For context I (18F) am from Costa Rica and I go to a private university here. Our first quarter ends in two weeks and then we get a two week break. I’ve been DYING for this break because I literally haven’t seen the beach since like January.

Anyway, I made plans with a group of friends for the first week of break to go to Panama City because this guy I really like (he’s Costa Rican too but his family has an apartment in Punta Pacífica) is throwing his 19th birthday party there. He specifically wants it on this rooftop in Panama because (his words, not mine) “San José’s skyline is literally a joke and I want to party somewhere that doesn’t look like a parking lot.” Which fair.

So the other day, I went to visit my high school friend (she’s in a public university and they JUST started their semester which sounds like a fresh kind of hell honestly, they’ll be studying while I’m sipping a piña colada). She was hanging out with a bunch of her friends, and I sat with them for a while just to catch up. They were asking me if I was gonna do anything for my break so I told them honestly, yeah I’m flying to Panama for a birthday party.

Immediate shift in energy. One of the guys (I don’t even know his name, I’ve literally never met him) started grilling me. Like “ur flying to another country just for a birthday?? Who even pays for that?” Idk… my dad? He travels a lot for work (he’s in logistics or something? Idk, he’s always in Germany or like Saint Francisco) and he has a million miles on his credit card so he used some to get my plane ticket. Obviously, I’m a full time student does he think I’m selling feet pics on the side to pay for flights?

Then he starts going OFF about how “spoiled kids” like me are what’s wrong with the world (wtfff??) and that flying internationally for a party is “late stage capitalism incarnate.” Like okay Chappell Roan, calm down babe. I told him that it’s not my fault that my dad has miles and that I want to be and actually fun person that lives her live and doesn’t let life live her🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

That’s when my friend pulled me aside and said I was being “elitist” and making everyone uncomfortable. I was like GIRL HE STARTED IT. All I did was answer a question. I didn’t say “I’m better than you because I have plans muahhh” I just have plans. Sorry I’m not gonna be rotting in SJO eating instant ramen?

Idk why everyone’s acting like I’m some entitled brat because I’m going to Panama for a week. But like, I’m not rich rich. I’m not flying private. We’re staying at the apartment his parents own. I still wear Crocs and eat McDonald’s. I’m just not gonna apologize for enjoying my life and having opportunities when I’ve literally done nothing wrong???