The internet has rallied behind an employee after their partner responded negatively to their promotion, leaving them feeling "crushed."
Redditor u/Amberlacee shared their experience, explaining how thrilled they were to receive a promotion after years of hard work. Wanting to celebrate, they picked up a bottle of champagne and their partner's favorite takeout on the way home.
"I walked in the door, grinning ear to ear, and told them the news.
"Their response? 'Must be nice to have your life all figured out. Wish I could get that kind of break'," they wrote in the post, which has since garnered 8,600 upvotes in the subreddit TrueOffMyChest.
"I stood there, holding the champagne and food, my excitement crushed. It was supposed to be a celebration, but I ended up eating alone in the kitchen," she added.
Expert Insight
Rachel Goldberg, a perinatal, infertility, and eating disorder therapist at Rachel Goldberg Therapy, told Newsweek: "The OP [original poster] should have a discussion with their partner about how their success felt dismissed and express their disappointment.
"It sounds like the partner is experiencing envy and insecurity, making it difficult for them to celebrate the OP's success, as it highlights their lack of.
"Instead, they projected their own frustrations onto the OP, dampening the celebration.
"Although this reaction is not unusual for someone feeling inadequate about themselves, it is an unhealthy and emotionally immature response."
Becky Whetstone, a therapist, offered a personal perspective to Newsweek. She said she could relate to the resentment, as she experienced it during her time as a stay-at-home mom while her husband was hugely motivated and dedicated to his medical career.
She said: "I envied his dedication, vision, his knowing what he wanted to do at an early age. I wanted a similar path for myself, but I had no idea what it was—yet.
"It's painful when your own dream hasn't formed, while for other lucky ones, it has. It gives a person a feeling of being left behind. Of life moving on and working for others, but not for you.
"Unfortunately for this couple, the husband wore his feelings on his sleeve, couldn't be diplomatic, and missed an opportunity for a moment of shared joy, for as a couple, one person's success is a success for the family.
"I feel for the wife and for the husband. But it's the husband who blew a shared bonding opportunity."
Reddit Reacts
The commenters on Reddit came out firmly on the side of the OP.
"Congratulations on your promotion!" said one user.
"Your partner is a thief of joy. Is that normal for them? Are they ever supportive or celebrate your wins?" asked another commenter.
"I call those people dementors," wrote another.
"Emotional vampires," added another viewer.
Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist, explains in her blog that emotional vampires "drain your emotional energy" through negativity, guilt-tripping, or constant criticism.
"Thief of joy!!! OP, it cost them nothing to smile and say congratulations. They went out of their way to rain on your parade," added another user.
Newsweek reached out to u/Amberlacee for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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