Usually celebrating a friend’s birthday is a joyous occasion, but sometimes planning can create unexpected tension.

For one woman, the problem started when her friend insisted everyone block off their calendars during prime vacation season to celebrate her big day.

It left her feeling like she didn’t have much choice in the matter.

Read on for the full story.

WIBTA if I told my friend people are entitled to holidays over her bday

My friend’s birthday is early January, just after New Year’s, which is peak summertime in Australia.

Her friend is really into her birthday.

Every year around August–September she informs people she will be having her birthday on X day.

I asked her why she tells people so far in advance (it happens every year, so it’s not like it’s for a 21st, 30th, etc.).

Her reason was, “People go away that time of year, so I want to tell people early so they have no excuse to miss my birthday.”

But she’s starting to feel like this isn’t a fair expectation for her friend to have.

Now I keep my mouth shut because this friend is entitled and sensitive.

But WIBTA if I told her people are allowed a holiday during most people’s only 2–3 weeks off a year?

She’s always been loyal to her friend, but loyalty doesn’t always erase frustration.

What did Reddit think?

At a certain point, you have to let go of the entitlement around your birthday.

This commenter personally doesn’t see the problem with planning ahead.

This commenter would only speak up if the friend was being extra rigid about the dates.

This commenter is all for planning as much as possible.

Summertime is a busy season, and sooner or later, her friend needs to recognize that everyone else’s lives don’t revolve around her.

After all, birthdays are supposed to be fun, not stressful.

If you liked that post, check out this story about a guy who was forced to sleep on the couch at his wife’s family’s house, so he went to a hotel instead.