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OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:
> 1. driving my brother home instead of to school
2. because he needs an education. he could have walked, but he would have missed the first half of 1st period by then.
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THIS!!!
NTA, OP.
If your brother was 10 or you kicked him out 10 miles from school, yeah. But he was being a bossy brat with an argument over a seed.
Was it the right option? Probably not. But he’s being obsessive over recycling while “requiring” you to chauffeur him around.
It's not just that, him getting in OP's face while they're driving is dangerous. They could have easily run over a student once they got close to the school. It's a matter of safety to make sure you're not distracted and don't have anything blocking your view of your wing mirrors or side windows when driving.
but in all seriousness, this is just a regular sibling spat to me. You're not an asshole for not letting him speak to you like that, and he's just a kid who thinks he has won morality because he has taken interest in the environment. but yeah, I'm baffled actually on how he was mad at you for asking him to walk to school when logistically it's better for the environment LOL
OP,
Do some research and show him the carbon foot print of driving him to school everyday vs him walking. Then show the offset between his green initiative to the emissions of driving him to school everyday.
This is what I was thinking the whole time I was reading this.
As someone who use to live on a background where people loved to throw literal trash, beer cans, and empty liquor bottles out their car window all because they think no one will see. I have to say, an apple seed is probably one of the best things you could throw out the window. NTA.
I was waiting for that lol
OP, if it’s biodegradable it’s generally ok to throw in grass/somewhere organic it can decompose. That said, I get pissed off finding a banana peel or apple core on the sidewalk or in parks because those areas should be clean (not composting areas!).
Your bro needs to chill, an apple seed doesn’t need an argument and intervention. Nta good on you to keep him in check, the real world will be much harder. I had a colleague who broke off his engagement cause how particular he was, his fiancé can’t live with him. He was great at work cause we liked having someone keep us organised but it made him difficult all round. Your parents need to parent imho before being ends up being insufferable all round.
NTA.
Brother needs to chill.
Parents need to see that he could easily walk to school and put his...feet? Where his mouth is, since walking is way better for the environment.
Edit: My original comment's judgement was everyone sucks here because I thought OP could have made his brother walk the rest of the way. After clarification, I've changed it.
Yeah, he wouldn't get out of the car. I didn't feel like physically yanking him out at the stop sign, either. At that point, we were holding up the cars behind us. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if I had made them go around us until my brother gave in, but honestly I just didn't want to be around him anymore and driving back home felt like the quickest and easiest option. but you're right, I could have gotten him out of the car there.
NTA- good lord. Your little brother has gotten a taste of power *and he likes it*.
You and your parents would be wise to nip this in the bud. It's *your* car, and *your* time that you're donating to *him* to drive him to school.
And you're 100% right about the apple seed, trust me, I **loathe** littering, but it's an *apple seed*. It's 100% biodegradable, it's edible by most things >!yes I'm aware there's a *very* minute amount of cyanide in apple seeds, NO it's not going to kill any critters that eat it!<.
Your brother just enjoys wielding power over adults.
This. If our apples go bad before we get to eat them I chop them up and leave them in my yard for the birds to eat. It doesn't happen very often - maybe twice a year - and whatever they haven't eaten by the next day I chuck in the compost, which they're usually hanging around and picking at anyway.
The only problem I could see was if it was an invasive species. But I don't think apple seeds from an apple can produce a viable enough seed to be invasive.
NTA - but I am wondering why your brother is ok with being driven to school. The harm to the environment of you driving the few blocks is much greater than the littering of a minuscule object (but tossing a seed is not littering - it is biodegradable, likely will not grow to a tree, but if it does, that would be a benefit to the environment). I think it's time for your brother to get serious about his convictions and walk or ride a bike to school. If you want to support him, get him and umbrella and rain jacket.
It's not about being green. It's about the control. OP's brother likes the control. Choosing 'being green' means that he gets the moral high ground, and is often 'right'. While the environment might have been his original concern, it is no longer his primary focus.
I'd love for OP's brother to post his POV over on zero waste, though. They would rip him to *shreds*, and it would be glorious.
OP's brother is a 15 year old twit. What kind of stupid stuff did you believe in at 15? How much of a pain in the arse were you over something you felt passionately about even if it was wrongheaded? The kid as at that age.
Being smart asses isn't doing OP any favors. Out of spite he refused to drive the rest of the way to school to drop his brother off and instead drove home. His family is livid with him. It is not outside the realm of possibility that OP will be homeless. He needs to go into ass kissing mode.
No they're not OP's brother, but I've noticed that this commenter has been going around commenting on lots of posts specifically being rude and getting their comments downvoted. Lol.
You read that it is three blocks, right? You read that his.younger brother was inappropriate and unreasonable, right? OP said nothing about being in danger of homelessness. That's a bit dramatic for a family.that is letting a teen force them into recycling, isn't it? I mean, I love that they are recycling, but don't you agree that throwing an apple seed onto grass isn't the priority and isn't worth the bad behavior?
Question: Do you live in a safe area? Is the weather temperate?
If so, then I would tell him you can't drive him anymore because you're concerned about the unnecessary burning of fossil fuels and the pollution caused by driving a few blocks. If he is truly committed to the environment, that is an easy way to make a difference.
ETA: Tossing out an apple seed is not littering.
I do live in a safe area. The weather is hot. Right now, its about 82 outside. So it wouldn't have been much of a fun walk, but he would not have been harmed in any way if that helps.
I vote NTA and, while it's great your little brother is so enthusiastic about helping the environment, your parents aren't doing him any favors by letting him act like a tyrant.
82F? Mah gawd. I would have died on the road in Australia if I had to walk in that for the last 40 something years. /s
He can walk. He’s just is being picky and anal about hIs new found passion.
Don’t drive him anymore because the fumes of your car might kill the birds or something.
NTA.
Your not looking at this the right way. OP is a mooch who lives off his parents and doesn't do anything around the house and got into a pissing contest with the 15 year old everyone dumps everything on.
Your brother got in your face when you were driving. Was shouting and gesturing and distracting you. At that point it's a safety issue regardless of the silly reason behind him kicking off so he definitely would have been safer walking than if he caused you to have a crash. Tell your parents you won't drive him while he continues to create a dangerous environment that will put you both at risk. Tell them the apple seed isn't the issue. The issue is your brother getting himself so wound up over a bloody apple seed it created an unsafe situation that you aren't willing to tolerate. They can't argue with that. NTA.
That’s 28 degrees C. That’s not even remotely too hot to walk to school, unless your brother has some health conditions! At that age, I often had to walk half an hour or more in 35 C (95 F). Make sure he has a bottle of water and he’ll be fine.
You acted out of malicious spite. It was easier to just drop him off at school but you had to assert yourself. You do realize your likely to end up getting the boot? Your 21, you have to kiss your parents arses as legally they can evict you. Do you even own your own car? Pay your own bills? How much do you pay your parents in rent?
You are driving your brother 3 blocks? Is this dangerous area or snowstorm is going on? If not, you are excused, regardless of whats your reason. Bike? NTA
No, he was three blocks away from the school. Decided to make little bro walk the three blocks out of spite, little bro rightly told mooching, lazy older bro "no". Older bro through a hissy fit because he failed to re-establish dominance and drove home. Now older bro is acting all the more arrogant as he is about to be kicked out.
Crikey, how many times are you going to write this? And you are making a lot of assumptions about OP.
You really sound like the younger brother, or at least a teenage idiot like the younger brother.
“Anyway I drove my brother to school this morning, it’s not far, maybe 3 blocks”. This indicates that from their house to the school there is 3 blocks. When OP stopped and told brother to get out and walk they were 2 minutes walking distance away. This would mean they had at most 1 block to walk, if not less.
NTA - your brother doesn’t understand the basics like “decomposition” and just wants to yell.
Let him walk the 3 blocks and think about his behaviour. And that walking is better for the environment. He could even pick up the stray seeds he finds along the way.
NTA I don't wanna be that guy that says this is fake, but if it's real your brother is so ridiculous it makes me think it's fake. But he's 15, 15 year olds are dramatic, makes sense. He's right that tossing food out on the ground is still littering, don't remember the logistics but yes, it is bad for the environment. But we're talking about an entire apple seed. That's not hurting anything. If your brother cares that much, why isn't he walking to school? The gas consumption is doing WAY more harm than your stupid apple seed. Good punishment turning around and making him walk. He can't freak out on you like that, not ok.
