AITA for accidentally making my brother cry?

Jonathan Hours
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The clatter of plates and chatter of a neighborhood diner set the stage for a moment that turned a casual lunch into a family fiasco. For a 17-year-old, being seen with his 10-year-old brother, Ethan, was already a blow to his cool factor—especially when his crush strolled in. But when Ethan proudly called him his “best friend,” the teen’s embarrassment boiled over into a cutting remark that left his little brother in tears and the diner buzzing with awkward silence.

Reddit’s got plenty to say about this sibling showdown, with opinions flying like fries at a food fight. Was the teen’s outburst a natural teenage cringe, or did he cross a line by crushing his brother’s admiration? As the sting of those words lingers, let’s dig into this tale of family, feelings, and the perils of being a teen.

‘AITA for accidentally making my brother cry?’

When a little brother’s love clashes with a teen’s ego, emotions get messy. Here’s the original Reddit post that’s got everyone talking:

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I know it sounds bad, but I'm not really sure how to feel about it. For backstory, I'm 17 and my brother (I'll call him Ethan, not his real name) is 10. Ever since COVID hit, he's been super annoying and always wanting to spend time with me. I can understand this to a certain degree, as not being able to see his friends as much has made him turn to me more for friendship.

But we don't like any of the same things so it's really hard to relate to him or want to spend time with him. I'm into reading philosophy and listening to classic rock. Ethan likes to play Fortnite and is obsessed with TikTok and rappers like Travis Scott... anyways.

My mom has noticed that he's been trying to spend more time with me so every Sunday she makes me take him to get lunch or ice cream at one of the neighborhood restaurants. I kind of think it's a waist of time because it's not gonna lead to a friendship or anything (because we are so different), but sometimes we've had a laugh or two on these Sunday lunches.

Anyways, onto the story. Yesterday we were eating lunch at the diner and my biggest crush in school walks in and sees us. Immediately I was already embarrased to be seen with him, but I tried to keep my cool. My crush comes over and asks if she can sit down and I say yes. She chats a bit with me and then tries to get to know my little bro.

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She asks what he likes to do and he tells her 'I really like playing Fortnite and watching Marvel Movies.' At this point I'm rolling my eyes because I doubt my crush even knows what any of that stuff is. She says 'Oh thats so cool' or something like that but I can tell she's forcing it. I try to change the subject but she keeps going back to Ethan for some reason.

Eventually she starts asking about his friends and he says 'Well my best friend in the world is my brother' and looks over at me and I just wanted to sink in my seat. Idk what came over me but I said angrily 'We're not friends, I'm only hanging out with you because I have to'. Of course, he starts to cry and embarassing both of us.

My crush wasn't really saying anything. So I made something up about needing to bring him home and I walked back home with him. He told my mom what happened and my mom grounded me (I'm literally 17 and she is still grounding me). And she said she was disappointed in me for not being nicer to my brother.

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So I do feel guilty about making him cry but I do think he should grow up a bit and rely on his own friends, rather than clinging to me and trying to embarass me in front of someone I like. Am i the a**hole?

A 17-year-old’s sharp words turned a diner lunch into a heartbreak for his 10-year-old brother, Ethan, who saw him as his “best friend.” Embarrassed in front of his crush, the teen’s snap—“We’re not friends”—was a gut punch, leaving Ethan in tears. While teenage embarrassment is real, the outburst dismissed a younger sibling’s admiration, highlighting the delicate balance of sibling bonds during adolescence.

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This reflects a broader issue: navigating sibling relationships across age gaps. A 2021 study in the Journal of Family Psychology found that sibling conflicts peak in adolescence but can strengthen bonds if handled with empathy (Source). Child psychologist Dr. Laura Markham notes, “Teens often struggle with younger siblings’ hero-worship, but kindness builds lifelong trust” (Source).

Markham’s insight suggests the teen’s reaction, though impulsive, missed a chance to nurture Ethan’s admiration. An apology and shared activity, like watching a Marvel movie together, could mend things. The teen should also reflect on why his crush’s opinion outweighed his brother’s feelings.

