Hellobee Boards

Yeah, I come from a dominating, sarcastic, confrontational, and aggressive opinionated family. Polar opposite to my positive, upbeat, I love peace and laughter personality. Can you try being sarcastic back? When I do it catches them off guard, they laugh and appreciate it. Like armour. Not my style though!

Eh, there are a few people in my family I don't mesh well with. Honestly I don't go out of my way to talk to them. Or just let them do their thing and say very little. I'm someone who easily adapts to my surroundings- and I'm fine with letting people with big personalities dominate a room. I'm sure it will change as DD knows what's going on around her more.

I'm a pretty sensitive person and there are some pretty mean-spirited people in our lives. I try to avoid them, but when that's not possible, I just prepare myself to know that they will say something rude and just try not to let it bother me. That's about all I can do - I obviously can't change them.

I have someone exactly like this in my family. Every time I'm around him, I'm in a bad mood because everything he says to me is a sarcastic, sexist and rude put down. I wish I knew how to deal with it. I always think of snarky comebacks once we leave/they leave. Honestly, time away from them has been the most helpful for me.

I'll follow this thread because I wish I could brush off nasty comments and ignore it for DH's sake.

We have the opposite problem. My DH and I, and my inlaws, are pretty sarcastic (but in a funny way, not a mean way). We show affection by taking the piss out of each other. Me & DH, in particular, have quite a dark sense of humour. My BIL, however, married a serious and very sensitive lady. She takes offence at the drop of a hat, cant spot a joke and is clearly uncomfortable around us. We try so hard to watch what we say in front of her - and never make fun of her specifically - but its like walking on eggshells. I always manage to offend her somehow.

@Raindrop: I think LOs should be off limits as a hard rule. Especially when it is to them directly.

I'm concerned about my BIL liberal use of the F word. I find it inappropriate and vulgar at his mothers dinner table.

@Raindrop: I'm sorry. That's just mean.... and not even very funny. I wouldn't ever, ever say something like that to my SIL because I know it would upset her - and for what gain? Certainly not side splitting laughter from everyone around. I don't think its unreasonable to expect your family member to keep his nasty mouth shut unless his quip adds genuine comedy value.

I'm not sure why anyone is required to put up with rude or unkind behavior just being 'that's how they are'. I would decline to spend time with people who were repeatedly rude to me, or make it clear that it isn't ok, I don't like it, and I'm going to interact with you as little as possible. That's my policy for my father in law.

Related or not, I don't spend time with people I don't like to be around. My mom is a prime example. I minimize my contact with her because she doesn't add positivity to my life and I'm at a point where I just don't want to waste time and energy on people that don't make me feel good. The only reason I see her is so she can see DD.

DH feels similarly about my mom and I'd never tell him to just accept it bc that's who she is. He chooses with my full support to spend no time around her.