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.
NTA: Friend’s outburst at restaurant sparks debate on cultural understanding

NTA. Friend’s trauma is valid, but she needs self-work

Encouraging therapy for friend’s trauma, but be careful not to offend

Supportive friend recognizes need for therapy, offers kind advice ❤️

Supportive friends can make a big difference when we’re struggling

Supportive comments encourage therapy for friend’s trauma, offering helpful suggestions.

“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.
