Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Woman Breaks Things Off With ‘Friend With Benefits’, Won’t Return His Expensive Gifts, He’s Furious
1K

Woman Breaks Things Off With ‘Friend With Benefits’, Won’t Return His Expensive Gifts, He’s Furious

Woman Breaks Things Off With ‘Friend With Benefits’, Won’t Return His Expensive Gifts, He’s FuriousMan Accuses ‘Friend with Benefits’ Of Leading Him On, Wants His Expensive Gifts ReturnedCasual Relationship Turns Sour When Man Wants Expensive Earrings He Gifted Her Back, Woman RefusesMan Gives His Casual Hookup Fancy Earrings, Is Livid When She Refuses To Return Them After Breakup‘Friends With Benefits’ Split Gets Messy As Woman Keeps Pricey Gifts, Man Is OutragedMan Claims He Was Led On By ‘Friend With Benefits’, Demands She Give Him Back His Expensive GiftsMan Gifts Casual Hookup Expensive Earrings But Asks For Them Back When She Breaks Things OffWoman Breaks Things Off With ‘Friend With Benefits’, Won’t Return His Expensive Gifts, He’s FuriousWoman Breaks Things Off With ‘Friend With Benefits’, Won’t Return His Expensive Gifts, He’s FuriousWoman Breaks Things Off With ‘Friend With Benefits’, Won’t Return His Expensive Gifts, He’s Furious
ADVERTISEMENT

Dating these days is like ordering a salad and getting a three-course meal with a side of drama. One minute, you’re just looking for some casual fun, and the next, you’re knee-deep in a melodrama that would put daytime TV to shame. Imagine thinking you’re in for a simple fling and suddenly you’re tangled in a mess of lavish gifts, mixed signals, and a Reddit “Am I the A-hole?” dilemma.

If you believe your love life is complicated, wait until you read this story. Buckle up, as this one takes the cake in romantic chaos.

More info: Reddit

Woman casually dates guy who showers her with expensive gifts, but breaks things off with him when things get serious, causing him to ask for his gifts back

Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)

The woman tells the guy in the beginning that she is only looking for a casual hookup not a serious relationship and he agrees to the arrangement, but ends up wanting more

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Good Faces Agency (not the actual photo)

The man starts giving expensive jewelry and other gifts to the woman, which she accepts since the first round of gifts came on her birthday

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: serhii_bobyk (not the actual photo)

The woman breaks things off with the man, as he quickly becomes infatuated with her, demanding constant affection from her

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Budgeron Bach (not the actual photo)

The man accuses the woman of using him for his affection and gifts, demanding she give back the expensive jewelry he gifted her

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: ChickadeeKnight

The woman refuses to give back the expensive earrings the man gifted her, saying he shouldn’t ask for a gift back just because things didn’t turn out as he expected

Jill, (not her real name, but let’s roll with it) swiped right on “Bob”. From day one, she made it crystal clear: she was only in it for a good time, not a serious thing. Bob was also down for the fun ride. And for a while, it was all sunshine and fun times, with a friends-with-benefits vibe. That was until Bob started playing Santa’s helper.

Here’s where things get juicy. Bob, despite the casual dating agreement, started showering Jill with gifts. And not just any gifts – think bling, fancy dinners, and show tickets. Jill, initially excited about the gifts, accepted them, especially since the first wave hit on her birthday. After that, she tried to pump the brakes on Bob’s generosity, but he was persistent, and it was becoming glaringly obvious that he was catching feelings for her, big time.

Bob’s affection level very quickly skyrocketed, and he started demanding daily texts and constant attention from Jill. But she was sensing the storm brewing, so she decided it was time to cut ties. She laid it out for Bob, saying he wanted more than she could offer, and she was not about to change her mind.

ADVERTISEMENT

After the breakup, the two met again, by chance. As Bob spotted Jill, he decided it was the perfect time to ask for the expensive earrings he had given her back. His logic? Since he spent a lot of money on them, he should get them back to give to someone who’d actually reciprocate his affection. Jill refused, stating that a gift is a gift, and it wasn’t fair for him to expect them back just because he didn’t get the outcome he wanted. We’re wondering how many previous owners those earrings had.

