Uma mulher, não familiarizada com casamentos no país estrangeiro onde reside, recebeu um convite de uma colega mais velha e gentil, solicitando sua presença na ocasião importante de sua filha. Seguindo o código de “vestir-se para impressionar”, ela escolheu um traje tradicional de seu país para a ocasião. Para seu espanto, tanto a noiva quanto sua colega ficaram furiosas com sua escolha.
Empresária confiante com os braços cruzados no escritório | Foto: Getty Images
Em 25 de outubro de 2023, uma autora anônima compartilhou sua história no popular fórum do subreddit “AITA”. A autora do post , uma mulher negra africana de 27 anos, viveu e trabalhou na Alemanha por um certo período em destacamento. Durante sua estadia, ela formou uma amizade próxima com um colega de 60 anos.
Uma senhora idosa se olhando no espelho | Foto: Shutterstock
Esta senhora idosa convidou a mulher para o casamento de sua filha, o que a deixou animada, pois ela nunca tinha ido a um “casamento branco” antes. Para esclarecer as expectativas sobre o traje, ela perguntou sobre o código de vestimenta e o esquema de cores, que não estavam especificados no convite. Ela foi informada de que o código era “vestir-se para impressionar”.
O que aconteceu no dia do casamento?
A mulher aceitou o desafio e no dia do casamento ela usou confiantemente seu traje tradicional, uma linda vestimenta verde que se destacava claramente no ambiente alemão. A princípio, ela assumiu que não haveria problema com sua escolha. No entanto, ao longo do evento, ela recebeu inúmeras perguntas e elogios sobre sua roupa, que ela modestamente minimizou para não ofuscar o dia da noiva.
Quando chegou segunda-feira, a mulher sentiu uma atmosfera incomum no escritório, com sussurros abafados e colegas demonstrando um comportamento mais reservado do que o normal.
Membros da família comemorando uma recepção de casamento | Foto: Getty Images
“Minha parceira parece mais fria do que o normal, mas não dou a mínima porque ela é a mãe da noiva e pode estar preocupada. A noiva é totalmente rude comigo, mas de novo eu a enrolo. Eu a parabenizo e agradeço por me incluir, e recebo uma cara tensa em resposta”, disse a mulher.
Uma mulher vestida para uma ocasião especial | Foto: Getty Images
Durante todo o evento, a mulher permaneceu na periferia da sala e se distanciou da música que não combinava com seu gosto. Ela observou as nuances dos casamentos europeus, tentando entender as diferenças culturais. Depois de cinco horas, às 8 horas em ponto, ela fez sua saída, indo embora antes que o casamento terminasse.
Como todos reagiram quando a mulher voltou ao escritório na segunda-feira?
Quando chegou segunda-feira, a mulher sentiu uma atmosfera incomum no escritório, com sussurros em tom abafado e colegas mais reservados do que o normal. Uma amiga do escritório a chamou de lado e esclareceu a situação: a mãe da noiva estava furiosa.
Uma noiva com sua mãe | Foto: Getty Images
Segundo ela, o traje da mulher no casamento foi considerado muito extravagante e inapropriado, e desviou indevidamente a atenção da noiva. Aparentemente, a mãe havia falado sobre isso, espalhando a versão de que o traje da mulher não era apenas ostentoso, mas também desrespeitoso, causando um rebuliço entre os convidados.
Sentindo a necessidade de abordar o assunto, a mulher abordou a mãe da noiva e pediu que ela tivesse uma conversa. No entanto, a mãe da noiva recusou, alegando que não tinha nada a dizer a ela. Perplexa, a mulher perguntou por que ela havia compartilhado suas queixas com os outros, mas não as comunicou diretamente a ela. Em resposta, a mãe da noiva chamou a mulher de insolente.
Uma mulher em perigo | Foto: Shutterstock
Em sua defesa, a mulher esclareceu a qualquer um que a repreendesse que essa era sua primeira experiência com um casamento em um contexto cultural predominantemente branco. Ela enfatizou que havia buscado orientação específica sobre o que vestir e havia seguido as instruções que lhe foram dadas.
Um casal recém-casado celebrando sua união com amigos | Foto: Getty Images
A mulher explicou que em sua terra natal, os casamentos eram celebrações vibrantes onde os participantes usavam seus melhores trajes. O conceito de não ofuscar a noiva era estranho para ela. Quando alguém fazia um comentário racista, insinuando que pessoas daquela origem tinham melhores maneiras, a mulher respondia desafiadoramente, recusando-se a recuar. Como resultado, começaram a circular rumores de que ela não tinha remorso por suas ações, levando a perguntas sobre seu comportamento e se ela havia cometido um erro.
