Easter dinner ruined when 52-year-old woman criticizes 35-year-old BIL for his shady behavior at work, he accuses her of starting drama: “Everyone in the industry does it”

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Apr 24, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Hey there gals and gents. In any given place of work, there's a certain amount of integrity necessary for the functionality of the workplace. If employers and managers can't rely on their employees to actually complete their work, not steal, and not do other shady offenses, then there's no business. I've never done anything egregious in a workplace, but I know many people who have. I know people who would steal other people's tips at restaurants, or even get paid themselves instead of paying the restaurant. As awful as it is, stealing is still so common, and whether it's tangible items or not, it can put someone in a bad situation. Stealing comes in many forms, and it can also allude to stealing time or money from a workplace. I once had an ex-boyfriend who would steal things from the shop he worked in. 

In the story below, it centers on a family where the protagonist's brother-in-law has been hinting at some inappropriate behavior at work. He's been getting the upper hand and taking advantage of his clients as he runs a business that helps small businesses to start off. Read the full story below for all the juicy details. 

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  • 01

    AITA for calling out my brother-in-law at Easter after he bragged about his company overcharging clueless new business owners?

    "It's not like it's illegal"
    via mediaphotos from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    So, this happened at Easter dinner and it's still bugging me.
    via u/MsIndependentBiz

  • This man isn't just taking advantage of other people who don't have the money or assets to afford it, he's actually proud of himself for this. It's one thing to do it and know it's immoral and bad, but it's an entirely different ballgame when you actually feel entitled to mistreat other people. This man should be ashamed of himself. 

  • 03
    I (52F) am retired now, but I spent over 20 years as a business advisor helping small business owners get started everything from writing their first business plan to finding affordable legal help. I've also started a couple of businesses myself, so I've seen firsthand how tough and overwhelming those early days can be.
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 04
    Anyway, my brother-in-law "Jake" (35M) works at a registered agent company-you know, those companies that help you set up your LLC, file annual reports, etc. Over dinner, he starts talking about his job, which is fine at first. But then he shifts into bragging mode.
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 05
    He starts going on about how they overcharge "dumb" clients for basic services, upsell them on things they don't need, and how everyone in the office laughs at the "ridiculous" business ideas people bring in. He literally said,
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 06
    "We call it the idiot tax-if you're dumb enough to fall for it, we're smart enough to take your money."
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 07
    The whole table went quiet. I was honestly shocked.
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 08
    I told him flat-out that what he was describing wasn't just shady, it was predatory. That these are often first-time entrepreneurs putting everything on the line- savings, family support, dreams— and that he and his company were
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 09
    profiting off their inexperience and laughing about it. I said, "You're proud of taking advantage of people who are just trying to build something?"
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 10
    Well, Jake got defensive and started making excuses—"it's not illegal," "everyone in the industry does it," etc. My sister (his wife) told me I was ruining the mood and “starting drama." My sister later told me I should've just kept my mouth shut and changed the subject.
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 11
    But I don't know—I couldn't just sit there and let him act like that kind of behavior is okay. I've spent most of my life trying to help people like the ones he's mocking.
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10496945152
    via AndreyPopov from Getty Images / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    So, Reddit... AITA for calling him out and "ruining” Easter dinner?
    via u/MsIndependentBiz
  • 14
    brittdre16 • 10h ago NTA. Normalize calling out bad behavior.
    via u/brittdre16
  • 15
    Fluffy-Scheme7704 10h ago I would have added... this totally changes my perception of you... NTA
    via u/Fluffy-Scheme7704
  • 16
    tdasnowman 8h ago You'd be the a h le if you don't report him and his company.
    via u/tdasnowman
  • 17
    S... 10h ago • Edited 10h ago Nta. All you did was point out the arrogance, corruption and hypocrisy. Pretty sure that's okay every day, especially on Easter. Maybe he shouldn't have bragged
    via u/Sea_Meeting_5310
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10496942592
    via nadianb / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 19
    about his predatory behavior and then act surprised when everyone didn't find it so amusing. Because it's not. He may as well be a scammer targeting the elderly, also not funny.
    via u/Sea_Meeting_5310
  • 20
    Biotoze • 8h ago NTA. Some people should feel shame
    via u/Biotoze
  • 21
    Lonely-World-981 • 9h ago It sounds like he ruined the mood and started drama. Unless, of course, your family usually celebrates Easter by mocking and shaming others. Do they?
    via u/Lonely-World-981
  • 22
    Potato Monster20 ΝΤΑ 6h ago "I'm cruel and like taking advantage of people. Aren't you impressed by me?" "...no."
    via u/Potato Monster20
  • 23
    Pandoratastic 8h ago NTA What he was describing is deliberately unethical. Saying it's legal and that "everyone does it" doesn't make it ethical.
    via u/Pandoratastic
  • 24
    Some jobs do require people to have flexible ethics, such as a defense attorney who is willing to defend a guilty client. But the way he is compromising his ethics isn't inherent in his job description. It's just him finding ways to take unfair advantage of his clients for his own selfish benefit.
    via u/Pandoratastic

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