Dancing is something most people love to do.
Even when a person isn’t particularly good at it, they can still shake it out.
Dancing is healthy and can be helpful in reducing anxiety and stress.
So when people are asked not to dance, it can cause a few problems.
Redditor No_Inspection_9614 wanted to discuss her experience and get some feedback, so naturally, she came to the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subreddit.
She asked:
“AITA for dancing while cleaning when my cousin is in a wheelchair?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“My (20 F[emale]) cousin (11 F) and my aunt (40) are staying with us at my parents’ house because they can’t afford an apartment currently.”
“Everything was going okay until my aunt approached me and told me I need to stop dancing when I am cleaning.”
“I have two bunnies and even tho they are spayed, they like to pee everywhere but their litter box (I’ve tried so much to get them to stop, but it’s been 8 years, so I have given up).”
“Because of this, they smell if I don’t regularly clean them, so every couple of days I deep clean their cage, and when I do, I always put on headphones and dance while I’m doing it.”
“They are in the living room, so it’s pretty visible to everyone, and I guess my cousin is jealous.”
“I’ve offered to move my bunnies upstairs so no one can see me, but my cousin likes to play with the bunnies all the time, so if I do, she’ll be mad.”
“I’ve tried cleaning when they are not home, but it’s summer and my cousin is rarely gone.”
“I told my aunt after she talked to me that my cousin needs to get over it because life won’t accommodate her, but she said she wants her daughter to be comfortable in our house because they live there now.”
“My mom and dad are split, so I haven’t changed my routine, and my cousin and aunt glare at me.”
The OP was left to wonder:
“AITA for continuing to dance?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed in on some options to the question AITA:
- NTA – Not The A**hole
- YTA – You’re The A**hole
- NAH – No A**holes Here
- ESH – Everyone Sucks Here
Many Redditors declared that OP was NOT the A**hole.
“If your aunt doesn’t like how you clean after your pets, she’s welcome to do the cleaning herself. NTA.” ~ Remote-Passenger7880
“No dancing?”
“It’s not as though your cousin can’t dance.”
“She may have to adjust her moves, but she can dance.”
“But ask your aunt for a complete list of activities you are not allowed to do because of your cousin.”
“And ask if this list is just for you, or for everyone in the house. NTA.” ~ Ok_Stable7501
“Exactly! Like, dancing isn’t off-limits just ’cause someone else can’t do it the same way.”
“It’s not about showing off, it’s just how she gets through cleaning.”
“The list idea made me laugh, though, it feels like they want her to stop existing just to keep the peace.” ~ electric-vibe89
“Maybe SHE’S the AH for walking, too.”
“Did she ever think about that? Lol.”
“Come to think about it… I have dwarfism… I’m going to go tell my mom she’s an a** for letting my brothers reach things high up when I couldn’t. 😂😂😂.”
“NTA. Those people are ridiculous. Lol.” ~ 4FeetofConfusion
“It’s not your cousin that’s upset at you dancing, it’s your aunt projecting her own bull onto you both.”
“I’m a wheelchair user, and whilst watching other people living their lives can be hard, I don’t get to tell people to stop just to save my feelings. NTA.” ~ CXM21
“NTA. This is just a power play for control over something in the house.”
“Your parents are dumb if they bend to it.”
“Do. Not. Stop. Dancing.” ~ MyPath2Follow
“When I got my wisdom teeth out, it made me realize how much I took solid food for granted.”
“I didn’t ask the rest of my family to stop eating solid foods for me lol.”
“She’ll be alright.”
“The rest of the world won’t stop spinning because she’s in a wheelchair. NTA.” ~ Apprehensive-Fee-967
“NTA. I get that your aunt is trying to advocate for her daughter, but she can just… not watch you while you clean.”
“It’s not like you are putting her at risk by dancing or forcing her to be involved with it; you’re just cleaning how you normally do, in your own house.”
“Yes, she deserves to be comfortable, but so do you.”
“You have offered to move them upstairs if the dancing is that bothersome, which demonstrates genuine effort to compromise.”
“It’s not your fault that they are unwilling to meet you in the middle.” ~ didelphimorph
“Oh, please.”
“They are being ridiculous, it’s YOUR house, if they don’t like it, they can leave.”
“You should consider posting this on r/entitled as well, NTA.” ~ alphapixaling
“NTA. Her daughter’s jealousy is for she has to deal with.”
