Picture this: you’re out with your friends at a Chinese restaurant, enjoying a delicious meal together. Suddenly, one of your friends gets agitated and confronts a father and son at a nearby table. The situation escalates, and you find yourself suggesting your friend should go back to therapy. But was that the right thing to say? Let’s dive into this drama-filled dinner and see what happened.
The Dinner Begins
Jess’s Traumatic Past
A Curious Kid and Friendly Dad
Dad’s Innocent Explanation
Jess Gets Agitated
Jess Confronts the Dad
Trying to Console Jess
The Therapy Suggestion
Friendship Group Divided ♀️
Longtime Friends
Update and Reflection
Not Giving Up on Friendship
Realizing Mistakes ♀️
Mental Health First Aid
Trying to Apologize
Jess’s Regret
Sending Love and Support
Dinner Dilemma: Was Therapy Suggestion Out of Line?
After a seemingly innocent interaction at a Chinese restaurant, Jess, who had previously experienced a traumatic racist incident, confronts a father and son, accusing them of racism. Her friends try to console her, but when the author suggests Jess return to therapy, things take a turn for the worse. The friendship group is divided on whether the suggestion was appropriate, but the author doesn’t want to give up on her longtime friend. As they all reflect on the situation and their own abilities to handle mental health crises, Jess’s mom reaches out, sharing Jess’s regret and desire to apologize. The group decides to send love and support in the form of chocolates and self-care items.
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“Jess teaching racism? Friend’s outburst sparks therapy debate “
NTA. Asian here. Culture is meant to be shared and one of the major sharing points between people of all ages and sects is food. The boy was asking questions because he was curious and probably hadn’t seen that type of food before. Rather than send the little guy to probe you guys about it the dad explained it in a calm and educational way. Honestly, that’s the best way it could have gone down. Your friend does need therapy. If a little child asking an innocent question about food is enough to set her off into making an outburst like that then she needs professional help processing what she went through.
NTA: Give support and reassurance first, then offer advice later
NTA. Validating vs enabling: a crucial distinction in relationships.
“NTA. Being a good friend is caring enough to tell her she needs therapy.”
NTA: Supporting friends through therapy is what good friends do
NAH: Ill-timed therapy suggestion sparks debate & self-reflection
Being a positive example for kids is heartwarming
Timing is key when suggesting therapy in heated situations
Dinner drama erupts at Chinese restaurant, sparking therapy debate
NTA for speaking up, but beware of the consequences
NTA suggests therapy from a caring place. Jess has issues ♀️
Friend’s outburst sparks therapy debate, NTA but Jess sounds unhinged
Validating her feelings could have de-escalated the situation
Overreaction sparks therapy debate: NTA accuses racism, needs help
Timing is key! NTA, but maybe save the convo for later.
NTA. Kid’s curiosity sparked outburst, therapy suggestion reasonable
Suggesting therapy during an argument? Not the best timing.
Food envy or racism? NTA debates cultural appreciation vs. appropriation
NTA calls out poor dining etiquette of father and son
“You’re invalidating me” – Friends calling each other out on BS
NTA, but tact could have been better.
