AITA for leaving a bad review on a small store
In a world where love often hides in the smallest traditions, a couple’s quirky anniversary ritual unfolds—a tender dance of separate shopping trips and shared surprises in the car. Their story is one of deep pa*sion, where anime and video games are more than hobbies—they are threads weaving their hearts closer together.
But beneath the lighthearted tradition lies a moment charged with misunderstanding and judgment. When a stranger questions the authenticity of her love for anime based on her gender, she stands firm, her tattoos telling a story of devotion and ident*ty that no skeptic can erase. This is a tale of resilience, pride, and the quiet power of knowing one’s truth.
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As renowned researcher Dr. Brené Brown explains, “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.” In this situation, the OP attempted to set a boundary when the employee initiated an inappropriate quiz about her knowledge and then escalated by using abusive language. The employee, motivated by gatekeeping behavior common in certain fandoms, violated this boundary by refusing to accept the OP's competence based on her presentation. The OP's reaction—standing her ground, dismissing the employee, and later leaving a detailed public review—was a strong assertion of self-respect against harassment and misogyny. While her friends may perceive her reaction as overreacting, her experience involved verbal abuse in a commercial setting. The owner's subsequent actions prioritized damage control over acknowledging the harm done to the customer, further validating the OP's decision to publicize the event. The OP's action of leaving the review was appropriate in holding the business accountable for its staff's conduct, especially since the owner confirmed other complaints existed. Moving forward, while direct confrontation is sometimes necessary, a constructive recommendation for similar scenarios would be to immediately request to speak with the manager or owner on-site, documenting the incident, before resorting to public reviews, though the OP's final action remains defensible given the severity of the language used.
THE COMMENTS SECTION WENT WILD – REDDIT HAD *A LOT* TO SAY ABOUT THIS ONE.:
The thread exploded with reactions. Whether agreeing or disagreeing, everyone had something to say — and they said it loud.
The original poster (OP) faced a confrontation where an employee challenged her knowledge of anime, leading to offensive language from the employee and a subsequent negative review. The central conflict lies between the OP's right to enjoy her hobbies without being tested and the store owner's desire to protect his business reputation and revenue.
Was the OP justified in posting a highly critical public review, or should she have accepted the owner's request for an email discussion and removed the review given the impact on the business? Does the employee's behavior warrant public exposure over private resolution?