AITA for asking my friend to please Venmo me back after I gave him money for a plane home?
In the bustling streets of a European city, two college friends navigate the highs and lows of an unpaid internship abroad. The original poster (OP), a 19-year-old woman, thought she was helping a friend in need when she loaned him $110 for a plane ticket to visit his supposedly ill mother in Austria. But when a screenshot reveals he’s actually partying in Paris with his girlfriend, the sting of betrayal hits hard, leaving OP with just $15 to eat for over a week.
Furious, OP demands her money back to avoid hunger, only to be ghosted by her friend and judged by others for her sharp words. As she grapples with betrayal and dwindling funds, this tale unravels the cost of trust, the weight of deception, and the struggle to stand up for oneself in a foreign land.
‘AITA for asking my friend to please Venmo me back after I gave him money for a plane home?’
Trust Lip service to a sick mother is a low blow, and OP’s friend crossed a line by exploiting her trust, leaving her in a financial bind. Dr. Robert Feldman, a deception expert, notes, “Lies erode trust, especially when they exploit emotional vulnerabilities” (Why We Lie, 2006). OP’s anger is justified—her friend’s manipulation not only broke their bond but left her struggling to afford food in a foreign country, a serious consequence for a $110 loan.
The friend’s perspective might involve shame or financial strain, explaining his avoidance, but his admission that he lied because OP wouldn’t have paid otherwise shows intent, not ignorance. His silence now compounds the betrayal, prioritizing his comfort over her survival. This isn’t just a friendship hiccup; it’s a breach of basic decency, leaving OP in a precarious spot with limited resources.
Such betrayals in friendships are common but painful. A 2023 Journal of Social Psychology study found 40% of young adults experience trust violations in close friendships, often over money or secrets, which can fracture relationships. OP’s situation is exacerbated by her vulnerability abroad, making her friend’s actions particularly callous.
To move forward, OP could escalate by contacting her friend’s mother or reporting the issue to their school, as Reddit suggests, to pressure repayment. Alternatively, she could seek local resources, like food pantries or school aid, to cover her immediate needs. A firm, clear message to her friend, screenshotting his admission, might prompt action while preserving her dignity. This approach balances survival with asserting her right to fairness, though the friendship may be beyond repair.
Check out how the community responded:
Reddit’s verdict is unanimous: OP’s not the jerk. Users slam her friend’s manipulative lie about his mother’s health, calling it a dirty tactic to exploit her kindness. They urge her to pursue the money relentlessly, suggesting petty moves like calling his mom or shaming him publicly on social media. Many question the loyalty of her other friends who side with him, emphasizing that his deception voids any obligation to be polite.
Some offer practical advice, like seeking food aid or reporting him to the school, while others inject humor, joking about exposing his lie to his family. Reddit’s mix of outrage and wit backs OP’s demand for repayment, stressing that true friends don’t leave you starving in a foreign country over a $110 lie.
This friendship fiasco shows how quickly trust can crumble under a calculated lie. OP’s demand for her money back isn’t just about $110—it’s about survival and self-respect in a tough spot. Her friend’s ghosting adds insult to injury, but her resolve could turn the tables. Ever been burned by a friend who played you for cash? Share your stories below—how do you reclaim trust or cut ties when betrayal hits hard?
