Woman Asks Reddit If She's Wrong for Getting Upset Over the Birthday Present Her Father Gave Her
Understandably, the woman had been expecting and looking forward to receiving the special watch as a 20th birthday gift.
Some birthday gifts land with a smile, and others turn into a family fight in seconds. For one Reddit user, turning 20 came with a tradition she had been waiting for her whole life, only to have it pulled away at the last minute.
She shared on the AITA subreddit that her family has long planned for the firstborn to inherit a pocket watch from their great-grandfather at age 20. Instead, her father handed her a brand-new digital watch and said he wanted the heirloom to go to her 12-year-old brother because he is the boy, and that it would stay in the family better that way.
That did not sit well, and the birthday celebration quickly went off the rails. Here's the full story.
The Reddit user recently shared her story of disappointment on the AITA subreddit.
Reddit / Initial-Start758The evening was going fine until it was time for our OP to open her gifts. She explained that there is a tradition in her family: when the firstborn turns 20, they inherit a pocket watch that belonged to their great-grandfather.
Reddit / Initial-Start758So, understandably, the Redditor had been expecting and looking forward to receiving the special watch as a 20th birthday gift.
Reddit / Initial-Start758
She had been keeping an eye out for it and was excited when she spotted a small box on the gift table.
Reddit / Initial-Start758
When the time came and her father handed her the box, the woman opened it only to find a brand-new digital watch. The watch was lovely, but it wasn't the family heirloom our OP was expecting.
Reddit / Initial-Start758
When the Redditor questioned her father about the watch, he told her he wanted to give it to her 12-year-old brother instead because he is the boy.
Reddit / Initial-Start758
An argument broke out, and the woman stormed out of her birthday party.
Reddit / Initial-Start758
Later, the woman updated her post with some further details. She explained that she was the first female firstborn in her family.
Reddit / Initial-Start758
Here's how people reacted.
"I do not blame you for being upset."
Reddit / Jvzies
This commenter did not hold back.
"NTA!"
Reddit / Virgie87
One reply took a sharper turn.
This echoes the AITA fight where a brother demanded their father’s watch, and she refused.
"Through spite, we accomplish many things."
Reddit / Ok-Scheme8634
It's kind of stupid.
Reddit / notarobot32323
Boys aren't always it!
Reddit / KimmiK_saucequeen
It's prejudice.
Reddit / MrMakerHasLigma
"A symbol of oppression and inequality."
Reddit / BraidedSilver
Isn't it a bit ironic?
Reddit / ScorchieSong
You can't turn a digital watch into a family heirloom.
Reddit / SorryIdonthaveaname
Doesn't he realize that females are the ones who take care of their parents when they're old?
Reddit / carnivorouspixie
Another commenter kept the criticism coming.
"The audacity!"
Reddit / FrydomFrees
"The watch was a bribe, not a gift."
Reddit / addisonavenue
"Your father is a sexist a**hole."
Reddit / Ribbon-
"She is just an object to be traded."
Reddit / lfkor
Women don't "marry out" of the family anymore.
Reddit / alpacaboba
It's understandable.
Reddit / ScorchieSong
The reaction only got more pointed from there.
"Your dad and his enablers suck."
Reddit / Shelliusrex
Read between the lines.
Reddit / ScorchieSong
"He's a coward."
Reddit / NemesisErinys
What's your take on our OP's situation? Do you think she overreacted about the gift, or do you think she's well within her rights to be upset about this?
Either way, disappointment is disappointment, and we all know how much it sucks, especially on your birthday!
Feel free to share your opinion in the comment section. We would love to hear your thoughts!
Was she wrong to walk out?
Want more watch-related family drama? Read why she skipped gatherings after her cousin dispute.
