AITA? I went on vacation with my friend and her family, and they kicked me out. I got my own room and stayed.

Vacations should be a time of relaxation and fun, but sometimes, they turn into unexpected trials that test your patience. Our storyteller, a 28-year-old college student, was excited about a spring break trip arranged by her roommate Meg’s wealthy family.

Though she was grateful for the free plane ticket and resort booking, the invitation came with hidden strings. It turned out she was essentially the third choice—and the designated cook—for a trip where the rest of the group enjoyed first-class luxury, while she was stuck in economy.

From the moment the trip began, things went awry. Meg’s family, steeped in traditional views, expected her to handle all the cooking duties, despite her limited culinary skills. After a disastrous dinner where undercooked chicken and overcooked steak drew angry criticisms from Meg’s father, the situation escalated. In frustration, our storyteller finally decided that enough was enough—she left the vacation and used her return flight ticket, sparking a heated family fallout.

‘ AITA? I went on vacation with my friend and her family, and they kicked me out. I got my own room and stayed.’

Expert Opinion

Letting family dynamics and unmet expectations ruin your vacation is never ideal. “When personal boundaries are ignored, especially in a group setting, it creates an environment of resentment and stress,” explains Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship and family dynamics expert featured in Psychology Today.

In this case, the narrator was unwittingly cast in a subservient role as the designated cook—a role clearly not part of the vacation agenda. Her frustration was not just about the meal mishaps but about being treated as an unpaid servant.

The tension intensified when the narrator was further isolated by unequal treatment on the flight. While the rest of Meg’s family enjoyed the luxury of first-class travel, she was relegated to economy. Dr. Orbuch notes, “Such disparities can significantly impact one’s sense of self-worth, especially when it comes from people who are supposed to be family.” The constant expectation to cook, despite her limited skills and personal plans for a relaxing break, exacerbated her feelings of being undervalued.

Moreover, the incident in the resort kitchen, where a simple mistake in preparing dinner spiraled into a public dispute, highlights a deeper issue. Dr. Orbuch explains, “Unresolved family expectations, when combined with traditional gender roles, often lead to explosive conflicts.” In this situation, the expectation that she should cook for the entire group—without any prior warning or support—created a pressure cooker scenario that eventually forced her to walk away.

Ultimately, her decision to leave and secure her own return flight was a stand for her dignity. “It’s crucial for individuals to assert their rights to enjoy personal time and relaxation, especially during a vacation,” Dr. Orbuch advises. If a trip becomes a platform for exploitation rather than enjoyment, setting firm boundaries is not only necessary but healthy. Though painful, the experience serves as a reminder that your self-worth should never be compromised by others’ expectations.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

The Reddit community was largely in support of the OP, with most commenters agreeing that she was entirely justified in leaving the vacation and using her return flight ticket. Many pointed out that being treated like an unpaid domestic servant—especially when her roommate’s family had arranged such an imbalanced trip—was unacceptable.

The prevailing sentiment was that the OP deserved to enjoy her vacation without being forced into extra, unwanted responsibilities. Several users also criticized the behavior of Meg’s family for their outdated and gendered expectations, noting that if the OP had stayed, she likely would have been continuously undervalued and mistreated. Overall, the consensus is clear: the OP did nothing wrong by prioritizing her own well-being over an exploitative situation.

In the end, this vacation turned from a potential escape into a battleground of family expectations and personal dignity. The narrator’s decision to leave and secure her own return flight reflects a broader need to set boundaries and demand respect—especially when the situation makes you feel more like a servant than a guest. While some might have tolerated the discomfort, many would agree that no one should be forced to sacrifice their self-worth for the sake of others’ traditions.

What would you do if you found yourself in a similar situation? Have you ever been put in a role you didn’t sign up for during a group trip? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!