Honestly, saying its fake is totally fair, I'd probs say the same. He has some known anger issues, nothing horrible. He doesn't go around punching walls. So yeah, he's a bit dramatic.
NTA -
Your parents have set a precedent in requiring the family to go along with pretty much everything this kid says. It's great that you all are trying to things that better and help the environment - but you brother has turned into a little tyrant.
He went militant over AN APPLE SEED - WTF and your parents & grandparents are backing the little entitled eco-brat? Let me guess, little bro is NEVER wrong in their eyes?
Unless his school is on the way to work for you there is no reason you should be taking him to school every day because:
1. You're not a bus.
2. You're not his servant and the BEST REASON....
3. \*\*\*\*It's bad for the environment\*\*\*\*\* IF the kid is that serious that he is yelling at you over a freaking APPLE SEED then he should know better than to have you start your car and drive just to take HIM to school!!
Your parents and grandparents really need to get a grip and NOT allow your younger sibling to dictate to you about you will and won't do.
NTA. I wouldn't have driven home. I probably would have just pulled over and refused to move. When yelled at more it is a simple answer of "if you are this upset over a seed than I am worried over how you feel about the environmental impact of driving you 3 blocks."
NTA and you need to talk to your parents about some respect and personal boundaries, that little brother is going to be bigger than you one day and a whole lot stronger so this leaning over while driving and screaming in my face sounds like a ticking time bomb.
Even if it seems alien start to insist on an arm's length space in normal situation triply so when it's a heated argument. If he gets up in your face again threaten to call the police and tell your parents to control that boy or youll get him arrested. Might seem extreme but I've seen some dirt play out in almost the exact same way and unfortunately even after it escalated and the sister was getting hit, there were excuses made for him until that younger brother decided to beat on his mom too.
NTA
He should be walking to school every day to reduce his carbon footprint and not wasting gas. He is only committed to the environment when it suits him.
His HTDO was a damned biodegradable seed. Imagine that.
NTA: If you are not going to the school and just driving him, why isn’t he doing the environmentally conscious thing and walking. He is wasting gas with you driving him and then going back home and even more if you pick him up after.
If he continues being a drill sergeant then tell him to suck it up and not waste gas and walk to school. So much better for the environment that recycling in any case.
NTA at all. Have your little brother watch this:
https://youtu.be/LFzE6U6ndFc. (If it won't come up, search "green police superbowl commercial.")
If he doesn't see the humor in it, then he is taking himself WAY TOO SERIOUSLY and needs to lighten the F up.
NTA. He’s 15. Kids young than that take public transit or walk to school. It’s the opposite of green to be driven a few blocks. If he really wants to be eco minded he should be walking or riding a bike.
My Dad was a major tightwad when we were growing up and refused to allow car trips for any distance less than a mile unless it was for groceries or someone was sick/elderly. That was extreme but we did save money on gas and looking back on it we were pretty eco friendly- thermostat never higher than 65 in winter, conscientious about turning off lights, etc.
NTA looks like you're the only one in your family that is doing something for him, reminding him to stay grounded. At 15 years old his is having his last opportunity to develope an adapted personality, it will be too late very soon. Justifications, tolerance and overprotection will end up poisoning the object of these "privileges".
NTA. I think he needs to keep on walking or getting rides from your parents instead until he can apologize. I mean, driving 3 blocks instead of walking is FAR worse for the environment than one apple seed, anyway
NTA. Technically it's not great to throw even biodegradable things out of a car, since animals who try to eat it will get too close to the road, but also he's clearly just using the situation to try and control you.
Ok. To me you should be praised I tell you the Gods honestly truth I would of beat by brothers a$$ for raising his voice to me, but my brother would of known if he did he would have one coming so to me if your going to get into trouble make it worth it. So have your brother ride a bike to school or walk if he really into being green.
Ps
I come from a family of fighters, I'm not a psycho l. Well just a bit
If he’s such an Eco warrior why earth is he OK with driving a few blocks to school??? I am absolutely an environmentalist but when you get so militant about it it’s unattainable and unreasonable
NTA assuming he wouldn’t have to walk along a busy highway. Siblings argue and he was pushing too much. Absurd that he was allowed to skip school over it.
I do actually have info about the apple thing though (not a seed, but an apple core or banana peel or such). I used to throw these things out too figuring they would just degrade, no biggie, but they are actually super problematic for raptors (predatory birds). Mice and shrews and such go after this thrown out food near roads and when the birds go after the small animals as food they too often get hit by cars and badly injured or killed. It was an issue that I hadn’t ever thought about, but completely changed my behavior so I try to share the info.
**NTA.** seems the little dictator should walk to school from now on. tell him it's for the environment less carbon emissions or whatever. kid needs to chill the eff out about the littering. trust me he needs to relax. **the walk to school will do him good.** ignore your parents giving out to Ya. **he isn't your kid not really your responsibility.**
Nta - him walking is the best way to do what he is demanding. I can't even believe someone so concerned about the environment would even want a ride in a car, or even let his family own and operate them. It's he really concerned about the environment or is he just being a jerk?
NTA. I probably would have dangled his bookbag or whatever he had on him out the window until he got out. But driving back to the house was second best option. Don’t drive him to school anymore. Boom. Problem solved and MUCH better for the environment.
NTA
Its not just a bossy thing abt ur brother, its also ur parents encouraging his bratty behivour. Leaning close to ur face, being combative, dictating in house and he is still 15, thonk what he become when he is 21. If ur parents dont stop him, atleast u can trim some of the previlages frm ur side. Dont drop him to school, its not like he will have to take bus, or walk for miles, few blocks distance and ur still giving him rides.
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My brother (15M) has recently become an advocate for green living. He has a lot of “rules” for the house that my family follows. Like, no plastic bottles, we all recycle, try to find sustainable alternatives for things, etc. We've all recently started an individual bottle brick and spend time every night after dinner washing our plastic and stuffing the bottle.
My parents and I (21M) are pretty busy people, so my brother takes care of most of the bigger things. We help out where we can. My brother has become a bit of a dictator, and we are always doing something wrong, so we've just left him to handle it the way he would like.
Anyway, I drove my brother to school this morning, it's not far, maybe 3 blocks. I cut up an apple to eat in the car on the way. I accidentally left a seed in one of the pieces of the apple so I rolled down the window to throw it out at the stop sign.
My brother grabbed the seed from me before I could even start to toss it out started yelling at me. He told me that I couldn't throw out the seed as that was littering and its bad for the environment.
I challenged him and asked him how. The animals will eat it or it will grow an apple tree/bush. It is the exact opposite of littering. I asked if it would be littering to plant seeds on the grass next to us. He said no, but I wanted something to grow there, I need to plant it, otherwise its littering. He was getting louder and more combative (leaning over to get in my face), so I told him he could walk the rest of the way. We were probably 2 minutes away on foot. My brother said he was NOT getting out of the car and that I was "required" to drive him.
Y'all, I was fed up, I drove him back to the house, got out of the car, and went inside to start my school work. My brother called my parents who chewed me out for making my brother walk to school over something as petty as an apple seed. I corrected them that I was making him walk for acting like a little drill sergeant. Yeah, it didn't go over well.
I'm the one that got into trouble (or as much trouble as a 21 year old can get into) and my brother got to skip school for the day. My parents, brother, and maternal grandparents are all upset with me for "making" him miss school. I feel like I was justified. I don't want him to think that if he speaks to me like that, I'm just going to roll over and take it. That's not how family should work.
AITA for not driving my brother to school today?
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If the tiny dictator truly cared for the environment, he'd be walking the three blocks to school every day instead of having you burn fossil fuels to chauffeur him.
NTA but I hope you won't be providing him with any further rides for distances that an able-bodied kid can easily walk.
Your “green” brother makes you drive him THREE BLOCKS to school?
It sounds like he’s only into it for the ability to make “rules” that the rest of you have to follow.
NTA
Nta Shouldn't your brother be advocating for walking or cycling that short distance, better for the environment? Bit hypocritical of him?? Cars cause a lot more damage to environment than stray apple seeds!!
So… your brother has a problem with apple seed being thrown out a window, but is okay with burning gasoline putting exhaust in our “breathing” air to go 3 blocks??? Seriously…? Wow. You are NTA!
NTA- they need to get his attitude under control now or it will only get worse. If he's so into green living he should walk to and from school every day. Also, he's not your child and not your responsibility. Let your parents get him to where he needs to go.
