AITA for ruining my wife’s work and eating the food before she could take pictures of it?
For most people, waiting a few minutes before eating isn’t a big deal—but for this husband, it was enough to start a war. His wife runs a food blog and recipe website, where taking pictures of her meals is part of the job. But when she spent hours preparing a full meal, only to have her husband deliberately ruin her setup before she could take photos, it turned into a major fight.
She called him “an obnoxious jerk”, and now she’s refusing to cook for him ever again. But is he really the bad guy here, or was he justified in putting his hunger first?
‘AITA for ruining my wife’s work and eating the food before she could take pictures of it?’
Expert Analysis:
Why This Isn’t Just About Food
According to Dr. John Gottman, a leading relationship expert, one of the biggest predictors of divorce is contempt—the feeling that one partner does not respect or value the other’s work or passions. In this case, the husband didn’t just eat dinner early—he actively sabotaged his wife’s efforts, despite knowing how important it was for her blog.
“When a partner dismisses or undermines something that’s important to the other, it sends a message that their efforts don’t matter,” says Dr. Gottman. “A successful relationship is built on mutual respect and support.”
The Professional Side of Food Blogging
Food photography isn’t just a fun hobby—for many, it’s a legitimate career. According to Forbes, top food bloggers can make six figures through ad revenue, brand sponsorships, and cookbook deals. Even smaller blogs require meticulous effort, from recipe testing to styling and photography.
“Food bloggers spend hours crafting the perfect dish, only for it to be gone in minutes. That’s why capturing it is so crucial,” says professional food photographer Sarah Crowley. “The best bloggers understand that photography isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the main event.”
What OP’s Wife Might Have Felt
- Disrespected – Her work was brushed off as inconsequential.
- Frustrated – After hours of work, her project was ruined.
- Unappreciated – Instead of support, she got mockery and impatience.
How This Could Have Been Avoided
- Compromise: OP could have grabbed a snack if waiting was unbearable.
- Communication: Instead of “ruining the setup,” he could have expressed his frustration earlier in a conversation.
- Respect: If his wife’s work brings in income or fulfillment, he should treat it as seriously as he would his own job.
If OP continues to dismiss her passion, this could become a deeper marital issue.
Here’s what Redditors had to say about the situation:
The overwhelming response was against OP, with many commenters outraged at his lack of respect for his wife’s work. Some pointed out that food blogging is a serious career, and his deliberate sabotage of her setup was akin to ruining an artist’s painting or shredding a writer’s manuscript.
Others argued that if he can’t wait ten minutes, he should make his own meals instead of acting like a child. Some even said if they were in the wife’s position, they wouldn’t cook for him again, either.
A few defended OP’s frustration, saying that waiting every single meal could get exhausting—but even they admitted that he handled it poorly.
This situation goes beyond just food—it’s about respect and support in a marriage. While it’s understandable to feel frustrated about waiting, deliberately ruining something your partner worked hard on isn’t the way to handle it. If OP wants to repair his relationship, he’ll need to start by acknowledging his wife’s hard work and apologizing sincerely.
What do you think? Was OP’s frustration understandable, or did he go too far? Let us know in the comments!