Imagine spending years working hard to earn your college degree, and when graduation day finally arrives, your parents suggest celebrating with a picnic lunch in the parking lot. That’s the dilemma faced by one college graduate, who wanted to enjoy a nice meal at a local restaurant to mark this once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment. But their frugal parents, known for their extreme budget-consciousness, insisted on sticking to their tradition of packing sandwiches and eating in the parking lot. The graduate’s request for a special meal sparked a heated debate, with the parents accusing them of being ungrateful and difficult. Let’s dive into the story to find out more!
Graduation Day Approaches
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/26c980b2-8024-4578-bc1c-dbb88a9926bd.png)
The Frugal Family
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/bcfd6b6d-1557-44d3-ba41-c609339bfb77.png)
A Lifetime of Saving
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/90475a2e-18e7-416c-bf07-6066102ba4a5.png)
The Cooler Chronicles
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/e94e6f8b-b805-4d5f-9480-8b5f4ac23365.png)
The Inconvenient Truth
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/1d6b2fb6-0eac-4295-bdcb-c3dd0915da02.png)
Vacation Frustration ️
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/188a3286-6f95-43e4-974f-f0ade1adbb79.png)
New Tastes, New Adventures ️
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/e7e4a759-f2ff-4e18-af8a-c0db0ab3c1a9.png)
The Sandwich Standoff
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/bc7cf3c5-0f3a-4524-a05a-2c3141f238ac.png)
Graduation Lunch Proposal ️
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/7734a3ea-1b4a-4489-b5c4-4bab839124d5.png)
A Different Plan ️
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/600b5dde-f4eb-4af2-b539-714d3cd2ee7e.png)
A Simple Request
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/2c583e85-fa1d-459a-957f-3aa0ee59264f.png)
Parents’ Reaction
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/06edd85c-fa3e-4f5f-9d35-3388fbb6d9d2.png)
Not Just Any Day
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/808269f8-2045-4838-a814-2f1fcb31fb16.png)
The Fallout
![Image credit: fancy_camel_4405 | fancy_camel_4405](https://static.diply.com/879f2734-90d6-4708-b8ab-b7e7354d5152.png)
Graduation Lunch Battle: Who’s Right? ️
So, there you have it! A college graduate who just wants to celebrate their hard-earned degree with a nice meal at a local restaurant, but their frugal parents are adamant about sticking to their tradition of packing sandwiches and eating in the parking lot. The graduate’s simple request sparked a heated debate, with the parents accusing them of being ungrateful and difficult. As the big day approaches, the tension remains. Let’s see what the internet thinks of this situation…
Celebrating a major milestone with a parking lot lunch? NTA, but cheap.
![Image credit: DigDugDogDun | DigDugDogDun](https://static.diply.com/365acbfa-e4d5-4879-ab50-6b02a8264c45.png)
Enjoy your lunch with friends and post pics! NTA.
![Image credit: wind-river7 | wind-river7](https://static.diply.com/b5313683-95e4-4eb4-b0d8-d15545d4c8f9.png)
Commenter sympathizes with OP’s graduation celebration woes.
![Image credit: chlorenchyma | chlorenchyma](https://static.diply.com/21faf99b-64aa-4005-bd83-bfe8f56df6a5.png)
Commenter and reply both agree: NTA, graduation deserves better
![Image credit: karenrachael | karenrachael](https://static.diply.com/26209d31-89b3-463b-9cd4-5f6636e5f2f4.png)
Celebrate your accomplishments in a cool location, not a parking lot
![Image credit: MuchPreferPets | MuchPreferPets](https://static.diply.com/bd58651f-bd8a-4188-98ed-044647fe6a6f.png)
Sandwiches for graduation? NTA says no, but some disagree
![Image credit: LoveMoreGlitter | LoveMoreGlitter](https://static.diply.com/f498b4e7-c302-47d2-a04d-d38746fef0a3.png)
Why settle for a hot parking lot when you can have shade and picnic benches nearby? ☀️
![Image credit: pennywhistlesmoonpie | pennywhistlesmoonpie](https://static.diply.com/76bd3498-5823-480c-ad1a-00cc811d3669.png)
Celebrate your accomplishment, not their stinginess. You deserve better! ️
![Image credit: enthused_high-five | enthused_high-five](https://static.diply.com/f6907337-2aac-4be1-bb46-51167a388050.png)
Family’s food-related issues causing graduation celebration conflict
![Image credit: SweatyFig3000 | SweatyFig3000](https://static.diply.com/0ade27d6-7901-439f-a422-950aea5a992e.png)
NTA suggests not to shortchange special occasions. Replies include sneaking snacks.
