Friend groups often thrive on laughter and jokes, but sometimes teasing goes a little too far.

When a Polish man’s accent became the punchline at a birthday dinner, things got uncomfortable fast.

In that moment, he came to realize that maybe these “friends” weren’t his friends after all.

You’ll want to keep reading for this one.

AITA for walking out on my friends birthday after he made fun of my accent?

So I (23M) moved to Canada from Poland when I was around 10.

I still have a bit of an accent sometimes, especially when I’m tired. It’s not super strong, but people notice it.

Anyway, one of my close friends (24M) had a birthday dinner last weekend. We’re all sitting around, having drinks, and I’m telling a story about something stupid that happened at work.

But when his accent slipped out again, one of his friends took the opportunity to make fun of him.

I guess I mispronounced a word or something, because my friend cuts me off and starts mocking my accent in front of everyone.

Like, full-on exaggerated “Eastern European mobster” voice. Everyone starts laughing.

He stands his ground, and decides it’s time for him to leave.

I just kinda froze and told him to stop, that it wasn’t funny. He told me to relax and that it was just a joke.

And then I just paid my share and left.

Apparently this decision was controversial to the rest of the group.

A couple of our mutual friends texted me later saying I “made it awkward” and “overreacted” since it was his birthday.

One of them even said, “You’ve joked about being Polish before, so why are you suddenly sensitive about it?”

But he feels justified in finally standing his ground.

Thing is, I’ve laughed it off in the past, but it’s been bothering me for a while. I don’t go around mocking how they talk or where they’re from.

I just got tired of it.

Now I’m wondering if I should’ve just let it go for the night and talked to him later.

AITA?

Sounds like this lash out was a long time in the making.

What did Reddit have to say?

There’s a fine line between a well-intended joke and cruel mocking.

Maybe this guy isn’t a true friend after all.

Matter of fact, maybe this guy should throw out this entire friend group.

This commenter seems to know exactly how this guy is feeling.

Real friends don’t make you feel small for being yourself.

If you thought that was an interesting story, check out what happened when a family gave their in-laws a free place to stay in exchange for babysitting, but things changed when they don’t hold up their end of the bargain.