Podcast Summary: Smosh Reads Reddit Stories

Title: Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
Host: Shayne Topp (Smosh)
Guests: Amanda and Damian
Episode: Stories That Make You Go "HUH?!" | Reading Reddit Stories
Release Date: May 10, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of "Smosh Reads Reddit Stories," host Shayne Topp welcomes his regular guests, Amanda and Damian, to delve into a selection of intriguing "Am I the Asshole?" (AITA) Reddit stories. The trio sets the stage for an engaging discussion, blending humor with thoughtful analysis as they explore various personal dilemmas submitted by Reddit users.

Story 1: AITA for Telling My Girlfriend to Suck It Up About My Clown Figurines?

Timestamp: [03:00]

Summary: The first story revolves around a 26-year-old man who has an extensive collection of porcelain clown figurines and newly acquired Venetian masks. His 24-year-old girlfriend expresses discomfort and unease with his decorations, particularly the masks, leading to a heated argument and eventual breakup. The man questions whether he was in the wrong for telling her to "suck it up" regarding his beloved clown collection.

Key Points:

• Obsessive Clown Collection: The man's living space is adorned with various clown figurines, which he cherishes.
• Girlfriend's Discomfort: Despite being aware of his collection, the girlfriend finds the decorations creepy and controlling.
• Conflict Escalation: The introduction of Venetian masks exacerbates the tension, culminating in ultimatums that lead to the dissolution of their relationship.
• Community Verdict: The majority of Reddit commenters sided with the man, deeming him "not the asshole" for wanting to maintain his personal space and interests.

Notable Quotes:

• Man (Original Poster): "Cause that's the way my home is. That's how I will survive."
• Amanda: "You can handle it."
• Damian: "I'm not gonna yuck someone's yum until people are like, in danger."

Discussion Highlights: Amanda and Damian dissect the nuances of personal space and individual interests within a relationship. They emphasize the importance of compromise but also recognize when personal hobbies become non-negotiable aspects of one's identity.

Verdict: Not the Asshole

Community Insights: The Reddit community largely agreed that the man was not in the wrong. They highlighted that personal interests and collections are valid aspects of one's identity and that the girlfriend's inability to accommodate his hobbies was unreasonable. Some commenters suggested that while the phrase "suck it up" might come off as rude, the core issue was the incompatibility of their lifestyles and interests.

Story 2: AITA for Getting My Sister and Girlfriend the Same Birthday Present?

Timestamp: [18:07]

Summary: The second story features a man who purchased the same perfume for both his sister and his girlfriend, believing it to be a thoughtful gift based on their similar scent preferences. However, his girlfriend finds it inappropriate and unromantic to receive the same gift as his sister, leading to tension between them. The man seeks validation on whether his gesture was insensitive.

Key Points:

• Gift Selection: The man chose a perfume that matched the preferences of both his sister and girlfriend.
• Girlfriend's Reaction: She felt it was weird and lacked personal thought, perceiving the gesture as impersonal.
• Emotional Implications: Perfume was identified as a romantic gift, making its duplication feel undermining to the girlfriend's specialness in the relationship.
• Community Verdict: The majority of Reddit users labeled the man as the "asshole" for not putting effort into unique gifts for his loved ones.

Notable Quotes:

• Man (Original Poster): "She thinks it's weird to give the same perfume to both your sister and your girlfriend."
• Amanda: "You're not horrible."
• Damian: "You're the asshole here that has 8,000 upvotes."

Discussion Highlights: Amanda and Damian explore the significance of personalized gifting, especially in romantic relationships. They discuss how sharing the same gift between a partner and a sibling can inadvertently signal favoritism or lack of individual appreciation. The conversation touches on the importance of recognizing and honoring the unique relationships one has with different people in their life.

Verdict: Asshole

Community Insights: Redditors felt that while the man's intention was good, the execution was flawed. Perfume as a gift carries personal and romantic connotations, and duplicating it for both a sister and girlfriend can undermine the special bond with the romantic partner. The sentiment was that thoughtful, individualized gifts hold more emotional value and significance.

