A woman had been looking forward to going out for dinner with her boyfriend and his parents but was left more than a little taken aback after it emerged she was expected to foot the bill for everyone. The shocked girlfriend, who has been with her boyfriend, Ricky for five months, had no clue whatsoever that dinner was on her when she entered the restaurant.
The couple arrived before the parents, and it was then that Ricky dropped the bombshell, asking her if she'd brought enough money. When she asked exactly what he meant by this, Ricky revealed he'd already told his parents she would pay for their meals. According to this 29-year-old woman, Ricky - who will regularly criticise his ex-wife - expects her to pay every time they go out, on the understanding that he is "going through a rough patch".
However, she was still more than a bit taken aback when it became clear she now had to pay for his parents too and so decided to just leave the restaurant and go home.
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Taking to Reddit, where she goes by the username u/AITAthrow5353, the conflicted girlfriend recalled: "I said why would I, and he went on about his parents going through a rough patch just like him. I said 'I'm sorry this can't be a coincidence!'
"He asked what I meant and I told him that I would not be paying. He insisted, I refused and said no. He then leaned back and said 'well, you're here, so not much of a choice you have anyway' while laughing like it was funny.
"I silently got up, took my phone and purse, and walked right out. He was shocked he started shouting after me to stop and wait but I didn't."
She continued: "I went home and he called me enraged saying that I did a horrible thing walking out on him and his parents, while I could've just paid. I told him that their unfortunate financial situation isn't my problem and that I wasn't obligated to pay for their food. If they couldn't pay for their meals, then they should not go out.
"He got offended and said and I quote 'you're making money a priority just like my ex did' then went on about how disrespectful my attitude was and how I made him look small in front of his parents and forced him to lie about why I wasn't there when they came."
Ricky is now refusing to speak to her and, given how "lovely" his parents are, she's now wondering whether she should have just paid and kept quiet. However, many of her fellow Reddit users have urged her to think twice about her relationship, alarmed by Ricky's behaviour.
One person wrote: "Ohhh the audacity is strong with this one and the red flags are waving. Girl, just leave his a**. If he expected you to pay for him and his parents once, chances are, he'll do it again. As you said, their financial issues aren't your problem."
Another advised: "He's doing a form of love bombing you. So kind and supportive initially, and now the true colors come out. Why do you want to be with someone who does not have your best interests at heart? He's manipulative and the way he talks about his ex is a red flag on its own.
"He thinks he's entitled to the money you're making from your second job; I doubt you took a second job to pay for your boyfriend. Dump this loser, you're only five months in and he sounds just awful."
Have you found yourself suffering through an awkward family dinner? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
