My Boyfriend Forgets His Credit Card Every Time We Go Out To Eat, So I Have To Pay For Everyone

A woman had been dating her boyfriend for several months when she began to notice a recurring issue every time they went out to eat. After several instances, she became fed up and decided to act on her feelings.

The woman, 32, had been in a relationship with her 39-year-old boyfriend, who had two young children, for about nine months. During that time, they frequently dined out, usually with his children, who loved eating at restaurants. However, she grew increasingly frustrated with a pattern that seemed to be developing: every time they went out, her boyfriend would “forget” his wallet at home.

Initially, this situation didn’t bother her. She would simply pay the bill, and things would go on as normal. But as time went on, the constant cycle of paying for dinner left her financially drained. One evening, after receiving payment from her second part-time job, she and her boyfriend were set to go out again with his children. Knowing his tendency to forget his wallet, she texted him ahead of time, reminding him to bring it. He laughed it off, dismissing her concern.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the children ordered some expensive items from the menu, which only added to the woman’s frustration. Before they started eating, the woman asked her boyfriend whether he had his wallet this time. He seemed surprised, patting his pockets before admitting that he had forgotten it in a different pair of jeans.

After a lengthy search for the wallet, he asked if she could cover the bill once again. At this point, the woman had reached her limit. She grabbed her things, ready to leave without eating. Her boyfriend, confused and upset, asked where she was going. She calmly replied that she was no longer willing to pay for him and his children and walked out of the restaurant.

Later, her boyfriend called, accusing her of being selfish for abandoning him and his children in that situation. He scolded her for not having sympathy for him or his kids, saying he had to cancel the order and take them home hungry because he couldn’t afford their meals.

The argument escalated, and her boyfriend made it clear that he was reconsidering their relationship due to her actions, claiming she had let his children go hungry because of her selfishness.

Feeling conflicted, the woman took to Reddit to ask if her reaction was unreasonable. The responses from users largely sided with her, suggesting that her boyfriend was taking advantage of her and using his children as a way to avoid responsibility.

If you were in the woman’s shoes, how would you have handled the situation? Was it right for her to leave and refuse to pay for her boyfriend and his children, or should she have paid for the meal and discussed it with him later?