Group decisions are supposed to include everyone, but sometimes it feels like not all voices are heard.

What started as a kind gesture to give their friend a group gift quickly turned into a matter of principle when one friend was asked to chip in for a present she had no part in selecting.

Read on for the full story.

AITA for not willing to split the cost of a group gift when I wasn’t included in the card

One of my friends got a new job recently, and some of my friends decided to get her a little gift.

I was in the group chat where it got brought up, but I was super busy with studying and didn’t say much.

A couple of people were throwing around ideas, and I figured they’d update us later.

It turns out, she missed out on a few key details.

Well, last weekend they gave her the gift, which was AirPods Pro, and posted a little photo of her holding them with a card.

I didn’t even know they picked something already.

I also wasn’t asked to sign the card or even told when they were giving it to her.

So she was very surprised to learn they still expected money from her.

Then, that same night, one of the girls Venmo requested me $20 for my “share.”

I asked what it was for, and she said, “The gift, obviously,” like I should’ve just known.

She obviously had a problem with this assumption.

I told her I didn’t get to sign the card or even know what they picked.

And she said it didn’t matter because I was part of the group and it’s just what we all agreed to.

But like… I never agreed. I don’t think I was included. I wasn’t even asked…

Then her friends start turning on her.

After that, they are saying I’m making it awkward and that it’s not about the money, it’s about celebrating a friend.

But I kinda feel like I was treated like an afterthought and still expected to pay.

AITA?

Friendship should feel like a shared bond, not an unexpected invoice.

What did Reddit think?

There’s no doubt in this commenter’s mind that her friends are in the wrong here.

It’s possible something may have just been lost in translation.

Something similar happened to this user.

The financial details should be worked out BEFORE the gift is given, not after.

It’s not about the money — it’s about feeling valued.

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.