All of us possess at least one material item that we have a sentimental connection with. It can be a book, an outfit, a piece of furniture, or just about anything we own. Usually, that item comes with a special story that makes us cherish it even more.

Nobody wants to lend something they value so much, and neither did the woman in this post. Unfortunately, her best friend could not understand why she was getting so sentimental over a pair of shoes, and their long-time friendship suffered as a result.

More info: Reddit

A demanding bride-to-be can’t accept a refusal from her best friend, who doesn’t want to lend her their favorite pair of shoes

Image credits: Anastasia Shuraeva (not the actual photo)

The poster said that her best friend of 16 years was getting married and wanted to borrow a pair of heels from her to wear at her bridal shower

Image credits: NYCgallerydirector (not the actual photo)

She picked out a pair of red-bottom heels from the closet, but when the poster said she wasn’t comfortable with her taking those, the best friend got mad and left

Image credits: u/anonymous

The woman had a special sentimental connection to the shoes, but her friend had no idea about that at all and expected her to hand them over

The author let people know that she isn’t a materialistic person at all, but she really valued one specific pair of heels that she owned. They had been gifted by her mother, who worked extremely hard to afford them. That’s why she considered them her “special occasion” shoes and had only worn them out twice.

The problem occurred when her best friend came over to borrow black heels for her bridal shower. While looking through her closet, the friend came across the cherished red-bottom heels and wanted that pair. However, the poster could not possibly give them away and let her friend know she could take anything but those. 

The friend could not take no for an answer and tried to guilt the author into giving up the shoes. She even stormed off and didn’t reply to any text messages. It might be difficult to deal with someone who doesn’t accept your refusal, but the best thing to do is wait for them to calm down. Later on, you can have a conversation with them and express how their inability to accept your refusal made you feel.

The childhood best friends had a history of borrowing clothes from one another, which is one of the reasons why the woman might have been so shocked at her friend’s refusal. Sharing clothes between friends is often an act of love and care, and it can be quite a wonderful experience. But, if one person is uncomfortable or doesn’t want to lend something of theirs, it definitely should be respected. Netizens presumed that the best friend might have been so pushy because she had her eye on the red-bottom heels for quite a while and had planned to borrow them all along.

Another possible reason could be the pressure from her upcoming bridal shower and eventual wedding. To understand the bride-to-be’s mindset a bit better, Bored Panda reached out to Allison Cullman, a wedding expert from Zola. She said, “according to our 2024 First Look Report, 40% of couples find wedding planning to be really stressful. Many couples handle the stress by seeking out support from their family and friends. On the flip side, it’s easy to take out your stress on [them]—simply because they’re the closest to you.”

“Like most relationships, communication is key—so when things start to get tricky, it’s best to take a step back and try to understand what dynamics might be at play. Maybe the couple is struggling with their budget or navigating a tough family dynamic. It’s highly likely that the conflict is not just about the special red-bottomed heels. Try to meet the situation with empathy and kindness, and offer your support by listening. If you’re not able to find common ground after talking through the situation and why your friend is feeling that way, it may be time to reevaluate,” she added.

Image credits: Anastasia Shuraeva (not the actual photo)

According to Taylor Counseling Group, “negotiation can quickly turn into manipulation when people don’t understand how to communicate in a healthy manner. This is especially true if people never learned that they won’t always get their way. People who haven’t achieved emotional and intellectual maturity often don’t know how to handle disappointment, which can cause them to pressure others to get what they want.” The best friend probably didn’t expect the poster to reject her request, and she struggled with her feelings afterward.

It’s hard to cope with someone who keeps pushing for a yes, especially if that someone is a person we’re very close to. But, counselors say that even if we accept the other person’s feelings, it doesn’t mean we need to take the bait. If the author had given in to her friend’s tantrums, it would have eased the other woman’s discomfort but probably made the poster feel worried about her special shoes.

Allison had a few tips to share that could help friends and family handle excessive demands from the bridal couple. She said that they “can handle disagreements by finding a balance between support and their own boundaries. It’s all about clear communication. If something seems like too much or doesn’t quite work for you, just explain your side calmly and respectfully. Setting those boundaries early on is key.” 

“You could say something like, ‘I’m up for helping with X, but Y might be a bit tricky for me right now.’ If you can’t do exactly what’s asked, maybe suggest a compromise that still shows you care. And when tensions rise, taking a breather and staying chill can make a big difference. A little humor can also help lighten things up and ease any tension. Most importantly, keep in mind the positive ways you can contribute, and remember, it’s all about celebrating the couple and their big day,” she explained.

Whether the friend’s demands were related to the stress of her upcoming bridal shower or the fact that they always shared clothes, even etiquette experts say that people’s sentimental and heirloom items should be off-limits from borrowing. When one of the commenters asked the poster if she had told her friend about the shoes having sentimental value, she said that she hadn’t.

Maybe having a clear conversation about why the shoes are so special and her mother’s efforts to buy them might make the best friend understand her point of view. All in all, a 16-year-long friendship should not go down the drain over a pair of heels, even if they are extremely expensive! 

Also, if, like the friend, wedding planning becomes too stressful and people find themselves throwing tantrums over a pair of shoes, they can join Zola’s 30 Days of F*ck It Bootcamp. This program is Zola’s direct response to the unnecessary challenges of wedding planning, featuring topics like ‘Detox from Diet Culture,’ curated resources from Zola to help couples navigate the noise, and encouraging mantras such as ‘I’m crafting my own story.’ It’s designed to help couples relax and savor the planning process.

With everything taken into consideration, do you think the author was justified in saying no to her bestie, or should she have given in to the demands? 

Netizens cheekily suggested that the friend should get a pair of black heels and color the bottoms with a red Sharpie

Image credits: Elizaveta Rukhtina (not the actual photo)

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