Redditor Asks If She's Wrong For Expecting Parents To Learn ASL To Communicate With Her Girlfriend

"It's plain rude not to learn simple signs, at least."

Stephanie

• Published in Interesting
• October 2, 2023

When we start a new relationship, it makes sense that we want our family and friends to love our significant other as much as we do. So, when Reddit user u/coffee_waster started dating for the first time, she wanted her parents to get along with her girlfriend.

The OP explained that she had been friends with her girlfriend Joan for two years before they began dating. Joan is the OP's first-ever relationship, and she says she understands it may not last forever, but right now, Joan is very important to her.

The Redditor says her parents were shocked when she told them she was gay and that she had started dating Joan, but they have been supportive and accepting of both things. They even invited Joan to have Thanksgiving dinner with the family.

However, one thing that bothers the OP is that her parents have not made any effort to learn ASL. You see, Joan is deaf, so the OP usually needs to act as her interpreter.

The Redditor says she has been offering to teach her parents ASL for almost a year now, but they always either change the subject or set a time and then cancel last minute.

Recently, the OP's mom told her she was being unreasonable to expect them to learn a whole new language for someone who "won't be around for long." She said they were "too old" to learn it and that they had done well enough communicating with Joan thus far.

But the OP says she is hurt that her parents don't care enough about Joan to make her feel welcome. Keep scrolling to see how people reacted.

The OP asked if she's a buttface for asking her parents to learn ASL to communicate with her girlfriend.

The OP explained that she and Joan have been friends for around two years.

They recently began dating, and Joan is the OP's first ever relationship.

The OP says her parents have accepted that she is gay, and they don't have a problem with Joan.

But the OP is upset that her parents haven't learned ASL to communicate with Joan who is deaf.

The Redditor says she has been offering to teach them for almost a year.

The OP's parents say she is being unreasonable.

But the OP says she is hurt that her parents don't care enough to learn the language.

Here's how people reacted.

"It's your first ever relationship."

"This is quite the extreme demand."

"Asking this of your parents is kinda ridiculous."

"Maybe if you clarify your expectations they'll be more open."

"You're not being unreasonable at all."

YTB.

"They are being closed minded."

"Huge red flag."

"Everyone should know it."

"It's plain rude."

"May as well flip the question around."

What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think the OP is expecting too much of her parents, or should her family be making more of an effort to communicate with Joan?

We would love to hear your opinions on this. You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

Stephanie