Teen Asks If It's Wrong To Eat Meat On Class Trip With Hindu Friend Who Won't Be Able To Sit Near Her

We all have friends with different religious beliefs than we do.

Most of the time, this isn't an issue, as people respect that their beliefs might differ from others.

Sometimes, however, tensions arise when one friend's religious beliefs might create unexpected conflicts.

Sometimes even threatening relationships.

Redditor Ok_Structure4777 was looking forward to an upcoming trip they were taking with their class at school.

Somewhat dampening the original poster (OP)'s excitement, however, was that one of their friends who was also going on the trip had taken some of the enjoyment out of a previous class trip.

Owing to her religious beliefs.

While the OP wanted to be respectful of their friend's religion, they also didn't want to miss out on certain parts of the trip.

At a loss for what to do, the OP took to the subreddit "Am I The A**Hole Here" (AITAH).

Unlike the similar 'Am I The A**Hole' (AITA) subReddit, AITAH allows Redditors to ask for advice on issues that are not permitted on AITA, such as asking for advice or posting about ending relationships. Voting acronyms aren't required, and no final judgment is declared.

The OP asked fellow Redditors:

"Would I Be The A**Hole (WIBTAH) if I (16) had meat/eggs during a trip despite knowing my friend might not be able to touch/sit near me if I do that?"

The OP explained why they were a bit wary about their upcoming school trip:

"My school trip leaves next week."

"Last time, I was rooming with this friend, so I couldn't eat any meat/eggs because I wouldn't be allowed to sleep in the same room as her (she's deeply religious), which I later regretted because I like eating chicken and my friends were bragging about how good it was."

"This year we'll be in different rooms, so I'll be eating whatever I want, but I'm pretty sure she won't be able to touch me if I do that."

"She follows a specific deity in Hinduism and I think they avoid meat because he is known for non-violence(?) but I'm not sure because I'm more or less atheist."

"So WIBTAH?"

Fellow Redditors weighed in, with some using the voting acronyms:

• NTA - Not The A**hole
• YTA - You're The A**hole
• NAH - No A**holes Here
• ESH - Everyone Sucks Here

The Reddit community agreed that the OP had every right to eat chicken on the school trip if they wanted to.

Everyone agreed that while the OP's friend had every right to follow her own personal religious beliefs, she should not expect everyone to cater to her:

"When someone’s religion dictates what they can/can’t do, that’s fine."

"When someone’s religion dictates what you can/can’t do, that’s not ok."- andmewithoutmytowel

"Why does she have to touch you?"

"If her religion prevents her from touching non-vegans(?) then that's a her problem, not a you problem."

"You should enjoy a balanced diet that brings you joy."

"NTA."- ChibbleChobble

"Why does she need to touch you?"

"As for the sitting near you - does she not go out in public?"

"She must be in shops/venues/cafes/transport/school all the time next to people who she doesn't know what they've eaten."

"NTA."

"She is manipulating you."

"Or attempting to."

"Don't be letting that happen when you're 16, or it'll become a habit and folk will do it the rest of your life."- AuroraDF

"Her religion is not your problem."- pablo_kickasso

"I was raised in Hinduism."

"While many Hindus are vegetarians, and therefore don’t eat meat or want it cooked in their house, I have never heard anyone espousing restrictions on what others could eat on a trip - particularly non-Hindus."

"And the touching thing is batsh*t crazy."

"This person is either deeply misguided or using religion as an excuse to be disturbingly controlling."- Objective-Apple7805

"NTA those or her rules for her religion that she chooses to follow."

'You never have to modify your own regular behavior for someone else’s choices."

"You live your life and let her make her choices."- beepbeepboop74656

"I thought she was highly allergic or something and was like, 'Yeah, definitely TA,' but what? her religion is her business. do what you want."

"NTA."- Aggressive-Ad-5983

"What the hell?"

"If those are actual religious requirements, then she and her family need to tell the school, and it’s up to them to adjust."

