Man Pretends To Be An "Appletarian" For Three Weeks To Prank His Friends, Only To Be Dumped Later On

One man turned an ordinary prank into a three-week commitment, and it ended with his girlfriend walking away. He told friends he was an "Appletarian," meaning he only ate foods and drinks made with apples, then kept the act going long enough for everyone around him to start worrying. They staged an intervention, refused to believe it was a joke, and even after he ate beef jerky in front of them, the damage was already done.

What started as a goofy bit turned into a breakup, and the comments did not hold back.

The Headline...

u/Appletarian

When I first told them, they thought I was joking

u/Appletarian

They started giving me information

u/Appletarian

The recent antics of a man who pretended to be an "Appletarian" for three weeks to prank his friends reveal the complex dynamics of humor and social bonding. While pranks can sometimes foster camaraderie, this particular stunt illustrates that the line between funny and frustrating is remarkably thin. Not every joke lands as intended, and what may seem amusing to one person can be perceived as offensive or annoying to another, especially when the intent behind the prank is misinterpreted.

This incident underscores the need for sensitivity in social interactions, reminding us that humor is subjective. The fallout from this prank, resulting in a breakup, serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of misjudging the impact of our jokes on others.

Finally, I started laughing hysterically

u/Appletarian

The girlfriend even broke up with the OP over this

u/Appletarian

The Reddit post received a lot of attention, as it has been upvoted more than 34K times with over 2K comments. Here are some of the most upvoted ones below.

Your friends need better humor

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Understanding social cues and boundaries is critical for maintaining healthy relationships.

Ensuring that pranks are consensual and understood as playful can help prevent negative repercussions.

It's probably not worth it if your joke gets people upset

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This Redditor feels the OP's girlfriend overreacted

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This Redditor thanks the OP for the late-night laugh

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The Role of Social Context in Humor

Psychologists emphasize that humor is context-dependent, and what may be funny in one group can be offensive in another.

Research shows that shared values and mutual understanding are crucial for humor to be effective and appreciated.

For instance, a prank that is well-received among friends may not translate well to a larger social setting.

You got dumped because you're a clown

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This Redditor admires the OP's commitment to the joke

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Weeding out the people that are not compatible with you

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Taking the time to gauge the audience's reactions and preferences can prevent awkward situations and promote healthy interactions.

It’s hard not to think of the AITA debate over feeding a vegan sister non-vegan food at a family dinner.

Embarrassing them on a weekly basis

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This Redditor believes the OP went too far with the prank

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I'm thinking this is likely a troll post

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Strategies for Pranking Responsibly

To prank responsibly, ensure that all parties are aware of the prank and find it amusing.

Engaging in discussions about humor preferences can provide clarity and avoid misunderstandings.

Additionally, being mindful of others' boundaries and emotional responses can enhance social interactions and foster positive relationships.

I can totally see myself having enough of this crap

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They were dumb to think that you were trustworthy

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The OP is at fault for drawing it out so long

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A decade of unordered eating and binge-starve cycles

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They were worried about you and thought you were hurting yourself

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It shows your friends genuinely care about you

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It means you had weeks to recognize that they were getting worried

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It's not funny as it can ruin your friendship

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This Redditor says they'd break up too because of the dumb prank

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Making your friends worry isn't a joke; it's abusive

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Jokes are meant to make everyone laugh, so when you toy with other people’s feelings, it’s no longer a joke.

In the end, it was decided that there were no a**holes in the story, but you can definitely share this post and get other people’s opinions.

The recent antics of a man who pretended to be an "Appletarian" for three weeks highlight the delicate balance of humor in friendships. While the initial laughter may have brought his friends together, the ultimate fallout serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for conflict when boundaries are crossed. In this case, what began as a playful prank quickly spiraled into a situation that jeopardized trust and led to the end of a relationship. This incident underscores the importance of understanding how humor can both unite and divide, depending on how it is wielded.

For a different “meant well” disaster, see the AITA post about surprising a vegan partner with a meat-based dinner.