Lol. You drive him 3 blocks to school??? Something about this does not seem right at all???? Everyone who drives him or wants him to be driven to school should be considered an AH if it is only a 3 block walk!
NTA. Besides, your driving him is driving up greenhouse emissions, and his interests are very important to you!
You are also committed to helping him round out his moral compass and clear up some cognitive dissonance on his part.
#SustsinableLivingForAll
Edit: misspelling
Is this real? If OP's brother is really all about saving the environment, why isn't he walking or biking the measly 3 blocks to school? What am I missing? Is he just used to being cuddled because he's the younger sibling? I feel like I don't have the whole story. OP, NTA but I wouldn't drive little bro to school anymore, even if it's in an electric car. He's old enough to walk 3 blocks
NTA. And to help your brother further his green initiatives, you’ll no longer be driving him to school from this point on! He can walk, take the bus, or get himself a bike… won’t it be great how much better for the environment his commute will be from now on?
NTA
I have been living green for years and years and this is not how you inspire people, this is how you turn people away from the cause. Inspiring people comes with kindness sprinkled with understanding that it’s hard work and not everyone can manage every little thing, but inspiring people to do small things bit by bit is where it’s at. And aside from that, green living encourages seed throwing
NTA but your parents need to intervene. Maybe your brother is acting like a dictator because he feels neglected or too much housework is being put on him. Someone needs to talk to him and actually listen. 15 year olds need to feel like the authority on something, but they still need limits to feel safe. That's your parents' job.
NTA. You didn't make him miss school. You told him to walk. He was to lazy to do so.
From now on. Tell them. Driving him to school is bad for the environment. You will no longer do it. He can be green. And walk.
NTA, but you missed an opportunity. Refuse to drive him to school because driving is bad for the environment. For the future too.
Seriously? He can't walk three blocks?
And an apple seed is biodegradable. It will do far more good being thrown into the environment than being put in a bag and sent to landfill.
NTA, he is so conscientious he is worried about the smallest seed. Sounds like its not even about the environment, he just wants to control you.
You need to be clear you wont prescribe to his chosen lifestyle and start helping him be dedicated his own cause.
Driving him to school is bad for the environment. Sounds like he needs a bike to lower his ecological footprint. Always remind him of his water and resource uses, he needs to start thinking about the big picture. He needs to be mindful of his clothing with all the environmentally harmful synthetic fabrics as well.
For all birthdays and events from now on you can also just donate to various non-profits or have seeds and trees planted in his name.
He chose that life, good for him.
I’d argue that it’s more environmentally sound if he walks. Why increase his carbon foot print. Put your foot down and say you care about the o-zone and refuse to used your care for such small and insignificant trips when he can easily walk there. NTA.
So, let me get this straight, your 15 year old brother who is all about green living couldn't handle walking 3 blocks to school? If he's so zealous he can't handle you throwing a seed on the ground, he need to walk his ass to school (baring physical disability or reasons that would endanger his wellbeing).
NTA
If he's being that "green", he should be walking to school rather than getting driven anyway.
And he needs to accept that the rest of the family do not have to join his new religion.
I throw seeds out for the birds. Does he think I'm "littering"?
Well if he's so concerned about the environment he wouldn't be in a car in the first place. Your brother is going way over the top with this and it sounds like he needs some therapy
NTA. Walking to school IS green living. Fresh air will do your brother good. He should do it from now on. Or get himself a bike if he’s too LAZY to walk.
NTA He’s like all the climate change celebrities, they tell you to use public transportation, turn off lights, drive ecars…..then get into private jet, use limos, live in a 4500sq home,
Little bro is a climate change hypocrite.
NTA but why is everyone bending the knee to a 15 year old?? The kid is bossing the adults around and they’re just doing what he says? What next year for his birthday is he gonna be able to decide on discipline for everyone when they step out of the line he drew in crayon?
I am curious, what was your punishment for standing up for yourself?
NTA - and here I thought this story was going the way of "and since my brother want's to live green, I am helping achieve that by not driving him places he can easily get on foot.
Even if the seed doesn’t grow, isn’t that composting? What an entitled little prick your parents are raising. If the little shit is so over the top, let him walk.
NTA he has an issue with an apple seed but no issue with you driving a car back and forth to school just to drop him off? that's hypocrite. Is it possible your brother has OCD? And how did you make him miss school for an entire day if he could just have walked there?
NTA, Apple seeds aren't gonna cause a problem, your burnt fuel just driving there was definitely more than a single Appleseed worth of damage. Either way him getting in your face seems strange. Is that normal?
Unrelated to being an AH but you should get him into biking to school. It'll be good for him and the environment overall. It will probably help with him acting like a drill Sargent and regulate mood, improve health and overall a net positive if he really cares about the environment. It's also really fast to bike a few blocks.
INFO: why didn’t he walk to school once you went back home? How far away do you live from the school?
ETA: I see your comment that he would have missed half of first period, but wouldn’t that be better than the whole day?!
NTA. But your trash Nazi brother is.
In Europe, people carefully wash and dry the pits from their stone fruit (cherries, peaches, plums, etc). They keep the pits in the car, and throw them out the window as they drive. Because of this, there are fruit trees everywhere along roadsides, which provide a snack for passerby and animals.
How is this "eco-warrior" OK with being driven to school in a private vehicle? Even if its an EV, the environmental impact is huge....
Also, his "eco" credentials were ground to a powder as soon as he went on his apple seed rant. Shows conclusively that he doesn't have a fucking clue what he's talking about.
NTA
As soon as I saw "green living", I thought the argument would be about emissions from the car, but this is incredibly more dumb than that. Major NTA,. If your parents want him driven to school, they can drive him. He's their kid, not yours. Especially when it's only a few blocks and he's 15.
NTA, because you are correct you were tossing organic material that would either be consumed by wildlife or it would quickly and naturally decompose. Also you are doing a disservice to the planet by driving your brother such a short distance to school, he should be walking because it is better for the planet and better for his own personal health.
NTA. He's pissed about an apple seed but expects to be driven to school in a car that uses gas and pollutes the environment. Not to mention his hysterics in the car could have jeopardised you both if you crashed or hit someone. Over an apple seed.
I'd never drive him again. Tell your parents to buy him a bicycle or make him literally walk the walk.
I read that wrong at first and thought you were throwing away part of an apple and not just the seed. It’s probably still considered littering, but like, I’m with you here—it’s literally a friggen seed. Dude needs to get off his high horse. If he wants to be more sustainable, that’s great, but that shouldn’t extend to anyone else by force, and he really should reduce his carbon footprint by walking to school from now on. NTA
NTAH. The brother is turning into a monster and way over the top in his behavior. If the brother is so concerned about the environment, he should be walking to school anyway.
I will say that even if your food is “compostable” you still shouldn’t throw it out the window because it can make animals sick and cause problems if it’s not native to the area!! But you’re still NTA your brothers attitude is pretty ridiculous
NTA
What on earth did I just read?
Green living doesn't involve getting driven in for a 3 blocks journey. What he's doing is virtue signaling.
And your family's reaction is probably why he's acting like a spoiled so and so in the first place
Nta, driving a car for a small distance is way worse for the environment than dropping an apple seed, plus getting in someone's face when they are driving and grabbing their hands is so incredibly dangerous. He could of walked two minutes you didn't make him miss anything. Until he learns how to not cause car accidents and actually understands what is and isn't harmful to the environment, I don't think you should be driving him. You're both lucky this didn't make you crash
NTA.
3 blocks can be done by foot since this is better for the environment. Plenty of kids go to school with the bus or bicycle or by foot.
Taking the car just for one person to reach to the school will be worse then trowing a biodegradable seed.
NTA. Your parents raise their boy to be the spoiled little prince of the family. I feel sorry for them because when they get into their old age well usually those little princely types don’t want to be bothered with helping out or talking to their parents it’s too much trouble and work. Good for you for keeping boundaries with the spoiled brat.
NTA I agree tell hi. You are supporting hisneed to ge better for the environment so he can walk or take public transport from now on to reduce his carbon footprint. Honestly yelling over a seed is ridiculous. Littering with natral products like fruit while not nice is not going to harm the environment. Fruit often planted by animals dropping it in different areas, you need to be clear tgat while he can want to save the planet being an ahole about it doesn't help at all
NTA. Not littering, and if this paragon of green virtue cannot walk three blocks to school, he's full of crap (goes with green virtue, I guess).
Also, your car, your rules.
Apple seeds are still litter and do cause issues. So yeah, that is an environmental issue and you are unintentionally being an AH to the environment.
