AITA For Calling My Friengroup Cruel Assholes For A “prank”

AITA for calling my friengroup cruel assholes for a “prank”

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

Friendship or Betrayal? A Birthday Surprise Gone Wrong

When Milo, a young man who never experienced the joy of birthdays, excitedly plans a dinner with his closest friends to celebrate his 22nd, he’s met with a shocking betrayal. Instead of showing up, his friends decide to prank him by skipping the dinner for a surprise party they never communicated properly. As Milo sits alone, heartbroken and confused, one friend is left to confront the group’s cruel joke. This story raises questions about loyalty, communication, and the true meaning of friendship, making it a relatable dilemma for anyone who has navigated the complexities of social dynamics in their 20s.

Conflict Over Surprise Birthday Party: AITA?

A group of friends, consisting of four girls and one guy named Milo, faced a significant family drama surrounding Milo’s 22nd birthday celebration. The situation escalated into a conflict that raised questions about loyalty and consideration among friends.

Background: The group has been friends since high school and is in their early to mid-20s. Milo, who grew up in foster care, has always felt that birthdays were overlooked, making this celebration particularly important to him.
Planning the Celebration: Milo booked a table at a restaurant and invited everyone well in advance. The group had been discussing the plans for weeks, and all members had RSVPed, showing their commitment to celebrating with him.
Arrival at the Restaurant: On the day of the celebration, the narrator arrived at the restaurant at 6:30 PM, only to find Milo already seated and waiting. As time passed, they began to worry when the other friends were late.
Discovery of the Prank: After waiting for over an hour, the narrator checked the group chat and discovered that the other friends were out bowling instead of attending Milo’s birthday dinner. Upon direct messaging one of the girls, the narrator learned that they were planning a surprise party for Milo the following morning.
Details of the Prank: The message from the group indicated that they intended to no-call no-show at the restaurant to make the surprise more impactful. They believed that pretending to forget would lead to a more significant surprise for Milo.
Emotional Impact: The narrator expressed anger towards the group, calling their actions cruel and heartless, especially since Milo was visibly upset and crying due to the situation. The narrator felt that the friends’ actions were inconsiderate, given Milo’s background and the importance of the birthday celebration.
Group’s Justification: The other friends defended their actions, insisting that it was all in good fun and part of the surprise. They did not see their behavior as mean-spirited, which led to further tension within the group.

This situation raises questions about the boundaries of friendship and the importance of communication in conflict resolution. The narrator is left wondering if they are in the wrong for defending Milo and criticizing the group’s actions. As the group navigates this wedding tension, it remains to be seen how they will resolve the conflict and restore their friendship.

This is Original story from Reddit

Image credit: Pixabay (This is example image – Not the actual photo)

Story

I’m a part of a friend group, all in our early to mid-20s. We’ve all been friends since high school. We’re four girls and one guy; let’s call him Milo.

Milo turned 22 last Friday. He had booked us a table at a restaurant, nothing too fancy. He had invited all of us in advance, and everyone has RSVPed.

We had been talking about it for weeks. He’s been so excited as he grew up in foster care, and the families never really cared about birthdays. He works all the time, barely has time for us, but made time for this.

I arrived at the set time, 6:30 PM, to see Milo already sitting at the table waiting. I sat down with him as we waited for the others to arrive. Twenty minutes passed, then thirty, then an hour.

We spammed the group chat asking where they were. We checked one of the girls’ Snap and they were out bowling. What the heck?

I asked her in a private DM what was going on. She said it’s a prank and that they had texted me the details, but I apparently hadn’t read it. The text went something like this:

Hey girl, we’re planning a surprise party for Milo Sunday morning, but we need to no-call, no-show at the restaurant and show up to surprise him big time in the morning. Pretend we forgot. Don’t reply, and he’ll be so surprised next morning, lol.

I called them cruel, heartless bitches. Milo was crying at that point, and I told them so. They said that they aren’t mean since it’s part of the surprise; I think I’m right, but they don’t.

AITA?

View the Original Reddit Post Here

Summary of Reddit Comments

The top Reddit comments express a unanimous disapproval of the actions taken by the friends towards Milo, highlighting the cruelty of ditching him on his birthday, especially given his background and mental health struggles. Many users emphasize that such behavior is not only toxic but also indicative of poor friendship, suggesting that both the original poster (OP) and Milo should distance themselves from these harmful individuals. Overall, the comments reflect a strong belief that true friends should support and uplift each other rather than engage in hurtful pranks.

Verdict: NTA

Expert Advice for Resolving the Conflict

Conflicts among friends can be challenging, especially when emotions run high. In this situation, it’s essential to approach the resolution with empathy and understanding for both Milo and the other friends involved. Here are some practical steps to help navigate this conflict:

Open Communication: Encourage all parties to sit down together and discuss their feelings openly. Each person should have the opportunity to express their perspective without interruption. This can help clarify misunderstandings and foster empathy.
Validate Emotions: Acknowledge Milo’s feelings about his birthday and the significance it holds for him. At the same time, allow the other friends to express their intentions behind the surprise. Understanding that their actions were meant to be lighthearted can help bridge the gap.
Apologize and Take Responsibility: The friends who planned the surprise should consider offering a sincere apology to Milo for their actions. Recognizing the hurt caused, regardless of their intentions, is crucial for healing. Milo should also express how their actions affected him personally.
Reassess Friendship Dynamics: Encourage the group to reflect on their friendship values. Discuss what it means to be supportive and considerate friends. This can help establish clearer boundaries and expectations moving forward.
Plan a New Celebration: To mend the situation, suggest planning a new celebration for Milo that includes everyone. This can serve as a way to show that they care and are committed to making it up to him. It could be a simple gathering or a more elaborate event, depending on what Milo would enjoy.
Set Future Guidelines: Establish guidelines for future celebrations or surprises. This could include checking in with the person being celebrated to ensure their feelings are considered, preventing similar misunderstandings in the future.
Consider Professional Help: If the conflict has deeply affected the group dynamic, it may be beneficial to seek the help of a mediator or counselor. This can provide a safe space for everyone to express their feelings and work towards resolution.

Ultimately, the goal is to foster understanding and rebuild trust within the group. By addressing the situation with empathy and a willingness to listen, all parties can move forward positively.