24-year-old woman kicks out unemployed, freeloading friend after she turns her short visit into a 3-week all-inclusive vacation: ‘She called me heartless’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Apr 22, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

In this decade's job market, there is little room for mercy. You can lose your relationship, your home, and your career in the blink of an eye. And, even if you manage to hold onto a job to keep yourself afloat while on your journey to find a position that better suits your skills and abilities, it feels like you're simply waiting for something bad to happen. The light at the end of the tunnel might just be a mirrored image of what you have in the current moment, and you're simply walking toward the darkness with every hesitant step you take.

When the going gets tough, though, leaning on friends is integral to staying afloat while you search for greener pastures. This does not mean you burden those around you for weeks on end after you promised them only a few days of slight inconvenience… but it seems not everyone understands how to be a decent person. In this next story, a freeloading friend tries to gaslight a woman for not allowing her to live rent-free in her apartment. Scroll to read.

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • The economy is not merciful, at least right now. Friendship can mean a lot of things, one being providing others with financial support in moments of severe need. If you are in a position where you're only means of living are relying on others (as a capable, healthy person), then the best “thank you” you can give someone who's supporting you is taking the steps to better yourself so you can get out of their way. This sounds harsh, but you can only freeload off of someone for so long until it's evident you're just looking for free handouts. The friend in this story can't believe she isn't owed everything for doing nothing.

  • "I work from home and she's constantly interrupting my workday with her drama."
    via Barbare Kacharava for Unsplash

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "AITA for kicking out my jobless friend who turned a "few days" visit into a three-week stay?"

    I (24F) have been friends with my college roommate for 6 years. We were super close in school but grew apart after graduation. She moved across the country and we mostly kept in touch through social media.
    via Primary-Shock3847
  • Last month, she messaged me saying she was going through a rough patch (lost her job, boyfriend dumped her) and wanted to visit for "a few days to clear her head." I felt bad and said yes.
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • Well, those "few days" turned into THREE WEEKS. She's been sleeping on my couch, eating my food, using my stuff, and not contributing ANYTHING. I work
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • from home and she's constantly interrupting my workday with her drama. When I suggested maybe it's time to look for a ticket home, she burst into tears saying she has nowhere to go and I'm her "only support system."
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • 9 9 9 O 4 A D F O H J KL Z X C v B N A M >>> > option command Эк command option
    via Chris Montgomery

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Yesterday i had an important Zoom meeting and specifically asked her to be quiet for one hour. halfway through, she starts blasting music and FaceTiming someone in the living room. My boss definitely heard and I was mortified.
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • That night, I finally snapped and told her she needed to leave by the end of the week. I even offered to help buy her plane ticket. She called me heartless
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • and said a real friend would support her "no matter what." She's been posting vague stuff on social media about "finding out who your true friends are during hard times."
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • i feel guilty because she IS going through a lot, but I'm also exhausted from the constant emotional labor and lack of boundaries. My apartment is tiny
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • and I never signed up to be someone's indefinite crash pad and therapist. So, AITA for kicking out my friend when she's down on her luck?
    via Primary-Shock3647
  • Cheezburger Image 10496589568
    via Kateryna Hliznitsova For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • StarsForget NTA, this is a common story. Couch surfing friend rides the goodwill wave as long as they can then moves on to the next friend.
    via StarsForget
  • If they're serious about getting back on their feet they'll be applying for jobs and housing, helping around the house, or if nothing else trying to process their feelings so they can move on, using you as a sounding board in lieu of a therapist.
    via StarsForget
  • If not, they're ab, and you have to give them the boot the minute they inconvenience you. It seems harsh but it's necessary to prevent them from sinking any further. Hopefully in a few years she'll apologize for her embarrassing behavior.
    via StarsForget
  • NeedForSpeed98 NTA. She might have tough things at the moment but your helping her doesn't allow her to take over your home and your life.
    via NeedForSpeed98
  • She wants to wallow, I get that, but she now needs to help herself. If she's video calling people, you're not her only contact in life. Time for her to step back up into adulting find a job being - the priority!
    via NeedForSpeed98
  • snarkness_monster "a few days to clear her head". That's what you agreed to, NOT three weeks! Your friend sounds like she's using you and has no respect for your boundaries. She's emotionally manipulating you into letting her stay longer.
    via snarkness_monster
  • Disrupting your work is the last straw. You need to kick this freeloader to the curb. NTA
    via snarkness_monster
  • Tangerine_Bouquet NTA. Send the overstaying guest on her way, before she establishes residency. If she doesn't have a return ticket, feel free to help her with that.
    via Tangerine_Bouquet
  • She may want to return to those college roommate days, but you didn't sign up for that. She needs to move forward, not back--and her manipulation are not inclining you toward any future friendship.
    via Tangerine_Bouquet

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

friendship aita entitlement AITAH best friends friends reddit story friend entitled people karma entitled reddit thread Reddit roommates unemployment entitled people
Scroll Down For The Next Article