Family tease man for seeking lower paid employment, get offended when he leaves dinner early: 'The jokes just kept coming'

It takes courage to change the path you're on, whether professionally or otherwise.

As such, it is a time in your life when you hope to have the support of those closest to you. No man is an island, and most people are not able to achieve everything that they want by doing it alone. When you have a relative or a loved one going through a transition like this, your approval can mean more than you think.

Sadly, not all families are willing to be nice to people who decide to take a risk and venture into something new that more closely aligns with what they want out of life. Sometimes, they have legitimate reasons for having doubts about your chosen path, and even if they happen to be right, that can be difficult to hear. Other times, though, they simply relish an excuse to be mean, and nobody should have to put up with that. For most people, struggle comes before success, and if somebody is making a genuine effort to follow their dreams, it is not something that they should be teased for. It only makes all that hard work feel all the more difficult and not worthwhile.

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  • Two women stand on either side of a man holding a plate of food in a kitchen, talking to him
    via Sweet Life

    Two women stand on either side of a man holding a plate of food in a kitchen, talking to him

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

  • One man struggled to be around his family after switching jobs to a lower-paid position in order to work in a role that he genuinely enjoyed. This had given him some financial struggles, but he was still glad to have made this choice.

    However, when at a family dinner, several of his relatives began making jokes about his new job and about him being broke. Although he tried not to take it too seriously, they would not let up, and he ended up telling them he didn't appreciate what they were saying and walking out. His mom accused him of ruining the mood.

  • Am I wrong for leaving my family dinner early after they kept making jokes about me?

    I went to a family dinner last weekend at my parents house. Everything started off normal but after a while my cousins and even my uncle started making jokes about my job and how I still haven't figured life out yet.
    via Prime-hands247
  • For context I recently switched careers and took a pay cut to do something I actually enjoy.
    via Prime-hands247
  • It's been a bit of a struggle financially but I've been proud of myself for sticking with it.
    via Prime-hands247
  • Two men and two women eating food at a dinner table
    via Sweet Life

    Two men and two women eating food at a dinner table

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


     

  • At first I laughed it off but the jokes just kept coming. Things like maybe you'll get a real job someday or don't worry we'll cover your meal since you're broke.
    via Prime-hands247
  • Everyone was laughing including my parents which honestly made it worse. After about an hour of this I told them I didn't appreciate the comments and asked them to stop.
    via Prime-hands247
  • They said I was being too sensitive and that it was "just jokes. That kind of pushed me over the edge so I got up said I was leaving and walked out.
    via Prime-hands247
  • Later my mom called me saying I embarrassed the family and should've just stayed and ignored it.
    via Prime-hands247
  • Some relatives have been texting me saying I overreacted and made things awkward. Now I'm wondering if I should've just stayed and dealt with it instead of leaving.
    via Prime-hands247
  • Two men and two women laughing while eating at a dinner table
    via Sweet Life

    Two men and two women laughing while eating at a dinner table

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


     

  • BigBackeron NTA. Jokes are supposed to be funny, not demeaning. When they doubled down they became bigger AHs.
    via BigBackeron
  • NapalmAxolotl NTA. The first time was a joke. After that they were just bu ying you. You politely asked them to stop. They called you "too sensitive", which is a common response from bu es. You walked out rather than getting into a fight about it. Your behavior was entirely appropriate and mature. Your relatives blamed you for the awkwardness, rather than blaming the actual offenders. Is this the first time this has happened, or is this a pattern? Because usually this is not a one-time thing. I'
    via NapalmAxolotl
  • Pandy_45 NTA. They were being passive aggressive. If it really was all in good fun they would have spread it around more. They laugh at you, then a cousin, a sister, brother, etc. You were being targeted. Don't go back there again.
    via Pandy_45
  • Famous_Couple5074 No, you handled it perfect. Sounds like they're envious. And the fact that they didn't apologize confirms that. You have made them feel inferior and they are punishing you for it. You have to do a kind of arm's length relationship with your family until they get used to you being a little more - enlightened than they are. After time you guys will all settle into the new order, but for now, limited interaction. Don't argue or try to convince them of anything and stay off social
    via Famous_Couple5074
  • bkwormtricia NTA. No, you do NOT have to let other people, especially family who are SUPPOSED to care for and help you, verbally ab e you. Which is what they were doing with their nasty comments. Jokes are supposed to be funny, not hurtful. You should have spoken up and walked out sooner. Every time they bring this up tell them something like "NO, I do not have to put up with your ab ive insults". And hang up/walk out. Enjoy your much more fun job!
    via bkwormtricia
  • NoYoureTheBestest NTA 100% I'm so sorry they did that to you. That's what you call gaslighting, invalidation and emotional ab e. I'm actually so proud of you for walking out! You were not "too sensitive" or any BS like that. Jokes are supposed to be funny for everyone. They wanted to be able to make fun of you and for you to sit there and take it. H I, no! That's just messed up. Especially as they kept going on and on, which is just cruel! They f ed around and found out. If they felt embarrassed
    via NoYoureTheBestest
  • DonkeyMany2643 NTA. Protect your peace always
    via DonkeyMany2643
  • Firefly_Magic NTA Not at all. When people are telling you that you made things embarrassing or that you made things awkward, is really a projection onto you. Your walking out, forced them to to see that the situation was embarrassing and awkward yet they failed to take accountability for their own. actions. Even their rebuttal is making fun of you. Stand your ground! You're doing a good job and by walking out shows that you were the better person and I'm so sorry that your family did this to you
    via Firefly_Magic
  • PurpleEmotional1401 Awwwww, poor babies ganged up to buy you and now they're bu hurt because you called them out. In future I suggest you adopt a zero tolerance approach to this kind of behaviour. NTA
    via PurpleEmotional1401
  • kadkadkad I love the doubling down accusing OP of being 'too sensitive' which everyone knows is code for "I know I'm bu ying you but I'm enjoying it so I'm going to find a way to validate it and make you feel even smaller at the same time". I always remind my 9 year old daughter that it's only a joke if everyone's laughing. Us Brits love to rip each other to shreds with insults and sarcasm, so she's been learning where the line is and what's considered too far. It's a fine art!
    via kadkadkad

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