For my birthday, my spouse got me a nicer newer expensive version of a thing I already have. The one I have is older and dented but works just fine. I use it weekly. I never complain about it. I’ve never asked for a newer one. The one I have was given to me by my mother in law, whom I adore. It’s sentimental.

I don’t like new things. When they got me a 3d printer, it was the cheapest one and it was a kit and I had to build myself. I loved it. It’s perfect for me. I regularly buy things used or get things from Buy Nothing groups. I much prefer to repair old things in many ways. My car has over 100k miles. The one before did too. I don’t like new things.

We got into a huge argument because I want to return it. They are so upset with me that they left the house to calm down. Why am I the bad person? Why are they mad at me? I have a very clear tendency for old broken used things. Why am I obligated to like this new thing?

We literally established a rule early in our marriage. I’m not allowed to gift nerdy t shirts. They don’t like them. I love them. I thought they would like them but they do not. So they asked me to stop. This feels the same. I do not like new things. Why am I the bad guy for wanting to return the newer version of the thing I already have?

  • ramielrowe@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1111·
    22 hours ago

    You’re going to a lot of effort to not actually mention what this thing is, which makes me wonder what it is and I suspect knowing that would provide additional and useful context.

    • Nalivai@lemmy.world
      2·
      3 hours ago

      The boring answer is that it’s just not important for the story, but I chose to believe that it’s about an old denty disheveled dildo with a handcrank.

    • 9point6@lemmy.world
      221·
      19 hours ago

      100%

      OP doesn’t even need to answer, the omission of this kinda indicates they potentially already know why

        • Clent@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          7·
          17 hours ago

          Nope.

          Their partner got them their last 3d printer. Whatever this item is, the version they want to keep is something that came from their mother in law.