27-year-old woman walks out of dinner with friends after boyfriend mocks her promotion, he refuses to apologize: ‘Why do you take everything so personally?’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jul 2, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Getting a promotion at work is a cause for celebration, and it's really fun to get to do that with the people you love most. Breaking the news, going out for dinner, hearing their congratulations, and feeling their metaphorical pats on your back, all of that is almost more exciting than the actual promotion and extra money in your paycheck. You get to be surrounded by people who love you, who are genuinely happy for you, and who want only the best of the best for you.

Isn't that awesome?

Well, it is, as long as they really are happy for you. The thing about breaking good news for other people is that you get to watch their response live, and sometimes, their response might not actually be what you expected. They might reveal their true colors, colors you never thought you would see. What do you do then? How do you cope when people who should be happy for you when you get good news, are not really happy?

That is the question the girl in the story below asked herself, when it became clear to her that her boyfriend was not as happy as she thought he would be when she told him about her promotion.

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    "Careful, she's gonna start wearing the pants now"
    via SeventyFour

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

  • 02

    AIO for walking out of dinner after my boyfriend laughed at my promotion?

    1 (27F) just got promoted at work. It's a big deal, I've been grinding for years for this. I told my boyfriend (29M) a few days ago and
    via Illustrious-Tax-1781
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    he seemed... lukewarm, but said "Congrats." Last night we went out with some of his friends and one asked me what
    via Illustrious-Tax-1781
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    was new. I told them about the promotion and how proud I was. My boyfriend cut in with, "Yeah, now she's technically my boss in
    via Illustrious-Tax-1781
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    salary. Scary, right?" Everyone laughed and one guy said something like, "Careful, she's gonna start wearing the pants now." My boyfriend added, "She already does. Trust me."
    via Illustrious-Tax-1781
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    I laughed awkwardly but I felt like I was being mocked. Like my win was being turned into a punchline.
    via Illustrious-Tax-1781
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    When we got in the car, I told him it bothered me. He got defensive and said, "It was just jokes. Why do you take everything so personally?"
    via Illustrious-Tax-1781
  • 08
    I ended up getting out of the car when we stopped for gas and Ubering home. He says I embarrassed him. Am I overreacting?
    via Illustrious-Tax-1781
  • 09
    Sunshineandbrimstone I went through this with my ex. Once I finished my degrees I went from making around the same as him to 3 times what he did. I did it for us, for my family so we could all everything and anything we wanted.
    via Sunshineandbrimstone
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    He loved the money but it was always snide remarks about me thinking I was better than him. (never once said anything of the sort) and how I would leave him for someone better (I left for
    via Sunshineandbrimstone
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    because I was tired of fearing for my life...whole other topic). These remarks were made in public and private and they often got venomous.
    via Sunshineandbrimstone
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    Here's the thing, if someone in your life, no matter in what capacity, cannot celebrate your accomplishments and achievements alongside you they DO NOT support you. You don't deserve that.
    via Sunshineandbrimstone
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    Cheezburger Image 10523704320
    via Budgeron Bach

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

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    Picture Ok9106 NOR. It's weird that the comments are divided considering he had nothing positive to say to you and made your success about his lack of success. That isn't a positive reaction by any stretch of the
    via PictureOk9106
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    word. When people make jokes like that AND aren't happy for you it definitely gives off the feeling that he's unhappy that you're progressing.
    via PictureOk9106
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    Batgirl_1984 You didn't embarrass him by getting out of the car, he feels embarrassed that you surpassed him professionally and he can't handle it. A supportive partner would make you feel seen for all of your hard work paying off.
    via Batgirl_1984ה
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    Mysterious_Cell7317 Your BF is so jealous. If this is the start of his "little boy" jibes it's not going to stop. He's a walking red flag right now and will no doubt hold his hand out. Think hard if you want to remain in the relationship if you've just gotten promoted and no doubt will keep driving through other opportunities
    via Mysterious_Cell7317
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    Spare-Collection-332 NOR I used to date one of those guys...so insecure that they can't be happy for your success. You deserve someone more secure and less threatened.
    via Spare-Collection-332
  • 19
    Across TheSea86 This sounds like a pattern of behaviour if he's saying, "Why do you take everything so personally" If this is a one off and he is generally understanding and sensitive.
    via AcrossTheSea86
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    towards your needs, then I'd say "meh awkward moment talk it out but tread carefully. Try not to damage a good relationship based on one incident."
    via AcrossTheSea86
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    However, what he said could very much be read as condescending like a "can you believe SHE is making so much?!?!" If he has a pattern of being insecure about your
    via AcrossTheSea86
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    achievements or overall being unresponsive to your emotional needs as a partner after you've clearly stated how the things he says make you feel, then you probably need to re-evaluate how much he actually cares.
    via AcrossTheSea86
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    Familiar-Risk-6591 If he's not in your corner-he should be out of the ring.
    via Familiar-Risk-6591

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boyfriend promotion relationship advice drama relationship-drama reddit story relationships girlfriend advice couples love Reddit dating entitled people
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