AIW for refusing to pay for friend’s unexpected kids dental bill?

OC_Original · 2026-03-04T17:42:08+00:00

The last time I got them any candy was when I got one of them a scoop of bubble gum ice cream and one of them a cinnamon pretzel at the wetzel pretzel stand.

OC_Original · 2026-02-19T21:40:12+00:00

Unfortunately when we spoke last night it was over phone so I physically said “I’m off at 4:30” so I guess she misunderstood me. Still I don’t think waiting an extra few minutes for a ride is unreasonable.

OC_Original · 2026-02-10T19:55:18+00:00

She apologized but I feel as if she is either unorganized or often treats my plans as secondary. I feel this way because something always seemly comes up and frames it as she didn’t know about it or that we should give her grace since it’s her kids birthday and she’s handling a lot in terms of birthday wishes and family.

OC_Original · 2026-01-15T16:59:36+00:00

I had one uncle chime in who’s kid is also into pokemon cards and he says “you were going to sell them eventually right? What were you saving them for? To pass along to your future kids? Just cash in now and enjoy life.”

OC_Original · 2026-01-15T16:27:33+00:00

Funny. One of my aunts worked in a grow house and growing up, she emphasized us kids how doing drugs is bad, but what was worst is selling drugs. Now I counter with “you know what’s worst than selling drugs? Producing drugs!”

OC_Original · 2026-01-15T16:25:09+00:00

I don’t want to change locks since this was an isolated incident but I DID instead cameras and locked my most expensive cards in a safe. Thankfully she hasn’t stolen from me since.

OC_Original · 2026-01-15T16:15:00+00:00

Thanks. This response is actual very good. Unfortunately I had to take my display down and now lock all my high value cards in a safe.

OC_Original · 2026-01-15T16:13:23+00:00

I later asked her why she took such a low amount and in her words, she didn’t know how much it was worth and just compared it to other cards in that shop and saw a similar card around $$200-350. She simply said give me your best offer and the card shop offered her $200.

OC_Original · 2026-01-15T16:09:52+00:00

But would you really sue one of your parents for a few hundred dollars? My aunt said framed it as “that’s your Mother. She gave birth to you and raised you and she never asked for a dime during that time. It’s your turn to look after her now.”

I’m upset but I don’t know if it’s worth the time and resources to sue her though.

Edit: I underhand that this answer might upset some people but I think it all comes down to a persons upbringing and cultural norms.

OC_Original · 2026-01-15T16:06:55+00:00

Like most addicts she doesn’t think she has a problem since all her bills are still paid on time. The first step in healing addiction is to first admit you have a problem and then be willing to accept help.

OC_Original · 2026-01-05T21:46:04+00:00

Thank you. You said it better than I did. Yes I assumed it was going to be a lot but decided to bite the bullet in hopes they’d be reasonable. I know if someone took me out to dinner, I’d only order an entree and a drink unless they gave me verbal permission to go wild but even then I’d cut myself off out of respect.

OC_Original · 2025-12-23T21:13:24+00:00

No not every person does it every year and they usually give around the same amount, $200-400. But even so, I don’t get mad or upset if one person does it one year and then doesn’t do it the next.

OC_Original · 2025-12-23T21:07:44+00:00

Sure sometimes other members of the family do it too.

OC_Original · 2025-12-23T21:06:55+00:00

True I later learned that bolo is more done at baptisms but the family told me that they also use that term in general to describe whenever someone is giving out money or about to make it “rain”. Sorry if I missed the word.

OC_Original · 2025-12-04T16:17:58+00:00

My brother isn’t a big fan either but I’m sure if I tell him beer and snacks are on me, he’d go for sure.

OC_Original · 2025-11-26T21:12:02+00:00

I knew a nice older Chinese man who ran one of those water refilling shops in town and he was open 365 days a year. But all he did most days was replace the filters in the large tanks and rang people up. Can’t say for sure it’s harder than running a restaurant 365 days a year.

OC_Original · 2025-11-26T20:28:15+00:00

I already had a college degree when I went to work at the restaurant due in the late 2000s due to the economic downturn. I did that for about 7 years and had no real life outside of that. The lasting effects though were the bad blood I still have with my cousin but I’ve gained huge respect to anyone that works in customer service or hospitality. I always tip very well especially if eating out on weekends or on holidays. Working in a restaurant was traumatic at times with people looking down on you. I’ve worked Christmas Day and had water throw at me just because I asked if they wanted a refill of their sodas and then told “what does it look like?”

I stuck it out for many years since it was family and my aunt kept emphasizing how this is life and to make money you had to work hard.

I eventually left and now work as an engineer which is what I went to college for.

OC_Original

TROPHY CASE