Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

22 Y.O. Woman Refuses To Be ‘Sold’ To Brother’s Friend So He Can Cover Debt, Parents Are Furious
439

22 Y.O. Woman Refuses To Be ‘Sold’ To Brother’s Friend So He Can Cover Debt, Parents Are Furious

Interview With Expert
ADVERTISEMENT

Probably most of you have heard wholesome stories about siblings‘ relationships, particularly where the main characters are an older brother and younger sister. How sisters are spoiled, taken care of and defended from anybody who comes near them. However, these relationships are not always that beautiful.

One Reddit user shared her story online asking community members’ opinion on whether she was being a jerk for refusing to date her brother’s friend so he could ‘overlook’ his $10K debt.

More info: Reddit

Being objectified and sold like an object is awful, especially when your own brother is the culprit

Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

Woman shares that her brother owed his rich friend $10K and told her that she could help him

Image credits: Gabriela Pereira (not the actual photo)

He then said that his friend would be willing to ‘overlook’ the debt if she went on a few dates with his friend

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Andrea Piacquadio (not the actual photo)

She immediately refused and despite his begging to help him out and his friend’s messages, she didn’t change her mind 

She also shared text messages that she received from her brother’s friend

ADVERTISEMENT

image credits: Fun-Asparagus9603

Image credits: u/Fun-Asparagus9603

She noted that now her brother and parents are mad at her for not dating her brother’s friend and helping him out

A few days ago, one Reddit user shared her story online asking community members if she was being a jerk for refusing to date her brother’s friend to ‘pay off’ his debt. The post received a lot of online readers’ attention and collected over 6.2K upvotes and almost 2K comments.

The original poster (OP) starts her story by sharing that her brother’s friend comes from a wealthy family and they have a startup together. Well, apparently there have been some financial ‘mistakes’ and OP’s brother ended up owing his friend $10K. To the woman’s surprise, her brother said that she could help him by… going on a few dates with his friend.

OP told her brother right away that there was no way she would sleep with his friend, but the begging continued for days and even the friend himself decided to reach out to her. She noted that she feels like an object to clear her brother’s debt and the whole proposal makes her feel really gross and cheap.

Despite this, she added that her parents and brother are mad at her for refusing to date the man to help her brother. “They’re saying that I’m very unsupportive and selfish,” OP noted.

ADVERTISEMENT

Community members were fully on the woman’s side and discussed that her brother was being a complete jerk. “Yea no man is paying $10,000 just for a dinner date. He 100% expects [intercourse] as payment for your brother’s debt. Don’t go on this ‘date’ , it’s 100% not just a date,” one user wrote. “If my friend told me he’d overlook that kind of debt if I [sold] my sister out to him, not only would he never see a penny from me, but he’d be owing me and my sister $10k for every tooth he hopes to keep in his mouth,” another added.

Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)

“A situation like this is a direct hit to individual autonomy and self-worth,” shared Shemiah Derrick LCPC, CADC, who is a licensed therapist, private practice owner and author, with Bored Panda. She added that being asked to date the friend in exchange for money is assigning a monetary value to the individual.

“It’s basically saying ‘You are worth this amount and you can be cashed in to fix my problem’,” she emphasized. “Being seen that way can cause you to feel like you are a commodity and not a person, like your opinion and needs don’t matter, or you are property that can be handed over to someone.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Now, speaking about gender dynamics, Shemiah noted that they play a huge role in how women are treated and viewed. “In a lot of cases, there is still an expectation that women are to be in a position of servitude and sacrifice.”

She shared that women are often seen as adaptable and agreeable – and therefore dispensable. Boys are traditionally and stereotypically expected to find a job, pursue a career, and lead a fulfilling life, whilst girls are expected to take care of the home and the family. “In some cultures, this is still true even from a ‘modern’ perspective.”