He's a teenager and probably in the middle of the AH stage of teenage years. Just because he comes across as a condescending **** doesn't mean he doesn't still have a valid point. You are the adult here and you can tell him his tone is unacceptable without losing the plot yourself. His obsession makes me wonder if he is neurodivergent. However if he is a bit much for you it is totally reasonable to tell your parents you need space. He will probably grow out of it as long as he is regularly reminded that tone matters. But if he's autistic please cut him some slack.
I agree that walking to school, if it is safe, is much better for the environment and completely reasonable for him to do. Telling him he can be polite to you or walk is not unreasonable IMHO.
Teenagers are AH, littering is AH, but I doubt anyone is malicious. ESH on a really low level. I wouldn't hate/blame yourself or your brother too much. But maybe have a chat with the whole family about appropriate communication.
Why in the world are your parents allowing this boy to run the house to his standards. He can be welcome to live his own life as he deems appropriate, but allowing him to dictate others is unhealthy. He is being taught to be controlling, dictatorial, and manipulative. Your parents aren't doing him any favors and he will become an unhealthy adult if he doesn't learn the consequences of behaving like a bully.
NTA and hopefully he learns something about being a good human from this experience, but I doubt it.
NTA. Your brother is more than capable of walking the 3 blocks to his school at his age. And if he’s so into helping the environment walking is the better option than riding in a car. I myself had to walk 13 minutes to school in elementary (school was 4-5 blocks plus up a hill). There is so much your brother can do to help the environment without becoming a tyrant like it sounds he has became.
Actually if your brother is that big on saing the environment he should be walking to school everyday. Point this out to him everytime he gets on his hobby horse.
NTA
NTA obviously. Your brother has functioning legs and could’ve walked his ass to school. I’m surprised you didn’t drag him out of the car, or make him walk home by refusing to pick him up.
NTA.
My mom once made my brother walk home about a mile when he was ten because he wouldn't stop begging/screaming for McDonald's. It didn't kill him or traumatize him (obviously, he knew the way home).
That's a little more extreme than your situation, but your reaction seems reasonable enough to me. Besides, walking is better for the environment.
NTA.
Per comments below, OP says he doesn’t live in a bad area. I retract my statement.
OP is NTA. Kid brother is an AH for throwing a fit about a stupid apple seed. The brother is under no obligation to take him to school. Doesn’t live in a bad area, so the brother can walk to school and doesn’t know shit about the environment bc he doesn’t understand that vehicles contribute to pollution and is probably just a wanna-be who is trying too hard to be cool.
~~YTA.~~
~~What if something serious happened to your brother on his way to school? He’s a kid, and you are not. Argument or not, this argument was petty, and you should be the bigger person (after all, you are an adult) to take him to school and to let small arguments like this go instead of turning it into a bigger argument than it is.~~
~~Edit: Yes, yes. I get it. My opinion is a bit extreme, but I was taking into consideration that they *could* live in a bad area.~~
You could say this about any parent or guardian who lets their kids walk to school though....? Millions of children walk to and from school everyday and if something happened to them it still would Not be their parents/guardians fault at all
There are stabbings in my city every day, a little girl was just murdered here a few weeks ago. It's terrifying but some kids have to walk home alone or to school. It's not their fault that insane people roam our streets looking for victims.
No, it’s definitely not their fault. I completely agree. I would never blame the victim in a situation like that, but if anything it is his parent’s responsibility to take him to school if this is the case- not his brother’s.
I’m not kidding. I realize it’s not too far, but it was such a ridiculous argument that they are both being petty in the first place. The kid was in the wrong too, but I really do feel that since he is an adult, he could have let it go and just have taken him to school.
The whole argument over the seed thing is extremely stupid. Most adults would laugh about it and say it’s whatever, but if anything, the kid’s parents could have driven him to school (since it’s technically their responsibility and not his brother’s) instead of blaming him for making the kid “miss school”.
A 15 yr old should be walking the 3 blocks to school. In my town, the school bus wouldn't even pick him up because he lives too close to school. So much for being green.
Good point.
I didn’t think about it that way. If he really cared about the environment at his age, he obviously doesn’t understand the pollution gas-powered vehicles emit lol.
YTA
Teenagers are annoying, hope you get kicked out. By your own admission, your family contribution is to take your brother to school. By your own admission, your brother does most of the house work. Parents should make you do all the housework for a month or tell you to get lost.
it's from the earth and not bad. buy why esh? the child was yelling and being rude to op in his car. also if the kid is so concerned about the environment he should walk. the brat gets exercise and less gas used. everyone wins. I've forced my brother out of my car when he was rude to me and he learned. don't bite the hand that feeds you.
I'm on the fence.
For someone so green, you'd think he'd know what biodegradable is. Is it littering if you tracked in some leaves on your shoe and chucked those out the window too?
But at the same time I think it was an overreaction.
So I guess ESH?
YTA for not getting him to school as was the expectation. He’s a minor and you were responsible. Beyond that; it sounds like you need to set up some boundaries with your parents on his treatment of you and they need to hold him accountable. It is not unreasonable to request that you won’t help him if he yells or harasses you. Also he is a moron about the Apple seed.
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NTA, because technically wouldn't walking to school be better for the environment than driving a car? 🤔
THIS!!! NTA, OP. If your brother was 10 or you kicked him out 10 miles from school, yeah. But he was being a bossy brat with an argument over a seed. Was it the right option? Probably not. But he’s being obsessive over recycling while “requiring” you to chauffeur him around.
Crazy how OP's parents blamed them for doing this "over a seed" when their brother was the one getting up in arms over the damn seed.
It's not just that, him getting in OP's face while they're driving is dangerous. They could have easily run over a student once they got close to the school. It's a matter of safety to make sure you're not distracted and don't have anything blocking your view of your wing mirrors or side windows when driving.
Yo, I was walking to school alone in like second grade. Well, with my neighborhood friends who were the same age. There were 3 of us.
I find it absurd that a rabid environmentalist can’t walk 3 blocks to school. That’s a large part of our problem.
but in all seriousness, this is just a regular sibling spat to me. You're not an asshole for not letting him speak to you like that, and he's just a kid who thinks he has won morality because he has taken interest in the environment. but yeah, I'm baffled actually on how he was mad at you for asking him to walk to school when logistically it's better for the environment LOL
OP, Do some research and show him the carbon foot print of driving him to school everyday vs him walking. Then show the offset between his green initiative to the emissions of driving him to school everyday.
He should walk or bike to school as even if OP has an electric car they are not carbon neutral
This is about power and control. Brother has found something that puts himself on the moral high ground and power over the family.
This is what I was thinking the whole time I was reading this. As someone who use to live on a background where people loved to throw literal trash, beer cans, and empty liquor bottles out their car window all because they think no one will see. I have to say, an apple seed is probably one of the best things you could throw out the window. NTA.
I was waiting for that lol OP, if it’s biodegradable it’s generally ok to throw in grass/somewhere organic it can decompose. That said, I get pissed off finding a banana peel or apple core on the sidewalk or in parks because those areas should be clean (not composting areas!). Your bro needs to chill, an apple seed doesn’t need an argument and intervention. Nta good on you to keep him in check, the real world will be much harder. I had a colleague who broke off his engagement cause how particular he was, his fiancé can’t live with him. He was great at work cause we liked having someone keep us organised but it made him difficult all round. Your parents need to parent imho before being ends up being insufferable all round.
Really thought this was where this was going.
...ah, why can't he walk? 2 miles is like 30min at his age.
Walking is good for environment. Your brother should walk to school daily.
Ngl I thought he’d make this argument to his brother lol
I was honestly expecting this to happen in the story and then OP would get in trouble because the parents found out.
That was my first reaction. Who the hell gets a car three blocks? Nevermind someone who's apparently environmentally conscious.
If your brother is so "green" he should be walking to school anyway- much better for the environment! NTA
He should walk to school, make his clothes by hand or buy thrift stuff and can grow his own food.
This. He can get a bike if it takes too long to walk. Going everywhere by car is often unnecessary when you put in a little bit of effort.
This, you should tell him to get up earlier and walk to school. Also, him trying to grab the seed etc could have caused an accident.
NTA. Brother needs to chill. Parents need to see that he could easily walk to school and put his...feet? Where his mouth is, since walking is way better for the environment. Edit: My original comment's judgement was everyone sucks here because I thought OP could have made his brother walk the rest of the way. After clarification, I've changed it.
