Man Slammed For What He Ordered After Girlfriend Said 'You Can Pick' Dinner

A man has been criticized online after he ordered a shellfish takeout for his girlfriend who happens to suffer from a seafood allergy. The 28-year-old man's girlfriend had taken to Reddit to share what had happened on the evening that she'd nominated him to pick what they were to eat for dinner.

"I have been dating this guy for about 7 months. I'm not a picky eater at all, but I am allergic to shellfish. He knows that," the 20-year-old woman opened up online.

"When deciding what to eat I told him he could pick, and he ordered shrimp scampi for two. I was annoyed because I can't eat that, and he got defensive because I told him it was his choice and that's what he chose.

"I didn't think I had to specify 'You can pick something for us, but we both have to be able to eat it.' I thought that was implied, why order food for someone knowing they can't eat it? But he thinks 'whatever' means 'whatever' and that it's my fault," they added.

Newsweek consulted Ronald Hoang, a registered clinical counselor and psychotherapist who practices at his own firm, Ronald Hoang Couples and Family Counselling in Sydney, for his opinion on the fallout.

"To me, this is a story about the communication of needs and expectations. As someone who works with relationships, I believe that it takes two people to be in relationship, that each person has their own contribution in this interaction," Hoang told Newsweek.

"In long-term relationships, we expect our significant other to know exactly what we're thinking and feeling. The longer you've known each other the more perceptively accurate you should be, right? Wrong."

"Studies have shown, when comparing newly married couples with couples who have been married for many more years, the perception of newly married couples is more accurate. Why? Because early in a relationship we don't assume, we ask," he added.

The clinical counselor went on to say that even if you've known someone for a lifetime, there should still be communication about each other's needs the longer you've been together.

He summed up: "Both partners need to openly communicate their needs and expectations to avoid disappointment on either end."

What Do The Comments Say?

Since it was shared on the social media platform on December 14 by u/ilikefood098, the Reddit post has been upvoted by 94 percent of users and commented on more than 3,300 times. The majority of the Redditors reacting to the post have slammed the man for his actions, despite Hoang's analysis. Some users have raised concerns about the Redditor's partner.

"If I was making a dinner choice and was given the option for whatever I wouldn't even order anything remotely physically near shellfish knowing it could seriously hurt you," one user wrote.

Another user added: "There's a reason why he's 28 dating someone [aged] 20, the red flags are as obvious as it gets. OP get out and date someone more sensible!"

"I hate to say it, but I know three different people who have, over time, been purposely poisoned by their partners this way," a different user commented.

Have you noticed any red flags that made you end a relationship? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.