AITA for Changing Tailgate Location to Avoid Acquaintance's Dog?

"Struggling with dog drama at my tailgate, considering moving spots - AITA for wanting to avoid an acquaintance's dog and changing locations?"

Jesse

Published in Interesting
14 May 2024

AITA for Changing Tailgate Location to Avoid Acquaintance's Dog?

A man with thousands of dollars in tailgating gear thought he was just asking for basic respect, but his “public spot” became a whole dog drama. For over a decade, his family, friends, and casual acquaintances have been showing up for every home game of their alma mater, grilling, drinking, and basically turning one corner of the parking lot into their tradition.

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Then a couple he knows but not super well started bringing their dog. The dog roamed all over his cornhole boards and sat on his camping chairs, and even got fed steak off his grill. He’s not a dog person, so he asked them to stop, and when they brushed him off, he recruited his friend Bob to help. Bob refused too, saying everyone enjoys the dog and it’s a public space.

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Now he’s talking about moving spots, and some people are calling him the a*****e for “ruining it” over one dog, while he insists they owe him $20 he never got back.

Original Post

My (33M) family, friends, and other acquaintances tailgate for every home game of our alma mater's college football games. We have tailgated together for over 10 years. I own thousands of dollars' worth of equipment.
We drink, grill, play drinking games, and watch other football games. Last year, a couple that I know, but not super well, started bringing their dog to the tailgate.
They let the dog all over my stuff. They would take pictures of the dog on my cornhole boards and let it on my camping chairs. I'm not a dog-friendly person, so I asked them to stop and not bring the dog next time. They dismissed me. I asked one friend, Bob, who knows the couple well, to leave the dog at home. He refused, saying most enjoy the dog and see no reason why it shouldn't be allowed. It is a public space.
The last game of the year, they even fed the dog steak that I grilled. They were fair game for people to eat, but I didn't want them going to the dog. So I asked to be reimbursed $20. I never got the money. It pissed me off. I'm looking into moving spots and making things a little more private, not as public as they used to be.

We've had the same spot for nearly 10 years, and I think it's time to downsize as I get older and less rowdy. After some feedback from others, it was split. Some friends are upset.
They don't want to move due to a variety of factors. I have most of the equipment, and it's several thousand dollars' worth of gear, plus I'm willing to deal with the hassle of moving and transporting everything. So people are at my will or can find somewhere else. I've been called the a*****e. Phil called me and asked me to reconsider. I asked if they were going to reconsider bringing the dog and paying me back for the steak. He said I was being unreasonable. They said that I'm ruining it for dozens of people over a dog. My view is not really; people can follow me. I think others are being rude and disrespectful to me. It was left at that. But AITA?

Social interactions often involve complex dynamics, particularly when personal preferences clash with the expectations of a group.

Comment from u/Caspian4136

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Comment from u/jmullin09

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That’s when OP realized the dog was not just “present,” it was actively using his cornhole boards and camping chairs like they were its own setup.

Studies show that when individuals prioritize their comfort and boundaries, they can experience increased anxiety due to perceived social repercussions.

Understanding these dynamics can empower individuals to assert their needs more effectively within social contexts.