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

You may have heard of a fruitarian, a person who eats only fruits and probably some nuts and seeds. However, fruitarians typically consume a range of fruits to keep things interesting and ensure they are getting a diversity of nutrients.

Fruitarianism is a form of veganism that excludes all animal products from the diet and instead emphasizes the consumption of fruits, seeds, and potentially nuts. One man, however, had his own idea: the "appletarian," who (as you can already guess) only consumes foods and beverages that contain apples or apple-based ingredients.

But it was all a joke played on his girlfriend and friends, and he persisted in the act for a whole three weeks. But don't worry; he took care to consume additional meals while they weren't looking, as he admitted this while sharing his story on the AITA subreddit group.

However, his friends became worried about him and decided to conduct an intervention since they suspected that he might be depriving himself of food on purpose. None of them believed him when he said it was a joke, even after he took out some beef jerky and chewed it in front of them.

Unfortunately for the young man, his relationship with his girlfriend ended because he took the joke too seriously and "embarrassed her for a dumb joke" on a date night.

The Headline...

u/Appletarian

When I first told them, they thought I was joking

u/Appletarian

They started giving me information

u/Appletarian

Understanding Pranks and Their Social Dynamics

Dr. Michael Anders, a social psychologist at Harvard, explains that pranks often function as a means of social bonding, albeit with varying degrees of success.

His research indicates that what one person finds humorous can often be perceived as annoying or hurtful by another, particularly if the intent behind the prank is misunderstood.

This highlights the importance of considering the recipient's perspective in social interactions.

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

Reddit

According to studies from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, humor and pranks can foster camaraderie when all parties are on board, but they can also lead to social friction when boundaries are crossed.

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

Reddit

This Redditor feels the OP's girlfriend overreacted

Reddit

This Redditor thanks the OP for the late-night laugh

Reddit

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

Reddit

This Redditor admires the OP's commitment to the joke

Reddit

Weeding out the people that are not compatible with you

Reddit

According to the American Psychological Association, understanding the dynamics of humor in relationships can help mitigate misunderstandings.

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

Effective communication about humor preferences can enhance group dynamics and prevent feelings of exclusion.

Embarrassing them on a weekly basis

Reddit

This Redditor believes the OP went too far with the prank

Reddit

I'm thinking this is likely a troll post

Reddit

Strategies for Pranking Responsibly

To prank responsibly, experts recommend ensuring 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

Reddit

They were dumb to think that you were trustworthy

Reddit

The OP is at fault for drawing it out so long

Reddit

A decade of unordered eating and binge-starve cycles

Reddit

They were worried about you and thought you were hurting yourself

Reddit

It shows your friends genuinely care about you

Reddit

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

Reddit

It's not funny as it can ruin your friendship

Reddit

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

Reddit

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

Reddit

Jokes are meant to make everyone laugh, so when you toy with other people’s feelings, it’s no longer a joke. Redditors made this point clear to the OP while also letting him know that his friends lacked humor.

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.

Psychological Analysis

This situation highlights the need for clear communication and understanding of boundaries when engaging in humor or pranks.

By ensuring that all parties are on the same page, individuals can enjoy playful interactions without jeopardizing their relationships.

Analysis generated by AI

Analysis & Alternative Approaches

Understanding the social dynamics of humor and pranks is essential for maintaining healthy relationships.

Research supports the idea that humor can strengthen bonds when shared appropriately, but it can also lead to conflict if boundaries are not respected.