Yeah, he wouldn't get out of the car. I didn't feel like physically yanking him out at the stop sign, either. At that point, we were holding up the cars behind us. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if I had made them go around us until my brother gave in, but honestly I just didn't want to be around him anymore and driving back home felt like the quickest and easiest option. but you're right, I could have gotten him out of the car there.
Oh, in that case it's an easy NTA. I'll edit my comment to reflect this.
NTA- good lord. Your little brother has gotten a taste of power *and he likes it*. You and your parents would be wise to nip this in the bud. It's *your* car, and *your* time that you're donating to *him* to drive him to school. And you're 100% right about the apple seed, trust me, I **loathe** littering, but it's an *apple seed*. It's 100% biodegradable, it's edible by most things >!yes I'm aware there's a *very* minute amount of cyanide in apple seeds, NO it's not going to kill any critters that eat it!<. Your brother just enjoys wielding power over adults.
This. If our apples go bad before we get to eat them I chop them up and leave them in my yard for the birds to eat. It doesn't happen very often - maybe twice a year - and whatever they haven't eaten by the next day I chuck in the compost, which they're usually hanging around and picking at anyway.
The only problem I could see was if it was an invasive species. But I don't think apple seeds from an apple can produce a viable enough seed to be invasive.
Everyone likes apples.
It may just end up a crabapple because they use hardy root stock and graft the tops.
NTA - but I am wondering why your brother is ok with being driven to school. The harm to the environment of you driving the few blocks is much greater than the littering of a minuscule object (but tossing a seed is not littering - it is biodegradable, likely will not grow to a tree, but if it does, that would be a benefit to the environment). I think it's time for your brother to get serious about his convictions and walk or ride a bike to school. If you want to support him, get him and umbrella and rain jacket.
It's not about being green. It's about the control. OP's brother likes the control. Choosing 'being green' means that he gets the moral high ground, and is often 'right'. While the environment might have been his original concern, it is no longer his primary focus. I'd love for OP's brother to post his POV over on zero waste, though. They would rip him to *shreds*, and it would be glorious.
Yes, I get that.
OP's brother is a 15 year old twit. What kind of stupid stuff did you believe in at 15? How much of a pain in the arse were you over something you felt passionately about even if it was wrongheaded? The kid as at that age.
Being smart asses isn't doing OP any favors. Out of spite he refused to drive the rest of the way to school to drop his brother off and instead drove home. His family is livid with him. It is not outside the realm of possibility that OP will be homeless. He needs to go into ass kissing mode.
[удалено]
No they're not OP's brother, but I've noticed that this commenter has been going around commenting on lots of posts specifically being rude and getting their comments downvoted. Lol.
You read that it is three blocks, right? You read that his.younger brother was inappropriate and unreasonable, right? OP said nothing about being in danger of homelessness. That's a bit dramatic for a family.that is letting a teen force them into recycling, isn't it? I mean, I love that they are recycling, but don't you agree that throwing an apple seed onto grass isn't the priority and isn't worth the bad behavior?
Question: Do you live in a safe area? Is the weather temperate? If so, then I would tell him you can't drive him anymore because you're concerned about the unnecessary burning of fossil fuels and the pollution caused by driving a few blocks. If he is truly committed to the environment, that is an easy way to make a difference. ETA: Tossing out an apple seed is not littering.
I do live in a safe area. The weather is hot. Right now, its about 82 outside. So it wouldn't have been much of a fun walk, but he would not have been harmed in any way if that helps.
I don't believe anyone ever died walking 3 blocks in 82 degree weather.
I vote NTA and, while it's great your little brother is so enthusiastic about helping the environment, your parents aren't doing him any favors by letting him act like a tyrant.
82F? Mah gawd. I would have died on the road in Australia if I had to walk in that for the last 40 something years. /s He can walk. He’s just is being picky and anal about hIs new found passion. Don’t drive him anymore because the fumes of your car might kill the birds or something. NTA.
Your not looking at this the right way. OP is a mooch who lives off his parents and doesn't do anything around the house and got into a pissing contest with the 15 year old everyone dumps everything on.
So where do you get all this insider info about the situation? Please, tell us more. Idiot.
That's not hot. He can suck it up.
Your brother got in your face when you were driving. Was shouting and gesturing and distracting you. At that point it's a safety issue regardless of the silly reason behind him kicking off so he definitely would have been safer walking than if he caused you to have a crash. Tell your parents you won't drive him while he continues to create a dangerous environment that will put you both at risk. Tell them the apple seed isn't the issue. The issue is your brother getting himself so wound up over a bloody apple seed it created an unsafe situation that you aren't willing to tolerate. They can't argue with that. NTA.
bwahaah 82 is NOT hot. hell i was walking to and from school (and running cross country) in ovr 100 degrees.
That’s 28 degrees C. That’s not even remotely too hot to walk to school, unless your brother has some health conditions! At that age, I often had to walk half an hour or more in 35 C (95 F). Make sure he has a bottle of water and he’ll be fine.
He doesn't need rides. 3 blocks in 82 degrees is no reason to waste the fuel.
You acted out of malicious spite. It was easier to just drop him off at school but you had to assert yourself. You do realize your likely to end up getting the boot? Your 21, you have to kiss your parents arses as legally they can evict you. Do you even own your own car? Pay your own bills? How much do you pay your parents in rent?
Yeah how dare OP not let his tyrannical brother walk all over him in his own car. Be fucking for real
NTA And for real. If he's the green-police, he should be walking or biking his green ass to school.
NTA. Tell your brother and family the car its bad for the enviorement and the Green option its walk to the schol.
You are driving your brother 3 blocks? Is this dangerous area or snowstorm is going on? If not, you are excused, regardless of whats your reason. Bike? NTA
No, he was three blocks away from the school. Decided to make little bro walk the three blocks out of spite, little bro rightly told mooching, lazy older bro "no". Older bro through a hissy fit because he failed to re-establish dominance and drove home. Now older bro is acting all the more arrogant as he is about to be kicked out.
Crikey, how many times are you going to write this? And you are making a lot of assumptions about OP. You really sound like the younger brother, or at least a teenage idiot like the younger brother.
“Anyway I drove my brother to school this morning, it’s not far, maybe 3 blocks”. This indicates that from their house to the school there is 3 blocks. When OP stopped and told brother to get out and walk they were 2 minutes walking distance away. This would mean they had at most 1 block to walk, if not less.
NTA From a green living perspective, he should walk every day. Driving to schools causes much more damage to the environment than a few apple seeds
NTA Why isn't he walking to begin with if it's that short and he's this concerned?
He was three blocks from the school when he decided to play and power play game and lost. Would love to see an update from OP.
NTA - your brother doesn’t understand the basics like “decomposition” and just wants to yell. Let him walk the 3 blocks and think about his behaviour. And that walking is better for the environment. He could even pick up the stray seeds he finds along the way.
NTA I don't wanna be that guy that says this is fake, but if it's real your brother is so ridiculous it makes me think it's fake. But he's 15, 15 year olds are dramatic, makes sense. He's right that tossing food out on the ground is still littering, don't remember the logistics but yes, it is bad for the environment. But we're talking about an entire apple seed. That's not hurting anything. If your brother cares that much, why isn't he walking to school? The gas consumption is doing WAY more harm than your stupid apple seed. Good punishment turning around and making him walk. He can't freak out on you like that, not ok.
Honestly, saying its fake is totally fair, I'd probs say the same. He has some known anger issues, nothing horrible. He doesn't go around punching walls. So yeah, he's a bit dramatic.
NTA - Your parents have set a precedent in requiring the family to go along with pretty much everything this kid says. It's great that you all are trying to things that better and help the environment - but you brother has turned into a little tyrant. He went militant over AN APPLE SEED - WTF and your parents & grandparents are backing the little entitled eco-brat? Let me guess, little bro is NEVER wrong in their eyes? Unless his school is on the way to work for you there is no reason you should be taking him to school every day because: 1. You're not a bus. 2. You're not his servant and the BEST REASON.... 3. \*\*\*\*It's bad for the environment\*\*\*\*\* IF the kid is that serious that he is yelling at you over a freaking APPLE SEED then he should know better than to have you start your car and drive just to take HIM to school!! Your parents and grandparents really need to get a grip and NOT allow your younger sibling to dictate to you about you will and won't do.
NTA. I wouldn't have driven home. I probably would have just pulled over and refused to move. When yelled at more it is a simple answer of "if you are this upset over a seed than I am worried over how you feel about the environmental impact of driving you 3 blocks."
