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Edinburgh Live
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Alexander Smail

Mum slams ‘cheeky’ friend who asked for help cleaning home ahead of sale

A woman has blasted her friend for asking her for help cleaning her home ahead of its sale.

Taking to parenting forum Mumsnet, the woman told of how she had received a text from her "best mate" asking if she could head over to help with "gardening, cleaning, packing". In exchange, she promised "lunch and bubbles".

Upon receiving the message, the Mumsnet user was "annoyed" that she had been asked to help clean the "flippin' house". She revealed that she had been "stewing over it" and so posted on the website in the hope of receiving advice.

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The woman wrote: "Best mate sent me a WhatsApp 2 days ago:

"'Hay darling! We are putting the house on the market ASAP if you have any spare time in the next few weeks to come and doing some gardening, cleaning, packing or anything to get this house looking good for the photos I would be so very grateful! And pay you in lunch and bubbles! Xxx'

"I've been stewing over it. Why the hell would I want to come and clean her house and do her garden!? Are cleaners and gardeners usually paid in "lunch and bubbles"!? I don't even drink bubbles, I don't like the sensation and I never have.

"Where is all this spare time coming from? And why would I not have my own stuff to fill it with? Like, for example, my own life admin. Or even just relaxing after a stressful few days at work!

"It just feels like another case of "she has no kids so she must have loads of time and must want to help us" to be honest. I moved last year and she didn't help me at all!!

I can't tell if I'm being a selfish cow... AIBU (Am I Being Unreasonable)?"

Since sharing the story, the post has received dozens of responses. Mumsnet users were split in their opinion on whether the woman was in the right or being rude.

One wrote: "It's quite a cheeky request but you only need to reply something like "That's exciting to hear! I'm sorry I won't be able to help out, but best of luck."

A second posted: "It’s cheeky if she hasn’t offered to help you. But I would gladly help my friend clean and pack."

"Not your house, not your responsibility," a third simply said.

A fourth echoed: "That’s proper cheeky, come and clean her house and do the garden. I’m with you op. F**k that. She can clean her own house. It is absolutely not a normal thing to ask someone to do."

However, others felt that the request was perfectly acceptable and that the poster was getting too worked up over it.

One stated: "This is a perfectly normal thing for a best mate to ask another best mate. If you don't want to do it just say no, you can't."

A second agreed: "For goodness sake! She only asked if you could help if you have some spare time. Lots of people would be only too happy to help a friend, and expect no payment of any kind.

"If you don't want to help then don't, but it really isn't necessary to make such a drama about it. You and your "best mate" sound poles apart tbh."

A third argued: "Wow. How are you guys even friends if you post this on mn? The text was lovely and nice and exactly what a friend would text asking for helpThe fact she didn't help when you moved doesnt change anything. You probably didn't even ask her."

A fourth echoed: "A bit unreasonable. She was just asking & of course u are allowed to say no, but no reason to kick up a fuss, she is ur best friend after all. Me and my bestie always help eachother move - without the invitation for lunch. It's what friends do."

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