AITA for eating alone in a different room at my boyfriend’s parents house?

Family gatherings are supposed to be warm, comforting moments that bring people closer together—but what happens when “togetherness” means freezing through every single meal? For years, I’ve tried to grin and bear it while dining on my boyfriend’s parents’ deck in near-arctic weather. But during one brunch, as my food turned cold and my body shivered uncontrollably, I finally hit my breaking point. My choice to eat indoors may have saved me from frostbite, but it left me branded as rude and inconsiderate.

Frozen Family Traditions

The Breaking Point

Awkward Silence on the Deck

Politeness vs. Self-Respect

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In the end, this situation has made me question the balance between respect and self-respect. Should I have just sat there, shivering, to keep the peace? Or was it fair to quietly excuse myself rather than endure yet another uncomfortable meal? My boyfriend clearly feels I crossed a line, but to me, expecting someone to suffer in silence for the sake of tradition feels unreasonable. Maybe the real issue isn’t where I ate—but whether I’ll ever truly be accepted in a family that values “endurance” over empathy.