Carolyn Hax: Needy friend will not take no for an answer

She takes no for an invitation to send 5 a.m. texts and to call repeatedly to get what she wants, and her friend has had enough. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Advice to help you tackle life's problems.     (Nick Galifianakis for The Post) Needy friend will not take no for an answer Adapted from an online discussion. Hi Carolyn! What is the best way to handle people who simply cannot and will not take no for an answer? A casual friend asks me to do minor (unreciprocated) favors for her, and she just can't wrap her head around it when I have occasionally declined. I usually hedge, hem and haw, and end up feeling put upon, because the only peace I get is to just cave in and do it. She recently overstepped a boundary by putting on the full-court press for me to cave in: 5 a.m. text messages, sometimes 6 a.m., thrice daily calls or more! And instead of caving in, I finally just blocked her number. Sweet, sweet relief. Now she is calling friends of mine whom she barely knows, crying that I am ignoring her. HELP? I don't even think I want to be friends with her anymore. — Let It Gooo … Read Carolyn's Response   Answer this week's reader question Here's your chance to channel your inner Carolyn Hax and respond to a reader question. Do we move 3 minutes away to be next door to friends? Submit your advice to this Carolyn Hax reader question. Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT     Want more? Carolyn's been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below. Baby needs a new pair of shoes, but not as much as baby needs love Read more »   Sweet but intrusive mother-in-law has no concept of social invitation Read more »   When you suspect depression, gently offer your support to loved one Read more »     News whiz? Play our daily news quiz. Test your knowledge of current events with our new quotable game, On the Record. Play game   We think you'll like this newsletter Check out A Better Week for a 7-day email course that will help you conquer your calendar, get more done and find time for the things you care about. Sign up »

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