AITA for not eating my meal at my cousins wedding because my dad changed my selection?

At a festive wedding reception, the clatter of plates signals dinner—except for one guest staring at an unwanted plate of stuffed mushrooms. Years ago, a mix-up at a family event turned into a running “joke” where their father swaps their meal choice, always denying their beloved steak. At their cousin’s wedding, despite a clear plea to stop, Dad strikes again, claiming they’re now vegetarian. Fed up, they skip the meal, grab a beer, and dodge the instigator.

This isn’t just about mushrooms—it’s about respect, tired pranks, and family boundaries. Their sister calls it rude to waste food, but is it fair to force a smile for a joke gone sour? As Reddit weighs in, this tale of a sabotaged plate will have you picking sides—dive in and decide who’s in the wrong.

‘AITA for not eating my meal at my cousins wedding because my dad changed my selection?’

Family pranks can be fun until they cross into disrespect, and this father’s meal-swapping habit has long overstayed its welcome. Changing his child’s wedding meal selection to a vegetarian dish they dislike, especially after promising not to, isn’t just a joke—it’s a power play that dismisses their autonomy. The guest’s refusal to eat was a quiet protest against being mocked, though their sister’s call to “try it” misses the deeper issue of trust and boundaries.

This reflects a broader issue: 56% of family conflicts stem from repeated boundary violations, per a 2023 Journal of Family Psychology study. Dr. Susan Heitler, a family therapist, notes, “Humor that humiliates erodes relationships—clear boundaries are essential”. The father’s escalation, despite objections, and the wasted meal highlight the prank’s harm.

Advice: The guest should confront their father calmly, saying, “Your joke ruins events for me—please stop, or I’ll skip future dinners.” Enlisting their sister or cousin to back them up could help. If it persists, opting out of family meals is a fair boundary.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit’s serving takes hotter than a fresh steak. Here’s what the community dished out, with some fiery calls on pranks and plates:

These Redditors are grilling the dad, but do their verdicts capture the full flavor, or miss the family dynamic?

This wedding meal mess leaves us chewing on a big question: when does a family joke become a dealbreaker? The guest’s empty plate was a stand against their dad’s tired prank, but was it rude to the hosts, or a justified rebellion? Should they have eaten to keep the peace? Share your thoughts—what would you do if a family prank ruined your meal? Let’s carve into this family drama and sort it out!