Elegantes castiçais e um buquê de flores brancas em um vaso | Foto: Pexels
A mulher compartilhou alguns detalhes adicionais de sua história, notando que estava prestes a embarcar em um voo depois que alguém lhe disse para voltar para seu país, um comentário que ela recebeu com humor. Ela reconheceu os comentários que recebeu e admitiu que, embora não estivesse errada, ela entendia que poderia ter se aprofundado mais ou feito mais pesquisas, o que era justo.
A mulher também explicou que seu uso de “casamento branco” foi em referência ao fato de que foi o primeiro casamento em que a noiva, o noivo e a festa nupcial usaram branco. Ela enfatizou que o termo não pretendia ter nenhum significado profundo. Ela também postou uma foto de um vestido semelhante ao que usou no casamento, para seus seguidores do Reddit verem.
Uma mulher relaxando em um avião | Foto: Getty Images
Respondendo a um comentarista que culpou a mãe, criticando-a por fofocar, dar conselhos errados e convidar a mulher para o casamento de sua filha, o que, segundo o comentarista, deveria ser responsabilidade do casal, a mulher explicou:
“De onde eu venho, [isso] não é nada fora do comum. Presumi que ele tinha definido [o número] de convidados ou tinha permissão da filha.”
Comentários dos leitores
“Isso é culpa da mãe. Não só por ser fofoqueira e dar conselhos ruins, mas também por convidar você para o casamento da filha dela. O casal deveria convidar as pessoas. Não é culpa sua”, comentou um usuário.
“Gostaria que mais noivas parassem de se preocupar com o que seus convidados vestem”, comentou outra.
“Oi, como imigrante do Leste Europeu, eu também não entendo essa coisa de ‘ofuscar’ a noiva. É por isso que no meu primeiro casamento americano anos atrás, eu também usei o meu melhor e me arrumei demais. Eu não conseguia imaginar não usar o meu melhor. Eu me casei com uma pessoa do Sudeste Asiático, e em ambas as culturas, você não pode ‘ofuscar’ a noiva. Você pode usar as joias mais brilhantes, e a noiva vai aparecer com um lustre cheio! Não leve para o lado pessoal, seus colegas parecem muito mesquinhos. No entanto, se eles continuarem a fazer comentários inapropriados, entre em contato com o RH. Não é sua culpa”, disse outro.
“Como alguém pode ofuscar a noiva a menos que esteja usando um vestido de noiva de verdade?! Eu sou sul-asiática e nosso código de vestimenta para casamento é EXTRAVAGANTE. APENAS vá tão extravagante quanto quiser porque a noiva vai ofuscar todo o local!” outro usuário comentou.
O que você acha dessa história? Você acha que a mulher cometeu um erro ao escolher uma roupa que ofuscou a noiva, ou que sua colega mais velha deveria ter sido mais explícita ao especificar o código de vestimenta?
Woman Turned To a Stranger for Help After Her Husband’s Betrayal, Only to Face a Bigger Surprise – Story of the Day
While navigating a difficult divorce, Ellis meets a bold young man at a bar who offers to transform her life. His charm and confidence seem like the perfect distraction, but their connection soon leads to unexpected revelations that force Ellis to confront her past — and her family — in ways she never anticipated.
Ellis remembered an evening with her husband, Mark. They had been married for almost 25 years. Their life had turned into a dull, predictable routine.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
That evening, Ellis noticed something was off. Mark looked uneasy, shifting in his seat.
“What’s wrong?” Ellis asked, watching him closely.
“Nothing, everything’s fine,” Mark said, waving her off. But Ellis knew he was lying. She had always been able to tell when he wasn’t honest. She narrowed her eyes, waiting for him to speak.
Mark sighed deeply. “Alright, we need to talk,” he said finally.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Why? What happened?” Ellis asked, her voice tense.
“Do you remember my business trip from a few weeks ago?” Mark asked, avoiding her gaze.
“Yes, with Donna,” Ellis said slowly.
Mark looked at the floor. “We slept together,” he admitted.
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“You what?” Ellis said, her voice barely above a whisper. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“I don’t know why it happened,” Mark said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about our 25th anniversary. You’re the only woman I’ve ever been with. I guess I started wondering about things, and it all happened so fast. But, Ellis, it was a mistake. I’ve felt terrible ever since. I love you, only you.”
