“I Just Kept Eating”: Nurse Confused Why Fiance Won’t Live With Him After He Ignores Emergency
Interview With ExpertYour partner should be the first person you go to in almost any situation. Whether you’re elated, terrified or exhausted, you should feel confident that they’ll be able to provide exactly what you need.
But when one woman watched her boyfriend refuse to offer help during a medical emergency at a restaurant, she started to wonder if she would be able to rely on him in the future.
Below, you’ll find the full story that the man recently shared in the Relationship Advice subreddit, as well as a conversation between Bored Panda and Nia Williams, Relationship Therapist and Life Coach from Miss Date Doctor.
This man was enjoying dinner with his fiancé when an elderly patron at the restaurant suddenly passed out
Image credits: shotprime / envato (not the actual photo)
He later found himself in hot water with his partner for failing to offer medical assistance
Image credits: LightFieldStudios / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: ThrowRastairs5
“Helping others in emergencies often speaks to empathy, compassion, and a sense of duty—qualities that are highly valued in a partner”
To gain more insight into this situation, we got in touch with London Celebrity Therapist Nia Williams from Miss Date Doctor, who was kind enough to share her thoughts with Bored Panda.
First, we asked the expert why it was so important to this woman that her partner would be willing to help a stranger in an emergency. “It’s natural for people to want to feel safe and secure with their partners, especially in situations that involve potential danger or distress,” Nia says.
“The woman in this scenario likely saw her fiancé’s willingness—or lack thereof—to help a stranger in need as a reflection of his overall character and how he might respond in future emergencies, even those that could directly involve her,” she explained. “Helping others in emergencies often speaks to empathy, compassion, and a sense of duty—qualities that are highly valued in a partner.”
We were also curious about the woman’s decision to stay with her parents temporarily, and whether or not having space from her partner would be helpful for their relationship.
“Taking some space can be incredibly beneficial when dealing with significant relationship issues,” Nia shared. “It allows both individuals to reflect on their feelings, evaluate the relationship’s strengths and weaknesses, and consider whether their needs are being met.”
“A sincere apology, coupled with a commitment to be more proactive and empathetic in future situations, could go a long way”
“Time apart can provide clarity and prevent hasty decisions made in the heat of the moment. It also gives both partners the opportunity to miss each other, which can reignite their connection and encourage productive conversations upon reuniting,” the expert says.
Nia also shared some wise words for the man on how he may be able to repair his relationship. “He should start by acknowledging his fiancé’s feelings and validating her concerns. A sincere apology, coupled with a commitment to be more proactive and empathetic in future situations, could go a long way,” she noted.
“It might also be helpful for them to have an open discussion about their expectations in emergencies and other critical scenarios. If both are willing, couples counseling could provide a neutral space to explore these issues deeper and rebuild trust,” the therapist added.
“Ultimately, this situation underscores the importance of communication and understanding in relationships. Both partners need to feel heard and supported, especially when values and expectations are tested,” Nia says. “If they can navigate this challenge together, it could strengthen their bond and prepare them for future challenges.”
We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation below, pandas. Would you have been upset if you were in the woman’s shoes? Feel free to weigh in. Then, if you’d like to read another Bored Panda article discussing relationship issues, look no further than right here.
Later, the author responded to a couple of comments from readers
Many readers took the woman’s side and called out the nurse for refusing to step in
However, some thought that the man was not obligated to offer help
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
Taking on board what the assorted medically qualified Redditors have said, it does sound like there was little he could have done medically. However, secure in his assessment and tucking into his meal, the OP failed to take into account the turmoil and confusion unfolding in front of him within his dining companion.
His fiancee was not privy to most of his mental checklist and scenarios run. So all she saw was mostly dismissive indifference. His time and effort would have been well invested in patiently explaining the minutae and subtleties of his reasoning. This is a woman who wants to be able to know she can trust her husband to be a decent human being and not an unfeeling automaton drawing a paycheck.
Load More Replies...I don't think the issue is that he didn't help. Not getting in the way is sometimes the only helpful thing to do. But I think that the attitude towards the situation was off-putting. If he'd explained that jumping in could be harmful and that he knows she is being taken care of then that is different. But laughing about someone fainting and then calmly eating your meal without explaining your reasoning is off-putting behaviour.
I don't know what his fiancee wanted him to do. Nurses work very hard - they put on far more miles foot-wise than doctors. He must have been feeling that this was his one day a week out- it was a special occasion, he was on his personal time; if he had gotten involved, who knows how long he'd have had to be in this melee. Not to mention, depending on severity, as a medical professional who gave first aid, he might had had to accompany EMT's to the hospital. Long night. Not everyone has a hero complex. This isolated incident is not enough to judge her fiance that harshly. Maybe she already had doubts. Maybe she saw something other than what he described. Maybe the whole incident triggered something in her.
Load More Replies...This nurse has a lot of faith in his assumed and "most likely" diagnosis. Not even checking if it could be something else, like a heart attack? Heartless.
To establish the diagnose of heart attack, one needs two out of the following three things: 1. (subjective) symptomes, 2. signs of a heart attack on the ECG, 3. signs of a heart attack in the laboratory parameters (blood work). On the other hand, what can a cardiologist do with a heart attack in a restaurant? Call the ambulance, that's all.
Load More Replies...Taking on board what the assorted medically qualified Redditors have said, it does sound like there was little he could have done medically. However, secure in his assessment and tucking into his meal, the OP failed to take into account the turmoil and confusion unfolding in front of him within his dining companion.
His fiancee was not privy to most of his mental checklist and scenarios run. So all she saw was mostly dismissive indifference. His time and effort would have been well invested in patiently explaining the minutae and subtleties of his reasoning. This is a woman who wants to be able to know she can trust her husband to be a decent human being and not an unfeeling automaton drawing a paycheck.
Load More Replies...I don't think the issue is that he didn't help. Not getting in the way is sometimes the only helpful thing to do. But I think that the attitude towards the situation was off-putting. If he'd explained that jumping in could be harmful and that he knows she is being taken care of then that is different. But laughing about someone fainting and then calmly eating your meal without explaining your reasoning is off-putting behaviour.
I don't know what his fiancee wanted him to do. Nurses work very hard - they put on far more miles foot-wise than doctors. He must have been feeling that this was his one day a week out- it was a special occasion, he was on his personal time; if he had gotten involved, who knows how long he'd have had to be in this melee. Not to mention, depending on severity, as a medical professional who gave first aid, he might had had to accompany EMT's to the hospital. Long night. Not everyone has a hero complex. This isolated incident is not enough to judge her fiance that harshly. Maybe she already had doubts. Maybe she saw something other than what he described. Maybe the whole incident triggered something in her.
Load More Replies...This nurse has a lot of faith in his assumed and "most likely" diagnosis. Not even checking if it could be something else, like a heart attack? Heartless.
To establish the diagnose of heart attack, one needs two out of the following three things: 1. (subjective) symptomes, 2. signs of a heart attack on the ECG, 3. signs of a heart attack in the laboratory parameters (blood work). On the other hand, what can a cardiologist do with a heart attack in a restaurant? Call the ambulance, that's all.
Load More Replies...
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