Wife Defended For Ditching Husband on Couple's Fishing Trip

Commenters were left scratching their heads after one wife explained why she pulled the plug on what was supposed to be a fishing trip with her husband.

In a viral post published on r/AmITheA**hole, Redditor u/Common-Radish4097 (otherwise referred to as the original poster, or OP) said she rented a boat with the sole intent of fishing but was sorely disappointed when the vessel became a birthday celebration venue for her husband and friend.

Titled, "[Am I the a**hole] for having my husband drive me back to shore when I wasn't allowed to fish?" the post has received nearly 6,000 upvotes and 700 comments in the last 11 hours.

Writing that her husband suggested celebrating his birthday on her rented fishing boat, the original poster said she obliged because "he loves boating," but reiterated that her desire was to fish.

Even when her husband invited the couple's mutual friend, "Greg," to tag along, reeling in the big one remained her top priority. When the trio hit the water, however, it became clear that wasn't going to happen.

"It soon turned [into] Greg driving everywhere and telling us to relax and have a few beers," OP wrote. "He refused to sit in one spot for more than 10-15 minutes so I wasn't able to fish at all."

After three hours of speeding around, one stop at a crowded sandbar and the original poster's stern request to "stop driving around so [she] could do some fishing," the gallivanting came to a a halt and OP cast a line.

But with Greg impatiently pacing around the boat, heavy sighs and a sheepish request to keep moving, the original poster said she had no choice but to tap out.

"I just asked them to bring me back to shore," OP wrote. "Both of them started protesting and apologizing...but at this point I was so over the trip because I didn't get to fish for more than 25 minutes."

"I just said it was fine and walked off to my car without saying another word to them," OP continued. "After my husband got home...he said that it was a bummer that I chose to leave...leaving him on the boat that was meant for 'us.'

"Both Greg and my husband knew I rented the boat to fish," OP added.

Though individual interests are both healthy and necessary, couples with shared interests and hobbies have a greater chance at long term success.

In 2020—a year which forced individuals and couples deeper into their own lives and relationships than any other in recent history—therapist and Psychology Today contributor Stephen J. Betchen theorized that partnerships built on shared interests lead more fulfilling lives than those built on physical attraction or any other metaphorical checked boxes.

"When two partners have the same or similar interests, life is easier," Betchen wrote. "Couples that have similar interests to a similar degree tend to have healthier relationships. These partners show interest in one another, think alike, share passion, enjoy similar adventures, and in the end, bond."

"Life is better in so many ways for couples who share interests," Betchen added.

At the beginning and end of her viral post, the original poster assured that she and her husband share a passion for boating and noted that he brought his fishing pole when the couple hit the water.

They both intended to fish and likely would have had it not been for their mutual friend, who openly lamented about the sport and his inability to comprehend how anybody "could understand the hype of sitting in one single spot while on a boat."

Throughout the viral post's comment section, Redditors were exasperated by the couple's friend, calling out his blatant disrespect the trip he tagged along for and questioning why he was invited in the first place.

"[Not the a**hole]," Redditor u/ArcheryOnThursday wrote in the post's top comment, which has received more than 10,500 upvotes. "Inviting Greg defeated the whole purpose. Lesson learned, I hope."

Redditor u/ClothesQueasy2828, whose comment has received more than 3,000 votes, offered a similar response.

"You wanted to fish and rented a boat. You weren't able to fish," they wrote. "Letting Greg do the day the way he wanted was a mistake. He was your guest, and should have behaved like one."

"Greg is a bad guest. They know your hobby is fishing...they know you originally rented the boat to fish," Redditor u/Katfoodbreath echoed, receiving more than 2,300 votes. "Greg should take his own advice; relax, have a few more beers—instead of pacing and complaining like a child."

In a separate comment, which has received more than 1,200 votes, Redditor u/kevwelch elaborated on guest etiquette, as well as the many etiquette violations described by the original poster.

"He knew you wanted to fish, but he wanted to play boat captain, and go around to different spots," they wrote. "He was pacing, sighing, and creating social pressure to give in to his wishes.

"He could have easily sat down, relaxed, and enjoyed the day," they added. "But he chose to act like a jerk."

Newsweek reached out to u/Common-Radish4097 for comment.