AITA for pushing off a girl my lap and making her cry?

Navigating friendships and relationships can be tricky, especially when boundaries are crossed. A 19-year-old man found himself in an awkward situation when a girl, Sarah (18F), ignored his boundaries, then accused him of leading her on. Was he wrong to insist she not sit on his lap, or was he simply maintaining respect for his girlfriend and his own comfort?

‘ AITA for pushing off a girl my lap and making her cry?’

Dr. Rachel Simmons, a psychologist specializing in relationships and personal boundaries, weighed in on OP’s situation: “What OP experienced is a common issue when setting personal boundaries—especially in situations where another person has unspoken expectations. Sarah misinterpreted OP’s kindness as romantic interest, which is not uncommon when one person secretly harbors feelings for another.

However, her reaction—crying, calling him names, and getting her friends involved—demonstrates an inability to handle rejection in a healthy way. OP’s response was appropriate. He set clear boundaries, reinforced them when necessary, and communicated honestly when confronted. His girlfriend’s reaction also speaks volumes—she trusts him, which suggests he has always been upfront about his intentions.

Sarah’s behavior, on the other hand, raises concerns. She ignored OP’s comfort level, disregarded his relationship status, and then attempted to guilt him when he reaffirmed his boundaries. This could indicate emotional immaturity or a pattern of manipulative behavior. OP did nothing wrong, and if Sarah continues to push boundaries, it may be best to limit interactions with her.”

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

Most Reddit users sided with OP, agreeing that Sarah was out of line. Some users did have questions, like KaleidoscopeDistinct, who asked whether OP physically pushed Sarah off or if “push” just meant asking her to move. OP never clarified, but the context suggests he simply asked her to switch seats.