AITA for telling my to be granddaughter in law some lewd advice after my family asked for some ‘grandmotherly wisdom’?
In the twilight of their years, two lifelong friends found joy in a cheeky phrase that captured the essence of laughter and love. Their shared humor, bold and unfiltered, became a beacon of light in the quiet moments of their spirited lives, reminding them that sometimes, the simplest truths are wrapped in the silliest words.
When the next generation gathered to celebrate a new beginning, that same irreverent humor bridged the gap between youth and age. Amidst the warmth of family and the sparkle of new love, a single phrase sparked genuine laughter and honest connection, proving that wisdom doesn’t always come cloaked in solemnity—it often arrives with a wink and a smile.
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As renowned family therapist Dr. Harriet Lerner explains, “Boundaries are not about controlling other people; they are about taking responsibility for our own choices.” The situation highlights a conflict between personal expression (the OP's sense of humor) and social context (the solemnity often afforded to engagement announcements). The OP operates from a baseline where dark humor is accepted by their peers. In contrast, the daughter and granddaughter appear to value decorum and propriety in significant family milestones, suggesting differing generational or personal thresholds for 'appropriate' behavior. The OP's motivation was likely lighthearted bonding, but they failed to gauge the audience's readiness for that specific type of humor, especially in front of the newly engaged couple who may have felt immense pressure or awkwardness. The OP’s actions, while stemming from humor, were inappropriate for the specific social setting because they imposed their preferred communication style onto a moment primarily centered on another couple's transition. A constructive approach would involve the OP recognizing that different life stages and events call for shifting communication styles. In the future, the OP should prioritize observing the immediate mood and the presence of sensitive parties before deploying jokes that rely on potentially offensive or highly personal subject matter.
THE COMMENTS SECTION WENT WILD – REDDIT HAD *A LOT* TO SAY ABOUT THIS ONE.:
The community had thoughts — lots of them. From tough love to thoughtful advice, the comment section didn’t disappoint.
The original poster (OP) intended to share a humorous, albeit crude, saying with their family to celebrate a happy occasion, reflecting their own jovial nature and relationship with their close friends. However, this action resulted in significant emotional distress and criticism from their daughter and granddaughter, who viewed the comment as inappropriate and damaging to the celebratory moment.
Was the OP justified in sharing a joke based on their established sense of humor, or did the specific context of a proposal celebration demand a higher standard of propriety, making their comment genuinely inappropriate and hurtful to the majority of the family present?