The star joked that she's "upsetting men all over the world" before sharing several screenshots of messages she'd received.
Some Italian locals who messaged the influencer said that it was common for "lady menus" not to show prices at expensive restaurants, branding her "ignorant and selfish" for calling out the practice as sexist.
Others stood by the star, with many women sending in messages saying that they too found it sexist and were frustrated by how common it is in Italy.
Noting that she hadn’t intended it to go viral, Abbie spoke up about why it was indeed a sexist practice – defending herself against the trolls who have been coming for her in the DMs.
Abbie reiterated that women being given menus without prices is sexist, saying that "the patriarchy harms [men] too" as they're automatically expected to pay.
Discussing the backlash on her Instagram stories, Abbie joked that she and Konrad were going to get "kicked out of Italy" before breaking down why she feels the tradition is outdated.
"A lot of sexist men in my DMs are saying it isn't about gender … but it is. It's sexist, the whole notion is sexist," she said.
"The idea comes from the fact that women can't support themselves, but I can support myself."
Abbie explained that even if some women don't find the "lady menu" offensive, the practice reinforces outdated ideas that women can't support themselves financially or must be reliant on men.
"If you like being paid for, that's great," she added, but said that she found the experience uncomfortable and wanted to speak candidly about it.
The star later said that she also never meant to call the restaurant out and that finding the tradition sexist didn't mean she thought the waitstaff or Italian culture itself is sexist.
This article previously appeared on our sister site Now To Love.
