Coworker Bombards Guy With Text Messages Calling Him A “Childless Man Child” After He Refused To Cover Her Shift That Fell On Her Son’s 1st Birthday
Most of the time, issues are as complicated as human beings themselves. Sometimes, however, it can be a simple, clear-cut ordeal. Like this little story from the internet.
We have a situation of two retail workers and a manager in conflict with each other over a last-minute scheduling problem. Simple enough.
But what makes this story spicy is the sheer entitlement some of the folks in this situation have. And no matter how many times it happens, we can’t but still be amazed that it’s a thing.
More Info: Reddit
Working in retail is often bad enough as it is without a coworker blaming you for their inability to participate in their son’s b-day last-minute
Image soure: Tights Rus (not the actual photo)
OP, the Original Poster, also known as u/MayITakeYourGoat on Reddit, turned to the Am I The A-Hole community to settle an issue he had with some of his coworkers.
OP works in retail. One morning, he got a text message from his manager, asking (well, more like ordering) him to come in to fill in for another coworker, Brenda. Turns out Brenda’s son was turning 1 that day, and she couldn’t make it to work.
And that’s exactly what happened in this Redditor’s story, asking the AITA community for some perspective
Image source: MayITakeYourGoat
Her shift started at 2PM and OP got the message at around 10AM, but only read it at 12PM. Just as well, OP already had plans, so that was a no on his part.
However, the manager wasn’t having any of it and started showing some attitude. He said that OP is heartless and horrible (strong words to begin with) for making Brenda miss her son’s 1st birthday.
But then OP asked the key question here—why didn’t Brenda plan this in advance? It’s not like birthdays fall on different dates each year. The manager did the classic maneuver of saying they’d talk once OP was at work.
OP also provided an update, saying Brenda herself attempted to text him, but he just ended up blocking her
Image source: MayITakeYourGoat
Well, sure enough, Brenda started texting. No idea how she got his number, but she did. She too had something awful to say about OP. After a short argument, he blocked her (and her husband, as she used his phone too).
The only conclusion this led OP to was that he needed to find a new job, so he started applying.
Image source: makelessnoise (not the actual photo)
The folks of the Am I The A-Hole? community were as surprised with this kind of entitlement and arrogance from Brenda and the manager respectively.
While the only thing folks had to say against OP was that he could have used more professional language, what OP actually said was still pretty tame compared to what the other two said. Also, this is a retail job, where professionalism is often thrown out the window.
Folks online were all in support of OP, as surprised as he was by how entitled and clueless Brenda was
Everyone agreed that OP is in the right here. A birthday is something folks can plan way ahead, so this was no excuse for neither Brenda, nor the manager to get mad.
Some shared their own retail stories, swearing they’ll never work there again because of situations like this. Others advised OP not to get trampled by the manager and to stand his ground as retail managers are often on the worse end of the spectrum when it comes to managing.
OP himself also provided some more context in the comments. Like what his manager is like, voicing his ideas on abortion and birth control—anything but professional, that one, so who could blame OP for lacking professionalism? Needless to say, the work environment is toxic.
In a couple of other comments, he rants about how Brenda could have not been able to plan this way ahead of time. It’s the same with Christmas—the date does not change, so plan ahead! He explained how his girlfriend’s daughter effectively has 4 different Christmases, and all are planned thoroughly.
Whatever the case, folks thought OP is not the jerk, far from it. The post got a modest 5,300 upvotes with nearly 500 comments and a single Reddit award. But that’s over 5,000 supporting OP, so it’s definitely something.
You can check out the post in context here, or take a look at our other articles that decide who’s the a-hole and who’s not here. But be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Her child is 365 days old. He is not going to remember his first birthday. It's also apparent that the OP forgot her son's birthday. Otherwise she would have tried to switch shifts with someone as soon as the schedule came out.
Badcat, if you remember your first birthday then you are in a tiny minority. Childhood (or infantile) amnesia affects virtually everyone and can last up to the age of four.
Not just a tiny minority... But a non existent one. Far as I know even people with perfect recall(the actress from taxi for instance). Can't recall that far back because of how our brains develop. So maybe bad cat and Marilyn here should call Guiness and Harvard....
It is possible. I told ,y mom about a weird dream I had and described it as weird shapes with colors and shadows. I described someone holding me and Mom's eyes widened as she said, "That was the first time Grandma held you at 6 months old." So while rare, it is possible, its just buried in the sub conscience
I remember my 8th birthday party but weather it was actually on my birthday, I do not remember. I remember tidbits of birthdays mostly the cake mom made or the dinner I special requested and got the unwrapping of presents but not even what I received... non specific toys and clothes. I believe at 1 most of us do not know our numbers yet or what cake is necessarily and could care less about what day it was. Working in a public serving job we sign up knowing we work all weekends and holidays.. my kid has never seemed to suffer from a lack of christmas mornings. We have had plenty of time to celebrate and enjoy ourselves though. Every day I have him is something to celebrate. At one two three, kids are pretty happy with milk cuddles and applesauce maybe a pretty balloon or a press button toy that plays music or something fluffy and snuggly.
My child was sick on her 1st birthday so we canceled her party but she doesn't remember it.
I mean, I have snippets of very clear memory from moments when I was 1 yes old. I didn’t know this was NOT normal until recently. I also was born into a very toxic home so the memories are mostly traumatic but very clear. I recall things superbly and very accurately. My mom was able to confirm when I detailed the rooms and settings and she still couldn’t believe it. But I have learned this is extremely rare. I’m not sure why I can recall things, but it’s more like I can only recall what I saw and heard and felt as I recall not having actual thoughts other than emotions until I was about 2.5 yrs. old. I’m a HSP and Empath who is also an INFJ, so maybe that has something to do with it? Either way, regardless if a child will or will not remember their 1st birthday is irrelevant as the issue lies with the woman who didn’t care to request off in advance for something that should have been at the top of her priorities.