![Image credit: sneakyscott | sneakyscott](https://static.diply.com/ed9bbc31-4eac-4347-a67e-da4a6c100394.png)
Celebrate your way! ️
![Image credit: Andrea_frm_DubT | Andrea_frm_DubT](https://static.diply.com/6fbdc864-b6ff-41e5-97da-4aa6d519c81e.png)
Don’t settle for hoagies in the park, you deserve steak
![Image credit: HappyLucyD | HappyLucyD](https://static.diply.com/2f1f2bc4-cbd0-4bc7-8db0-639458d264d7.png)
Celebrate your achievement your way, NTA
![Image credit: jc1287 | jc1287](https://static.diply.com/16cc19de-04eb-4c28-8c32-7f239a042777.png)
Parents paying for college: common or rare?
![Image credit: StAlvis | StAlvis](https://static.diply.com/27ded947-466e-4a33-b32c-b8e6f5e1e39d.png)
Polite but firm NTA suggests dutch lunch and cookout compromise.
![Image credit: Ok_Kale_5404 | Ok_Kale_5404](https://static.diply.com/b925ba07-9038-4e0e-8414-4affa106c46a.png)
Money saved packing food for graduation, but is restaurant worth it?
![Image credit: Ted4828 | Ted4828](https://static.diply.com/4dc46e91-b6ea-48a2-addf-e30b71302e75.png)
Graduation stress and a disappointing meal – make your celebration count
![Image credit: LilitySan91 | LilitySan91](https://static.diply.com/3e356b84-a674-4920-8e9b-4ad9f8acec28.png)
When cheap eats ruin your vacation
![Image credit: wandis56 | wandis56](https://static.diply.com/51347ed9-9f77-4f57-b7c6-8fe622e29f88.png)
Celebrate your achievements and don’t let anyone bring you down
![Image credit: electric29 | electric29](https://static.diply.com/95743836-cd24-4087-990c-8b75a635fc26.png)
Celebrate in style! NTA for wanting to eat out ️
![Image credit: Mo-Makes | Mo-Makes](https://static.diply.com/88dbe8c7-6370-4390-9f2d-2000dd40c90d.png)
Don’t let your parents bring you down. You’re NTA
![Image credit: BadAdviceGiver666 | BadAdviceGiver666](https://static.diply.com/7dba6c6b-401a-49fc-8681-63ea6915fe57.png)
Skipping graduation lunch to save money is hurtful and selfish
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/02e85b7a-1e2f-4747-b10e-bd472ca53945.png)
Sandwiches in the parking lot for graduation celebration: NTA vs NAH
![Image credit: RitaAlbertson | RitaAlbertson](https://static.diply.com/05aba73b-4243-4703-ac27-624e07e6a810.png)
Financial concerns arise for graduation lunch options
![Image credit: 3wordname | 3wordname](https://static.diply.com/b86d237b-1a9b-4263-bdc4-91d9aa2f1b93.png)
Treat yourself to a 5-star steak, you deserve it!
![Image credit: bananaleaftea | bananaleaftea](https://static.diply.com/4cf42660-4ad2-44f2-a130-50ec525cbfb0.png)
Save money, pack your own food for events. Not weird.
![Image credit: Bibi_Baby13 | Bibi_Baby13](https://static.diply.com/d3a6d7c9-ac89-457e-ab57-b4e8d396ef84.png)
Frugal parents vs. graduation celebration: NAH, but compromise needed
![Image credit: engineeryourmom | engineeryourmom](https://static.diply.com/8751b1eb-3008-4714-8ac1-5a6c10f35f40.png)
Celebrate on a budget, but is it worth sacrificing experience?
![Image credit: space_dan1345 | space_dan1345](https://static.diply.com/3ccbb423-b5c1-45bf-84bd-87db6276d8e6.png)
Consider parents’ financial situation before judging graduation celebration options
![Image credit: trueduchess | trueduchess](https://static.diply.com/ff0eeff6-98e3-4a35-981e-5b89f6303039.png)
Graduation is a big deal, but is a parking lot lunch enough?
