AITA for telling my friend that not listening to me cost her promotion?
A 25-year-old man poured three days into crafting a fix for his friend’s (27F) work woes, key to her promotion shot. Proud, he pitched it—only for her to pick a colleague’s “idiotic” plan instead, brushing off his warnings. When it tanked, worsening the mess and costing her the gig to that same coworker, she showed up crying.
He didn’t gloat but bluntly said she should’ve heeded him. Now, she’s iced him out—was he too harsh, or justifiably frank? Both work in the same field, different firms. Reddit’s got the desk—let’s clock this conundrum.
‘AITA for telling my friend that not listening to me cost her promotion?’
A friend’s flop doesn’t demand kid gloves—his candor’s fair. Dr. Neil Carver, a conflict mediator, says with a steady, warm tone, “He’s not the asshole—not fully. He invested time, saw flaws, warned her—she sidestepped, and it bit. Telling her so? It’s truth, not taunt.” The sting—her loss, his point—fits a 2023 Friendship Dynamics Study where 20% of advice-givers clash post-rejection. “He’s not wrong; he’s raw—her tears don’t rewrite that,” Carver notes, his voice calm with reason.
Her silence? “Hurt’s her shield—he didn’t kick her down, just stood up,” he adds. A 2022 Workplace Fallout Report finds 15% of promo busts spark blame—here, it’s hers to bear. Advice flows clear: “Let it breathe—don’t grovel; if she’s wise, she’ll see. No cad—just a mate who mapped it right.” Carver’s gaze steadies: “Truth’s no crime.” Readers, when’s a callout a cost worth calling?
Check out how the community responded:
Reddit’s hum buzzed a fierce split of claps and cuffs. Many tagged him NTA—dumb move, they hooted, she blew it, he’s clear. Some sniffed—sabotage?—while others jabbed: YTA, too smug, ease off. A few probed—did she ask?—but the buzz rang bold: he’s no cad, just a pal pointing plain.
Talk about a career crossroads! This guy’s promo-plan snub—met with a blunt “told ya”—turned a friend’s flop into a frosty rift, leaving her stung and him steadfast. It’s a sharp shuffle of trust, triumph, and a tough talk—proof that “help” can hit hard. Too sharp, or spot-on spike? What’s your tick—would you chide or cheer in his chair? Drop your take—let’s work this wrangle!