“She should be in therapy to focus on how to deal with anger and jealousy.”
“I’m not blaming her for feeling bad, but it is true that she can’t make the whole world stop dancing.” ~ tarbearjean
“That, or if her daughter is jealous of people dancing, why hasn’t she taken one second to use the freaking internet to figure out how her daughter can dance as well?”
“There are plenty of people in wheelchairs out here dancing.”
“She’s doing her daughter a massive disservice by trying to restrict others instead of expanding her daughter’s world.”
“This is just bad parenting from the aunt all around.” ~ yourenotmymom_yet
“What in the footloose is going on at your house?”
“Is she gonna ban walking next? NTA.” ~ heyhigello
“NTA. Is your aunt still walking when her daughter can’t?”
“Why would she be so inconsiderate as to walk?”
“I’m sorry, but if your cousin doesn’t stop this kind of jealous behavior, their life is going to be made worse because of something they CANNOT control.”
“Jealousy is an ugly, ugly emotion and makes people ugly as well, and few people want to be around someone who wants to hold them back and tie them down.” ~ ShannaraRose
“Are you kidding? NTA.”
“Your Aunt is way over the line.”
“Why stop at dancing?”
“You should all just stop walking, maybe, no? Ridiculous.”
“Aunty needs to pipe down.”
“You don’t stop doing normal things around people with disabilities just because they can’t do them.”
“If your cousin really minds, then they need to get over it.”
“You don’t ask the world to change to humor you.”
“It doesn’t owe you anything.”
“You cope and you get on with it.”
“Might need to straighten out the aunty and maybe some tough love for the cousin.”
“But never stop dancing.”
“All the best.” ~ Low_Breakfast_5427
“NTA: Has your aunt opted not to use her legs altogether because her daughter is unable to walk?”
“I say ditch the headphones, get a speaker and some disco lights, and invite your cousin to help or just have some fun.”
“Being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a party atmosphere, and for many doesn’t mean you can’t dance in any capacity.” ~ Pootles_Carrot
“You don’t get everything your way and sheltered from everything triggering just because you’re in a wheelchair.”
“Life comes with disappointment; get used to it.”
“Many of today’s kids would benefit from never having been told no at some point in their lives.”
“I have a minor disability, and other people do things that I can’t.”
“Well, yeah, they do.”
“Because that’s how the world works!”
“If you had been <taunting> her with it, that would be a different matter entirely, however.” ~. SelinaFreeman
“NTA – Maybe have the music played out loud instead of headphones so she can move a little too.” ~ Yernar125
“NTA. There is no reason for you to curtail your normal activities.” ~ Humble_Pen_7216
NTA. Your cousin needs to go to therapy, and preferably one who specializes in helping people adjust to their disabilities, if possible.”
“Like if you were dancing in her face and being like, ‘bet you wish you could do this huh??’”
“You’d obviously be the a**hole.”
“But you are just using your legs in your home, and your cousin and aunt need to get a f**kin’ grip.” ~ VogonShakespeare
“NTA – Of all the things to get pissed off about, someone dancing while cleaning is a BASIC joy we get while doing mundane chores.”
“Tell your aunt to build a bridge and get over it; she’s creating a toxic environment by asking you to, basically, stop enjoying your life.”
“Just because she’s not happy in her personal life doesn’t mean she needs to spread that to others.” ~ Weekly_Tomorrow603
“NTA. You aren’t doing anything wrong, although you were perhaps a bit harsh with your Aunt; you also were not entirely wrong.”
“Your cousin can not expect others to limit their activities, particularly not within their own homes, due to her disability.”
“Your cousin may need some counselling to develop healthy strategies for dealing with any disappointment, resentment, depression, distress, etc that she may be experiencing due to her inability to do some things.”
“Hopefully, she is also getting any needed physical therapy and occupational therapy so that she can learn how to do the things she wants to do.” ~ No-Assignment5538
“NTA. You don’t have to change anything because you’ve done nothing wrong.”
“If your cousin is so deeply affected by watching other people do things, then she needs to get some therapy.”
“Same for your aunt if the problem is her disappointment and resentment at seeing you do what her daughter can’t.” ~ LaMisiPR
“Ridiculousness. 🙄🤦 NTA.” ~ Fun-Bread-8560
Reddit is with you, OP.
You’re not being malicious.
Your cousin’s situation is unfortunate, but it doesn’t dictate or control the life and behavior of others.
Keep on dancing.