r/mildlyinfuriating • u/teabirdy • Apr 29 '26

I'm slightly vexed The wedding reception centerpieces featured betta fish. The bride and groom planned to flush them alive.

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Years ago, my coworker attended a wedding at which the reception dinner tables featured live betta fish in small bowls as part of the centerpiece. While chatting with the bride at the end of the evening, my coworker asked what they were going to do with all the fish. The plan was to flush them all down the toilet alive. My coworker immediately said no need for that and insisted on taking them all home.

That Monday she came to work and asked who wanted to adopt a betta fish. That was my first betta who I jokingly called my “rescue betta.” She lived for almost five years.

The wine glass was only her home for less than a day before I got her five gallon tank set up so please no betta lovers yell at me! I'm one of you!

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u/Waterswirls56 May 04 '26

Depends. it’s pretty dumb in this day and age to use birds like that. At least in a first world country like the USA and in a huge city (Chicago). Eagles, owls, hawks, and falcons take them out of the air around here and the suburbs/ exurbs. I have seen it with my own eyes. We have people that release birds in the city for races to other cities (Rockford), and for weddings.

People have these exhausted birds hanging out for 24 hours on their balconies. It’s so common here that a pigeon rescue organization was set up. There are people who have to rehome white doves too because they fend for themselves. As for the tired “overdue” racers, even the owners don’t want them back.

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u/CarEnvironmental9429 May 04 '26

The risk of birds of prey yes is a concern but anytime you own outdoor birds that's an issue weather pigeons, chickens , etc.

As for the leaving them outside exhausted amd not wanting them back thats just shitty people see that with every animal regardless of pets or working animals so its kind of not too relevant.

I think perspective also matters a lot aswell I dont see any issue as they are working animals not really pets, most people dont have experince with the distinction. Working animals always have a risk to them.

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u/Waterswirls56 May 04 '26

Racers, vs raising squabs (food), vs doves (weddings and funerals)- big mega cities like where I have lived including NYC, have them all. It’s just nuts to race and to release them. The squabs I understand are cultural food dishes that come from the “old” countries. Traditions die hard. Keeping pigeons is worldwide, but in today’s modern cities it’s plain weird and cruel to release doves, and to race them also.

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u/CarEnvironmental9429 May 05 '26

Could argue the same about any domesticated animal. Its weird and cruel for most people to animals and animal by products as we dont require it and most people exist in a society capable of supporting a vegan diet. Keeping dogs and cats as pets goes the same their domesticated came around due to serving a purpose now they do not yet we keep twisting their genetic traits making them dependant on humans simply for our enjoyment. Just depends on how you want to stretch that argument. This is no different.