AITA for having a go at my boyfriend when he ate the last of my food while I was in the bathroom?

A woman (24F) and her boyfriend (24M) went out for dinner after her tough week at work. She ordered dumplings and soup, excitedly anticipating them, while he ordered two large mains. After eating just one dumpling, she went to the bathroom, only to return and find he’d eaten the rest.

Upset, she called him selfish for ignoring her excitement about the meal and asked him to pay extra since he ate most of what she ordered. He seemed dismissive, and now she’s wondering if her reaction was justified. read the original story below.

‘ AITA for having a go at my boyfriend when he ate the last of my food while I was in the bathroom?’

So, my boyfriend (24M) and I (24F) went to a restaurant for only our second time eating out together. This week has been really rough at work, and I asked him to go out for food, saying I needed a pick-me-up. I mentioned I wasn’t super hungry since I had already eaten,

but I was really looking forward to having some dumplings and soup—I even talked about how excited I was for the dumplings during the drive there. When we ordered, I made it clear that I only wanted four dumplings and some soup.

My boyfriend ordered two large mains for himself since he has a bigger appetite. When the food arrived, I shared my soup with him and tasted a bite of his food, but I was mostly focused on my dumplings. When my dumplings came, I ate one before I needed to run to the bathroom.

When I got back, he had eaten both of the remaining dumplings! I was really upset because I had been looking forward to them and only got to eat one. I told him how disappointed I was and called him selfish, saying he never thinks of me.

I asked him to pay for how much he ate since I had specifically wanted those dumplings. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, but I feel like he should have asked before just taking them, especially since I had expressed how excited I was. AITA for getting upset, calling him out for being selfish and asking him to pay more?

See what others had to share with OP:

InformalTranslator97 −  NTA but fighting over food is never a problem in these situations. Sorry for making an assumption but I don’t think it’s the food that angered but a reoccurring pattern from him. Why don’t you guys have a long conversation?

When there’s a big problem that couples refuse to talk about they will fight about smaller things to release the steam but also making up after it is easier. If there’s a bigger problem in your relationship, smaller fights will occur more often.

Special_Respond7372 −  Who eats someone else’s food without asking? That’s ridiculous and rude. I hope you ordered some more dumplings and ate them before leaving the restaurant. NTA.

[Reddit User] −  NTA at all. He definitely shouldn’t have eaten them without asking and should have offered to buy you more. If he is eating 2 entrees and stealing your food it sounds like he might have some issues with overeating lol. I am in the US and 2 entrees at most Asian restaurants would be enough food for 4 people.

AsparagusWTweak −  NTA. Who the hell actually eats the rest of someone’s meal like that? That’s so gross and weird. Especially if he’d ordered a large amount for himself. How long have you been in a relationship if this is only your second time eating out together?

Personally, I would make a big deal out of it, even if it’s embarrassing for him because he deserves to be embarrassed. He was selfish. Call him out. If it were me, I’d dumpling him. This is such a bananas thing for any adult to do. 

ThrowRAMomVsGF −  If this is just your second time going out, meaning this is him in a new relationship acting HIS BEST, I cant dare to think how he will be down the line! Why are you even mentioning asking him to pay more, he should have not asked you to pay anyway – it’s not just being a gentleman, he was actually responsible for most of the bill!

SnailsInYourAnus −  NTA but from the sounds of it, it’s also pretty early into the relationship? Honestly, I’d d**p him over the dumplings, girl. If he’s already starting to show a lack of respect for you this early it will NOT get better later on. Run.

Kemdraws −  NTA im sorry to say but no one is dumb enough to think someone going to the bathroom isn’t going to finish the food when they get back, especially if it’s three dumplings. He did that on purpose.

If it’s early in your relationship he may have been testing your boundaries and seeing what he can do. If I were you that would be a major red flag for me and I would reconsider the relationship.

TheGingerCynic −  This week has been really rough at work, and I asked him to go out for food, saying I needed a pick-me-up . I made it clear that I only wanted four dumplings and some soup I ate one before I needed to run to the bathroom.

When I got back, he had eaten both of the remaining dumplings The rest of the info here is unimportant. You’d had a rough week, went out for food together to cheer yourself up, and he ate your food when you went to the bathroom.. NTA

My boyfriend ordered two large mains for himself since he has a bigger appetite. I shared my soup with him He ate two mains and some of your soup, then went on to also eat your dumplings. He’s either trying to push your boundaries, or he’s got some form of eating issue that needs looking into on his end.

my boyfriend (24M) and I (24F) went to a restaurant for only our second time eating out together . If this is a new relationship, it likely won’t improve from here. Most people try to show their better side at the start, and if this is his, he’s really lacking.

He’s literally taking food from you and expecting you to be fine with it. Whether he paid you back the difference or not, keep an eye out for if this is a recurring pattern. You express a boundary and he pushes / ignores it. If I was on a second date and they ate my meal before I got to enjoy it, I’d be rethinking things.

Galloping-Scallop −  NTA. I have very strong feelings about food sharing. And my closest people are on the same page and we have respect for it. I still remember the day over 10 years ago my ex asked for a bite of my burger and myself and my father watched him take the LARGEST bite he could possibly take.

My father saw my face drop. It was right from the center of the burger too. He had his own. I should have known our fate then…. All that is to say – he should have asked. And if your relationship is still young I would leave if he can’t understand the issue and take accountability. Especially with dumplings! Dumplings are sacred!

Sonsangnim −  NTA But he is not your boyfriend because he is not your friend. What he did was selfish and just plain rude. In the US South they would say that he has no home training. He was never taught to respect other people. And this power play he made on a second date, eating all.of your food, that’s him showing you his true character. Girl, run!

Was she overreacting to a small misstep, or was her frustration valid given the situation? What’s your take on sharing food and respecting each other’s excitement over meals? Share your thoughts below!