![Image credit: EKGEMS | EKGEMS](https://static.diply.com/9a4ab98e-1d20-45a5-b4ab-e9f5c51dcee6.png)
Proud of graduation? Skip McDonald’s and celebrate properly! ️
![Image credit: RedneckBastich | RedneckBastich](https://static.diply.com/c94868cf-2b12-440c-89b0-55ed4819b1b2.png)
Parents behaving badly over graduation lunch choice, opt for safety.
![Image credit: Emotional_Chair_9024 | Emotional_Chair_9024](https://static.diply.com/6930831b-7822-4076-83d1-b347d2b3eead.png)
![Image credit: Dietcokeofevil73 | Dietcokeofevil73](https://static.diply.com/8c34d6ae-b02e-4734-aa17-f67dad2bc7da.png)
Commenter questions assumptions about family finances. NTA.
![Image credit: Rolling_Beardo | Rolling_Beardo](https://static.diply.com/86b9c69d-e005-41f8-ba1e-77fcfd41c943.png)
Celebrate your way, forget frugality. It’s your big day!
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/30e72119-6687-4074-bf4c-20381e70f4ff.png)
![Image credit: MikkiTh | MikkiTh](https://static.diply.com/3b562b1a-9f0e-48e5-a14f-7994b3d14310.png)
Celebrate your accomplishment your way! ️
![Image credit: chrystalight | chrystalight](https://static.diply.com/50c30cd8-7647-4523-8ce4-aeff2d715e3d.png)
Cultural and financial issues behind graduation celebration choices
![Image credit: Reasonable_Wish_8953 | Reasonable_Wish_8953](https://static.diply.com/cd7403ef-8176-447f-9a46-83cbaf79ab2c.png)
Commenter criticizes peer pressure at graduation celebrations.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/202143d3-0f1c-4af1-aa92-29a3013f166c.png)
First-gen graduate’s parents skip ceremony for cows. NTA.
![Image credit: flickercat | flickercat](https://static.diply.com/d5fea9f0-6469-4d05-bd7a-dfc3558ebe4f.png)
Understanding the root of their behavior can bring empathy
![Image credit: Soft-Tangelo-6884 | Soft-Tangelo-6884](https://static.diply.com/0f7b3167-3cc0-4ec7-83bd-1b4f3982b74d.png)
Celebrate your milestone the way YOU want to! ️
![Image credit: HAP_48_Mel | HAP_48_Mel](https://static.diply.com/d5bc985d-8edd-48a4-89c4-1968d495cd65.png)
When your parents offer to pay for your wedding reception
![Image credit: MysticYoYo | MysticYoYo](https://static.diply.com/a266d9fe-4e38-4aaa-bd2b-5418a9d2596b.png)
When your parents are the mods of r/frugal…
![Image credit: thebutchone | thebutchone](https://static.diply.com/a3e36bf6-2779-4608-9a06-335cb7040b36.png)
Your parents’ cheapness is an unhealthy obsession
![Image credit: cherrybounce | cherrybounce](https://static.diply.com/8ec26eca-bfb8-47c4-9af4-1680c12479be.png)
Celebrate with a fancy picnic or treat yourself to dinner , don’t stress over family and money
![Image credit: valuedvirgo | valuedvirgo](https://static.diply.com/033c63b0-de0b-4155-9ec0-4fc606892cd6.png)
Celebrate special occasions, don’t settle for sandwiches in a cooler
![Image credit: MortalSmile8631 | MortalSmile8631](https://static.diply.com/67394986-5143-4e33-b579-92cc798d881d.png)
Celebrate special occasions without scrimping and saving!
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/9bac94ec-25f7-4287-8e23-d6dc9857f597.png)
Celebrate guilt-free, go out with friends and enjoy the milestone!
![Image credit: AffectionateBite3827 | AffectionateBite3827](https://static.diply.com/29efbc6e-1314-4d77-8bc6-a8bafb7c4844.png)
Celebrate your graduation your way, but show empathy towards parents.