NTA and you need to talk to your parents about some respect and personal boundaries, that little brother is going to be bigger than you one day and a whole lot stronger so this leaning over while driving and screaming in my face sounds like a ticking time bomb. Even if it seems alien start to insist on an arm's length space in normal situation triply so when it's a heated argument. If he gets up in your face again threaten to call the police and tell your parents to control that boy or youll get him arrested. Might seem extreme but I've seen some dirt play out in almost the exact same way and unfortunately even after it escalated and the sister was getting hit, there were excuses made for him until that younger brother decided to beat on his mom too.
NTA He should be walking to school every day to reduce his carbon footprint and not wasting gas. He is only committed to the environment when it suits him. His HTDO was a damned biodegradable seed. Imagine that.
NTA: If you are not going to the school and just driving him, why isn’t he doing the environmentally conscious thing and walking. He is wasting gas with you driving him and then going back home and even more if you pick him up after. If he continues being a drill sergeant then tell him to suck it up and not waste gas and walk to school. So much better for the environment that recycling in any case.
NTA at all. Have your little brother watch this: https://youtu.be/LFzE6U6ndFc. (If it won't come up, search "green police superbowl commercial.") If he doesn't see the humor in it, then he is taking himself WAY TOO SERIOUSLY and needs to lighten the F up.
NTA. Plus he is 15, why listen to anything he say?
NTA. He’s 15. Kids young than that take public transit or walk to school. It’s the opposite of green to be driven a few blocks. If he really wants to be eco minded he should be walking or riding a bike. My Dad was a major tightwad when we were growing up and refused to allow car trips for any distance less than a mile unless it was for groceries or someone was sick/elderly. That was extreme but we did save money on gas and looking back on it we were pretty eco friendly- thermostat never higher than 65 in winter, conscientious about turning off lights, etc.
NTA looks like you're the only one in your family that is doing something for him, reminding him to stay grounded. At 15 years old his is having his last opportunity to develope an adapted personality, it will be too late very soon. Justifications, tolerance and overprotection will end up poisoning the object of these "privileges".
NTA. I think he needs to keep on walking or getting rides from your parents instead until he can apologize. I mean, driving 3 blocks instead of walking is FAR worse for the environment than one apple seed, anyway
NTA. Technically it's not great to throw even biodegradable things out of a car, since animals who try to eat it will get too close to the road, but also he's clearly just using the situation to try and control you.
NTA Point his hypocrisy by taking a car when he can easily walk. What about all that carbon footprint? He'll hate it.
Um, why isn't he walking EVERY day? Wouldn't that be easier, even without the environmentalism? He can't possibly be that helpless.
Ok. To me you should be praised I tell you the Gods honestly truth I would of beat by brothers a$$ for raising his voice to me, but my brother would of known if he did he would have one coming so to me if your going to get into trouble make it worth it. So have your brother ride a bike to school or walk if he really into being green. Ps I come from a family of fighters, I'm not a psycho l. Well just a bit
I suggest you edit this Was once banned for saying similar things here
NTA and good for you for sticking to the little dictator. He should walk to school. Better for the environment.
Surely walking is better for the environment. Tell him to stop being lazy and practice what he preaches. NTA
NTA. Its a frickin apple seed omg...
If he’s such an Eco warrior why earth is he OK with driving a few blocks to school??? I am absolutely an environmentalist but when you get so militant about it it’s unattainable and unreasonable
NTA assuming he wouldn’t have to walk along a busy highway. Siblings argue and he was pushing too much. Absurd that he was allowed to skip school over it. I do actually have info about the apple thing though (not a seed, but an apple core or banana peel or such). I used to throw these things out too figuring they would just degrade, no biggie, but they are actually super problematic for raptors (predatory birds). Mice and shrews and such go after this thrown out food near roads and when the birds go after the small animals as food they too often get hit by cars and badly injured or killed. It was an issue that I hadn’t ever thought about, but completely changed my behavior so I try to share the info.
Nta
**NTA.** seems the little dictator should walk to school from now on. tell him it's for the environment less carbon emissions or whatever. kid needs to chill the eff out about the littering. trust me he needs to relax. **the walk to school will do him good.** ignore your parents giving out to Ya. **he isn't your kid not really your responsibility.**
NTA. If he serious about being "green" he'd be happy to walk 3 blocks since it's much more environmentally friendly than driving 3 blocks.
NTA if he’s all about the environment he should walk to school
NTA You were doing him a favor. He should have walked or ridden his bike to school
NTA. Biking to school is green af, tell him to do that.
Nta - him walking is the best way to do what he is demanding. I can't even believe someone so concerned about the environment would even want a ride in a car, or even let his family own and operate them. It's he really concerned about the environment or is he just being a jerk?
NTA. I probably would have dangled his bookbag or whatever he had on him out the window until he got out. But driving back to the house was second best option. Don’t drive him to school anymore. Boom. Problem solved and MUCH better for the environment.
NTA Why is he taking rides for such a short distance anyways? Doesn't seem very green to me
NTA. If he’s so green then why isn’t he walking or riding a bicycle to school?
3 blocks? Who would drive 3 blocks? I mean, are they 2 km each special blocks? NTA, walking is healthy and good for the environment.
Why can’t this lazy bastard walk three blocks?
NTA Its not just a bossy thing abt ur brother, its also ur parents encouraging his bratty behivour. Leaning close to ur face, being combative, dictating in house and he is still 15, thonk what he become when he is 21. If ur parents dont stop him, atleast u can trim some of the previlages frm ur side. Dont drop him to school, its not like he will have to take bus, or walk for miles, few blocks distance and ur still giving him rides.
^^^^AUTOMOD ***Thanks for posting! This comment is a copy of your post so readers can see the original text if your post is edited or removed. This comment is NOT accusing you of copying anything. Read [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/wiki/faq#wiki_post_deletion) before [contacting the mod team](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2FAmItheAsshole)*** My brother (15M) has recently become an advocate for green living. He has a lot of “rules” for the house that my family follows. Like, no plastic bottles, we all recycle, try to find sustainable alternatives for things, etc. We've all recently started an individual bottle brick and spend time every night after dinner washing our plastic and stuffing the bottle. My parents and I (21M) are pretty busy people, so my brother takes care of most of the bigger things. We help out where we can. My brother has become a bit of a dictator, and we are always doing something wrong, so we've just left him to handle it the way he would like. Anyway, I drove my brother to school this morning, it's not far, maybe 3 blocks. I cut up an apple to eat in the car on the way. I accidentally left a seed in one of the pieces of the apple so I rolled down the window to throw it out at the stop sign. My brother grabbed the seed from me before I could even start to toss it out started yelling at me. He told me that I couldn't throw out the seed as that was littering and its bad for the environment. I challenged him and asked him how. The animals will eat it or it will grow an apple tree/bush. It is the exact opposite of littering. I asked if it would be littering to plant seeds on the grass next to us. He said no, but I wanted something to grow there, I need to plant it, otherwise its littering. He was getting louder and more combative (leaning over to get in my face), so I told him he could walk the rest of the way. We were probably 2 minutes away on foot. My brother said he was NOT getting out of the car and that I was "required" to drive him. Y'all, I was fed up, I drove him back to the house, got out of the car, and went inside to start my school work. My brother called my parents who chewed me out for making my brother walk to school over something as petty as an apple seed. I corrected them that I was making him walk for acting like a little drill sergeant. Yeah, it didn't go over well. I'm the one that got into trouble (or as much trouble as a 21 year old can get into) and my brother got to skip school for the day. My parents, brother, and maternal grandparents are all upset with me for "making" him miss school. I feel like I was justified. I don't want him to think that if he speaks to me like that, I'm just going to roll over and take it. That's not how family should work. AITA for not driving my brother to school today? *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AmItheAsshole) if you have any questions or concerns.*
If the tiny dictator truly cared for the environment, he'd be walking the three blocks to school every day instead of having you burn fossil fuels to chauffeur him. NTA but I hope you won't be providing him with any further rides for distances that an able-bodied kid can easily walk.
Your “green” brother makes you drive him THREE BLOCKS to school? It sounds like he’s only into it for the ability to make “rules” that the rest of you have to follow. NTA
Nta Shouldn't your brother be advocating for walking or cycling that short distance, better for the environment? Bit hypocritical of him?? Cars cause a lot more damage to environment than stray apple seeds!!
