AITA for eating my entire baked potato — skin and all — at my fiancée’s parents’ dinner?
I (26 M) went to dinner with my fiancée (27 F) and her parents — first time we all had a meal together in a while. The plan was steak, baked potato, and green beans. I don’t usually peel my baked potatoes: I eat them whole — skin, fluff, all of it. I know that’s unusual, but hey — it’s what I prefer.
When the baked potato came out, I dug in like I always do. Her mom saw me eating the potato with the skin and looked visibly disgusted. She gagged, got up immediately, and ran to the bathroom. The father politely asked me to leave. Turns out — apparently — the mom has dietary issues: potato skins supposedly make her nauseous. She didn’t say this earlier, but after seeing me eat that potato skin, she got sick and said she felt the need to step away.
I apologized and left. Later, my fiancée started yelling at me — calling me “inconsiderate” and “rude.” I didn’t expect her reaction. I apologized to her too, but she hasn’t answered me. I’m honestly baffled: I didn’t think eating the skin of a potato was disrespectful. I didn’t know about her mom’s sensitivity. AITA for just eating what I wanted?
It’s strange how something as trivial as food can actually spark a lot of drama between a couple
The poster and his fiancée of 6 years went for dinner at her parents’ house, where he ate a baked potato with its skin
Eating a Baked Potato Whole: It’s Not Weird — It’s Normal
Eating a baked potato with skin — not peeled — is quite common. In fact, nutrition‑wise, potato skins are actually where a lot of the fiber, minerals (like potassium), and even antioxidants are concentrated. Healthline+2Spice Alibaba+2
So from a purely food and health standpoint: you weren’t doing anything bizarre or unhealthy by eating the potato with the skin. For many people, eating potatoes skin-on is a smart move — more fiber, more nutrients, maybe even better digestion, and fullness. Idaho Potato Commission+1
There’s also no standard rule that “polite dinner etiquette” requires peeling potatoes. It depends heavily on the culture, the people, and personal preference.
In other words: you eating the potato the way you like it isn’t inherently rude or wrong.
⚠️ But Some People Do Have Real Reactions — Allergies or Sensitivities
While potato allergies are rare, they do exist. Some people react to proteins or natural compounds in potatoes (including those concentrated in the skin), which can cause anything from mild discomfort to serious allergic symptoms. Medical News Today+2Healthline+2
For someone with a sensitivity — especially to potato skins — simply seeing or smelling potato skins eaten could trigger nausea or even vomiting. YorkTest+1
If your fiancée’s mom truly reacted medically — gagging, vomiting, dizziness — then what looked like a simple dinner could have become a serious incident for her. In that light, your eating style inadvertently endangered someone’s well‑being — even if you didn’t know.
From her perspective, what she saw triggered her sensitivity — and she chose (or had) to remove herself from the situation.
💬 Social Expectations, Courtesy & Reading the Room
When you’re invited to dinner — especially at a soon-to-be in‑law’s house — there’s a tacit expectation of being considerate: eating what’s served, avoiding extremes, trying to adapt for others’ comfort when possible. That doesn’t mean you should hide your personality — but small adjustments can show respect.
Because your fiancée’s family hadn’t told you about the mother’s dietary sensitivity, you lacked the information to adapt. From your point of view, you were simply enjoying dinner as usual.
But from their point of view — especially after a negative reaction — it might feel like you yawning at a house rule that should matter: “We invited you, but you did something that accidentally made mom sick.”
It becomes particularly messy once feelings and expectations mix in — her mom’s sensitivity, her father’s hospitality, your fiancée’s shock — all clashing over something trivial to you.
🧠 My Take: You’re NTA — but This Was a Hard Situation Where Communication and Empathy Mattered More
I don’t think you did anything morally wrong. Eating a baked potato whole — skin-on — is normal. There was no maliciousness in it. You didn’t know potato skins upset her mom. So from your perspective: you just had dinner.
You didn’t deserve to be abruptly kicked out. You apologized when asked.
Still — I’m not saying you weren’t blamed unfairly. The fact remains: your action coincided with someone getting sick. Even if it was unintentional, the consequence was real for them: nausea, vomiting, potentially more serious distress. And in a social dinner setting — especially with people you care about — respecting that (once you know) becomes part of being a polite guest, or a partner-to-be.
Given all this: calling you “inconsiderate or rude” feels harsh. But wanting you to be mindful next time — especially after what happened — is also understandable.
So: you’re not the asshole — but you’re also not completely blameless.
Despite the apologies, netizens found the whole family bizarre and questioned if the poster really wanted to be with her
🤝 What Might Help — If You Want to Smooth Things Over
If I were you and wanted to salvage the engagement, I’d:
- Apologize sincerely — not just for how things might’ve appeared, but for not considering the possibility of food sensitivities.
- Show understanding — acknowledge that even if it’s normal to eat the potato skin, maybe she just wasn’t used to it, or has issues with potato skins, and that’s valid.
- Offer flexibility — next time, ask what the preferences are: peeled potato, different side, or just follow what works for everyone.
- Be gentle with your fiancée — recognizing that she’s caught between supporting her mom and dealing with you; emotions have likely been high.