"You have just as much right to eat or not eat items."

"Flip it."

"What if your religion said you had to eat eggs and fried chicken?"

"Would you expect her to have to follow along?"

"You’re never too young to learn this …do not set yourself on fire to keep others warm."

"If this person has an issue with someone eating meat and eggs, then it’s her problem to solve not yours."- WhichWitch9402

"I’m sorry, does the meat seep out of your pores or something?"

"This sounds insanely controlling of your 'friend'."- Acceptable-Food-8161

"YWNBTA."

"This is a friend, not a spouse."

"You don’t need to touch her."

"I don’t know what religion says she can’t be near people who eat chicken or eggs, but if she attends a school or goes out in public then she’s been near people who eat chicken or eggs, and she’s making up these rules for you because she enjoys trying to control your behavior."

"Eat what you choose."- 7625607

"NTA what the f*ck?"- Forest_Spirit_7

"Her religion is for her to follow, you don't have to do sh*t if you don't t feel like it."

"NTA."- panspal

"NTA."

"You should eat and drink the things you want to, your friend can eat or drink the things they want to."

"I've not heard of a religion that means the person they're sharing a space with cannot consume specific foods, you need to stand up for yourself."

"Also, as an aside, how much does your friend touch you that this is a major concern of yours?"

"I'll hug a close friend to say hello or goodbye, but that's it!"- ZigZagIntoTheBlue

"NTA."

"There is no reason you couldn't have eaten that when sharing a room; it's not like you brought it into the room."

"If she's that religious, she needs to room with someone of the same religion or pay more for her own room."

"Enjoy the chicken!"- JerseyLC8

"NTA."

"Has anyone else offered to room with his friend?"

"Because I’m sorry, I think you’re the only one she has gotten to agree to this arrangement because it’s utterly ridiculous."

"This is a school trip; she needs to speak with the teachers about arranging a single room or a vegan roommate if her religious beliefs are that important."

"If the school refuses to accommodate her, then it’s not your problem, and you’re absolutely not the a-hole for not going along with it."

"And the comment in response I saw you said, from what you know, she avoids me and refuses to sit near people who eat meat."

"Have you met your parents, and how have they confirmed this religion exists?"

"Have any of the teachers at your school confirmed that she has this religion?"

"Cause it sounds like there’s a good chance it’s not real."- crayonnoodle

"NTA."

"Her religious beliefs are hers."

"She doesn't get to control you because of them."

"If she cannot have contact with you because of your dietary choices then this is something that she and her parents need to figure out on their own."

"She really shouldn't be going on the trip or even to school then since she has contact with people who consume meat and dairy there."

"Eat what you want and don't bend."

"If any teacher tries to tell you you're not allowed, call your parents."

"It is not your responsibility to follow her religious beliefs."

"Don't be an ah about it."

"Don't laugh and say you ate meat or whatever."

"Talk to your parent before the trip and have them talk to the school."

"This way they can sort it out beforehand."

"If you live in the US, this would be a legal issue if the school tried to make you not eat meat and/or dairy because you're rooming with her."

"So, keep that in mind."- Nymph-the-scribe

"YANTA magine an all powerful deity that cared that someone eats meat or eggs."

"Absolutely ridiculous."- O_C_Demon

"It's not your religion."

"Her limitations are for her to manage, not you."- Renzieface

"You would not be the ah, how can your friend be on this trip if everyone around her is eating animal products?"

"This doesn't make sense to me."- rammyago97

"I think someone is making up bullshit about her religion to control you."

"NTA."

"There is no religion that requires the follower's roommate to abstain from meat and eggs while staying in the same room but is perfectly ok with you guys being friends in the first place."- redditreader_aitafan

It would be wrong if the OP flaunted eating meat in front of their friend, or worse yet tried to force them to eat it.

However, it would be similarly wrong for the OP's friend to dictate what the OP could and couldn't do because of her religious beliefs.

Hopefully, they can each enjoy the trip without judgment or pressure.