“How could you do this to me?” Ellis asked. She didn’t yell, but her heart felt heavy, as though it might break.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I’ll never do it again, I promise,” Mark said, his voice trembling.
“Leave,” Ellis said firmly.
“Don’t do this, please,” Mark begged.
“Go. I can’t look at you right now,” Ellis said.
Mark nodded and walked to the bedroom. Ellis sat silently, her mind racing, barely noticing when he left.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“This is the saddest cocktail I’ve ever seen,” a voice said, pulling Ellis out of her thoughts. She blinked and looked around, realizing where she was.
She sat at the bar, staring at the divorce papers Mark had signed. They sat right in front of her.
She had filed for divorce and forced Mark to sign them. Yet, her own name remained unsigned.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
It had been weeks since she learned about Mark’s affair, but she still couldn’t move on.
Ellis turned toward the voice. She saw a young man standing nearby. He looked barely older than her daughter.
“What do you want?” she asked, frowning. “I’m not in the mood to talk.”
“My name’s Leo,” he said with a smirk. “I’ve been watching you come here night after night. You sit alone, looking miserable. Then you whine to the bartender about your marriage. It’s getting old. Pretty pathetic, honestly.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“If you came here to insult me, don’t bother,” Ellis snapped. “And I’ve seen you leave with a different woman every night. So tell me, who’s more pathetic? At least I know what love is.”
“Ouch,” Leo said with a laugh. “You’ve got some fight in you. I like that. Look, I’m not here to make fun of you. I’m here to offer some help. Give me a few days, and I’ll get you back in shape.”
“In shape for what?” Ellis asked, narrowing her eyes.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“For seducing men, of course,” Leo replied.
“I’m 42,” Ellis said. “I’ve only ever been with one man.”
“Exactly,” Leo said. “That’s why I want to help. So, what do you say?” He held out his hand.
“What’s in it for you?” Ellis asked suspiciously.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“It’s a challenge,” Leo said.
Ellis sighed. Then, reluctantly, she shook his hand. She wasn’t interested in flirting with men, but she figured a distraction might not be the worst idea.
Over the next few days, Leo dove headfirst into helping Ellis reinvent herself.
He took her shopping at trendy boutiques, insisting she try on clothes that were far from her usual style.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Ellis initially hesitated, standing awkwardly in front of the mirror in fitted dresses and bold colors.
He didn’t stop there. Leo coached her on how to hold her head high and how to speak with conviction.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
He even pointed out men at the bar for her to approach, handing her opening lines. At first, Ellis felt ridiculous.
She stumbled over her words, her hands shaking as she introduced herself. But after a few tries, something changed.
Men smiled at her. Some even asked for her number. For the first time in years, Ellis felt seen.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Still, one thing nagged at her. Leo’s charm with women, though effortless, felt empty.
He flirted easily, laughed at their jokes, and disappeared with a new woman every night. One evening, as they sat at the bar, Ellis broke the silence.
“Why do you do it?” she asked. “Don’t you want something real?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Leo avoided her gaze. “What’s the point?” he said.
“You’re scared of getting hurt,” Ellis said gently.
Leo paused before answering. “I’m not ready for anything serious,” he finally admitted. “I’ve seen what happens when people fall in love — it ruins them.”
Ellis shook her head but didn’t press him further. She knew fear when she saw it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
One quiet evening, Ellis sat at the bar, sipping her drink, when a man approached her. His name was Ryan.
He was polite, with an easy smile, and spoke confidently.
He complimented her dress and smiled at her often. But as she sat there, Ellis felt her thoughts drifting.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She remembered how Mark used to make her laugh until her sides hurt. She thought about how he always seemed to know what she needed, even when she didn’t.
“I need to use the restroom,” Ellis said, suddenly standing up. But instead of going back, she walked out of the restaurant, got into a cab, and went home.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The house was silent. Family photos hung on the walls, staring back at her. Ellis saw the unsigned divorce papers on the table. She picked up her phone and texted Leo.
@Ellis:
Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in over a week
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@Leo:
I met someone
@Ellis:
Wow. But I need to talk to you
@Leo:
I can’t right now. I’m with her
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@Ellis:
I’m thinking about going back to Mark
@Leo:
I’ll be there in 20 minutes
Twenty minutes later, Ellis heard the sharp sound of a car horn outside. She stepped onto her porch and saw Leo climbing out of his car. His face was tense, and he looked frustrated.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You can’t go back to him!” Leo shouted as he walked toward her.
