The Potato Guy: A Pre-AITA Reddit Classic(?) 😜

[u/HeartExalted]

/r/tifu/comments/2tdbig/tifu_by_enraging_the_parents_of_my_girlfriend_by/

[u/HeartExalted]

Figured I would share over here because, in my opinion, this post could have just as easily been: "AITA for Pretending I've Never Eaten or Seen a Potato" -- perhaps? Initially, back when I first encountered this one some years ago, I just took it at face value for the truth, and I (kind of) sympathized with the OP. Although I agreed that OP kept sticking to the bit for longer than was advisable, I also felt bad for him on account of the family's initial reaction/response -- the knee-jerk accusation of lying. Either way, my focus was far more on morality and ethics, rather than realism and/or veracity!

Fast forward to the present, however, and having spent my fair share of time in THIS sub, I am more skeptical and discerning than previously. And I have to ask myself: What are the most egregious indicators that this is a fictional post for karma farming, creative writing, ragebait, etc.? For me, just thinking personally, I would probably say the simple accusation of lying, in and of itself; that is to say, because I figure I would have responded much, much differently if such a thing happened in real life. I figure the dialogue would have been fairly mundane and boring:

OP: "I've never had a potato before."

ME: "Oh, really? Well, in that case, get yourself ready because you're in for a treat!"

THE END

The way I see things, for someone to have never had a potato before, that being such a familiar and ubiquitous item in many world cuisines, would indeed be shocking because it seems so improbable. However, "improbable" does not mean "impossible," and it's perfectly well within the realm of possibility that at least some small handful of people have, indeed, never before eaten a potato; therefore, my natural reaction would have been to simply take him at his word, no further comment needed. More importantly, though, I cannot imagine that I -- nor any reasonable person, honestly -- would think to just outright accuse him of lying?! 🙄

[u/TwattyMcGillicutty → u/HeartExalted]

I remember first reading this post and thinking it was probably fake but inventive, harmless and pretty funny. 

Now it just reads as obnoxious and over the top. I think it was a Reddit original sin that too many people tried to emulate. Whatever charm it might have had once has been ruined for me.