'Maybe someday you'll get a real job to support a family': 28-year-old walks out on girlfriend's family dinner when girlfriend's father insults his status, despite him making good money

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Sep 21, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Relationships never fail to amaze me regarding the vast myriad of things that can go wrong, and that do go wrong. It's a miracle anyone has ever found love, and it's a miracle that they can still find love today. Whether it's a problem that your partner refuses to eat bread, or that they're a hypochondriac, or maybe they have a terrible habit of leaving the stove on after cooking. The issues that can arise in a relationship are endless, and even the small things become really big issues at a certain point. I once stopped dating a guy because I didn't like the way he ate! Every time we sat down to eat it was like he became catatonic. He would barely touch his food, and I really didn't like that. Or you go on a date with someone and realize they live an hour from you. 

In the story below, the protagonist might have an issue with his girlfriend's family. He wanted to make a good impression at their first dinner together, but her father made it nearly impossible. Read the full story below. 

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • 01

    Am I overreacting for leaving my girlfriend’s family dinner after what her dad said?

    Couple at family dinner
    via gilaxia / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My girlfriend (27F) invited me (28M) to a family dinner to finally meet her parents. We've been
    via Reddit
  • 03
    together for almost a year, so | wanted to make a good impression.
    via Reddit
  • 04
    Dinner started out fine-until her dad started asking me about my job. I work in IT, and while it pays
    via Reddit
  • 05
    well, it's not some high-status career. After a few questions, he smirked and said, "So basically
    via Reddit
  • 06
    you just sit behind a computer all day... not exactly the kind of guy I imagined for my daughter."
    via Reddit
  • 07
    Everyone kind of laughed awkwardly. I tried to brush it off with a joke, but then he added,
    via Reddit
  • 08
    "Maybe someday you'll get a real job so you can actually support a family."
    via Reddit
  • 09
    I felt my stomach drop. My girlfriend just said, "Dad..." but didn't defend me beyond that. I
    via Reddit
  • 10
    quietly excused myself, said I wasn't feeling well, and left.
    via Reddit
  • 11
    Later that night, my girlfriend texted me saying I embarrassed her by walking out and that I should "just let it go" because her dad was "only teasing."
    via Reddit
  • 12
    I honestly feel disrespected and don't think I overreacted. But now she's acting cold and says I owe her family an apology.
    via Reddit
  • 13
    Reddit, am I overreacting for leaving?
    via Reddit
  • 14
    Dinner meet the parents
    via Foxys_forest_manufacture / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    Merrik4t NOR - she just proved that her family is toxic and she's too cowardly to do anything
    via u/Merrik4t
  • 16
    about it. I'd bail on this relationship. The fact that she scolded you for leaving due to his horrible behavior is something else.
    via u/Merrik4t
  • 17
    CAgirl1017 Not for leaving. But u definitely should talk to her in person and explain to her
    via u/CAgirl1017
  • 18
    that it was awkward and u wish she had been more vocal w her support of u.
    via u/CAgirl1017
  • 19
    Time to have a hard conversation about your finances, boundaries w her dad, and the negging that u were subjected to.
    via u/CAgirl1017
  • 20
    It could go 2 ways... one, she's just as embarrassed as u are and hates that u were
    via u/CAgirl1017
  • 21
    talked down to or two... she minimizes ur reaction and passively agrees w her dad's assessment.
    via u/CAgirl1017
  • 22
    Either way, it's a big deal.
    via u/CAgirl1017
  • 23
    Stormfly16153 You deserve a partner who values you enough to stand up for you. I would explain.
    via u/Stormfly16153
  • 24
    Family dinner
    via AleksandarNakic / Canva

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 25
    that maybe in the past he's always acted this way and although she may see it as teasing, that you don't
    via u/Stormfly16153
  • 26
    appreciate being talked to that way and having your career be minimized. Tell her
    via u/Stormfly16153
  • 27
    it was disrespectful and if she would like this relationship to continue down the same path that you would like an apology.
    via u/Stormfly16153

Tags

boyfriend family drama drama toxic family feud relationships lol couples love family family dinner reddit thread Reddit funny money dating
Scroll Down For The Next Article