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Winning something fair and square shouldn’t come with an apology attached, but that’s exactly what one teen experienced during a family trip to an art fair.
She completed an entire scavenger hunt largely on her own after her younger cousin wandered off to browse the stalls instead, eventually earning the chance to pick a handmade prize from a box of options.
She chose a beautiful hand-painted clay container, a decision that seemed settled… until her cousin started sulking the moment the families reunited.
What followed was a cascade of unfair pressure from relatives, including her grandmother, who expected her to simply hand over something she’d rightfully earned.
Despite holding her ground and keeping the container, she walked away labeled as the selfish one in the story.
Keep reading to find out what Reddit had to say about the matter.
AITA? Should I have given her my pottery just because she’s younger?
During a visit to Laura (11f), my (17f) cousin, in another state, we went to an art fair with my brother (15), grandparents, and Laura’s mom.
She was looking forward to this more than anyone else in her family.
I was excited about the fair’s scavenger hunt, which had handmade prizes from the most amazing artists.
My brother didn’t care much about the hunt, and Laura initially helped but soon decided to wander the stalls on her own instead, giving me the scavenger hunt sheet.
She walked away with something she was really proud of.
I completed the scavenger hunt and, after a bit of negotiation, managed to let us each pick a prize from the box. I chose a stunning hand-painted clay container, which Laura quickly looked at before we moved on.
But this peace didn’t last.
However, when we reunited with our families, Laura began to sulk. My grandma noticed and asked what was wrong. Laura revealed she was upset about not getting the prize she wanted, which led to her mother asking if she wanted my container.
Everyone sat there waiting for me to give it to her.
Laura continued to plead for the prize.
Later, during the car ride, Laura tried to convince me that I should give her the container because she was younger and less capable of making her own pottery.
I attempted to change the subject, but my grandma later reported that Laura was still upset.
Soon her family began pressuring her more and more.
When we got home, my grandmother confronted me, calling me selfish for keeping the container.
It’s all part of a larger pattern.
This isn’t the first time Laura has manipulated situations to get what she wants.
Since we were kids, she’s often gotten loudly and dramatically upset over my or my brother’s possessions, leading the adults to pressure us into giving in.
She’s starting to resent the whole thing.
I feel that at her age, she should learn to manage feelings of disappointment without drama. I was giving her things I cared about when I was younger than she is now!
I ultimately kept the container, but my grandma and brother criticized me for it.
AITA?
Laura needs a reality check.
What did Reddit have to say?
Laura needs to learn that things can’t always go her way.
Laura is too old to be behaving this way.
This user thinks this entitled behavior is all because of how Laura was raised.
If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a sister who held up her end of a college savings bargain only to be ripped off by her scheming older sibling.
This is a learning opportunity for Laura.
Completing an entire scavenger hunt solo and still getting called selfish for keeping the prize is a pretty backwards outcome.
Laura didn’t lose out on anything, she chose to wander off instead of participating, and that choice has consequences whether the adults want to acknowledge it or not.
Expecting someone to hand over something they earned just to stop a younger cousin’s sulking teaches exactly the wrong lesson to everyone involved. This pattern clearly isn’t new either, which makes the family’s continued willingness to cave even more frustrating.
It’s this teen’s right to hold on to a prize she earned.