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See what others had to share with OP:

Reddit’s dishing out some tough love for this teen’s diner drama, with users serving up sympathy for Ethan and a reality check for big bro. Here’s what they had to say:

pnutbuttercups56 − YTA. For assuming that your crush who is your age doesn't know what Fortnite or Marvel movies are. For not realizing that being kind to your siblings is something many people find to be a good quality and you being nice to your brother make you look good.

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Especially when your crush kept trying to engage your brother. You shouldn't have to hang out with your sibling all of the time regardless of age but once a week isn't a huge deal.

ForwardPlenty − YTA. You know that crashing sound, that was your image falling off the hero pedestal. Way to go, breaking your little bro's heart. When someone says you are their best friend, you tussle their hair, and smile.

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Because you know there is plenty of time for them to find out that you are an a**hole later on, but for now there was one last person who saw the world through rose colored glasses and thought you were a great guy.

that1chickuknow − I'm literally 17 and she is still grounding me. You're literally still a child and that was a d**k move. YTA.. Sidenote: being mean is not attractive

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_megara − YTA. I’m heartbroken for your little brother, I’m really hoping you’re trolling because you are so callous. No s**t you don’t have much in common, he’s a child and you’re nearly an adult. It would be WEIRD if he had the same interests as you.

The things he likes are perfectly appropriate and not at all embarrassing. I’m betting your grand display of assholery destroyed any chances with your crush, she truly dodged a bullet. Your brother is probably going to remember this for the rest of his life, so congratulations, you effectively got yourself out of being his friend. A**hole.

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Necessary_String1971 − YTA. Sounds like your little brother could have been your wingman with your crush. If she was forcing it she would have not gone back to talk to your little brother.. Plus he is 10yrs old. He looks up to you probably not anymore.

PomeloPepper − YTA For someone who claims to be 'into reading philosophy' you don't seem to have gotten much out of it. The good news is it's going to be a long time before your brother or this girl want to interact with you again.

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[Reddit User] − YTA - and it’s waste not waist.

Cokezero1992 − 'Ever since covid hit hes been super annoying and wanting to spend time with me'. YTA - Don't even need to read further, your the arse.. A GLOBAL PANDEMIC that has killed SO MANY is scary to adults let alone children.. 'Im into philosophy' - oh arn't you edgy. 'Its a waste of time because its not going to lead to friendship or anything'

I tell you what it's going to lead to, you not having any contact with him when he eventually becomes an adult.. The girl sounds very sweet, because she can see that your brother is A CHILD. 'I don't think she knows what any of that stuff is'- this is a troll right...like it has to be? You were a grade A ass I hope she tells her friends so they can all agree to avoid your selfish ass.

Apprehensive_Sand_77 − YTA. You made a 10 year old cry, that always makes you an a**hole. Also it doesn't sound like your crush was embarrassed, it sounds like she was being kind to him and you made YOURSELF look like a jerk. I know that at 17 you're going to be embarrassed by everything, especially your family. We've all been there, it's a normal part of being a teenager.

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But your brother is not some girl you happen to like right now, he's your brother and he's going to be in your life forever. I personally think it's SO adorable he thinks of you as his best friend, he ADMIRES you. Find a way to bond with your brother that you can enjoy. These are the memories you will look back on and treasure when he's a moody teenager a few years from now.

TipTopC − YTA - your brother, who loves you, said a very kind thing about you to your crush. You then responded cruelly without any cause. I assure you, the reason she was quiet after that was not because she was unhappy with your brother being there or embarrassed by his tears.

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She was likely shocked and embarrassed that you lashed out like that in some sort of jealous fit. You need to do some serious work on yourself before you are fit company for either your brother or this girl, and you owe that kid an enormous apology.

These are the spicy takes from Reddit, but do they capture the full flavor of this sibling saga, or is there more to chew on?

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This teen’s moment of embarrassment turned a little brother’s admiration into a painful memory, proving how quickly words can wound. While his cringe was understandable, the hurt he caused Ethan runs deeper than a diner chat. A heartfelt apology and some brotherly bonding might patch things up. Have you ever lashed out at a sibling in a moment of weakness? What would you do to make things right in this teen’s shoes?

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