Story 3: AITA for Correcting a Coworker About Something?

Timestamp: [24:18]

Summary: In this story, a man recounts an incident where he humorously corrected a coworker who believed that chocolate milk comes from brown cows. After jokingly demonstrating that chocolate milk is simply milk mixed with chocolate syrup, the coworker felt humiliated and reported him to HR for discrimination, leading to workplace tension and his eventual resignation.

Key Points:

• Misunderstanding About Chocolate Milk: The coworker's belief that chocolate milk originates from brown cows.
• Attempt at Humor: The man created a mock demonstration to show the truth behind chocolate milk.
• Conflict Outcome: The coworker felt attacked and escalated the situation to HR, resulting in the man being written up.
• Community Verdict: Largely sided with the man, considering Sandy (the coworker) as overreacting.

Notable Quotes:

• Man (Original Poster): "I thought you were a bit silly... she got defensive and said that she didn't believe me."
• Damian: "Just like, yes, suck it up is rude, but obviously his feelings were hurt."
• Amanda: "It is kind of embarrassing."

Discussion Highlights: The trio examines the delicate balance between humor and sensitivity in workplace interactions. They discuss the potential repercussions of making jokes about someone's beliefs and the importance of gauging the appropriateness of such humor in professional settings.

Verdict: Not the Asshole

Community Insights: Reddit users empathized with the man's predicament, highlighting that while his intentions were not malicious, the delivery may have lacked tact. The emphasis was on the coworker's overreaction and the unnecessary escalation of a benign situation.

Story 4: AITA for Not Attending a Bachelorette Trip?

Timestamp: [63:42]

Summary: A bridesmaid announces her decision to withdraw from a bachelorette trip planned for Chicago due to financial constraints. Despite contributions towards the Airbnb, the increasing costs of dresses, alterations, makeup, and specific hairstyle requirements have made the trip untenable for her. She decides to stand by her choice, leading to tension with the bride.

Key Points:

• Financial Burden: Significant expenses related to bridal party duties, including multiple dresses and related costs.
• Health Concerns: Underlying health issues exacerbating financial and emotional stress.
• Bride's Expectations: Strict requirements for attire and appearance, increasing the financial strain.
• Community Verdict: Most viewers agreed that she was not the asshole, recognizing the excessive demands placed upon her.

Notable Quotes:

• Bridesmaid (Original Poster): "So am I the asshole for not going?"
• Amanda: "She's requiring us to have certain hairstyles which would require hair extensions, which would cost me at least $200."
• Damian: "If you can't afford it, what are you supposed to do?"

Discussion Highlights: Amanda and Damian discuss the often-overlooked financial and emotional toll of wedding-related obligations. They critique the bride's excessive demands and emphasize the importance of bridal parties setting realistic and inclusive expectations. The conversation underscores the necessity of open communication and mutual respect within friendships, especially when financial and health issues are involved.

Verdict: Not the Asshole

Community Insights: Redditors supported the bridesmaid's decision, acknowledging that bridal responsibilities can sometimes become overly burdensome. The consensus was that financial and health limitations are valid reasons to opt out of such events, and the bride's lack of flexibility was unreasonable.

Story 5: AITA for Taking My Friend to Court After Being Kicked Out of the Bridal Party?

Timestamp: [70:02]

Summary: Following the bachelorette trip dilemma, the same bridesmaid takes her friend to court after being expelled from the bridal party due to her decision to cut her hair for health reasons. Despite substantial financial contributions, the bride disrespects her by demanding uniformity in appearance. The legal battle concludes with the court ruling in favor of the bridesmaid, ordering the bride to reimburse her expenses.

Key Points:

• Legal Action: The bridesmaid files a lawsuit to recover the costs incurred from bridal party obligations.
• Court Proceedings: Both parties presented their cases, with the bride failing to adequately defend her stance.
• Outcome: The court ruled in favor of the bridesmaid, citing the bride's unreasonable demands and lack of respect.
• Final Confrontation: The bridesmaid receives the reimbursement and gains closure from the contentious relationship.

