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This Man Turned to Reddit to Ask If He Was Wrong for Refusing to Join His Girlfriend's Family Tradition of Giving Presents

Well, it's either you or her family, right?

This Man Turned to Reddit to Ask If He Was Wrong for Refusing to Join His Girlfriend's Family Tradition of Giving Presents

Have you ever been forced by someone to do something you do not want to participate in? Did you try to compromise, or did you choose to cut connections with them instead?

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A relationship is a give-and-take commitment, which can be frustrating for those who feel they are getting the short end of the stick. If these needs are not met on both sides, the relationship might not work out.

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When you are in a relationship, you accept and understand your partner's personality, culture, and behavior, including their flaws and imperfections as a person. You might also help each other discover strengths and improve on weaknesses.

On the other hand, this connection does not end with just the two of you; it extends to your families as well. Getting to know each other's families is another stage of your relationship.

Especially if you both come from different cultures, there are practices that can create a more challenging environment for your relationship to grow, as they are an inseparable part of family life. There are traditions within your families that one of you might find impractical or unacceptable, and worse, they might lead you to decide to go your separate ways.

This is the concern raised by a Reddit user named NeokratosRed, who shared how he and his girlfriend had argued about her family's tradition. They are on the verge of ending their relationship because of this, and he wanted to know what Redditors think about his decision and actions regarding this matter.

Here is a summary of the post and their opposing family traditions.

Here is a summary of the post and their opposing family traditions.Reddit/NeokratosRed
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The reason for his refusal.

The reason for his refusal.Reddit/NeokratosRed
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His girlfriend's reaction when he said he did not want to participate in their tradition.

His girlfriend's reaction when he said he did not want to participate in their tradition.Reddit/NeokratosRed

#1 Stop worrying about something that will not happen.

#1 Stop worrying about something that will not happen.Reddit/bunnybunnybiscuit

#2 The fact that you don't care about other members of her family makes you the bad person.

#2 The fact that you don't care about other members of her family makes you the bad person.Reddit/stannenb

#3 Your marriage will not work out because you are clearly incompatible with each other.

#3 Your marriage will not work out because you are clearly incompatible with each other.Reddit/LittleFairyOfDeath

#4 You should have given her other options instead of being so extreme.

#4 You should have given her other options instead of being so extreme.Reddit/vodka_philosophy

#5 The difference between you and her family's values is problematic.

#5 The difference between you and her family's values is problematic.Reddit/BrownShoeJenny

#6 Your refusal shows how you dislike being a part of her family.

#6 Your refusal shows how you dislike being a part of her family.Reddit/ Lanky-Instruction729

#7 This is the hill she is willing to die on.

#7 This is the hill she is willing to die on.Reddit/RobinsRoads05

#8 Spend that much for significant people, not for those you barely know.

#8 Spend that much for significant people, not for those you barely know.Reddit/spacejaycey

#9 No pressure, but show respect.

#9 No pressure, but show respect.Reddit/nisharfa

#10 You both need a proper discussion to compromise or end your relationship.

#10 You both need a proper discussion to compromise or end your relationship.Reddit/Thediciplematt

#11 This is going to be a disaster.

#11 This is going to be a disaster.Reddit/RaiseSubstantial8420

#12 You are selfish, and you should not get married.

#12 You are selfish, and you should not get married.Reddit/Simonthebullettfreak

#13 Gift giving is optional. Either she respects your choice or leaves the relationship.

#13 Gift giving is optional. Either she respects your choice or leaves the relationship.Reddit/marmaleydov

#14 Totally unrelated.

#14 Totally unrelated.Reddit/maexx80

#15 Are you supposed to buy gifts, or can you just make homemade items?

#15 Are you supposed to buy gifts, or can you just make homemade items?Reddit/The_Noirbot

#16 Both of you are at fault: your girlfriend for forcing you to give gifts, and you for being rude toward her and her whole family.

#16 Both of you are at fault: your girlfriend for forcing you to give gifts, and you for being rude toward her and her whole family.Reddit/Left-Car6520

#17 Their tradition is not sustainable. Everything these days is getting expensive.

#17 Their tradition is not sustainable. Everything these days is getting expensive.Reddit/gigibuffoon

#18 Your communication was toxic, and you should work on it without focusing too much on winning the argument.

#18 Your communication was toxic, and you should work on it without focusing too much on winning the argument.Reddit/nmanda78

#19 You either grow up or break up if you choose not to compromise and embrace her family as they are.

#19 You either grow up or break up if you choose not to compromise and embrace her family as they are.Reddit/Downtown-Law-3133

#20 You should have at least respected their family tradition since her family will soon become yours.

#20 You should have at least respected their family tradition since her family will soon become yours.Reddit/ferriswheelofsand

This might be an issue of priorities and acceptance, but it can be sorted out through proper communication. If things still don't go well, it might be better to end the relationship amicably if you find that you're not compatible with each other.

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