@Background Pony #CAE7  
Almost like what Applejack spent the entire episode doing

That smug smile.

“Armpits”? I don’t see any arms…

@Nightweaver20xx  
Even more convincing is how they are all red heads.

@Ihhh
 
…Yeah, there’s no way I’m clicking that link.

@Ihhh  
That… Is a creative way of looking at it.

@Jarkes  
@Background Pony #C81A
 
here’s one

@Jarkes  
Considering that’s how some people interpreted “Stranger than Fan Fiction”, yeah, I’d be surprised if there weren’t people doing the same to this one.
 
Though I do think the episode would have been considerably improved if we had seen some solid, constructive criticism from Hoity Toity and/or Photo Finish early on, and then seen Applejack do the same in the last act. That would have strengthened both the story and the moral, IMHO.

I’m honestly surprised that certain people didn’t interpret this episode as “Criticizing the show is bad!”
 
…Oh who am I kidding, they probably did.

I really like her mane

@Ranch  

 

 
@Cryosite  
She ate a strawberry to demonstrate she likes eating strawberries. Simple as that.
 
Though I will agree that she was being no more rude than Applejack, and arguably less rude. It doesn’t mean I would excuse her actions, though I do sympathize with her enough to find her funny instead of cringey.
 
@Nightweaver20xx  
Yeah, it was stupid of Hardee’s to block Wendy’s for an apples-to-oranges comparison designed to derail the conversation. If this was two individuals tweeting I’d find it sad, but representatives of fast-food behemoths acting like that? Now that’s funny.

@Nightweaver20xx  
So was that a company thing or like a Ask Wendy thing made by someone else? Was this a one off post?

@Dragonmage  

@Nightweaver20xx  
I don’t get it.

Something something Wendy’s joke.

@Background Pony #9CD9  
No problem.

@cloudkicker108  
Thank you, I do try.

@Background Pony #9CD9  
You do raise a good point, BP. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have no problems accepting this.

Can we just agree that Rarity is 2/3 at fault here? Rarity already knew who Applejack was; Rarity knew who Strawberry was; Rarity asked AJ to judge and was vague on the expectations; Rarity brought a friend she had just fought with to Strawberry’s door step for a first meeting; Rarity knew one or both parties would get upset; all this to prove a point. I think it’s clear.

@Ihhh  
I see. Apologies for the confusion.
 
@Cryosite  
Yes, they likely interrupted whatever action she was commencing at that moment, but that doesn’t mean she has to automatically be irritated at being interrupted. For all we know, she could have been doing something as mundane as reading or cleaning up around the house. I don’t know about you, but when I have fruit, it’s usually as a snack, after a meal, or when I’m trying to relax. I wouldn’t particularly mind being interrupted (and certainly would not be annoyed to point of insulting others) during those times. Whatever the case may be, Strawberry was clearly not bothered by the interruption, as she was acting smug throughout the entire interaction. The first civil statement by Strawberry was returned with shock from Applejack; AJ didn’t start instigating things until the Strawberry crossed the threshold into rudeness and began badmouthing her. I can’t say it was a good idea for Applejack to get up in Strawberry’s face, but I can’t really blame her when Strawberry was was ruthlessly mocking what is essentially her life’s work. Acting in a civil manner and not being rude does not make you into weak individual and doormat like Fluttershy was in the earlier seasons. Strawberry’s delivery of her thoughts might have been what Applejack needed to hear to realize her own mistakes, but that doesn’t give Strawberry the right to act impertinently and not have to apologize for offending others.
 
@ChuymaruZ  
Appearance wise, she is certainly cute.

@cloudkicker108  
I wasn’t talking about you.

@ChuymaruZ  
Same, really.

@Cryosite  
You heard it here first, folks, not intentionally riling people up is being scared of them and weak!

I really love this pony

@cloudkicker108  
I suppose you’re another to chalk up as taking the default position for others is: they aren’t doing anything important (by their standards) when I encounter them unless they make special effort to demonstrate they are.
 
Whatever Strawberry Sunrise was doing, in her own home, was what was interrupted. The thing that interrupted it was some neighbors having themselves a bit of a squabble. One of them asked her opinion on apples. She answered. The other got up in her face about it.
 
They interrupted her life, regardless of how important or unimportant whatever she was doing was, it was clearly more important to her than some petty squabble between two other neighbors.
 
The “lunch” part of the premise comes from the fact that, during the conversation, she was eating. Unless you think she just habitually snacks on strawberries like a chain-smoker puffs on cigs. Maybe it was breakfast. Maybe dinner. Maybe some snack while catching a show on Netflix. Who cares.
 
The default position I’m suggesting, which it baffles me that I have to explain it, is that people/ponies/characters do stuff. On their own. Just because the camera isn’t on them, and their activities aren’t important to the story of the episode, doesn’t mean they blank out and go limp until needed again. They’re presented like “real/believable people” with lives of their own, and so on. We see ponies actively going on with their lives in the background constantly, doing stuff that has no relevance to anyone around them.
 
The fact that she was rude to Applejack is itself an indication that she really didn’t care for the conversation that was happening. When Rarity asked for her opinion, Rarity asked it in a neutral manner. She responded perfectly civilly. She doesn’t like apples. AJ instigated things, and Strawberry Sunrise quickly figured out this wasn’t a pleasant, friendly neighborhood chat. AJ was getting up in her face, and demanding she apologize for her opinion.
 
If you’re looking for the yellow pegasus that would just back away quietly, mumble, and hope nobody hits her: she lives on the edge of town near a stream. You don’t have to look up to Strawberry Sunrise as a role model, but what you can’t say is that her choice of words and level of politeness was uncalled for.