AITA for telling my coworker he should teach his daughter tact?
The story involves a 32-year-old woman (OP) working in an office with her 40-year-old coworker, Ken. The OP had developed romantic interest in Ken over the past year and was expressing it through obvious flirting. The situation escalated when Ken's 15-year-old daughter, Esme, visited the office during lunch.
When the OP persistently asked Ken to join her for lunch after he had already declined, Esme intervened, telling the OP to 'take a hint' and making a pointed comment about the OP's age. This caused immediate awkwardness and distress for the OP.
After eventually confirming with Ken that he does not reciprocate her feelings, the OP confronted him about his daughter's rudeness, leading to a tense reaction from Ken. The OP is now seeking outside perspective on the conflict.
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The OP is currently in a difficult position, feeling rejected both romantically by Ken and judged socially by her workplace p*ers, leading to significant anxiety.
The core conflict stems from the OP's initial persistent romantic advances, the daughter's blunt defense of her father's stated boundaries, and the OP's subsequent insistence that the daughter should have been more tactful in delivering that boundary.
The central question for debate is where the line should be drawn between accepting a clear romantic rejection and expecting courtesy from the other party's family members.
Was the OP justified in demanding Ken address his daughter's lack of tact, or did her previous actions justify the protective response from Esme and the subsequent defensiveness from Ken?
Commenters Came in Hot with Their Takes:
Support, sarcasm, and strong words — the replies covered it all. This one definitely got people talking.