AITA: Friend Planned a Surprise Brunch Then Charged Me?
For my birthday, two close friends surprised me with a brunch — I had no idea until I arrived, and they even got me flowers, a small cake, and a gift. One friend paid the bill, and it felt like a genuine, thoughtful celebration.
About two weeks later, she Venmo-requested $53 from me for my share of brunch and ice cream, with no prior mention. I didn’t mind paying, but the lack of communication felt strange — to me, if it’s a surprise, you shouldn’t quietly charge someone afterward.
When I brought it up calmly, she became defensive, saying she “forgot” I needed to be paid for, and that I shouldn’t have assumed she’d cover my part. She called me entitled and ungrateful despite the gifts and planning.
My issue isn’t the money, it’s that planning a surprise — especially for a birthday — usually implies the host covers it or at least clearly states expectations upfront. Charging me later without warning felt insincere.
Verdict: I’m questioning whether I’m wrong for being upset, or if it’s reasonable to expect clarity when someone plans a surprise and covers the bill.