Have you ever had someone look at you with so much confidence only to suggest that they might know you better than you know yourself? You’ve probably been there, whether it’s your parent telling you which career path suits you or your best friend insisting that you’re secretly in love with someone — even though you’ve never even considered it.

Despite today’s Original Poster (OP) insisting that he’s straight, his mother is convinced that he’s just hiding it. However, things took an interesting turn when she revealed that she already shared with her friends that he might just be scared to come out.

More info:Reddit

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Sometimes, very innocent interactions could potentially snowball into awkward misunderstandings

Young man discussing family dynamics with woman at a table, addressing assumptions about his sexuality.

Image credits:Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The author’s mother assumed he was gay due to his close friendship with his best friend, despite his insistence that he wasn’t

Image credits:LeftHand3FT

Young man on bed with laptop, being comforted by family, illustrating family drama dynamics.

He was then shocked when his mother revealed that she had told her friends otherwise because she needed advice on how to support him

The author snapped at his mom for doing that and is now wondering if he was a jerk for doing so; however, he just wanted to avoid any awkwardness

The story kicked off innocently enough. The OP’s younger sister, reading abook, had asked him what a “Greek god” looked like. He simply replied that it usually refers to someone “muscular and handsome.” However, his mom overheard this exchange and gave him a look.

Later, the OP’s mom confronted her son, asking if he had feelings for hisbest friend. This revealed that she had harbored these suspicions for some time. Taken aback, the OP assured her they were just friends and that there was nothing romantic between them.

His mom didn’t believe him, though, saying that the way they behaved around each other had to mean they had something going on. To this, the OP asked that she stop reading too much meaning into things. However, her response took the situation to the next level.

She admitted she had already told some of her friends that her son might be gay but was too nervous to come out. The OP snapped at his mom for doing that because it would lead toawkwardness.

The OP was particularly worried about how this might affect his chances with the daughter of one of those friends—a girl he hoped to ask out. His mom defended her actions, explaining that she only shared her suspicions with her friends to get advice on how tosupporthim.

Young man in a green shirt sitting at a table, looking thoughtful and holding his forehead, phone nearby.

Image credits:stockking / Freepik (not the actual photo)

And so, whenever a close malerelationshipappears, it is seen from a romantic perspective. Whereas, it is, in fact possible for men to have deep platonic feelings toward each other without any feelings of romance.

Researchshows that today, men have fewer social connections among each other than in the past, with just 27% reporting at least six close friends in 2021, a significant drop from 55% in 1990.

Based on this research, they go further to explain that male friendships are very crucial as they come with benefits that go beyond emotional support. Spending time with male friends can help reduce stress and build resilience, which contributes to betterhealthand potentially extending lifespan.

Some netizens expressed confusion over the mom’s faulty reasoning and assumptions about the OP’s sexuality, with one stating, “So a male saying ‘muscular and handsome’ makes them gay?” while others pointed that she was probably projecting.

Others took a more critical stance, suggesting the OP’s reaction was overly defensive, stating the mom’s intentions were simply rooted in concern, not malice.

Netizens share mixed sentiments about the situation as some believe the mother was wrong while some believe the son was being overly defensive

Reddit discussion about family drama where a son addresses false assumptions about his sexuality.

Reddit comment questioning assumptions about being gay; user AKlife420 expresses confusion and disagrees.

Two friends in casual shirts bumping elbows in a cozy kitchen setting, highlighting a moment of friendship.

Text describing a son confronting his mom’s assumptions about his sexuality.

Text exchange about mom wrongly assuming son is gay, with a humorous phone call suggestion.

Comment highlighting correct usage of “gay” as an adjective, receiving 210 points on a forum.

Screenshot of a comment in a family drama about gay assumptions with humorous tone.

Reddit comment about family drama, discussing assumptions about a son’s sexual orientation.

Text comment discussing a mom wrongly assuming her 20YO son is gay, leading to family drama.

A Reddit comment discussing assumptions and language about gay people.

Screenshot of a comment about family drama involving assumptions about a son’s sexuality.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing family drama over assumptions about sexuality.

Reddit comment discussing family drama over a mom assuming her son is gay.

Reddit comment criticizing a son for reacting defensively to his mom’s assumption about his sexuality.

Thanks! Check out the results:Gabija Palšytė

Monika Pašukonytė

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