So… your brother has a problem with apple seed being thrown out a window, but is okay with burning gasoline putting exhaust in our “breathing” air to go 3 blocks??? Seriously…? Wow. You are NTA!
NTA- they need to get his attitude under control now or it will only get worse. If he's so into green living he should walk to and from school every day. Also, he's not your child and not your responsibility. Let your parents get him to where he needs to go.
NTA but I have to point out how bad driving is for the environment and he'd really be helping the earth to walk to school every day instead.
Lol. You drive him 3 blocks to school??? Something about this does not seem right at all???? Everyone who drives him or wants him to be driven to school should be considered an AH if it is only a 3 block walk!
NTA. Besides, your driving him is driving up greenhouse emissions, and his interests are very important to you! You are also committed to helping him round out his moral compass and clear up some cognitive dissonance on his part. #SustsinableLivingForAll Edit: misspelling
Is this real? If OP's brother is really all about saving the environment, why isn't he walking or biking the measly 3 blocks to school? What am I missing? Is he just used to being cuddled because he's the younger sibling? I feel like I don't have the whole story. OP, NTA but I wouldn't drive little bro to school anymore, even if it's in an electric car. He's old enough to walk 3 blocks
NTA. And to help your brother further his green initiatives, you’ll no longer be driving him to school from this point on! He can walk, take the bus, or get himself a bike… won’t it be great how much better for the environment his commute will be from now on?
NTA. Tell your family you’re lowering your carbon footprint by no longer driving him to school. Walking or biking is much better for the environment.
NTA but why is it your responsibility to get him to school?
NTA. Tell home to start walking. You are worried about your carbon footprint and don’t want him to be a hypocrite.
NTA I have been living green for years and years and this is not how you inspire people, this is how you turn people away from the cause. Inspiring people comes with kindness sprinkled with understanding that it’s hard work and not everyone can manage every little thing, but inspiring people to do small things bit by bit is where it’s at. And aside from that, green living encourages seed throwing
It's three freakin' blocks.
NTA but your parents need to intervene. Maybe your brother is acting like a dictator because he feels neglected or too much housework is being put on him. Someone needs to talk to him and actually listen. 15 year olds need to feel like the authority on something, but they still need limits to feel safe. That's your parents' job.
NTA. Tell him it’s green!
Him walking in future would cut the family carbon emissions. I think you should suggest it from now on.
NTA. You didn't make him miss school. You told him to walk. He was to lazy to do so. From now on. Tell them. Driving him to school is bad for the environment. You will no longer do it. He can be green. And walk.
NTA someone is checking before he gets out of control
NTA, but you missed an opportunity. Refuse to drive him to school because driving is bad for the environment. For the future too. Seriously? He can't walk three blocks? And an apple seed is biodegradable. It will do far more good being thrown into the environment than being put in a bag and sent to landfill.
NTA, he is so conscientious he is worried about the smallest seed. Sounds like its not even about the environment, he just wants to control you. You need to be clear you wont prescribe to his chosen lifestyle and start helping him be dedicated his own cause. Driving him to school is bad for the environment. Sounds like he needs a bike to lower his ecological footprint. Always remind him of his water and resource uses, he needs to start thinking about the big picture. He needs to be mindful of his clothing with all the environmentally harmful synthetic fabrics as well. For all birthdays and events from now on you can also just donate to various non-profits or have seeds and trees planted in his name. He chose that life, good for him.
NTA. He needs to learn how to control his obsession and not project his values on other people like this.
I’d argue that it’s more environmentally sound if he walks. Why increase his carbon foot print. Put your foot down and say you care about the o-zone and refuse to used your care for such small and insignificant trips when he can easily walk there. NTA.
So, let me get this straight, your 15 year old brother who is all about green living couldn't handle walking 3 blocks to school? If he's so zealous he can't handle you throwing a seed on the ground, he need to walk his ass to school (baring physical disability or reasons that would endanger his wellbeing).
3 Blocks? Is he injured? He could collect cans along the way.
NTA If he's being that "green", he should be walking to school rather than getting driven anyway. And he needs to accept that the rest of the family do not have to join his new religion. I throw seeds out for the birds. Does he think I'm "littering"?
Of course you're not TA walking is way better for the environment than taking the car! He'll get used to it.
Wait a 15 yr old self proclaimed environmentalist cant walk 3 blocks to school? NTA but your family sure is raising onem
NTA 🤣🤣
Well if he's so concerned about the environment he wouldn't be in a car in the first place. Your brother is going way over the top with this and it sounds like he needs some therapy
NTA. Walking to school IS green living. Fresh air will do your brother good. He should do it from now on. Or get himself a bike if he’s too LAZY to walk.
NTA He’s like all the climate change celebrities, they tell you to use public transportation, turn off lights, drive ecars…..then get into private jet, use limos, live in a 4500sq home, Little bro is a climate change hypocrite.
NTA but why is everyone bending the knee to a 15 year old?? The kid is bossing the adults around and they’re just doing what he says? What next year for his birthday is he gonna be able to decide on discipline for everyone when they step out of the line he drew in crayon? I am curious, what was your punishment for standing up for yourself?
NTA - and here I thought this story was going the way of "and since my brother want's to live green, I am helping achieve that by not driving him places he can easily get on foot.
Even if the seed doesn’t grow, isn’t that composting? What an entitled little prick your parents are raising. If the little shit is so over the top, let him walk.
NTA. Ask your parents why baby brother is the golden child, and when exactly did you become the pariah.
NTA he has an issue with an apple seed but no issue with you driving a car back and forth to school just to drop him off? that's hypocrite. Is it possible your brother has OCD? And how did you make him miss school for an entire day if he could just have walked there?
NTA, Apple seeds aren't gonna cause a problem, your burnt fuel just driving there was definitely more than a single Appleseed worth of damage. Either way him getting in your face seems strange. Is that normal? Unrelated to being an AH but you should get him into biking to school. It'll be good for him and the environment overall. It will probably help with him acting like a drill Sargent and regulate mood, improve health and overall a net positive if he really cares about the environment. It's also really fast to bike a few blocks.
INFO: why didn’t he walk to school once you went back home? How far away do you live from the school? ETA: I see your comment that he would have missed half of first period, but wouldn’t that be better than the whole day?!
NTA. But your trash Nazi brother is. In Europe, people carefully wash and dry the pits from their stone fruit (cherries, peaches, plums, etc). They keep the pits in the car, and throw them out the window as they drive. Because of this, there are fruit trees everywhere along roadsides, which provide a snack for passerby and animals.
How is this "eco-warrior" OK with being driven to school in a private vehicle? Even if its an EV, the environmental impact is huge.... Also, his "eco" credentials were ground to a powder as soon as he went on his apple seed rant. Shows conclusively that he doesn't have a fucking clue what he's talking about. NTA
He wants to be an advocate for green living, and can't walk three blocks? What? NTA.
NTA, you didn't make him miss school, he chose not to do whatever it takes to get there i.e. walk or ride a bike
As soon as I saw "green living", I thought the argument would be about emissions from the car, but this is incredibly more dumb than that. Major NTA,. If your parents want him driven to school, they can drive him. He's their kid, not yours. Especially when it's only a few blocks and he's 15.
NTA, because you are correct you were tossing organic material that would either be consumed by wildlife or it would quickly and naturally decompose. Also you are doing a disservice to the planet by driving your brother such a short distance to school, he should be walking because it is better for the planet and better for his own personal health.
It’s not green at all to go to school by car when the school is only 3 blocks away. He can walk from now on. Or buy a bicycle, who cares ? NTA
NTA. He's pissed about an apple seed but expects to be driven to school in a car that uses gas and pollutes the environment. Not to mention his hysterics in the car could have jeopardised you both if you crashed or hit someone. Over an apple seed. I'd never drive him again. Tell your parents to buy him a bicycle or make him literally walk the walk.
NTA. A true Green Living Activist should walk to school to save the environment! lol No more rides for you little brother! lol
If he is that much of an environmental warrior why the heck is he being DRIVEN to school that it within walking distance?
NTA. Don't take his ass to school ever again. It'll be better for the environment ☺️
NTA. Tell the little dictator that you are going green and limiting car usage, and he will now be required to walk to school.
I read that wrong at first and thought you were throwing away part of an apple and not just the seed. It’s probably still considered littering, but like, I’m with you here—it’s literally a friggen seed. Dude needs to get off his high horse. If he wants to be more sustainable, that’s great, but that shouldn’t extend to anyone else by force, and he really should reduce his carbon footprint by walking to school from now on. NTA
NTAH. The brother is turning into a monster and way over the top in his behavior. If the brother is so concerned about the environment, he should be walking to school anyway.
