A guy gets a cool handmade machete as a gift from his college girlfriend during her trip to Thailand. They break up over seven years ago—she blocks him everywhere and vanishes from his life. The machete sits mostly unused in his garage, handy for chopping boxes now and then.
Out of nowhere, a friend of hers (not even his Facebook friend) messages him: the ex wants the machete back. He pushes back on how weird and tacky it feels after all this time, especially via proxy. Now some friends say just return it since he barely uses it, but most call the request absurd. He’s digging in on principle.
‘AITA for refusing to return a gift I was given 7 years ago?’
The gift came during happier times:
The breakup was decisive:
He didn’t hold back:
Gifts are gifts—once given, they’re the recipient’s property, full stop. Asking for one back years later, especially a non-heirloom item without explained sentimental value, screams tacky and entitled. Sending a third party after radio silence makes it even weirder, almost manipulative.
Etiquette experts like those at Emily Post Institute emphasize that revoking gifts post-breakup (outside engagement rings) is poor form, and time limits apply—seven years blows past any reasonable window.
The principle here matters: returning it might reward odd behavior and open doors to more drama. Politely declining (or ignoring) preserves boundaries without escalating. If curiosity wins, asking directly for the “why” could clarify, but no obligation exists.
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
Pretty much everyone sides with the guy, calling the ex’s move petty, weird, and outright ridiculous.
Loads label it straight-up bizarre and tacky:
Many suggest petty responses or just blocking:
A few float theories or practical ideas:
Seven years later, through a stranger’s message—no one reasonable expects a gift returned like that. Keeping it (or ignoring the ask) isn’t asshole behavior; it’s standing on basic etiquette.
Exes popping up randomly like this always raises eyebrows. Would you return it to end the weirdness, keep it on principle, or just ghost the whole thing?