Ellis crossed her arms. “I’ve realized something. I love him. I always have. No one else comes close,” she said firmly.
“He cheated on you!” Leo yelled, his voice rising. “He betrayed you!”
Ellis stood her ground. “I know. But I think I can forgive him.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“You can’t forgive that!” Leo snapped, shaking his head.
“Why not?” Ellis asked. “You’ve changed. You’ve found someone. Why can’t he?”
“It’s… it’s not the same,” Leo muttered, avoiding her eyes.
“I think it is,” Ellis replied, her voice steady.
Leo paused, then threw up his hands. “Fine. Do whatever you want. I’m done,” he said sharply. Without another word, he turned and got back into his car.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Ellis watched as he drove off, his tires kicking up dust on the quiet street.
The next morning, she woke with a heavy heart. That day marked what would have been Ellis and Mark’s 25th wedding anniversary.
She decided it was time to talk to him. Taking a deep breath, she texted Mark, asking him to come over without explaining why.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She spent the afternoon preparing dinner, using recipes she had made on their anniversaries before.
Later that evening, the doorbell rang. Ellis opened the door to find Mark standing there, his shoulders slumped and his eyes heavy with regret.
“Hey,” Mark said softly as the door opened.
“Hi,” Ellis replied, stepping aside. “Come in.” She gestured toward the living room, her voice steady but nervous.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Mark walked in slowly, his eyes scanning the room. “So, what did you want to talk about? Is this about the divorce? Are we making it official?” His tone was cautious, his shoulders tense.
“I didn’t sign the papers,” Ellis said, her words measured.
Mark froze. “What? Why not?”
Before Ellis could answer, the doorbell rang. She frowned, glancing at the clock. “Who could that be?” she wondered aloud.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Did you tell Sara about the divorce?” Mark asked, his brow furrowing.
“No, I couldn’t. Did you?” Ellis asked, meeting his gaze.
“No,” Mark said, shaking his head.
Ellis sighed. “Damn. She knows it’s our anniversary. She probably came to celebrate,” she said, walking to the door.
When Ellis opened it, she was stunned to see Sara standing there — but her daughter wasn’t alone. Standing beside her was Leo.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What are you doing with my daughter?!” Ellis demanded, glaring at Leo.
“Mom,” Sara said, beaming. “This is my boyfriend, Leo. I thought today would be a great time to introduce him to you.”
Ellis stared at Leo in disbelief. “No way! Do you know he’s a womanizer?!”
“He was,” Sara said, her smile fading. “But… Wait. How do you know that?”
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“I was teaching her how to flirt with men,” Leo said casually, then blinked in confusion. “Wait… how is she your mom? She’s way too young!”
“Why do you think I got married at 17?” Ellis replied dryly.
“What’s going on here?” Sara asked, her voice rising. “Why were you teaching my mom how to flirt? She’s married!”
“They’re divorcing,” Leo interjected. Then, noticing Mark, he added, “Or maybe not.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“What?!” Sara exclaimed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ellis looked at her daughter, her face softening. “Because I wasn’t sure yet. And today, I invited your dad to tell him I want to get back together.”
Mark’s head jerked up. “Really?” he asked, his voice filled with cautious hope. Ellis nodded.
Leo crossed his arms. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
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Ellis raised an eyebrow. “And you don’t deserve my daughter.”
“You said I’ve changed,” Leo retorted.
“And that’s true,” Sara said, stepping forward. “Mom, we’re in love. And it was Leo’s idea to meet you.”
“I didn’t know you were her parents,” Leo said defensively.
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Ellis took a moment to process everything. The room fell silent until Mark spoke. “Are you really ready to forgive me?”
“Yes,” Ellis said. “I’ve decided it’s worth giving us another chance. If someone like Leo can fall in love, then after 25 years, we can fix things too.”
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Mark stepped forward and hugged her tightly. Ellis clung to him, tears streaming down her face. She loved him, and together they could rebuild.
“But,” Mark said, pulling back, “I still need to know how you know Leo.”
“Me too!” Sara exclaimed. They all burst into laughter, and Ellis invited them to the table. Together, they sat, letting love guide the way forward.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Walking into the office that morning, I expected another ordinary day of burying myself in work. But then I saw him—the man who had destroyed my life. My chest tightened, and the memories came flooding back. I had no idea how to handle it. All I knew was that I couldn’t stay in the same room as him.
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