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Are my friends going to dislike me if I don't want to do what they want to do?

44 Answers
Last Updated: 03/28/2022 at 8:39pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Evelyn Coker, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

I am down to earth and enjoy working with all clients. I have a special passion to support teen girls and women. My work is nonjudgmental and provides a safe space to grow.

Top Rated Answers
trisjlistens
October 22nd, 2015 8:07pm
Your friends shouldn't dislike you if they are your real friends. However, to be honest, in reality friends could possibly dislike you. It happened to me, and you have to be ready for it otherwise it will be very hard to cope.
EmmaSupportiveListener
March 2nd, 2015 4:13am
If you keep doing what people want, then people will a) start taking you for granted and b) they will think you don't have an opinion of your own and will disrespect you. Real friends will respect you for being your true self. Fake friends will judge you and want you fit in to a mould that they see fit. So finding some genuine friends who accept you for being you is key. With really good friends, we don't always have to fulfil each others desires ALL the time. Compromise is the name of the game. You meet halfway and share your needs.
FrankThe1st
June 13th, 2015 4:46pm
Not at all! I've had times where I just want to do something totally different, just explain to them that you don't particularly like the activity. It's okay to want to do different things, and if they pressure you, or start to dislike you, maybe they're not true friends. I've lost many groups of friends because I just wanted to stay in, or play video games at my house rather than go to a nightclub. It's perfectly cool to be uncool!
Anonymous
May 6th, 2015 12:08am
A true friend will respect your opinion and genuinely value your input! I know it's scary to have a voice and speak up, especially when it's an unpopular decision, but ultimately, being true to oneself leads to better understanding among friends.
HeavenlyShine22
April 4th, 2017 8:09pm
Doing something that you don't like just to please someone else is not the way that one should live. Your friends won't dislike you if you say no to an activity. At the most, they will be disappointed that you are not joining them but surely won't dislike you for your choice.
Sydneyaustraliaaa1295
December 28th, 2015 2:45am
Friendships are more than just doing what the other person wants to do. It's about a compromise, if your friends can't accept that you may have a different taste in activities than them, then maybe an evaluation of the friendship is in order.
grungepizza
September 28th, 2015 7:38pm
No, your friends should respect you more for being true to yourself. If they do act like they dislike you then you should avoid them where possible as that is a toxic friendship and very unhealthy. Please surround yourself with people who always respect your personal choices and appreciate that you are an individual as these people are your true friends
SmileMorePlease
February 27th, 2015 3:59am
If your friends dislike you for an action they want to do, but you don't, it shows they are perhaps not as 'friendly' as first envisioned. Though this is just my opinion.
Anonymous
July 21st, 2015 1:32am
If they truly are your friends, they won't care if you don't want to do what they do, because friends have to understand each others feelings and emotions.
Chyenne
September 15th, 2015 7:57pm
No, if they are your friends they should be able to accept you for who you are and your views on things. If you don't want to do something, they should be able to accept that, and if they don't, it would be difficult to be able to call them 'friends'.
JustMe11
June 25th, 2015 4:05pm
True friendship is give and take. Sometimes maybe you do things that they like even if you don't like them, but they should also be willing to do the same for you. You might even be surprised to find out you do like some of the things they do. Don't be afraid to get out there and try some new things.
GraceFaithAndSummer
September 6th, 2016 8:57pm
If they're real friends, they shouldn't! They should like you for you and respect your ideas and opinions!
mysterymarie20
November 16th, 2015 1:10am
You are your own person if they're truly your friends they'll accept you for who you are not what they can make you do
LifeAintSoBad
November 17th, 2015 12:11am
No. Simple and easy. Your friends will admire you for sticking up for yourself, simply be tactful.
Anonymous
December 29th, 2015 2:13am
No, absolutely not, they won't dislike you because you don't want to do what they do, you were born to do your own anything not other people's things
Anonymous
February 9th, 2016 7:29pm
Friends should respect your opinion. You shouldn't be worried about it, because saying no is normal and everyone has the right to say it.
