AITA For Not Paying For My Wife’s Friends At Dinner?

A man wanted to treat his wife to a romantic anniversary dinner.
She brought a surprise — three of her friends.
Now she’s furious, and he’s wondering if he messed up by only covering two plates instead of five.

Let’s dig in.

He thought it was date night. She thought it was… a group hang?

In a now-viral Reddit post, a 32-year-old husband shared that he made a reservation at a nice restaurant to celebrate his and his wife’s 4th wedding anniversary.

Everything was set: candlelight, cozy booth, good food. But when his wife walked in, she wasn’t alone.

“She showed up with three of her close friends. No warning. No heads-up. Just… ‘Hey babe, look who’s here!’”

He said he was caught off guard but didn’t want to start a fight in public. So he smiled, sat down, and tried to go with the flow.

“Everyone ordered like it was their birthday. Appetizers, cocktails, steak, dessert. I was internally sweating.”

When the check came — well over $300 — the husband paid for his and his wife’s meals. Then, he handed the bill to the rest of the table.

Cue the record scratch.

“You’re not paying for them?”

That’s what his wife whispered when he passed the check over. He quietly said no — that he hadn’t planned to treat four extra people.

“She looked shocked. One of her friends said, ‘Wow… real gentleman.’ It was humiliating — for me.”

After dinner, they left separately. She’s now staying at her sister’s and not answering his texts.

“She says I ruined the night and embarrassed her. Her friends think I’m cheap. I just think I’m not a wallet.”

So… AITA?

What Reddit Thinks

Short answer? Nope. You’re not the ahole.**

Redditors jumped in fast, with many saying this wasn’t just inconsiderate — it was a trap.

Top comment:

“She brought uninvited guests and expected you to pay for everyone on YOUR anniversary? That’s not love — that’s entitlement.”

Another added:

“This sounds like a birthday dinner scam. You didn’t sign up for a group dinner. NTA, my dude.”

Others pointed out that if the roles were reversed, and a husband surprised his wife with three buddies and a massive check, people would lose their minds.

A few did say the husband could’ve handled it with more grace:

“Maybe just foot the bill and talk about it later? It’s a weird hill to die on in the moment, but I still don’t blame you.”

Even then, no one thought he was truly in the wrong — just maybe too honest for the occasion.

So… was it really about the bill?

Some Reddit users suggested this might be about more than just money.
Why did she invite her friends without telling him? Why was she so sure he’d pay?

Maybe it’s about control. Or expectations. Or the fact that boundaries don’t magically disappear just because it’s a celebration.