On June 17, 2023, an 18-year-old woman vented on the “AITA” subreddit about her boyfriend, John, 20, being banned from his favorite restaurant on his birthday. They had been dating for almost a year, but a major source of conflict was her vegetarian lifestyle and refusal to spend money on meat.
During John’s birthday dinner at an upscale restaurant, he ordered an expensive steak. When the bill arrived, she requested separate checks, shocking John. He assumed she would pay since it was his birthday, but she reminded him of her rule against spending money on meat. “I don’t spend my money on meat,” she stated firmly. John, angry, stormed off to the bathroom.
After waiting 20 minutes, she left and found John outside. She explained she had paid for everything except the meat, prompting him to explode with accusations, calling her selfish. Despite her calm insistence, he refused to return and pay, so she drove home without him.
John blamed her for his restaurant ban due to the dine-and-dash. Seeking clarity, she posted online, explaining she had bought him a present from her savings, but it wasn’t enough for him. “He didn’t budget for the meal,” she noted, questioning the fairness of his expectations.
