People photographing and posting about their meals can be all the rage.
And it has led to very lucrative endorsements for many.
But not all people are on the Instagram food bandwagon.
In fact, some people find it downright absurd.
Case in point…
Redditor ChelseaCheesy wanted to discuss their experience and get some feedback. So naturally, they came to visit the “Am I The A**hole” (AITA) subReddit.
They asked:
“AITA for not sharing a free meal with my anti-Instagram boyfriend?”
The Original Poster (OP) explained:
“I post my food pics from when I go out to eat on Instagram.”
“It’s just for fun, I spend like 30 minutes a week on it, tops.”
“My B[oy]F[riend] is a very sweet guy in many ways, but one thing that I’m not so much a fan of is that he often hops on the bandwagon of hating on innocent things.”
“Not just not liking something, but making sure everyone knows he doesn’t like it even if nobody asked.”
“I can’t help but notice a theme: Pumpkin spice lattes, pouty selfies, Taylor Swift, etc.”
“As you can guess, he is not a fan of the food pics and thinks it’s very annoying and cringe.”
“He doesn’t even follow my Insta even though he has an account.”
“Even though I don’t have very many followers, I have started getting occasional offers and invitations from restaurants in my city to try their food for free in exchange for a review.”
“Nothing crazy—no steak dinners so far—but I’ve gotten a few sandwiches and several baked goods.”
“Well, I just hit the big leagues and got invited to a new restaurant opening that includes a free appetizer and entree for me and one guest.”
“I immediately invited one of my Instagram friends who I have gone out to eat with on several occasions and who also enjoys taking food photos.”
“I told my boyfriend and he’s pissed that I’m not taking him and says I’m doing it out of spite—I really think I’m not?”
“If the restaurant is giving me free food in exchange for a post, I’m gonna put more effort into the post and spend a few extra minutes making sure that I actually get very good shots.”
“And I’d rather do it with someone who isn’t going to sigh and roll their eyes through the whole thing.”
“Also, I think it’s pretty audacious of him to be actively unsupportive of an activity that hurts no one but then also expects to benefit when it’s actually successful.”
The OP was left to wonder:
“So AITA?”
Redditors shared their thoughts on this matter and weighed 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 OP was NOT the A**hole.
“Your gut feeling about this is absolutely correct.”
“You’re there to do a job essentially, and his bad attitude would be a hindrance to you getting it done right. NTA.”
“I want to also gently point out, as a married woman of 21 years, that for a relationship to work and be healthy and happy, your partner needs to be supportive of the things you’re excited about.”
“They don’t have to be interested themselves, but they do need to encourage and lift you up.”
“Your boyfriend is disdainful of your passion.”
“Did you know disdain has been scientifically proven to be one of four predictors of future divorce? True story.”
“A person’s character is their playbook.”
“It dictates every move we make and defines who we are.”
“The person you’re describing takes joy in robbing other people of theirs.”
“You’re not the only person he does this to, as you’ve said.”
He is also someone who feels entitled to the spoils of other people’s successes after putting a lot of energy into knocking them down a peg with his disparagement.”
“This is his character. I hope you see that.”
“This isn’t the behavior of a sweet guy.”
“It’s mean-spirited, petty, and selfish.”
“Of course, he has other qualities, but all of this is right there too.”
“So coded into his playbook of character is these poor qualities.”
“That means they show up in all kinds of subtle ways.”
“I bet if you look for them, you’ll find them.” ~ Choice_Mongoose2427
“I crochet and have a ton of yarn stash.”
“My husband is a smart man who codes and is a linguist, but he simply cannot understand what ‘magic’ I do with a stick and some string.”
“But he sits there dutifully and hears me explain to him when I’m frustrated and stuck on something and must frog the entire work even though he says it’s like one language that his linguistically focused mind will never understand.”
“He’s bought yarn for me and has listened to my excitement when I get new hooks.”
“He’s even helped me untangle yarn that our cats got into (why do they insist on stealing all my yarn?)”
But ask him about crochet and all he’ll be able to tell you is, “I think there’s something called a single crochet. Something about a magic circle?”
I’d be so sad if he openly disparaged it like OP’s boyfriend does.” ~ AllowMe-Please
“This! I absolutely LOVE Lego and have many expensive sets.”
“My wife takes absolutely no interest in it – and many might say it’s childish.”
“But most of my bigger sets were bought by her as a surprise!”
“Your partner sounds like a bully – NTA, get yourself someone who is proud of you!”
“Who is like ‘Hey babe, I saw a new donut place by my work! We should go this weekend’ or tell you they’re proud of you for those invites, or help you take the dang picture!!” ~ rutheordare
“This. I love Nightmare Before Christmas and Stitch.”
“My husband not only supports me but encourages it by finding me trinkets and such.”
“My living room is also NBC year around as well as my kitchen 😂.”
“He says he gets a whole garage for his hobby I can decorate how I want. NTA.” ~ Expensive-Virus6628
“So much this! My husband got me the Taylor Swift Long Pond vinyl for Christmas.”
“It was $$$$ and the man can’t actually stand listening to Taylor Swift.”
“He still was beaming and excited he found one second hand to give me.”
“He doesn’t have to like your hobbies and interests but he sure as hell doesn’t need to put you down or not support you enjoying them.”
“That’s just bad partner behavior all around.”
“And THEN to have the audacity to be upset he doesn’t get to reap the rewards over someone else who actually does support and uplift you?! No ma’am.”
“He’s not partner material in my honest opinion.”
“And notice how all the things he hates are things women are thought to like?”
“It screams slight misogyny on top of not being supportive.” ~ prongslover77
“Bingo bingo. The irony is for the men who hate ‘bandwagon’ things for women, it’s a total misogynist bandwagon they’re jumping on with other men by thinking they’re ‘above’ – ‘cringe’ things that women like.”
“Like dude, you’re being a walking cliched stereotype – you aren’t as interesting as you think you are.”
“BF sounds insufferable to me, but I’m sure he’s lovely in other ways. NTA.” ~ JuanJeanJohn
“NTA. This should be the top reply, well said.”
“Basically, you invited someone with a shared interest to a work function.”
“The business who invited you will likely get even more exposure due to your friend also posting this content.” ~ elsie78
“Second this, my husband isn’t keen on me taking photos of my food, but he doesn’t make any kind of deal out of it, in fact sometimes he’ll offer his food for a photo since I’m vegan and he isn’t so we always order separate dishes.”
“He thinks it’s a silly thing to do but it makes me happy so he let’s me do my thing and doesn’t huff puff or roll his eyes.”
“OP, NTA, your boyfriend sucks, he won’t let you do your little hobby in peace but expects to reap the benefits from it he needs to grow up.” ~ satanicmerwitch
“My father was like this.”
“He, as you so aptly put it, ‘took joy in robbing other people of theirs.'”
“Thank you, I never thought of it this way.”
“My childhood was miserable because he did his best to ruin anything I found joy in.”
“I STILL have trouble finding joy and happiness in things, because it feels like the rug is going to get pulled out from under me at any moment.”
“A few years back I dated a guy who, when I tried to share my love of plants with him, would say things like ‘In one ear and out the other’ or ‘I’ll remember that for about 5 seconds.'”
“NTA, OP, and you deserve better than someone who wants to bring you and everyone else down to make himself feel superior.” ~ PittieLover1
“This. Please read this OP, I couldn’t agree with it more.”
“A loving partner should be happy that a thing makes you happy, even if they don’t like it particularly themselves.”
“It’s one thing if it actively goes against their values, morals, and beliefs, or harms them in some way.”
“But you’ve said your boyfriend behaves this way about even the most innocent things, and that’s a huge red flag.”
“As this commenter said, this is not ‘sweet guy’ behavior, and I would strongly recommend you reevaluate your perception of his character and whether that’s the kind of person you want to select as your life partner.”
“I wish you luck and clarity moving forward, OP.” ~ wildlife_loki
“NTA, your boyfriend sounds rather exhausting with his I’m cooler than everybody because I hate popular things attitude.”
“Go and have fun with someone who isn’t a sourpuss.”
“Enjoy your dinner!” ~ adventuresofViolet
Well, OP, Reddit is with you.
You get to choose the company for this work dinner.
Maybe it’s time for a sitdown with the BF.
You can explain to him just how insulting his behavior has been.
And if he’d like to join in the future, he can make an attitude adjustment.
Have fun with your friend.