Bob flipped out, accusing Jill of playing him and using him for his affections and his gifts, so Jill turned to the internet, asking if she’s the A-hole for keeping the earrings. Most folks side with Jill, pointing out that she was upfront from the start. Bob knew the deal but decided to up the ante with gifts anyway. One user nails it, saying, “Just because you’re showering someone with gifts doesn’t entitle you to their affection.” Another chimes in, “If a gift has strings attached, then it’s not a gift. He should learn that.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: Liza Summer (not the actual photo)

Now, while Bob’s feelings might have been genuine, they don’t give him the right to demand the gifts back. Besides, gifts should be given out of genuine affection and not as means to manipulate someone into a deeper relationship.

Usually, gift-giving is a gesture of generosity and a way to show someone you love or appreciate them. However, sometimes these gifts come with hidden expectations, turning what should be a simple act of kindness into a tool for manipulation. Experts advise that when accepting a gift, consider whether there are any strings attached behind it. Does the giver have a history of making unreasonable demands or expecting something in return? In some cases, it may be better to refuse a gift than to have to deal with hidden expectations later.

“It can be unpleasant to refuse a gift, but if you stay polite, even formal, you can do it. It helps to stay focused on the long term. Taking something now means giving something later. If you’re not prepared to be indebted to this person, the best thing to do is to deal with the discomfort of refusing a gift,” experts explain.

ADVERTISEMENT

It would have probably been a good idea for Jill to not accept any of Bob’s gifts, as it was clear that she was not reciprocating his strong feelings for her.

According to experts, “Unrequited love is a common occurrence, but that doesn’t make the pain less real. Studies have shown that your brain reacts to rejection the same way it does to physical pain. This form of love isn’t emotionally fulfilling or healthy, so it’s important to protect your mental health while going through it.”

Sometimes, unrequited love can mess up our perceptions of the person who is the subject of our affection so much that we might overlook their lack of interest. “Unrequited love can distort your ideas about the person you’re in love with. You may be so caught up in your romantic thoughts for this person that it’s hard to notice they don’t feel the same,” experts explain.

So, what’s your take on this drama-packed story? Was Jill wrong for keeping the earrings? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Let’s hear your nuggets of wisdom.

Netizens side with the woman saying she’s not a jerk for keeping the earrings, as she was clear from the start about her intentions

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Ic_polls

Poll Question

Thanks! Check out the results:

Share on Facebook
Monica Selvi

Monica Selvi

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

Read less »
Monica Selvi

Monica Selvi

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

Denis Krotovas

Denis Krotovas

Author, BoredPanda staff

Read more »

I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

Read less »

Denis Krotovas

Denis Krotovas

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am a Visual Editor at Bored Panda. While studying at Vilnius Tech University, I learned how to use Photoshop and decided to continue mastering it at Bored Panda. I am interested in learning UI/UX design and creating unique designs for apps, games and websites. On my spare time, I enjoy playing video and board games, watching TV shows and movies and reading funny posts on the internet.

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're clear about not being a couple, there's nothing wrong with accepting gifts. What's wrong is expecting those gifts will buy you a change in the relationship.

V
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't want earrings that someone had gifted to someone else then asked for them back. He's just butthurt because she couldn't be bought.

arthbach
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is one major case when a gift isn't just a gift, and that's when it is part of a proposal. An engagement ring is often seen in law as a symbol of a commitment to marry. If the marriage doesn't go ahead, then it is most reasonable for the gift to be returned. This is doubly so if the ring is a family piece. Otherwise, a gift is a gift, and can be kept, sold, disposed off as the receiver thinks fit.

Load More Comments
FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're clear about not being a couple, there's nothing wrong with accepting gifts. What's wrong is expecting those gifts will buy you a change in the relationship.

V
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't want earrings that someone had gifted to someone else then asked for them back. He's just butthurt because she couldn't be bought.

arthbach
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is one major case when a gift isn't just a gift, and that's when it is part of a proposal. An engagement ring is often seen in law as a symbol of a commitment to marry. If the marriage doesn't go ahead, then it is most reasonable for the gift to be returned. This is doubly so if the ring is a family piece. Otherwise, a gift is a gift, and can be kept, sold, disposed off as the receiver thinks fit.

Load More Comments
Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda