19-year-old orders shellfish for 17-year-old sister's birthday despite her being allergic, smashes her face in the cake and calls her annoying for not 'taking a joke': 'I was mortified and burst into tears'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Mar 23, 2025 10:00 PM EDT

Birthdays can be tender events, especially when you're a teen. Odds are, a lot of emotions are bubbling up for you on that day. Maybe you're worried that nobody will show up to your party. Maybe you're scared about getting older. Or maybe your family is pressuring you into becoming a type of person you don't necessarily want to become. It can all come up on your birthday. As long as I can remember, I've cried on my birthday. Not usually because I'm sad, but just because it's a day with so many expectations that reality can rarely meet. They can also serve as reminders of the passage of time, which is always a cruel reality to face. 

This is why you need support on your birthday. Not only do you need friends to make it fun, but you also need friends to make sure you're emotionally well during the festivities. The best friends will clue in on this and help you out.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10483257088
    via Unsplash+ (Ramsés Cervantes)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • What you don't need is birthday antagonists. These are the people who might be jealous of the attention you're getting or just use it as an opportunity to assert their dominance over you. That's what happened in this story when a teen was left crying on her birthday. Read on for the story.

  • 02

    AITA for not taking a joke?

    I recently celebrated my 17th birthday, and let me tell you, it was a complete disaster. Originally, my mom and older sister (19f) decided to throw me a party, but when I told them I just wanted a simple dinner at home or a nice meal out with a small cake, they ignored me.
    via u/Local_Raccoon1380
  • 03
    Instead, I ended up with a surprise bash featuring over 50 family members and four close friends. As much as I tried to put on a brave face, I felt uncomfortable. My sister took the reigns on planning, and from the moment I saw the spread, I knew things were off. She ordered seafood even though I'm allergic to shellfish, and most of the food wasn't gluten- free-she knows better. Plus, she got a big cake slathered in frosting (which I can't stand) in those blinding bright pink and yellow colors.
    via u/Local_Raccoon1380
  • 04
    I'm not into dressing up or getting my makeup done, but my mom convinced me to indulge a bit this time. We went for a makeover-hair, makeup, nails, and a pedicure. Surprisingly, I loved how my hair turned out; the stylist did an amazing job! My grandparents gifted me a gorgeous light pink dress that I was excited to wear for the occasion.
    via u/Local_Raccoon1380
  • 05
    Things took a turn during the "Happy Birthday" song. Out of nowhere, my sister smashed my face into the cake, ruining my hair, makeup, and that beautiful dress. I was mortified and burst into tears. Instead of understanding my distress, she called me a crybaby and insisted it was just a joke.
    via u/Local_Raccoon1380
  • 06
    Feeling completely embarrassed, I bolted upstairs to my room. When my mom knocked on my door, demanding that I come back to say goodbye to the guests and thank them for attending, I just couldn't do it. Now, my mom and sister are calling me ride and annoying for not being able to take a joke. So, I have to ask: AITA for crying and leaving my birthday party? Shout I have just laughed it off, cleaned up, and went back downstairs to the party?
    via u/Local_Raccoon1380
  • 07

    Commenters came in on the birthday girl's side.

    Els-09 17h ago NTA. You clearly communicated what kind of celebration you wanted, and your mom and sister ignored your wishes. On top of that, your sister planned a party with food you can't eat and should have known you wouldn't like getting your face smashed in the cake. It was
    via u/Els-09
  • 08
    disrespectful and mean-spirited. (Idk anyone who would enjoy that and all the people close to you should know whether that's an appropriate thing to do-the default should be no cake smashing!)
    via u/Els-09
  • 09
    You had every right to be upset, and your reaction was completely valid. Your family should be apologizing to you, not making you feel bad for having emotions. Overall, it sounds like your sister did what she wanted for her own idea of a good time instead of what you wanted, which is really I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy your birthday fully and I hope the dress can be repaired.
    via u/Els-09
  • 10
    6 20'99
    via Unsplash+ (Ramsés Cervantes)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 11
    • gurleylass 17h ago NTA. Ask them to explain the joke. What was the punch line? Make them explain it in detail. Smashing your face into a cake in front of a room full of people who were supposed to be there to celebrate you, humiliating you, ruining your hair and dress that you were happy with? How exactly is that funny?
    via u/gurleylass
  • 12
    Your Mom and sister are mad at you because when you got upset and started crying, which you had every right to do, it made THEM look bad in front of the party guests. The party guests probably thought they were horrible and were uncomfortable with the whole thing. It's easier to be mad at you than to take responsibility for their own actions. Happy Birthday fellow fish!
    via u/gurleylass
  • 13
    DeskRider · 16h ago NTA. I don't know where this started or why people continue to do it. Who enjoys having their heads slammed into a cake? Who finds it funny to smash cake into someone's face?
    via u/DeskRider
  • 14
    • JeepersCreepers74 17h ago NTA. Your sister smashed your face in a cake and ended up with egg on her face. Sounds fair to me.
    via u/JeepersCreepers74
  • 15
    omgtuttifrutti • 15h ago "Just a joke" is the rallying cry of bu ies all over the world. NTA
    via u/omgtuttifrutti
  • 16
    MaybeDaisie 17h ago NTA. You tried to play along but your sister pushed you over the edge with the cake smash. Your mom should've told your sister to apologize but unfortunately it sounds like they both lack consideration.
    via u/MaybeDaisie
  • 17
    Totallynaturalvibes • 27m ago Wow, you are DEFINITELY NOT TA. your mum and sister were completely out of order. It's clear the party wasn't for you but them. They then ruined it by smashing your face into the cake which is never funny. I'd move out.
    via u/Totallynaturalvibes
  • 18
    LowBalance4404 • 16h ago First off - happy belated birthday. And OP, I agree with u/gurleylass. As what the joke is? Why's fun about ruining your new dress, your hair, and your makeup? And to ruin a cake? What was the joke? How is it funny? I would let your mother and sister know that they owe you a new dress, a new cake, an apology, and an apology to all of the guests. NTA
    via u/LowBalance4404

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aita teenager AITAH brother birthday sibling rivalry sibling memes teenagers siblings money problems reddit story family feud family sibling sister reddit thread Reddit money
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