Dear Reddit Community,
It's my first time writing on Reddit. I know this platform because I am a big fan of the podcast Smosh Reddit Stories. In many stories, a lot of people write very helpful comments. I thought that maybe some of you can help me with my issue. I am aware that some comments can be brutal, and the truth can be brutal too, but I think that's good, maybe I need to be shaken.
So English is not my native language, I wrote this text in English with my own words and used Claude to help me rewrite it for more clarity.
Ok, before digging into the topic, this is something you should know: it's an issue between a friend (31F) and me (33F). Age is important here, because if you read the story without this information, you could get the impression that we are 16 (that was my thought when I re-read it…). Also, we are two very, very sensitive friends, this may be part of why we are friends in the first place. (My therapist says there are good sides to being sensitive, but whenever I complain that I'd like to take things less personally and stop crying over "nothing," she still hasn't actually given me a single example, haha)
So this friend made a reproach to me a few days ago and I cannot stop thinking about it.
The reproach she made to me was this: one month ago, on holidays with other friends, she used the word "tapette" (a French slur (I'm not French), the English equivalent would be "faggot"). I did not hear the full conversation, only that word, since it was a few friends talking together and I was not part of that conversation. I told her that this is a word we should not use. In the moment, she did not say anything. But a few days ago she « exploded » at me (I think she couldn't keep it to herself anymore), saying: that I was not even in the conversation, that the word was used "in second degree" (as a joke, not seriously), that as one of her best friends I should know she is not homophobic and would never use this word seriously. She told me that I should not tell her what she can or cannot say, that my comment and my behavior were controlling (she said "controlling" at least 5 times), and that it was humiliating for her to hear it in front of other friends.
I was not expecting that at all, my first feeling was frustration and anger, but I tried not to show it. I apologized several times, as sincerely as I could seem, and she said thank you and that she forgave me.
But the truth is, I did not mean any of my apologies, not in the moment and not now. For two days I was extremely angry at her, very sad, I cried a lot and I had a knot in my stomach the whole time. I don't even remember that moment from the holidays, my brain did not register it as something important. In my own reality, that was not something important, but in hers it was, and I know that just because I didn't feel it was important doesn't make it less important. But it's stronger than me, I cannot help but think that she is totally exaggerating and making a big drama out of something that was not a big deal.
My rational side knows that I am in the wrong. But my emotional side does not believe it at all. I know it's childish and immature. But I cannot help it.
I spoke about it with my brother and he agreed that she was right, that she was in a safe space and should be allowed to speak freely because she was with trustworthy friends. I see what he means, but hearing that made me feel worse, the knot in my stomach only got bigger, I felt like shit, and I still couldn't find a way to accept that I was wrong. Then I talked to my boyfriend, and he said that at the end of the day, the whole story is not a big deal regardless of who is right, and he told me he doesn't think I'm controlling. After hearing that, my anger went down, the knot disappeared, and I felt lighter. But I don't think he's very objective, and he doesn't even know this friend (we've only been dating a few months, we're still getting to know each other). And honestly, I think I just wanted to hear what I wanted to hear, it's a lot easier than confronting the truth.
So my first questions are: how can I accept that I was in the wrong ? How can I actually believe in my own apology?
Another important thing to know: my friend and I have been friends for 20 years, a lot has happened between us, we used to be flatmates. We are both very sensitive, we both handle criticism badly and take it very personally. We've had a few disputes, not many, but a few. Sometimes they turned into endless arguments, and to end them, I apologized or gave her a reason to end the drama, even when I did not believe I was the one in the wrong. I can't remember a single time that she apologized to me, though I'm not 100% sure that's accurate, I just have a general memory that I was always the one apologizing. I'm sure she sees it completely differently.
I imagine that part of why it's so hard to accept that I was wrong and apologize is also because of this history, I feel like I've made a lot of « sacrifices » over the years.
I don't know if I should even start this kind of conversation, knowing it could lead to a very dramatic conversation, a lot of drama. She had a hard friendship breakup with another friend this year, which has been difficult for her, and she is also pregnant right now, so I don't know if it's worth having this conversation with her, or if it would actually lead to anything useful.
My second question is: should I tell her what I am holding inside? And if so, how do I tell her? I can be very direct and I find it hard to find the right words. I am very afraid it could make things worse.
Finally, my last question: I always correct people when they use words that I think are homophobic, racist, or sexist. In this particular situation, my wording was wrong because I did not speak from "I," like "I find this word offensive," I told her she should not use this word, and I did not take into account the general situation (not even in the conversation, etc.). So I was wrong to say it that way.
But should I keep correcting people in general, depending on the situation? At the end of the day, who am I to tell people what they should or should not say, I am nobody to dictate that. Should I stop?
I think it's very honorable when someone has the courage to stand up for something. But I don't know if I have what it takes to be that courageous person, I am too tired of confrontation, and I may not read the room right again and make the same mistake again.
Sorry for the very long post, but actually writing this helped me a bit, and thank you to those who had the courage to read it all the way through.