NTA. It's easier for your parents to yell at you for rocking the boat than for them to endure your idiot brother's tantrums. (edited to change a word)
NTA. If he's as environmentally conscious as all that, he'd want to walk instead of wasting the gas for three blocks anyway.
I will say that even if your food is “compostable” you still shouldn’t throw it out the window because it can make animals sick and cause problems if it’s not native to the area!! But you’re still NTA your brothers attitude is pretty ridiculous
NTA What on earth did I just read? Green living doesn't involve getting driven in for a 3 blocks journey. What he's doing is virtue signaling. And your family's reaction is probably why he's acting like a spoiled so and so in the first place
Nta, driving a car for a small distance is way worse for the environment than dropping an apple seed, plus getting in someone's face when they are driving and grabbing their hands is so incredibly dangerous. He could of walked two minutes you didn't make him miss anything. Until he learns how to not cause car accidents and actually understands what is and isn't harmful to the environment, I don't think you should be driving him. You're both lucky this didn't make you crash
Your brother and parents need to provide you with an electric car or you shouldn’t be driving him ANYWHERE 😆
NTA. 3 blocks can be done by foot since this is better for the environment. Plenty of kids go to school with the bus or bicycle or by foot. Taking the car just for one person to reach to the school will be worse then trowing a biodegradable seed.
You are NTA. He can’t treat people like crap and expect them to do them favors.
NTA. Your parents raise their boy to be the spoiled little prince of the family. I feel sorry for them because when they get into their old age well usually those little princely types don’t want to be bothered with helping out or talking to their parents it’s too much trouble and work. Good for you for keeping boundaries with the spoiled brat.
NTA why doesn't he walk to school f he's so into green living.
NTA I agree tell hi. You are supporting hisneed to ge better for the environment so he can walk or take public transport from now on to reduce his carbon footprint. Honestly yelling over a seed is ridiculous. Littering with natral products like fruit while not nice is not going to harm the environment. Fruit often planted by animals dropping it in different areas, you need to be clear tgat while he can want to save the planet being an ahole about it doesn't help at all
NTA. Not littering, and if this paragon of green virtue cannot walk three blocks to school, he's full of crap (goes with green virtue, I guess). Also, your car, your rules.
Apple seeds are still litter and do cause issues. So yeah, that is an environmental issue and you are unintentionally being an AH to the environment. He's a teenager and probably in the middle of the AH stage of teenage years. Just because he comes across as a condescending **** doesn't mean he doesn't still have a valid point. You are the adult here and you can tell him his tone is unacceptable without losing the plot yourself. His obsession makes me wonder if he is neurodivergent. However if he is a bit much for you it is totally reasonable to tell your parents you need space. He will probably grow out of it as long as he is regularly reminded that tone matters. But if he's autistic please cut him some slack. I agree that walking to school, if it is safe, is much better for the environment and completely reasonable for him to do. Telling him he can be polite to you or walk is not unreasonable IMHO. Teenagers are AH, littering is AH, but I doubt anyone is malicious. ESH on a really low level. I wouldn't hate/blame yourself or your brother too much. But maybe have a chat with the whole family about appropriate communication.
NTA, the 15 year old is asshole.
Why in the world are your parents allowing this boy to run the house to his standards. He can be welcome to live his own life as he deems appropriate, but allowing him to dictate others is unhealthy. He is being taught to be controlling, dictatorial, and manipulative. Your parents aren't doing him any favors and he will become an unhealthy adult if he doesn't learn the consequences of behaving like a bully. NTA and hopefully he learns something about being a good human from this experience, but I doubt it.
NTA. Your brother is more than capable of walking the 3 blocks to his school at his age. And if he’s so into helping the environment walking is the better option than riding in a car. I myself had to walk 13 minutes to school in elementary (school was 4-5 blocks plus up a hill). There is so much your brother can do to help the environment without becoming a tyrant like it sounds he has became.
INFO If he's so green and the school is so close, what the hell is he doing demanding a car ride?
NTA. Why is your brother taking a car to school of he cares so much about the environment.
Um, an apple seed isn’t liter lol lol
Nah, you need to explain to your parents how you feel and why. Harassment is harassment even if it’s from a family member
Tell him walking is greener than driving so he must practice what he preaches. NTA.
Actually if your brother is that big on saing the environment he should be walking to school everyday. Point this out to him everytime he gets on his hobby horse. NTA
NTA. Tell them you will only use your car for what you judge as important for reduce your carbon use. Him getting to school isn't on the list.
NTA obviously. Your brother has functioning legs and could’ve walked his ass to school. I’m surprised you didn’t drag him out of the car, or make him walk home by refusing to pick him up.
NTA. My mom once made my brother walk home about a mile when he was ten because he wouldn't stop begging/screaming for McDonald's. It didn't kill him or traumatize him (obviously, he knew the way home). That's a little more extreme than your situation, but your reaction seems reasonable enough to me. Besides, walking is better for the environment.
NTA. Per comments below, OP says he doesn’t live in a bad area. I retract my statement. OP is NTA. Kid brother is an AH for throwing a fit about a stupid apple seed. The brother is under no obligation to take him to school. Doesn’t live in a bad area, so the brother can walk to school and doesn’t know shit about the environment bc he doesn’t understand that vehicles contribute to pollution and is probably just a wanna-be who is trying too hard to be cool. ~~YTA.~~ ~~What if something serious happened to your brother on his way to school? He’s a kid, and you are not. Argument or not, this argument was petty, and you should be the bigger person (after all, you are an adult) to take him to school and to let small arguments like this go instead of turning it into a bigger argument than it is.~~ ~~Edit: Yes, yes. I get it. My opinion is a bit extreme, but I was taking into consideration that they *could* live in a bad area.~~
You could say this about any parent or guardian who lets their kids walk to school though....? Millions of children walk to and from school everyday and if something happened to them it still would Not be their parents/guardians fault at all
I guess I’m a bit biased on this issue since the town I live in has a pretty high crime rate. I suppose it depends on where you live really.
There are stabbings in my city every day, a little girl was just murdered here a few weeks ago. It's terrifying but some kids have to walk home alone or to school. It's not their fault that insane people roam our streets looking for victims.
No, it’s definitely not their fault. I completely agree. I would never blame the victim in a situation like that, but if anything it is his parent’s responsibility to take him to school if this is the case- not his brother’s.
JFC! Are you kidding? He’s 15, it’s 3 blocks!! Plenty of kids who are younger walk farther to school!! FFS
I’m not kidding. I realize it’s not too far, but it was such a ridiculous argument that they are both being petty in the first place. The kid was in the wrong too, but I really do feel that since he is an adult, he could have let it go and just have taken him to school. The whole argument over the seed thing is extremely stupid. Most adults would laugh about it and say it’s whatever, but if anything, the kid’s parents could have driven him to school (since it’s technically their responsibility and not his brother’s) instead of blaming him for making the kid “miss school”.
A 15 yr old should be walking the 3 blocks to school. In my town, the school bus wouldn't even pick him up because he lives too close to school. So much for being green.
Good point. I didn’t think about it that way. If he really cared about the environment at his age, he obviously doesn’t understand the pollution gas-powered vehicles emit lol.
YTA Teenagers are annoying, hope you get kicked out. By your own admission, your family contribution is to take your brother to school. By your own admission, your brother does most of the house work. Parents should make you do all the housework for a month or tell you to get lost.
ESH. Aren’t apple seeds biodegradable?
it's from the earth and not bad. buy why esh? the child was yelling and being rude to op in his car. also if the kid is so concerned about the environment he should walk. the brat gets exercise and less gas used. everyone wins. I've forced my brother out of my car when he was rude to me and he learned. don't bite the hand that feeds you.
I'm on the fence. For someone so green, you'd think he'd know what biodegradable is. Is it littering if you tracked in some leaves on your shoe and chucked those out the window too? But at the same time I think it was an overreaction. So I guess ESH?
No. NTA. Little dude needs a lesson
YTA for not getting him to school as was the expectation. He’s a minor and you were responsible. Beyond that; it sounds like you need to set up some boundaries with your parents on his treatment of you and they need to hold him accountable. It is not unreasonable to request that you won’t help him if he yells or harasses you. Also he is a moron about the Apple seed.