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Her Work Promotion Led Them to a Classy Italian Celebration Dinner, but Her Boyfriend’s Outlandish Table Manners and Lack of Decorum Put Their Relationship to the Test.

In a tale of celebration turned catastrophe, the Original Poster (OP) and her boyfriend, Lance, venture into a high-end Italian restaurant to commemorate her job promotion. Amidst their surroundings’ elegance and strict etiquette, Lance defies decorum, turning their jubilant occasion into a spectacle of embarrassment. As the story unfolds, it leads us to a tense ride home and an unexpected blame game, leaving us wondering if their relationship can weather this storm.

The Joyous Promotion

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OP and her boyfriend Lance, in their early twenties, enjoy a simple life, often dining on takeout food. However, with OP’s recent promotion, they decide to celebrate at an upscale Italian restaurant. Lance, known for his less-than-graceful eating habits, questions OP if she would mind him enjoying his meal as he does at home.

The Fancy Italian Place

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The Italian restaurant they visit is luxurious, with a stringent dress code. Upon arrival, they are served a beautifully plated bruschetta dish. It’s an environment filled with elegance and an implied demand for good etiquette, a fact not lost on OP.

The Ominous Joke

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Lance jests about enjoying the meal in his usual, less refined manner. OP reminds him of the formal setting and other patrons’ presence. Despite her reminder, Lance remains silent, his intentions still masked.

Bruschetta Catastrophe

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Ignoring the serving fork, Lance eats the bruschetta with his hands, fingers smeared with sauce. OP chooses not to react, believing it to be an isolated incident. However, this event forebodes a series of unrefined behaviors.

The Pasta Disaster

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When the pasta arrives, Lance reveals his true intentions with a smirk, abandoning his fork and digging in like a famished beast. Sauce ends up everywhere: the tablecloth, his hands, his clothes, and his face, staining the pristine atmosphere with his ungainly manners. OP watches in astonishment, unsure of how to address the situation.

The Loud Burp

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Once Lance finishes his pasta, he lets out a loud burp, further shattering the restaurant’s tranquility. His lack of decorum is strikingly apparent and affects the nearby patrons, causing discomfort. Even their waiter approaches Lance, asking if everything is okay.

The Raised Feet

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In a continued display of disregard, Lance raises his feet and places them on an adjacent chair, blocking the aisle. This contributes to the spectacle he is creating and obstructs the restaurant staff. The blatant disregard for the restaurant’s etiquette further intensifies OP’s embarrassment.

The Spectators

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The nearby customers, initially amazed, start gawking at the spectacle Lance is creating. Their curious and judgmental eyes add another layer of humiliation for OP. The celebration she hoped would be a joyous one quickly turns into a spectacle of embarrassment.

The Quick Exit

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Overwhelmed and at a loss, OP decides to ask for the check, paying the hefty bill herself. She quickly leaves the restaurant with no further words, a trail of awkward silence following them. Yet, the humiliation does not end there, as OP must confront Lance about his behavior.

The Tense Ride Home

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On the ride home, OP brings up her embarrassment, expressing how Lance’s behavior was out of place. The tension inside the car is palpable, each passing streetlight casting an ominous shadow on their conversation. However, Lance’s response is far from what she expects.

The Blame Shift

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In a surprising turn of events, Lance blames OP for not allowing him to enjoy his meal as he pleases. He asserts that as paying customers, they had the right to act as they wanted without judgment from other guests. This shocking statement leaves OP dumbfounded and brings into question their compatibility.

The Relationship Crisis

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At home, OP is left with a sinking feeling of unease. Lance’s lack of understanding and empathy for her embarrassment causes a rift in their relationship. The celebration has instead left them in a tense situation that threatens to unravel their seven-month relationship.

The Aftermath

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Over the following days, OP struggles with the events of that night. Lance’s actions and subsequent response have left her questioning their relationship and compatibility. This introspection sews seeds of doubt about their future together.

Was The Girlfriend’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts her story online, looking for feedback and advice. The readers in the community forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “Your boyfriend behaved like a toddler. The fact that he smirked before doing it suggests he knew exactly what he was doing and was trying to embarrass you.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “This isn’t like he used the wrong fork. He was intentionally being disgusting because he wanted to make a statement.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “Honestly, aren’t you tired of dealing with your boyfriend’s behavior? He’s acting like a kid, and you aren’t his mom. Get someone you don’t have to worry about being in a public restaurant with.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “It’s not his lack of knowledge of how to behave. It was a deliberate act of dominance.”

What Do You Think?

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What are your thoughts on their actions?

What would you have done in this situation?

This story is inspired by a thread from an online forum.

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