Host Turns Guests Away After A Long Flight Because They Came With Dogs
A Reddit user under the handle ThreeHoursAway recounted an incident on the “AITA” subreddit that took place during the Christmas season. In a gesture of hospitality, he had extended an invitation to an old friend to join him for the holiday, given his surplus of space and the friend’s disrupted plans.
Initially, the friend inquired about bringing his entire family along, and ThreeHoursAway, envisioning a wife and two kids, consented. However, when the friend and family arrived, they also brought along two dogs, a detail that caught ThreeHoursAway off guard and made him uneasy.
Complicating matters, ThreeHoursAway’s wife isn’t fond of dogs, and he lacked familiarity with the dogs’ behavior. Questioning why the friend hadn’t disclosed the canine companions in advance, ThreeHoursAway was met with the explanation that the friend had indeed mentioned the family’s entirety, including the dogs.
Subsequently, ThreeHoursAway expressed regret and informed the friend that the dogs couldn’t stay in his home. This decision provoked the friend and his family to react angrily, labeling ThreeHoursAway as inconsiderate and foolish, and accusing him of spoiling their holiday.
Despite reaching out to the friend 24 hours later, aiming to address the situation and reconcile, ThreeHoursAway received no response. He grapples with feelings of remorse and seeks external viewpoints to ascertain whether he was at fault.
Here’s the collective perspective offered by the AITA community:
The Core of OP’s Account:
OP declined the presence of the friend’s dogs.
Was this a justifiable action? Reddit Responds.
1. The friend deliberately omitted mentioning the dogs to avoid opposition.
2. There exist multiple reasons why hosting pets can be inconvenient.
3. The friend seemed to have engaged in a manipulative tactic.
4. While pets hold familial roles, they necessitate host approval.
5. Courtesy dictates seeking host consent prior to pet accompaniment
6. The friend’s intent appeared manipulative in nature.
7. While pets embody family, visiting with them mandates host permission.
8. Priority is accorded to humans as family members, not pets.
9. Dogs constitute a distinct category within the family structure.
10. The friend anticipated OP’s refusal if the dogs were mentioned.
11. The presence of dogs was a crucial detail omitted by the friend.
12. The friend’s actions seemingly marred the family’s Christmas experience.
13. Visiting with two dogs sans permission defies logic.
14. Dogs ought to be specified separately, even within the context of family.
15. ThreeHoursAway’s stance of not tolerating rudeness was commendable.
16. The friend’s conduct appeared to bear the markings of an a**hole.
17. Emphasis was placed on valuing the sentiments of ThreeHoursAway’s wife.
18. Not all locations welcome dogs.
19. One shouldn’t assume universal acceptance of pets as family.
20. The friend’s beliefs deviated from conventional norms, and he held entitlement to them.
What’s Your Take?
It’s crucial to secure a host’s consent before introducing pets into their space, as comfort levels with animals vary. Allergies, phobias, and personal preferences can influence such decisions, and by obtaining prior approval, the well-being and comfort of all parties involved are taken into account.
What’s your perspective?
