's about all any person really can do.  If she won't pay and the OP doesn't want to file he should consider it a loss and move on.  And in all honesty, the letter isn't a bad idea and could work, but if the amount of money/change being sought is less than the court filing costs, it's not worth the time.  (Also, friends really don't sue each other.)
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Adio

Quote from: Epi on April 14, 2012, 08:04:27 PM
I'm going to go with the assumption this girl isn't running a legitimate business, however, she is rendering some type of service.  He can't just withhold future payments for lessons in order to satisfy a debt that he believes he is owed.  (Real friends help friends out though and don't use them as a source of income.)  If he withheld payment, he's just as much in the wrong as she is. 

I'm not so sure that's right.  Just as an example, when I accidentally pay more money at therapy or a doctor's office than what they actually need, I get a credit on my account.  So next time, I don't owe them all of what I'd normally pay.  So if I have a balance of $50, and I'm supposed to pay $70, I only owe them $20.  Hope that makes sense.
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MrTesto

Quote from: Epi on April 14, 2012, 08:04:27 PM
...He can't just withhold future payments for lessons in order to satisfy a debt that he believes he is owed. ...

Interesting points, and you certainly have more of the legal facts than me. I was imagining more of an up-front version, rather than getting to the point where money changes hands after the "service" has been used (end of the lesson). It can be done in an email, in advance. 'In going through my finances, I realized that I overpaid you X amount (dates)...to bring things back to a balance, it  would be fine to just credit that amount to my lesson this week.' Very matter of fact. If she has a fit about the whole thing, well, that will be useful data about how professional she is. And then in the future, maybe pay her by check.

I dunno - the whole thing has a lot of potential for awkwardness, but treating it as just a matter of catching up accounts might be a good solution.
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Epi

Quote from: Adio on April 14, 2012, 08:51:56 PM
I'm not so sure that's right.  Just as an example, when I accidentally pay more money at therapy or a doctor's office than what they actually need, I get a credit on my account.  So next time, I don't owe them all of what I'd normally pay.  So if I have a balance of $50, and I'm supposed to pay $70, I only owe them $20.  Hope that makes sense.

A fully insured, certified and legally operating clinic/doctors office is not the same as an individual offering music lessons.   

The OP could live in a state where a verbal agreement is the same as written and he could not.  But if he has no records, receipts and hasn't asked the person to either give them the change or come to agreement that they will accept a lesser amount for a session than previously agreed upon in order to satisfy this "debt" then that's it.  You can't withhold payment for services rendered and expect that to be okay.

If I accidentally overpaid my landscaper not once, but twice I would immediately bring that to their attention.  If my landscaper was dismissive of it or outright denied it, I would produce check stubs and a copy of the contract agreement.  But if I had neither receipts or a contract, even if my landscaper swindled me, it would be my own naivety that resulted in that and there's nothing you can do except don't let it happen again.
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Epi

Quote from: MrTesto on April 14, 2012, 09:19:49 PM
Interesting points, and you certainly have more of the legal facts than me. I was imagining more of an up-front version, rather than getting to the point where money changes hands after the "service" has been used (end of the lesson). It can be done in an email, in advance. 'In going through my finances, I realized that I overpaid you X amount (dates)...to bring things back to a balance, it  would be fine to just credit that amount to my lesson this week.' Very matter of fact. If she has a fit about the whole thing, well, that will be useful data about how professional she is. And then in the future, maybe pay her by check.

I dunno - the whole thing has a lot of potential for awkwardness, but treating it as just a matter of catching up accounts might be a good solution.

Just asking her casually may get a better response than letter writing but the fact he hasn't asked her puts him in this gray area.  "So, you're just bringing this up now?" kind of thing.



Dear Ms. Music Lady,

On these specific dates I overpaid you for these music lessons because you could not provide me with the change I was entitled to.  Per our verbal agreement, you have agreed to provide me with music lessons at a discounted student rate.  However, while it was not specifically stated you would credit me towards future lessons if you were unable to make change I was under the impression; as any reasonable person would be, that you would bring the change to the next lesson or deduct the amount from the overall total of the next music lesson.

I would appreciate if you would rectify this situation by either providing me with x amount of music lessons free of charge or by paying the $x.xx amount in full by April xx, 2012.  If I don't receive payment by that date I will promptly file this matter in small claims court.

Sincerely,
Your Pal
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Adio

@Epi:  I see what you're saying.  That makes sense.  I guess we don't know enough about his individual situation to really give much solid advice on that front.  I still think he needs to figure out exactly what he wants or needs here.  A romantic relationship with this girl is clearly not happening, and I think that needs to be dealt with before continuing as friends.  By dealt with I mean realize that it's just not going to happen.
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