A man has sparked outrage after ordering his girlfriend to take part in his family's sexist tradition so she'll 'make a good impression'. He explained how he and his family meet at his great-grandfather's estate every other month to enjoy a meal together.
Per tradition, the meal is always prepared by the women while the men sit back and relax. While admitting it's a 'sexist tradition', he believes it's important for female newcomers to take part in it to make a good impression with the family.
Taking to Reddit, he said: "I am fully aware it’s sexist as hell. That being said, I am one of the youngest people in the family and my protests mean literally nothing. Some of those women choose not to cook, however this is usually met with a level of ostracising. The women who don’t cook are wives and long term girlfriends so they kind of already have a good family relationship doctored in.
"When I have seen new partners not cook, it’s gone bad. Like completely ostracised, not speaking, cattiness, rudeness etc.
"This dinner will be in two weeks and my girlfriend was asked if she would attend. Initially she said yes, which is great.
"I want for her to meet everyone and for everyone to get used to her being around, but when I explained to her the tradition she was understandably bothered."
In an attempt to convince her to 'play along', he told her she'd be "ostracised" if she didn't take part in the cooking.
"I told her that I understood where she was coming from, however it was best for everyone if she just played along," he added.
"I told her this isn’t a permanent thing and that I am only asking her to do this so that she can avoid bad treatment from the rest of the family.
"This is her first impression and I don’t think it’s best if we cause waves.
"She told me that it’s unacceptable and that if she has to do that she will not be going.
"I’ve tried to find a compromise with her on this but she won’t budge and she’s annoyed at me.
"She told me that if I think it’s acceptable to make her do this I’m just as bad as everyone else, while my point is that she needs to make a good first impression."
Wanting to know whether he's in the wrong for ordering her to take part in the tradition, he has asked Reddit users for their thoughts.
In response, one user said: "You seem to be very concerned with your girlfriend making a good first impression on your family, but not at all concerned with your family making a good first impression.
"It reads as though you care far more that your family approve of your choice than you do that she approves of your family. "That's pretty f***ed up and self-centred."
Another user added: "Your family is bullying women that don't cook? That's horrible. That's just so wrong."
A third user said: ". So you disagree with it, but are you in the kitchen in the meantime? Have you ever tried to go in there and help provide the labour? Or are you only 'not sexist' to women you want to sleep with?"
Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com
