The best you will likely hear from the very few who know how to be honest is a poor excuse and an explanation about 'not wanting to hurt your feelings'. And as you well know, that last part is pure BS! Lying to someone will ALWAYS hurt their feelings, and the truth can be toned down to make it more palatable. Had I been one of these people who didn't want to be there(the likely truth, because if they wanted to be there badly enough they would have been there!)I would have said I had previous plans but wished you well, and I would thus have not hurt your feelings like they did.
One of my rules of life is:
"A promise is a promise, no matter who you made it to or why you made it and if your promises are worthless then so are you. "
Feel free to borrow my words as you see fit. But consider the reactions such words bring before saying them! The likely result is that you'll hear from them no more, nor be welcome in their social circles ever again. If that matters, save your words. If it doesn't matter, then tell them to get stuffed!
At least you now know these people are unreliable and beneath your considerable dignity, so some good has come of all this already. Better you find out now who will abandon you than to find out while you're drowning!
Off to read your other post now, and as always, carry my Best Wishes with you!
Penny T.
