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.
It's safe to assume that we've all experienced that sinking feeling of disappointment when we're given a gift that is just not what we were hoping for. Whether you've been promised something special and instead received something entirely meaningless, or you assumed you were getting that thing you desperately wanted, only to receive something you couldn't care less about.
Disappointment is a valid emotion, and we should be allowed to feel it. However, disappointment is far too often accompanied by guilt.
Reddit user u/Initial-Start758 recently shared her story of disappointment on the AITA (Am I The A**hole?) subreddit. You see, she had just celebrated her 20th birthday, but her special day didn't end well.
The evening was going fine until it was time for our OP to open her gifts. The Redditor 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.
So, understandably, the Redditor had been expecting and looking forward to receiving the special watch as a 20th birthday gift. She had been keeping an eye out for it and was excited when she spotted a small box on the gift table.
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.
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. Her dad reasoned that if he were to give her the watch, it would not stay within the family because she would someday get married.
The Reddit user explained to her father that she had her heart set on this watch for her whole life, and her brother had no interest in it. An argument broke out, and the woman stormed out of her birthday party.
As always, the Reddit community had plenty to say about this. Keep scrolling to read the story in full and see how people reacted.
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
"NTA!"
Reddit / Virgie87
"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
"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
"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!
