Woman Backs Out Of Family Vacation After Sister's Last-Minute Decision To Include Boyfriend, Faces Family Backlash

The woman opts to spend her alone time in comfort, preferring not to feel like a third wheel.

May

• Published in Interesting
• February 3, 2024

The ideal vacation is supposed to be comfortable and stress-free. But if you feel like you'll be treated as a third wheel when sharing rooms with a couple, then it's not worth sacrificing your peace of mind.

Your vacation should be a time to unwind and create happy memories, so always make accommodations where you feel valued and relaxed. Otherwise, just stay home, relax, and do your own thing.

One Redditor decided on just that when her sister decided to bring her boyfriend along on their family vacation. According to the original poster (OP), her parents would take her and her sister to NYC for a vacation yearly.

It happens a week before school. Now that both sisters are adults, the tradition shifted to more sisterly bonding time while their parents enjoyed their own space. But this year, one thing has changed.

The parents allowed the sister's boyfriend to go with them. It was a last-minute decision.

As both sisters are adults, they each contribute financially to the trip. But since the OP feels uncomfortable with the idea of third-wheeling and sharing close quarters with a couple, the OP opted out of the trip.

Despite facing pushback from her family, who deemed her decision petty, she prioritized her own comfort and well-being. The sister, expecting the boyfriend to join without contributing financially, was surprised by the sudden change in plans.

Now, it's the boyfriend who has to contribute in her place. She wonders if she's the a-hole for suddenly backing out of the trip.

OP wonders if she's the a-hole for backing out of a family vacation at the last minute.

The NYC is part of a family tradition that started back when the OP and her sister were just kids.

This year, the OP's sister suddenly wanted to bring her boyfriend along.

Some people can't stand the thought of being the third wheel in a room with a couple. It's just uncomfortable.

The OP is one of those people.

The OP considered that booking a separate room wouldn't be ideal either, as it would entail additional expenses.

It seems the sister wanted to bring her boyfriend along because he wouldn't be contributing money to their shared room during the vacation.

Now that the OP has pulled out, the boyfriend has to pay.

It's unfair on the OP's part. In the first place, the OP doesn't have to pay for a vacation she knows she wouldn't enjoy.

This is one way of looking at the situation: The OP graciously stepping aside to allow the couple to enjoy their time together.

Why are the parents okay with the boyfriend not paying for anything?

The sister needs to see the situation from the OP's perspective, because it sucks to be a third wheel.

In this situation, the OP is not at fault. Many people wouldn't feel comfortable being a third wheel on vacation, and prioritizing personal comfort is completely understandable.

Moreover, the sister should have considered her boyfriend's financial contribution before inviting him along. The OP made a reasonable choice to enjoy her alone time at home instead.

At least the couple can now enjoy their time together without any complications.

May