Teen Follows Parents’ Exact Instructions, Gets Called Stupid for Not Guessing What They Really Meant
Following instructions word-for-word somehow became the wrong thing to do
A teenager (OP) recently posted about the exhausting pattern of being punished for doing exactly what their parents tell them to do.
OP explained that they’re constantly scolded for following instructions literally, and they’re genuinely confused about what they’re doing wrong.
Their parents keep telling them to listen and follow directions, but then get angry when they do exactly that.
One example: they were told to feed their dog Benji. They fed Benji. Fifteen minutes later, their parents were furious because they only fed one dog when they have multiple dogs. But that’s literally what they were told to do.
Another situation involved being told to wipe down the kitchen counter before relatives came over.
They wiped it down with a cloth and dried it. Their parents got mad again because apparently “wipe down the counter” actually meant tidy up condiments, put away dishes, and make everything look pretty. None of that was mentioned in the original instruction.
Their parents confronted them, calling them stupid with bad observation skills. In addition, they told OP to learn how to “read between the lines.”
OP, in a bid to prove that they’re not stupid, tried a different approach.
When asked to do a grocery run for vegetables, they asked which specific ones. Their parents responded sarcastically: “Just buy vegetables! Don’t you know what vegetables are?”
So they used their intuition and bought carrots, cabbage, broccoli, potatoes, and baby eggplants. When they got home, their parents yelled at them for having “no common sense” and not listening when they supposedly told them what to buy. Except they never actually specified.
Out of frustration, OP has decided to keep to themself and avoid their parents totally.
Check out the full story below.
Let's dig into the details
Reddit.comApparently, OP follows their parent’s words to the letter
Reddit.comDifferent examples
Reddit.comOP’s parents confronted them about their behavior of doing only exactly what is specified
Reddit.comLike their parents advised, OP tried to “read between the lines” when given instructions, but it only got worse
Reddit.comOP got frustrated and decided to keep to themself
Reddit.comWe gathered some interesting comments from Netizens
Reddit.com“Strong NTA, because you did ask for clarification, it wasn't given to you.”
Reddit.com“NTA for the vegetables because in that they should have been specific.”
Reddit.com“NTA. Your parents sound insufferable. Hope you can get out soon.”
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“Think we've found your issue. That and you seem to be a very literally person.”
Reddit.com
“Hey OP, not being mean but are you on the spectrum?”
Reddit.com
“NTA. Perhaps you need to use your initiative a little more.”
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“NTA, your parents seem hard work. Especially the vegetables drama.”
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“If they want you to do something they have to spell it out, or else you won’t understand. NTA”
Reddit.com
There’s a communication pattern here where instructions are intentionally vague, but OP is expected to fill in the blanks correctly every time.
When they guess wrong, they’re punished for not understanding what was never actually said.
Some parents operate this way, believing it teaches initiative or common sense.
But without clear communication or consistent expectations, it mostly teaches confusion and frustration.
On the other hand, some Netizens have suggested that OP may be on the spectrum, as this is something that has been observed amongst autistic individuals.
What’s your take on this matter? Let us know in the comments.
