AITA for Excluding My Obese Friend From Rock Climbing?
Oh, delightful reader, do I have a tale for you! Gather ’round, because this story is based on a real Reddit post from a real person. Spoiler alert: According to the triggering masses, everyone involved seems to be an a**hole, and it’s a deliciously complicated mess. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride as we dive into the abyss of teenage drama and rock climbing politics.
The Ropes That Bind
Our protagonist, a sprightly 17-year-old girl (henceforth referred to as Miss Protagonist), found herself at the crossroads of a moral dilemma. Picture this: a brand-new rock climbing center opens up at the local mall, gleaming with the promise of adventure. With her pack of eight friends in tow, they venture to test their upper body strength against vertical terrain.
However, the universe had other plans. As they queued up, one of Miss Protagonist’s friends was discreetly asked to step on the scale. Cue the dramatic music—this friend (let’s call her Miss Not-So-Buoyant) is technically obese. Plot twist: the harness couldn’t hold her weight. The climbing center, ever so kindly, told her, “Sorry, darling, but gravity is particularly unforgiving today.”
The (Social) Climb to Dilemma
Miss Not-So-Buoyant was understandably upset, to the point of tears. She then threw a curveball and asked the group to abort their rock climbing mission altogether. Imagine saying to a flock of teenagers primed for an adrenaline rush, “Hey, could you just not?” Miss Protagonist suggested they complete their climb and then regroup later for non-gravity-defying activities.
But Miss Not-So-Buoyant couldn’t bear the thought of her friends scaling mountains without her and decided to head home, teary-eyed and disillusioned. It seems the cruel hands of fate had pushed her off the social cliff. The very next day, the wrath of text messages descended upon Miss Protagonist & Co., where Miss Not-So-Buoyant accused them of being “fake friends” and abandoning her because of her weight.
The Blame Game: To Climb or Not to Climb
Oh, the drama! Miss Not-So-Buoyant’s grievances had layers like an intricate prawn cocktail. She argued that Miss Protagonist, in her enthusiasm, was selfish and failed to consider the logistics of the climbing gear, inadvertently placing Miss Not-So-Buoyant in a vulnerable position. On the other hand, Miss Protagonist countered that “It’s not our fault the harness couldn’t contain you, girl.” The group felt they shouldn’t have to abandon their plans for one person.
Now, dear reader, you may be wondering where the heartstrings get tangled here. Imagine being a teenager and having to navigate friendship, inclusivity, and body positivity—all while trying to have a fun weekend. It’s like an episode of Degrassi but with rock climbing as the backdrop.
And Now, Roger’s Sassy Verdict
Gather ’round for the wisdom of Roger, your sass master extraordinaire. What do I make of this circus of youthful angst? Well, let me unlock Pandora’s inbox for you:
Miss Protagonist: Honey, you and the rest of your adrenaline junkies should have hit pause. Surely you could’ve assessed the situation a little more delicately? “Oops, you can’t fit in the harness, but hey, enjoy the spa day!” Really? Next time, might I suggest a little empathy ballet here?
Miss Not-So-Buoyant: Sweetness, while your feelings are as valid as a triple rainbow, dropping the “You should’ve abandoned the trip!” card is a bit heavy-handed. Everyone tumbles in this social climbing game sometimes. Instead of a blame-fest, channel your energy into finding activities where everyone can participate safely and enjoyably.
The Final Say: At the end of the day, everyone’s kind of an a**hole—and yet, simultaneously, no one’s entirely at fault. It’s like finding out the last slice of pizza has pineapple on it: unexpected, unwanted, but hey, you learn to navigate around it. Friends, sympathy, and a cohesive plan are the holy trinity of any group gathering.
Keep scaling those heights, darlings, but remember to look out for who you might stitch up in the process. In the high-wire act of friendship, a little consideration never hurt anyone. Until next time, may your social climbing be as steady as a toddler on roller skates!
Original story
There’s this new rock climbing centre that just opened up at the mall. My (17F) group of eight friends were in town when I suggested we go try it out.
However, when we got there, one of my friends was pulled aside and told to weigh herself. She’s technically obese, and they told her that she couldn’t participate since she weighed too much for the harness.
She was extremely upset by this and started crying. She then asked the rest of us if we could do something else instead.
However, everyone else really wanted to try rock climbing, and we didn’t want to miss about because of one person. I said we could hang out with her after we finished, but she just went straight home.
The next day, she texted us saying that we were fake friends for abandoning her and making her feel excluded for her weight. She said I was selfish for even suggesting rock climbing without considering her weight, because I’d assumed that she weighed enough for the equipment.
I told her that it wasn’t our fault that she wasn’t allowed in, but she said the rest of us should’ve stood by her. AITA?