![Image credit: mevelynstar | mevelynstar](https://static.diply.com/b3bf4324-5e7c-4bc0-b6b5-6897b445e490.png)
Celebrate in style! Don’t settle for a parking lot lunch
![Image credit: onceler80 | onceler80](https://static.diply.com/8ae43c39-91c5-4237-90c9-38bddb33e48e.png)
Celebrate your graduation, invite your parents, but don’t force them
![Image credit: Fit-Analysis6602 | Fit-Analysis6602](https://static.diply.com/36d854ba-f043-4b20-9bc3-a3278400e6e3.png)
Save where you can, but graduation day is a ‘cheat day’ ️
![Image credit: NotSoAverage_sister | NotSoAverage_sister](https://static.diply.com/b1edf909-7f34-446c-aca4-32372e908138.png)
Offer to pay for going out to eat to avoid conflict
![Image credit: Deep_Marsupial_1277 | Deep_Marsupial_1277](https://static.diply.com/22d977af-78bc-4c74-b504-56356608669b.png)
Not unreasonable
![Image credit: TigerBunE | TigerBunE](https://static.diply.com/a6ef79e0-0a22-4dda-8248-e6c3cf3c5a7e.png)
Celebrate your achievements with a nice restaurant meal ️
![Image credit: Nikiella80 | Nikiella80](https://static.diply.com/a65d956b-10c2-44b2-9b52-9f4c7f9c814b.png)
Celebrate in style! Don’t settle for a parking lot lunch
![Image credit: WhatTheCluck802 | WhatTheCluck802](https://static.diply.com/3934b169-b149-4fbc-ae4e-0dd602f13b91.png)
Skip the restaurant drama, pack PB&J for a peaceful celebration.
![Image credit: Fredredphooey | Fredredphooey](https://static.diply.com/a1c5ba60-91d7-499a-a555-52a7371ba772.png)
Celebrate your accomplishment however you want! Congrats on graduating!
![Image credit: ashleybahla | ashleybahla](https://static.diply.com/6cbb6b7d-e185-4a5a-9a3a-34d44d75866d.png)
Parents being cheap on graduation event: YTA
![Image credit: loudyjack | loudyjack](https://static.diply.com/438b25ca-1aef-424a-b93a-d23fdfaba8c1.png)
Celebrate your graduation with friends, go out and enjoy lunch! ️
![Image credit: MissFancyPlantz | MissFancyPlantz](https://static.diply.com/da88b394-17e9-4b07-935f-73d545826c05.png)
Skip the drama, celebrate your way!
![Image credit: Aware-Helicopter-448 | Aware-Helicopter-448](https://static.diply.com/f721567d-0de4-403a-8f8e-056c7e244338.png)
Celebrate your graduation without breaking the bank
![Image credit: cmnsense_superpower | cmnsense_superpower](https://static.diply.com/009defad-5404-4716-81e5-9799917a58e7.png)
Stand up for yourself! NTA for wanting your way
![Image credit: SquirrelBowl | SquirrelBowl](https://static.diply.com/f3da5516-2df3-403e-9b0b-fe73169461f4.png)
When you hate sandwiches but still choose the parking lot
![Image credit: Unusual_Individual93 | Unusual_Individual93](https://static.diply.com/ea8e5efe-f890-4238-a3b3-2d1145607bed.png)
Choosing a restaurant for graduation? This commenter says NTA.
![Image credit: Aggressive-Sample612 | Aggressive-Sample612](https://static.diply.com/949fdebd-2247-4f6c-9962-65e387c663f2.png)
Celebrate your achievements with a nice meal and friends!
![Image credit: MadHatter06 | MadHatter06](https://static.diply.com/175aece6-bf16-4d10-b4fd-3910a8c34372.png)
Be your own person and enjoy a nice meal out with friends , NTA.
![Image credit: Mission-Cloud360 | Mission-Cloud360](https://static.diply.com/7bf39871-fa64-45e9-b849-ac33acbe29f1.png)
Celebrate your graduation the way you want! NTA
![Image credit: Beautiful_mistakes | Beautiful_mistakes](https://static.diply.com/a4a04136-b73d-4d26-80a5-3a461c2c17b4.png)
Wedding sandwiches from a cooler? NTA raises questions.
![Image credit: moosegooseofdoom | moosegooseofdoom](https://static.diply.com/ef534536-2acf-4e45-9a54-9d249175f0b7.png)
Celebrate your way! NTA for choosing restaurant over sandwiches
![Image credit: xj2608 | xj2608](https://static.diply.com/80155bbb-b096-4c25-8d3e-a3ce9437db7c.png)
No a****e here. Short and sweet.
![Image credit: facinationstreet | facinationstreet](https://static.diply.com/091aefe8-9349-416e-9f44-e0070d2423c8.png)
Last Updated on May 4, 2023 by Diply Social Team