I've generally been willing to take one of several "friends" fishing or hunting for years now throughout the season.  It's been nothing but radio silence and crickets from these individuals even though they all knew I was going through a difficult time since January.  Nothing.  Just crickets.  Well, now that fishing season is approaching again, I'm getting messages about fishing season again.  Even my own brother has basically ignored me for months.

 

My wife thinks it's an obvious I've been taken advantage of for too long because I have a boat and because I have access to hunt private land.  She thinks that clearly they don't really care about my well being given their lack of empathy or care over these recent months until now.  I kind of agree with her.

 

I've chosen not to respond to any of them, for now.

 

Anyone else feel like people just use you for what you have?

Fishing requests are only occasional.

It's the hunting !

We live 1/2 mile off a state maintained road " dead end " against National Forest.

Every year as turkey and deer season approaches my phone rings. 😂

The other issue is,

If you let someone hunt they become obsessed and claim areas and in recent history even got aggressive towards other hunters.

Wife cleaned house several years ago and we're down to only 2 hunters but the calls still come in.

 

While I agree there are some that may take advantage of your hospitality, I’ll also suggest they may have no idea what you are going through.  With that being said, I don’t have any “friends” that only ring me up when fishing season starts.  Those of us who have boats and are open to taking others always have been properly respected and/or helped with costs.  Anybody who doesn’t, won’t get any re-invites. If your friends aren’t close enough to share your difficult times with, I wouldn’t expect them to feel your pain.  If they are and still stay distant, I’d wager they are not good friends.  

“Fair-weather friends” are no friends at all. 

Sorry that happened to you. 
I have a lake behind my house, but nobody trys to take advantage of it.

I do have a lot of friends around, since I grew up 1/2 mile down the road from where I live now.

The thing I can’t figure out is that most of them never  initiate anything with me. I have to be the initiator. I have wondered why for years. It would be so refreshing if they’d just ask me to do something.

At this point I tend to just let it go and try  not to let it get me down.

Sorry to hear you’ve been having an issue, I wasn’t aware. I’ve always have told my family that there is a big difference between Fiends and acquaintances. I’ve always believed if you have a few true friends you’re a lucky person. Hope all turns out ok.

 

Google it, there seems to be numerous reasons, acceptable or not.

My wife and I have had very similar experiences with "friends".

 

I've come to the conclusion that in general there are 2 types of people.  Those who have disappointed me and those that are going to disappoint me.  Sad, but true.

 

 

There is a reason I can count my friends on one hand and it seems you see why. I'm also they type of person who is completely content doing things myself and often prefer it, I can understand if you enjoy the company of others it being difficult. Blood relation can often be worse, they think because you are related there is a wider berth of "tolerance" and it can be infuriating.

 

Sorry you are going through it but at the same time it can be very freeing once the band aid is ripped off. 

It’s kind of give and take. I’ve got a boat, they’ve got an excavator. I have noticed that you haven’t been posting as much and was wondering why. 

1 hour ago, Functional said:

Blood relation can often be worse, they think because you are related there is a wider berth of "tolerance" and it can be infuriating

 

This is so true!  

See, this is why I avoid people.

Hope things get better for ya, Gim. And sorry your friends suck. 

40 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

See, this is why I avoid people.

 

I think one time @A-Jay stated "the more people I meet, the more I like my dog."

 

I sent my brother a birthday card with a gift card inside today.  His birthday is on Friday.

I have one friend who goes fishing with me. He's older, and is a trusted friend. We always get a long well. I've never felt I was used by him, and I like having him go when he can.                                         In the past, I had guys who used me for baits, line, transportation etc. I avoid them now. If you want to go fishing with me, bring your stuff and be prepared. As it should be.

True friends are hard to find. The older I get the less time I have to put up with " fair weather" friends.

Man, that's rough @gim. Hang in there!

 

I am very thankful I am pretty tight with my older sister and younger brother. Just spent the weekend fishing with Dad, Brother, nephew, and a good friend.

 

Quotes like this have really spoken to me lately...

 

 

 

tough one.  

 

on one hand i feel the way 90% of the previous responses feel.   nobody likes a one way relationship.

 

on the other hand, i try to think my friendship to others shouldn't have strings attached.  it is equally difficult to like someone including all their flaws.  

 

i am nowhere near perfect.  i know this.

 

my main thing here:  @gim i hope your recent troubles are in the rear view.  

My nephew learned this lesson a few years ago.  He would always be the one to drive when him and his friends went somewhere or did something together.  When his car up and died, his so called friends dropped him like a hot rock.

3 hours ago, Bankbeater said:

My nephew learned this lesson a few years ago.  He would always be the one to drive when him and his friends went somewhere or did something together.  When his car up and died, his so called friends dropped him like a hot rock.

Terrible way to treat someone. I have more empathy and respect for people than that.

 

Still crickets from people who I thought cared about me here. I’m kind of over it though. It’s turned from sadness and depression into anger and rage. Time to move on.

A few years ago, when I had lung cancer, I found out who my true friends were. I still have those same 4 friends. The rest of the so-called friends I had are gone. Funny how that works. I really did not expect much from them, but a kind word or a quick inquiry would have been enough...but, no, that was too much to ask. I don't really miss them much.