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I actually do remember my first birthday party, sitting in the high chair with a big pink cake in front of me. That was in 1970. Good times.
It's almost certainly a fabricated memory from when you're older and people told you about the event. And/or you saw photos or video. Our brain is really good at manufacturing memories that we can't tell are real or not. The part of the brain that can make long-term memory simply is not formed at that age.
But it was the party you likely remember, the special cake, not if it was specifically jan 9or whenever
I wish I could remember mine but my first memories were at two and that was a doctor's appointment :(
Not gonna lie...I'm a bit jealous my earliest memory is from last week...or was that yesterday?
You have clear memories of last week? I don't even have clear memories of this morning
You're right, the child will not remember, but the parent will. As unfortunate as that is, his child is not his co-worker's responsibility. People have right to answer "no" to a favor.
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Somehow, I can't picture someone bitterly complaining: "My childhood was ruined when my mother had to go to work on my 1st birthday." On the other hand, I could see someone saying, "Ma, it's been nearly 20 years, now please shut up about missing my first birthday or go see a therapist."
"I'm sorry that you forgot that it's your kid's first birthday but today is also my cat's bat mitzvah. I planned ahead and, honestly, this is far more important"
Shouldn't that be a cat mitzvah? (btw- Mousletov! to her)
Aisling's comment was awesome, but Stannous' comment is the icing on the cake. Mousletov! lol.
Mouseltov 😂😂. I spit out my coffee that was so frickin hilarious 🤣
this sacred day of my cat's bat mitzvah, how dare u stress me!
Her child is 365 days old. He is not going to remember his first birthday. It's also apparent that the OP forgot her son's birthday. Otherwise she would have tried to switch shifts with someone as soon as the schedule came out.
Badcat, if you remember your first birthday then you are in a tiny minority. Childhood (or infantile) amnesia affects virtually everyone and can last up to the age of four.
Not just a tiny minority... But a non existent one. Far as I know even people with perfect recall(the actress from taxi for instance). Can't recall that far back because of how our brains develop. So maybe bad cat and Marilyn here should call Guiness and Harvard....
It is possible. I told ,y mom about a weird dream I had and described it as weird shapes with colors and shadows. I described someone holding me and Mom's eyes widened as she said, "That was the first time Grandma held you at 6 months old." So while rare, it is possible, its just buried in the sub conscience
I remember my 8th birthday party but weather it was actually on my birthday, I do not remember. I remember tidbits of birthdays mostly the cake mom made or the dinner I special requested and got the unwrapping of presents but not even what I received... non specific toys and clothes. I believe at 1 most of us do not know our numbers yet or what cake is necessarily and could care less about what day it was. Working in a public serving job we sign up knowing we work all weekends and holidays.. my kid has never seemed to suffer from a lack of christmas mornings. We have had plenty of time to celebrate and enjoy ourselves though. Every day I have him is something to celebrate. At one two three, kids are pretty happy with milk cuddles and applesauce maybe a pretty balloon or a press button toy that plays music or something fluffy and snuggly.
My child was sick on her 1st birthday so we canceled her party but she doesn't remember it.
I mean, I have snippets of very clear memory from moments when I was 1 yes old. I didn’t know this was NOT normal until recently. I also was born into a very toxic home so the memories are mostly traumatic but very clear. I recall things superbly and very accurately. My mom was able to confirm when I detailed the rooms and settings and she still couldn’t believe it. But I have learned this is extremely rare. I’m not sure why I can recall things, but it’s more like I can only recall what I saw and heard and felt as I recall not having actual thoughts other than emotions until I was about 2.5 yrs. old. I’m a HSP and Empath who is also an INFJ, so maybe that has something to do with it? Either way, regardless if a child will or will not remember their 1st birthday is irrelevant as the issue lies with the woman who didn’t care to request off in advance for something that should have been at the top of her priorities.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I actually do remember my first birthday party, sitting in the high chair with a big pink cake in front of me. That was in 1970. Good times.
It's almost certainly a fabricated memory from when you're older and people told you about the event. And/or you saw photos or video. Our brain is really good at manufacturing memories that we can't tell are real or not. The part of the brain that can make long-term memory simply is not formed at that age.
But it was the party you likely remember, the special cake, not if it was specifically jan 9or whenever
I wish I could remember mine but my first memories were at two and that was a doctor's appointment :(
Not gonna lie...I'm a bit jealous my earliest memory is from last week...or was that yesterday?
You have clear memories of last week? I don't even have clear memories of this morning
You're right, the child will not remember, but the parent will. As unfortunate as that is, his child is not his co-worker's responsibility. People have right to answer "no" to a favor.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
This comment has been deleted.
Somehow, I can't picture someone bitterly complaining: "My childhood was ruined when my mother had to go to work on my 1st birthday." On the other hand, I could see someone saying, "Ma, it's been nearly 20 years, now please shut up about missing my first birthday or go see a therapist."
"I'm sorry that you forgot that it's your kid's first birthday but today is also my cat's bat mitzvah. I planned ahead and, honestly, this is far more important"
Shouldn't that be a cat mitzvah? (btw- Mousletov! to her)
Aisling's comment was awesome, but Stannous' comment is the icing on the cake. Mousletov! lol.
Mouseltov 😂😂. I spit out my coffee that was so frickin hilarious 🤣
this sacred day of my cat's bat mitzvah, how dare u stress me!