u/NiceMembership2633

I’m a guy in my 20s, and my younger brother recently asked me to cover for him.He had told our parents he was staying home that night, but he actually went out with his friends. Before he left, he told me that if our parents asked, I should say he was in his room.I didn’t think much of it at first, but later my parents asked me directly where he was. I didn’t want to get dragged into his lie, so I told them the truth My brother was furious when he found out. He said I should have had his back and that I made him look irresponsible over something that wasn’t a big deal.I told him that he’s free to make his own choices, but I’m not obligated to lie for him when someone asks me a direct question Now he says I betrayed him and that I should have just stayed quiet.AITAH?

For a long time, this person kept taking advantage of me because they assumed I would never push back. Whenever they crossed a line, I stayed quiet because I didn't want unnecessary drama.Eventually, they did it one more time.Instead of arguing or getting revenge, I simply stopped helping them and treated them exactly how they had been treating me. No insults, no threats, no scene—I just stopped making things easy for them.They immediately noticed the difference and asked why I had changed.I told them, “I'm just giving you the same energy you've been giving me.”They were surprisingly angry about it.That's when I realized they weren't upset because I had done something terrible. They were upset because I had finally stopped letting them use me.How was I traumatized? They repeatedly took advantage of my kindness.How did I traumatize them back? I stopped giving them access to it.

For years, my coworker would constantly make little comments about me in front of other people. Nothing extreme enough to call out directly, but always just enough to make me look stupid.I usually ignored it because I didn't want workplace drama One day, she asked me to cover one of her responsibilities because she had "too much going on." I agreed, like I always did.A few weeks later, she publicly joked that I was only useful because I was willing to do everyone else's work.That was the last straw.The next time she asked me to cover for her, I simply said, "No, you'll have to handle it yourself."She looked shocked and asked why I was suddenly being difficult.I reminded her that she'd already made it clear she didn't respect the help I gave her, so I wasn't going to keep offering it.Since then, I've stopped doing favors for her completely. I don't insult her or start arguments. I just treat her like any other coworker.The funny part is that she now complains that I have"changed.Maybe I have.I just stopped making life easier for someone who enjoyed making me feel small.

Hypothetical:A man is asked by his older brother if he can move in for a few months after losing his job. Years earlier, when the man was struggling financially, that same brother refused to let him stay for even a week, saying he "needed to figure things out on his own."Now the brother says that was a long time ago, people change, and family should help each other. Their parents are pressuring the man to let his brother move in because "it's the right thing to do."The man can afford to help, but he still remembers how abandoned he felt back then. He isn't looking for revenge, but he also doesn't want to pretend the past never happened.Would he be the asshole if he said no?

My cousin asked to borrow my laptop for an important task. I understand that he needed help, but I was hesitant because the last time I lent him something expensive, it came back damaged and I had to deal with the consequences.I explained that I wasn't comfortable taking that risk again. He felt hurt and said I was judging him based on one mistake.Some family members think I should just let it go and give him another chance, while others understand why I'm being careful.AITAH for refusing to lend him my laptop?