Finally, if you are feeling torn between familial obligations and your own sense of self-worth, Shemiah pointed out that it’s much easier said than done, but instincts often don’t lie. “If it doesn’t feel good to you, it’s probably because it’s not going to be,” she said. “Situations like this are more common than people think as some cultures practice traditions that reduce or even bypass an individual’s autonomy.”

So in general, people who care about you and want the best for you are what you need – but even family can pose a risk to overall well-being. “As difficult as it may be, the first step would be setting boundaries or giving yourself space from your family. If they choose not to honor your wishes, more time and longer separation may be needed,” the therapist pointed out.

“In a situation like this, they are putting their needs – which are temporary – first. But your well-being, happiness and fulfillment are lifelong and only you know what the right choice is.”

ADVERTISEMENT
But what are your thoughts about this story? Do you think the woman was right to refuse to participate in this ‘exchange’? Or should she have helped her brother and gone on a few dates with his friend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Redditors backed the woman up and shamed her brother and their parents

Poll icon

Poll Question

Thanks! Check out the results:

You May Also Like

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

Do you think childless individuals should be expected to chip in for group babysitting costs during friend gatherings?

Read & Poll

17 Y.O. Is Done Sharing Her Birthday With Her Late Twin, Parents Are Not Having It

Do you think the girl should be allowed to celebrate her birthday without the remembrance of her deceased twin?

Read & Poll
Share on Facebook
Popular on Bored Panda
Hey pandas, what do you think?
Add photo comments
POST
missal_warrior_0c avatar
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“I want you and have a hard time hearing "no" - I get temporary deafness - so you should reconsider” GIRL RUN DON’T WALK THAT IS A PREDATOR. HE IS LITERALLY SAYING HE DOESN’T CARE IF YOU CONSENT.

zora24_1 avatar
Trillian
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. No way this is not ending in assault and the bro is straight out trying to pimp out his sister. No excuses, no further explanations. NO is a full sentence.

Load More Replies...
lisah255 avatar
LH25
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The texts make it clear that the "friend" expects sex. And he's scary/creepy. The "I don't hear no" comments. And he talks about how her family doesn't care about her, but he's every bit as much in this as they are. This is horrible.

micheldurinx avatar
Marcellus II
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The texts make me think it's a made-up story. In which universe do you calmly keep responding like that instead of blocking? The whole "Indecent Proposal" setup without the glamour? It makes no sense.

Load More Replies...
razinho avatar
Ron Baza
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1/Go to the police. A man is aggressively pursuing you, and has told you in writing that he will not take “No” for an answer. 2/Go to the police. Your brother is knowingly trying to force you into the sec trade against your will. 3/Go to the police. Your parents are assisting your brother in trying to force you into the sex trade. 4/GTFO.

Load More Comments
missal_warrior_0c avatar
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“I want you and have a hard time hearing "no" - I get temporary deafness - so you should reconsider” GIRL RUN DON’T WALK THAT IS A PREDATOR. HE IS LITERALLY SAYING HE DOESN’T CARE IF YOU CONSENT.

zora24_1 avatar
Trillian
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. No way this is not ending in assault and the bro is straight out trying to pimp out his sister. No excuses, no further explanations. NO is a full sentence.

Load More Replies...
lisah255 avatar
LH25
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The texts make it clear that the "friend" expects sex. And he's scary/creepy. The "I don't hear no" comments. And he talks about how her family doesn't care about her, but he's every bit as much in this as they are. This is horrible.

micheldurinx avatar
Marcellus II
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The texts make me think it's a made-up story. In which universe do you calmly keep responding like that instead of blocking? The whole "Indecent Proposal" setup without the glamour? It makes no sense.

Load More Replies...
razinho avatar
Ron Baza
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1/Go to the police. A man is aggressively pursuing you, and has told you in writing that he will not take “No” for an answer. 2/Go to the police. Your brother is knowingly trying to force you into the sec trade against your will. 3/Go to the police. Your parents are assisting your brother in trying to force you into the sex trade. 4/GTFO.

Load More Comments
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda