New to the Neighborhood, She Learned There Was an Unspoken Rule: Host a Welcome Party. She Wants No Part of It.
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You know when a word is in quotes, it’s for a reason, and that’s exactly the case with the word “tradition” when it comes to the story you’re about to read.
Imagine being told that your new neighborhood has a certain “tradition,” but you’re not so sure it really is a tradition after all. Even if it actually was a real tradition, would you feel obligated to go along with it, or would you refuse if it was something you didn’t actually want to do?
In this story, one woman is in this situation, and she chooses to ignore the “tradition.” Now, she’s wondering if that was the wrong thing to do.
Let’s read all about it.
AITA for not following my neighborhoods “tradition”?
I (f25) have just moved into a neighborhood a couple weeks ago and so far it has been very peaceful.
From the neighbors that have came up to me, everyone has been very friendly and welcoming which I really appreciate since I’m not from around the town.
The neighbors throw a lot of parties.
I have noticed that some neighbors have been having frequent parties the last couple of weeks but I chalked it up to it being celebrations since I know one neighbor’s daughter just graduated highschool, and July 4th is coming up.
I have been to some of these parties to get to know the other neighbors better and one person who really stands out to me is this one neighbor, Melinda. (Not her actual name)
At a neighbors party she came up to me and introduced herself and we talked for a while.
I’m wondering if Melinda is making this up.
This is when I learned about the “Newest Neighbor Party”.
Apparently, the newest neighbor is supposed to throw a grand party showing off their home and entertain the neighborhood as a whole thing.
Melinda told me since I was the newest neighbor, it was my duty to.
I thought Melinda was joking when she told me this as it didn’t make sense to me and I laughed.
This seemed to have had made Melinda a little angry, as she said she was serious and it was a tradition in the neighborhood and that I had 2 weeks to host a party.
It seems that they really expected a party.
This was 2 weeks ago.
Yesterday was the day I was supposed to do this “tradition” but I happily stayed in bed.
Melinda and a couple neighbors came and rang on the doorbell but I ignored them and enjoyed binge watching childhood shows.
I decided to go outside today and Melinda came up to me furious, saying that I didn’t do the tradition and that I was being a bad neighbor.
It may not really be a tradition after all.
The thing is however, I asked some other people about this “tradition” and they have heard some people do it, but mostly never really mentioned it to be a reaccuring thing that each new person in the neighborhood should do.
I told Melinda that I wouldn’t be throwing a party anytime soon as I didn’t feel comfortable with the thought of people coming into my home let alone me having to entertain them.
Melinda got angry, saying that the neighborhood is like a “big family” and stormed off.
I let it go, but the neighbors that were with Melinda at my house that night have been telling me I should’ve just did the party and that I’m leaving a bad impression.
I think my reason is justified, but I’m not really sure. So AITA?
I think Melinda just sounds like a nosey, entitled mean girl who wants to invite herself over by using a “tradition” as an excuse. Good for OP for ignoring her.
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Let’s see if Reddit agrees.
This person doesn’t think this “tradition” is a good reason to host a party.
Here’s a suggestion to avoid Melinda.
Another person would’ve wanted to know about this tradition before deciding to move in.
It does kind of seem like bullying.
If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a man who is confronted by his high school bully and decides to steal his Nintendo DS.
This person has a theory about Melinda.
Melinda certainly sounds like trouble. While she may come off as someone who is trying to be friendly, I think she’s trying to be friendly in a Regina George kind of way a la Mean Girls.
Real friends aren’t bullies.
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