A Reddit user who asked for advice is in an incredibly difficult situation after her “militant vegan” brother demanded a completely meat-free Thanksgiving for the whole family, a therapist says on FOX News Digital told.
“Please tell me what's going on, people of the internet,” Reddit user “Suspicious-Basil7882” wrote in an Oct. 2 post on Reddit's “Am I the A–hole” subreddit.
In the post, Suspicious-Basil7882 explained that her 31-year-old girlfriend and her brother Mark, 35, are “not on good terms.”
Reddit user says wife's refusal to learn to cook is hurting their marriage: 'I'm losing my patience'
When Mark was a teenager, he decided to become a vegetarian after watching a documentary about factory farming, and “Mark immediately became very frustrated about it, but when he tried to get the leftover food, his father I shut him up,” she wrote. Let's become vegetarians together with him. ”
This changed after he went to college, “made a lot of really weird friends, and became militantly vegan,” Suspicious-Basil7882 said. “It's all about his personality.”
The pair stopped speaking after Mark harassed her for having a birthday dinner at a steakhouse, but her parents say they have been “trying to mend the situation.”
The Reddit user said his brother became a “militant vegan” while in college. (St. Petersburg)
“For a while, Mark seemed to be doing better, so we've been gradually reaching out to him,” she said.
But things changed when he started dating Pam, a “vegan influencer” who is “moderately popular online.”
“I don't know if Mark was trying to impress her or what, but for Thanksgiving last year he told his mother to at least make a vegetarian meal. I wouldn't come for 'ethical reasons,''' Suspicious-Basil7882 said.
“My mom agreed because she just wanted everyone to get along on her favorite holiday. It wasn't a fun meal,” she said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
However, things are different this year. Suspicious-Basil7882 currently owns his parents' old home and his mother has health problems.
“My mom asked me to host Thanksgiving like we always do. When I told everyone in the group chat so Mark and Pam could make travel arrangements, Pam quickly decided to replace the traditional recipe. “I started talking about all the vegan alternative recipes they have to offer,” she said.
Reddit users were at odds after his brother said he wouldn't attend Thanksgiving dinner if attendees were served meat. (Adobe Stock)
Surprised, Suspicious-Basil7882 asked for a recipe for a vegan main dish, but told her family she would be cooking a traditional Thanksgiving meal in addition to vegan options.
“Mark and Pam argued with me about this for days, and Mark said he wouldn't come if I didn't make meat-free meals,” she said.
She continued: “This upset my mother and she asked him to make the same thing she made last year to keep the peace, but Mark said he needed to recover and he wasn't being spoiled. “I'm eating turkey,'' he continued. Thanksgiving. ”
The Easiest Vegetable Stir-Fry Recipe Ever, From the Founder of Little Kitchen Academy
They reportedly said they would not show up “if someone eats meat for this meal.” “If you offer meat to someone, they won't come.'' They also refuse to eat at restaurants that serve meat.
Suspicious-Basil7882's father agrees with her, but she says he is worried that Mark's refusal to come to Thanksgiving dinner will negatively affect his wife's health. is writing.
Last year, the family had a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner, but the Reddit user said it was “not a fun meal.” (St. Petersburg)
“It's not a big deal, but there's a good chance this will be the last family trip I take with my girlfriend,” Suspicious-Basil7882 said. “My mom thinks I'm putting the turkey before my family, but I'm not so sure anymore.”
Suspicious-Basil7882 told FOX News Digital that she is considering taking shifts at the hospital where she works so she can cancel for reasons unrelated to her brother.
“My mom will be disappointed, but she won't be too upset because she knows my job is hard and necessary,” Suspicious-Basil7882 told FOX News Digital.
And while skipping Thanksgiving isn't ideal, she says, “Eating turkey in the hospital cafeteria between emergencies seems less stressful.”
Click here to sign up for our lifestyle newsletter
A family therapist told FOX News Digital that Suspicious-Basil7882 is in a “tough spot” and no one will be completely happy no matter what happens.
“She is put in the unfortunate position of having to decide whether to appease her brother or stand her ground for her mother's sake. She feels guilty for not being able to enjoy the Thanksgiving that her mother had envisioned. “I know you might be feeling that,” Rachel Goldberg said. LMFT, founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital via email.
A Reddit user (not pictured) said his mother was very upset at the thought of her son not attending Thanksgiving. (St. Petersburg)
“There's no clear right or wrong answer. It comes down to how important it is to her to prioritize her mother's happiness and the idea of family unity,” she says.
Suspicious-Basil7882's inner conflict probably stems from her desire to show her brother that she cannot dictate all the rules herself. “That's very difficult when you're taking a step back.” Goldberg.
Jamie Geller's Rosh Hashanah brisket recipe is perfect for a 'sweet New Year'
Regardless of Reddit's opinions on the situation, she added, “At the end of the day, you're going to have to weigh the guilt of seeing your mom disappointed against the discomfort and resentment of appeasing your little brother.”
“If she chooses not to give in, that doesn't make her wrong or a bad person. But it does make her feel guilty for sitting on Thanksgiving with a real turkey and a sad mother.” “It doesn't mean I don't feel it,” Goldberg said.
Mark prioritizes Furky over his family.
Reddit users generally agreed with Goldberg, saying Suspicious-Basil7882 was the “outrageous” person in the situation and that her brother was being unreasonable.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
“You're not prioritizing turkey over family. Mark is prioritizing turkey over family. You're perfectly fine with vegan options,” Reddit user CrimsonKnight_004 said. This was stated in the top-voted comment.
“Mark can't hold his holidays hostage because of his food choices. That's ridiculous,” the same user added.
