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My “comeback” was equal levels rude?

363 replies

Rebes · 24/08/2026 12:36

I am from a Mediterranean culture that can be highly misogynistic and a bit old fashioned especially in regards to women. I was talking to my partner’s aunt at a gathering (same background) when the aunt asked me my age. I knew she was trying to figure out if I’m passed it. I thought it was incredibly rude. And frankly I was just very over being judged for being 32 and unmarried. Have focused on career and travelling. So in response I asked what her bmi was. She’s overweight but nothing extreme.

Anyway, I got a phone call from boyfriend’s cousin who had a massive go at me. And I’m now not allowed to step foot in the Aunts house. Which is where everyone gathers. Bf obviously isn’t pleased.

NO ONE in bf’s family (his parents and siblings) thinks what I did was right. My mum said it was totally fair to highlight the Aunt’s rudeness. Sick to death of people judging me.

I normally bite my lip. I know it was nasty. I don’t know why she’s the only one who has a right to be offended and garner all the sympathy.

OP posts:
FrostyMorn · 24/08/2026 13:18

Is it an island nation perchance? Half my family come from the island I think you may mean and I've endured very similar comments particularly from one uncle who basically told me I was 'on the shelf'.
OP, I completely applaud your excellent retort. It was justified.

Part2 · 24/08/2026 13:18

This reply has been deleted

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Remember ladies, we must be polite and nice at all times otherwise all we are good for is fucking

nomas · 24/08/2026 13:17

Constantinoodle · 24/08/2026 13:15

Maybe the OP thinks more of herself and has a moral code that sits outside of whether or not she wants to be seen as appropriate chattel for some man and his family.

These people are regularly feeding and entertaining OP at their home to the extent OP is pissed off she is no longer welcome back.

That sounds lovely chattel duty, where do I sign up.

Pearlstillsinging · 24/08/2026 13:17

So did mine! OP, you need to find a way to make your displeasure felt whilst remaining polite.

IsItSnowing · 24/08/2026 13:17

She was rude and your reply was rude, funny but still rude. Good for you not being a doormat but she doesn’t have to be one either. You needed her hospitality which she has withdrawn, presumably she needs nothing from you.
There are better ways to deal with these kind of comments than lowering yourself to their level. ‘Old enough, you?’ is what I usually say. Or ‘in my culture we consider that question rude’. It’s much harder for people to then blame you for also being rude.

fancytoes · 24/08/2026 13:17

Yikes, he’ll never marry you… (if that’s even what you want) his family will hate you forever now!

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 24/08/2026 13:17

Constantinoodle · 24/08/2026 13:13

Well if the aunt was implying the OP is old then what’s wrong with the OP implying the aunt is fat?

She can go around calling people fat all she likes but it’s hardly a ‘witty joke’. Just a mean response to what she percieved as being called old. You can hardly then moan that the woman and family are now upset with you.

AintNoPunshineWhenShesGone · 24/08/2026 13:17

NO ONE in bf’s family (his parents and siblings) thinks what I did was right. My mum said it was totally fair to highlight the Aunt’s rudeness.

This speaks volumes really.

Schoolchoicesucks · 24/08/2026 13:16

You were ruder than her.
Asking someone, particularly someone younger than you, their age can be rude or neutral. You were assuming rudeness because of your dislike for her. You could have answered in a way that showed you found her rude or not answered. Asking anyone their BMI (outside of a medical setting) is always rude and particularly so to an older relative.
I wouldn't expect her to include you in any future gatherings, seeing as you dislike her that shouldn't bother you too much.
I would question whether your age and "being past it" is something that bothers you - if a boyfriend's older relative asked my age, I may have considered the question strange and maybe rude or intrusive. But it wouldn't have upset me or made me want to insult them.

GrumpyButOk · 24/08/2026 13:16

I would be more concerned about what kind of family any future children of mine would be born into. Worse still, if the relationship broke down and the bf/husband got 50/50 custody of them. I'd just move on tbh, and as a PP said, find a less shitty family.

Mycatmax · 24/08/2026 13:16

Have you not heard of the phrase “when they go low, we go high”?

The correct response range would be something around “why do you need to know that?” “I really can’t remember” “ that’s not a question you ask a lady”

You could have been assertive but instead you were aggressive to someone in their own home.

SunnyRedSnail · 24/08/2026 13:16

She was cheeky.

You were rude.

MyMilchick · 24/08/2026 13:16

There's nothing weird about asking someone their age. You were really weird and rude about it

Constantinoodle · 24/08/2026 13:15

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Maybe the OP thinks more of herself and has a moral code that sits outside of whether or not she wants to be seen as appropriate chattel for some man and his family.

Lexibletheflexible · 24/08/2026 13:15

LoveItaly · 24/08/2026 13:12

Bloody hell! I’m old school too, and would consider any man that did that not suitable husband material either.

Didn't say they were. I just said what some of them would do and that would be to keep the sexual relationship going as long as they could before ultimately cutting them off altogether.

Delphiniumandlupins · 24/08/2026 13:15

She was possibly going to be rude, through ignorance. You were rude with the full knowledge of what you were doing. You meant to hurt and humiliate, all you were going to feel from her comments was annoyance. I think she sounds awful but on this occasion you were worse.

Swiftie1878 · 24/08/2026 13:14

Rebes · 24/08/2026 12:40

Trust me I could just tell. I wouldn’t have said anything if I didn’t pick up a judgmental tone. The aunt has very weird views. Thinks women should serve men. Makes being a maid to men her personality. She quite obviously favours her sons.

Then don’t worry about being excluded.

Genevieva · 24/08/2026 13:13

Surely what you said was a pointed joke. You weren’t expecting an answer.

AnitaCam · 24/08/2026 13:13

Gosh you were horrible. What a disastrously touchy response.

JudgeJ · 24/08/2026 13:13

dairydebris · 24/08/2026 12:43

Yes, you were much, much ruder than her.

Yet on another post where the OP was offended by 'jokey' comments about her height from her in-laws this is precisely how she was being told to respond! Make your minds up folks, if personal comments are made to/about me then I consider the gloves are off!

Lexibletheflexible · 24/08/2026 13:13

Medicalgrademusic · 24/08/2026 13:03

This poster is illustrating quite nicely why trying to top trumps someone's rudeness by being even more rude doesn't work. You just end up looking like an angry and unhinged weirdo.

There's nothing unhinged about it. They may be my family but they are still men.

UhOhRatPoo · 24/08/2026 13:13

All you had to say was “I don’t think that’s an appropriate question” and you’d have called her out but kept the moral and social high ground.

Constantinoodle · 24/08/2026 13:13

Bridesmaidorexfriend · 24/08/2026 13:11

Are some of these replies AI? That response was neither quick witted nor funny. ‘How old are you?’ ‘You’re fat’

Well if the aunt was implying the OP is old then what’s wrong with the OP implying the aunt is fat?

pikkumyy77 · 24/08/2026 13:13

KnewYearKnewMe · 24/08/2026 12:43

How did you actually phrase it, OP?

I really cannot fathom a conversation where the response to ‘how old are you’ is ‘how much do you weigh?’

Use your imagination?

OakleyAnnie · 24/08/2026 13:12

I’ve never really understood this thing about age. Why is it rude to ask someone’s age? That only works if you think there’s something bad about being older – the OP used the phrase ‘past it’. ‘On the shelf’ is another one. Older people in my culture can sometimes be seen as invalid, not worth listening to but I don’t buy into that and I’m always very happy to share my age.

Fat shaming is a nasty thing to do though.