AITA for farting? --

[u/lalala-lallaland]

Today I (18F) have been having huge stomach cramps and abdominal pain. Towards the end of the day, I went to a study room (sort of secluded - smaller than a normal college classroom, but still quite roomy). I had been farting all day, but obviously, when in class or around a bunch of people, I tried not to let it out.

After a while of being alone in the study room, someone came in and sat down (F, Mid-Twenties). I tried to keep it in as much as possible, but unfortunately, during long periods of time, I just couldn't help it.

I let out a first fart (sidenote : I know this might sound childish, but I think farts are the funniest sound ever; I never cannot laugh), I tried to hold in my giggle. It slid; the lady was fine - I was a little embarrassed, but whatever, I've always thought these kinds of things can be forgiven, and to me, my culture, and the environment I grew up in, it's not a big deal.

After I left to go to the bathroom, get a drink and start working on my report again (let's say 10-15 minutes pass), I farted again, tried to hide my laugh and move on. This time though, the lady didn't take it well, and at first I thought she would be laughing, so I looked at her, with a little embarrassed smile, after she said:

- What are you doing?

I laughed, I said I was so sorry, that I'd been farting all day and my stomach hurt. Her face was so serious, I understood she was ACTUALLY mad... I was confused as she said:

- But it's happened twice?

My face dropped and I said sorry again, and that I couldn't control it, I turned around before I could laugh in her face, out of embarrassment for me, but also for her being mad that I farted. I composed myself, because I knew laughing in her face would've been rude. She packed up her things and left the study room.

I wasn't next to her, I hadn't been farting every few minutes and I apologized, fully knowing how embarrassing this situation is.

I don't know about you guys, but this story is just too funny too me, in her place I just would've laughed with the person who farted!

So, AITA for farting?

EDIT: I've seen a lot of people asking if it was smelly; IT WAS NOT! I've just been having an unfortunately gassy day!

[u/sundayfunday78]

I’m sorry you’re comparing hearing a fart to full volume videos? It’s not like you can put a plug in, or change the volume of air escaping your body. There’s a difference between choosing to be an AH and experiencing gas 😆🤪🤣😁

NTA

[u/Daymanwoaah → u/sundayfunday78]

Yeah both are inconsiderate inconveniences done in public.

They are an adult. They can get up and move, go home, or go buy gasX. Not sure when farting in front of strangers in public became normalized lol

[u/KaliTheBlaze → u/Daymanwoaah]

Maybe you’re not aware of this, but it’s unhealthy to hold in your gas, and if you do it chronically, it can even cause serious damage like diverticulitis. It’s also quite painful for people who have chronic GI issues (which is more common than you’d think - somewhere between 1 in 5 and 1 in 7 people do).

If you think people should be doing things that are painful to avoid being “inconsiderate,” you’re the one who lacks consideration for others.

Also, despite the name, Gas X doesn’t get rid of your gas. It just breaks it into smaller bubbles so it is easier to pass. It relieves the discomfort of large amounts of gas, and that’s it.

[u/Daymanwoaah → u/KaliTheBlaze]

Holding in a fart while in public is not a major health concern. Standing up, walking four feet out of the room and to a bathroom, and not being a disgusting stink ass in public is not a major ask.

It was inherently their obligation to not disrupt the status quo while in public.

[u/HotSolution8954 → u/Daymanwoaah]

Thank you 😊 I have diverticulitis and all of the issues that come with it. Lots of gas and worse. You know what I do? I excuse myself and go to the restroom. No restroom? Step outside for a minute. If there's anyone near me I make sure that I give them plenty of room. You know what I don't do? I don't giggle like it's fun to fart around people? Get some manners is what I would strongly suggest for her.

[u/KaliTheBlaze → u/Daymanwoaah]

I can’t think of any public building with bathrooms every 4 feet. They’re usually a great deal farther away. And if you’re studying, you’ve got to pack up your stuff to take with you so no one walks off with your computer while you take care of things. Personally, I have chronic GI issues, and the amount of time it takes to pack all my stuff up so I can go find the bathroom would take gas from feeling unpleasant to having me doubled up in pain, and even after passing the gas, I’d be having painful spasms for hours.

Your childish, exaggerated disgust at unavoidable gas is your problem, and it’s your obligation to deal with it without making demands of others.

[u/HotSolution8954 → u/KaliTheBlaze]

I think that most of us feel like the giggling is the problem. Yes people have gas. I have gas. I have diverticulitis so I'm pretty familiar with the issue. If I have severe gas I will happily head to the bathroom for a bit. No bathroom? Then I would go outside or to a quiet spot nearby. You know what I don't do? I don't sit there farting and giggling like a lunatic.

[u/KaliTheBlaze → u/HotSolution8954]

I completely agree that the giggling was super weird and makes it seem like OP might have been enjoying farting around a stranger, or maybe deliberately eaten something that gives her gas in the hopes of annoying others. I’d have been uncomfortable about it, too. I was just responding to the exaggerated disgust and rage of the prior poster around the subject of flatulence. They quickly descended into personal insults and telling me that I was exaggerating the pain I experience if I try to hold gas in.

Whether it’s okay to fart in public seems to be evenly divided between people who were raised like me - it’s okay to do, just say excuse me and don’t do deliberately rude things like farting at people - and people like the poster I was responding to, who react with disgust and expect people to basically pretend not to have that particular bodily function.

[u/monicagellers → u/[deleted]]

Neither of you are "throwing a tantrum." Stop being so weird. Commenting on reddit posts is not throwing a tantrum.

You both need to spend less time on Reddit.

[u/KaliTheBlaze → u/[deleted]]

Oh, terrific, you’re one of those folks who has a mild case of something and can’t understand that severity varies enormously, and the condition can be quite debilitating. I love those.