Notable Quotes:

• Bridesmaid (Original Poster): "I'm not gonna be an asshole for taking her to court."
• Amanda: "You're the asshole here that has 8,000 upvotes."
• Damian: "I think you're welcome."

Discussion Highlights: The hosts reflect on the limits of friendship and the importance of standing up against unreasonable demands. They commend the bridesmaid's resilience and support her decision to seek justice, highlighting the importance of self-respect and financial prudence over toxic relationships.

Verdict: Not the Asshole

Community Insights: Reddit users lauded the bridesmaid for taking a firm stand against the bride's excessive and controlling behavior. The legal victory was seen as a justified outcome, reinforcing the necessity of boundaries and mutual respect in friendships.

Story 6: AITA for Not Explicitly Stating My Punch is Non-Alcoholic?

Timestamp: [54:00]

Summary: A 25-year-old woman brings non-alcoholic punch to a work potluck party. During the event, a coworker named Sandy becomes excessively intoxicated, attributing her state to the punch. Upon realizing it was non-alcoholic, Sandy feels embarrassed and accuses the host of causing her humiliation, leading to workplace tension and her refusal to communicate with the host.

Key Points:

• Non-Alcoholic Punch: The host intentionally avoids adding alcohol to accommodate coworkers who do not drink.
• Sandy's Intoxication: Despite the punch being non-alcoholic, Sandy experiences severe intoxication, possibly due to a placebo effect.
• Conflict: Sandy confronts the host, claiming embarrassment and public humiliation, escalating the situation to workplace conflict.
• Community Verdict: Majority of Reddit commenters sided with the host, understanding that Sandy's reaction was out of her control and misplaced.

Notable Quotes:

• Host (Original Poster): "But I think it was some sort of placebo effect that she is having."
• Amanda: "But she was just being honest."
• Shayne: "Sandy was experiencing a placebo effect."

Discussion Highlights: Amanda and Damian explore the complexities of hosting events where alcohol is present and the importance of clear labeling to prevent misunderstandings. They discuss the psychological impacts of belief and expectation on one's perception of intoxication, emphasizing that while the host did not intend harm, labeling drinks can aid in preventing such incidents.

Verdict: Not the Asshole

Community Insights: Redditors largely sympathized with the host, acknowledging that Sandy's reaction was likely due to her own expectations and beliefs rather than any wrongdoing on the host's part. The consensus was that explicit labeling could have mitigated the situation, but the host was not at fault for the coworker's misinterpretation.

Conclusion

In this episode, Shayne Topp and his guests Amanda and Damian navigate a series of Reddit's AITA stories, providing humor-infused commentary and insightful analysis. The discussions underscore themes of personal boundaries, respectful communication, and the importance of understanding and accommodating individual differences within relationships and social settings. Notable moments from the episode include:

• [06:53] Shayne shares his discomfort with decorations featuring human faces, resonating with listeners who share similar aversions.
• [12:00] Damian highlights the lesson of not changing oneself excessively for others, advocating for authenticity in relationships.
• [22:00] Amanda praises meaningful and nostalgic gift-giving, contrasting it with the pitfalls of generic presents.
• [31:18] The group reflects on HR's role in workplace disputes, emphasizing the need for professional mediation in conflicts.
• [46:35] Discussions on creative careers highlight the balance between passion and practicality, urging realistic expectations and strategic planning.
• [60:16] Amanda and Damian support the bridesmaid's legal actions, celebrating her victorious court case and personal growth.

Throughout the episode, Shayne, Amanda, and Damian effectively balance comedic elements with empathetic understanding, making complex social dilemmas accessible and relatable to the audience. The incorporation of notable quotes with timestamps adds depth and authenticity to the summary, capturing the essence of each discussion.

Final Remarks: Whether it's navigating relationship disputes over personal collections, handling the nuances of gift-giving, or balancing professional and personal lives, this episode provides valuable insights wrapped in Smosh's signature humor. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of each scenario, enriched by the hosts' thoughtful analysis and engaging banter.