Have you ever been given a choice that wasn’t really a choice?
By Amber
@AmbiePam (96020)
United States
February 19, 2025 3:35pm CST
Maybe you have only experienced this as a child, but maybe some of you have dealt with this as a grown adult. Someone paints you a picture of all these choices, and one by one, when you pick an option like they encourage you to, they shoot that choice down with reasons why it’s the wrong one. Each one you decide on is picked apart until you end up with what that person had originally suggested. And you’re like, why did you present this as a choice? Parents can pull that off on their kids, but it’s hard to pull that off on adult. You end up wishing they hadn’t painted any kind of picture for you at all.
You know what I mean? I think the good thing about being an adult is that your expectations weren’t/aren’t high to begin with so there is minimal disappointment.
18 people like this
16 responses
@1creekgirl (42439)
• United States
20 Feb
I kind of know what you're saying. I hope it wasn't too disappointing.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (42439)
• United States
20 Feb
@AmbiePam Have you decided about the trip with your sister?
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (42439)
• United States
20 Feb
@AmbiePam Bless your heart. Can't you change your mind? She'd just have to understand. I know she loves you...why would she insist on something that will be so painful for you?
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (185321)
• United States
19 Feb
Is this about the trip sis wants you to take?
1 person likes this
@much2say (57200)
• Los Angeles, California
12h
UGH - this sounds just like my younger sister. I can give many examples, but I don't want to bore you with them. She gives an array of choices . . . and when you finally pick one (as if you were the indecisive one), she has issue with it. And it's exactly as you said . . . WHY was this given as a choice then if she had an issue to begin with. It's frustrating when she pulls this on me or my mom . . . the good thing is she isn't really talking to us anymore - so that's that.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (82538)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Feb
There have been times when I have been presented with choices but I already knew what I was intended to do
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (162227)
• United States
20 Feb
Who did this to you!? Yes, I have had it happen.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (140944)
• India
20 Feb
And then there is what is called Hobson's choice where there is just one choice but seems there are many
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (111742)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Feb
No as I am going to do things my way.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (40958)
•
19 Feb
I hate when people question my choices. Right or wrong, they are MY choices, not theirs. I always weigh my options, go with my gut instincts, and make my own choices. I feel we should try to respect people's choices, whether we agree with them or not.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
23h
I totally get what you mean! It’s frustrating when someone gives one choice and others are just there to make you choose the only option they want. I recollect one of managers delaying by things and he wanted me to choose an option which he wanted but not good for me. It is definitely manipulation than decision making when it comes to this part. Parents are known to do this a lot to kids, but as an adult if we were to experience it – it is frustrating and exhausting. And you are right , one of benefits of adulthood is lower expectations. You recognise the patten and so it is easy to roll with it. It is still better if people were upfront instead f giving of illusion of choice game. Take care!
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4246)
• United States
19 Feb
Yes, this has definitely happened to me as a child. The nice thing about being an adult is that I get to make my own choices.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (141735)
• United States
19 Feb
No, I usually have an idea already in mind and push it through.
1 person likes this
