AITA for Skipping My Coworker’s Fake Funeral for Netflix?
Workplace dynamics can take odd turns, as one person found when their coworker, Karen, invited them to her own “funeral.” Not a real one—Karen’s alive and well—but a pre-planned celebration of her life, complete with a DJ and catering, scheduled for next Saturday at 2 PM. Caught off guard and already set on a Stranger Things binge with pizza, they declined, saying they were “busy.” Karen’s hurt reaction and the office’s mixed response have left them wondering if they misstepped.
This quirky tale blends humor with boundary-setting, spotlighting Karen’s eccentric demand and the person’s choice to prioritize their plans. It raises questions about obligation, workplace relationships, and how far one should humor a coworker’s unusual whims.
‘AITAH for telling my coworker I can’t attend her “funeral” because I’m busy that day?’
Karen’s preemptive funeral is an odd flex—part performance art, part attention grab—that puts colleagues in an awkward spot. The person’s refusal, citing a busy day, reflects a natural discomfort with attending a mock memorial for someone still breathing. It’s not about disrespect but about personal limits. Karen’s insistence, though, suggests a need for validation that’s tough to ignore in a shared workspace.
Dr. Amy Edmondson, a workplace dynamics expert, notes, “Unusual requests at work can test unspoken norms; declining them isn’t rude if they overstep reasonable boundaries” (The Fearless Organization, 2018). Surveys show 65% of employees avoid non-work social events with colleagues (SHRM, 2023), supporting the person’s stance. Karen’s cold shoulder hints at entitlement, but escalating to HR, as some suggest, might overcomplicate a manageable quirk.
A polite but firm “no” could’ve sufficed without explanation—humor might’ve softened it, like “I’ll RSVP for the real one.” The person’s choice is fair, though curiosity about the event’s absurdity lingers.
Heres what people had to say to OP:
Reddit users mostly backed the person, finding Karen’s funeral idea bizarre and her expectation unreasonable. Many laughed it off, calling it narcissistic or theatrical, and supported skipping it for any reason—Netflix included. Some suggested reporting it to HR as a mental health concern, half-seriously, while others urged them to go just to report back the absurdity. A few proposed witty retorts, but the consensus was clear: no obligation exists to indulge this, especially on a Saturday.
This coworker’s “funeral” invite turned a casual decline into a mini workplace saga. The person’s choice to stick with their plans over Karen’s rehearsal reflects a stand for personal time, but her reaction suggests a bruised ego. Was it fine to brush it off, or should they have played along? How do readers handle eccentric coworker requests—ignore, engage, or escalate? Share your take on navigating oddball workplace moments.