neverendingNight54
January 19th, 2016 9:31pm
No you're friends won't dislike you for not doing something. If they really are your friends they won't make you do something you don't want to do.
Anonymous
January 12th, 2016 12:18am
No. My friends care about me and will respect my personal boundaries. At worst, they'll be disappointed
SoulfulBanana07
January 25th, 2016 11:24am
Friends, by definition accept you for who you are and what your interests are. I'm sure this is a super cliche response, but if they're really your friends they will understand. So go ahead and gives these activities a miss if you're not into them/if they make you uncomfortable. Talk to your friends and let them know why. If they are okay with it, you'll know you found some great pals. Love :)
Anonymous
December 7th, 2015 1:57am
It really depends. If it's something minor then no, why would they hate you because you didn't want to do something small. However, if they want to do something against your values and don't accept that I would say they really never liked you in the first place. You are you, not what others want you to be. I don't think enough people realize this.
Caringheart4
November 9th, 2015 8:46am
I used to worry about that alot, but it made me feel bad doing their thing. I got brave and told them I didn't want to do it. Turns out neither did someone else.
Anonymous
July 13th, 2015 12:23am
If they're your real friends, they shouldn't dislike you for having different interests than them. Friendship is about accepting others for whatever they may be, and hey, if you don't want to do what they want to do, maybe you can put your heads together and find a compromise!
Alyon
July 7th, 2015 5:10am
Who can say, really? But if they're the kind of people who would do that, maybe they aren't really your friends.
heartbeat1911
December 22nd, 2015 2:41pm
I believe if it is something bad they want you to do and you don't eventually they will come to respect you.
originalLion57
June 5th, 2015 8:54am
They shouldn't, but some friends aren't real friends and aren't going to support you even though you deserve support. Try not to allow them to pressure you into anything.
optimisticPond54
May 9th, 2015 7:49pm
They can't dislike you if you do not approve or do the same thing as they do. If they do, they are not real friends. Remember, difference is great!
Moonpeace2001
March 28th, 2022 8:39pm
Definitely not, your friends should be your friends for who are, like you for who you are. Every person has a mind of there own and are not entitled to do anything they do not want to. If your friends dislike you becuase you dont have the same interests as them then they are not your friends. Your are free ti decide for yourself, whether you want to do something or not. If you do feel like they will have a problem with you not liking something then thats definitely something that should be discussed becuases your feelings are valid
Anonymous
December 21st, 2020 8:06pm
Not at all! A true friend is supportive of your boundaries. A healthy friendship allows you space to be who you are any move towards things you might both like and step away from things that might make you feel uncomfortable. If there is something you don't want to do, it's 100% ok to say no. If you turned the situation around, would you dislike a friend for not wanting to do something she didn't want to do? I hope this helps guide you and feel more peace in the situation. You've got this and I have faith in you!
Scarlettree75
June 11th, 2019 6:50am
According to my personal experience, friends who would dislike me for not doing what they want to do would turn out toxic and bad for my mental health. Real friends would understand your reasons and not force you through something you don't like. So leave behind toxic people and wait for the real ones to come and trust me the wait will be worth. Because we don't need people who force us to do something we are uncomfortable to do, in our life. We must make sure of the fact that we are comfortable doing things and make sure it's good for our mental health. So take of yourself by leaving people who are not good for your self behind.
dxphne
March 26th, 2019 11:57am
Stand up for yourself. If you don't want to do something for your own reasons, you shouldn't feel bad because your friends do want to do it. Nobody is the same, you don't have to like or do the same things as your friends just because you want them to like you. If they're good friends they will understand. They can always do it with someone else or even alone for that matter, don't let anyone make you feel bad for having opinions and don't let people convince or even force you into something you really don't want to do. If they care, they'll understand and if they don''t, they shouldn't really matter.