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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Were they rude? Or am I over-thinking it?

113 replies

zingally · 01/01/2020 18:36

This concerns my older sister and her fiancée. She is late 30s, he is mid-40s, and both are on the autistic spectrum but not officially diagnosed, but both live independently, hold down good jobs etc. Sister openly admits she's on the spectrum and understands she sees the world differently. Her fiancée doesn't/can't/won't acknowledge it, and his poor behaviours/social mis-steps are always someone else's fault.

For Christmas, I asked my mum to make me up a hamper of foody bits as my present. She did as requested. Went to a lot of trouble to decorate a box nicely and filled it up with a mixture of food items, household bits, and a couple of jokey items that she wrapped up. I really enjoyed looking through the hamper, unwrapping the bits and bobs and it was just nice all-round. It was just mum and I for Christmas day, so sister and fiancée didn't see my reaction to the hamper.

A few days later, sister and fiancée turn up, and mum has done a hamper for them as well. They hadn't asked for it, but neither of them told mum what they wanted, so she just did the same as she did me.

They both sat down on the floor to open it, mum hovering over them expectantly, expecting a bit of a pleased fuss, like I'd made.

Sister was virtually silent, fiancée just went, "Oh, sponges, I've got loads of them." They spent maybe a minute poking through it, didn't say thank you, and then just went back to their seats on the sofa. Mum looked a bit disappointed, but didn't say anything.

My question is, would I be wrong to say anything to my sister like, "did you thank mum for the hamper?" I just know that mum put a lot of work into it, and their response was underwhelmed, bordering cold.

I KNOW they're both autistic, and social norms pass them by a lot of the time, but they're reasonably functioning, established adults, and SHOULD know how to behave appropriately to a gift that someone has obviously put time and effort into. But is it my place to raise it with them? I know the answer is probably "not your problem", but I'm very protective of mum (more so since my dad died in 2017) and hate seeing her disappointed by my sister.

There is more to unpick, like I feel that my sister hasn't pulled her weight in supporting mum since dad died, or while he was ill in the year before he passed. And I totally see that is a contributory factor as to why I'm cross about something like a Christmas hamper. It's a little bit the final straw in a long like of annoyances!

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 01/01/2020 18:40

I don't know enough about autism, but if you have Netflix can I suggest you watch "Atypical" it is a bittersweet comedy about a family who have a teenage son with autism. Clearly the son is only on one section of the spectrum, but I have found the programme very educational.

MaggieAndHopey · 01/01/2020 18:43

Yes, I think it would be OK if you gave your sister a nudge about thanking your mum. She might have autism but she's surely worked out by her thirties that people normally say thank you for presents.

brassbrass · 01/01/2020 18:48

You're looking for a fight. Autism is a red herring. Will it benefit your mum whom you care so much about to wade in and create a potential fracture in the family? Are you the gatekeeper of all family interactions? Do you want to help your mum at all?

What might be an alternative and actually genuinely loving gesture to your mum would be to say "hope you didn't take it personally mum they just didn't get it and don't process things the way we do" (that would cover your perception of your DSs unavailability during your DFs illness and passing).

Lots of shit stirrers in families at this time of year aren't there?

Sushiroller · 01/01/2020 18:49

Even a 4 year old understands:
Get a gift -> Smile, give hug and say thank you.

DoloresOnTheDottedLine · 01/01/2020 18:49

It’s tricky - YANBU to feel bad for your mum but you might BU to expect more from your sister if she really is on the spectrum. What will you really gain from speaking to your sister? Is she generally open to feedback on her behaviour or will it cause an issue between you? If the latter, leave it but make a special effort to thank your mum again for her thoughtfulness and hopefully that will be enough to cancel out any lingering bad feeling from your sister’s reaction. If your sister is open to your criticism in general, then maybe a quiet word to say you know how much effort your mum put into the gift so maybe a thank you card or text would be appreciated.

ohprettybaby · 01/01/2020 18:50

It wouldn't hurt for you to remind your DSis of social norms occasionally and yes, remind her to thank your DM.

I presume your DM is used to your DSis' behaviour over the years so am surprised she is upset by it.

ohprettybaby · 01/01/2020 18:53

I don't think they were rude. If they are autistic they shouldn't be judged for behaviours they cannot help.

thickwoollytights · 01/01/2020 18:54

It's really none of your business. If your mum wants to explain her hurt to your sister, then that's up to her.

Also - if someone hadn't asked me for a particular gift and I wasn't sure what to buy, I'd give a voucher or cash. Definitely NOT a hamper.

Just because you liked the hamper doesn't mean your sister should like it and if she's spectrumy it's par for the course that she wouldn't find dissembling easy

RunningAwaywiththeCircus · 01/01/2020 18:54

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Dinnaehinksae · 01/01/2020 18:55

They were rude, the autism doesn't really have anything to do with it diagnosed or not. If it were me (autistic younger brother with dx) I would say something but I know he would be polite when receiving a gift as that is the done thing. Only you know how she's likely to react though and if it's really a good idea or not.

misspiggy19 · 01/01/2020 18:56

Everyone knows it is just good manners to accept a gift and smile even if you don’t like it. They were rude.

phoenixrosehere · 01/01/2020 18:57

What are you expecting your sister to do? What is her relationship like with your mum and what was it like with your dad?

For Christmas, I asked my mum to make me up a hamper of foody bits as my present. She did as requested. Went to a lot of trouble to decorate a box nicely and filled it up with a mixture of food items, household bits, and a couple of jokey items that she wrapped up. I really enjoyed looking through the hamper, unwrapping the bits and bobs and it was just nice all-round. It was just mum and I for Christmas day, so sister and fiancée didn't see my reaction to the hamper.

Why should your sister be enthused because you were? Your mum made something YOU asked for and decided to make the same for your sister. It doesn’t matter if your sister saw your reaction. It’s irrelevant since you asked for this gift and your mum made it. Your mum chose to go out of her way for you. Her doing it for your sister, not having asked or talked to her about it, even though nice, isn’t the same nor should it be expected that your sister should react the same as you.

Did your mum ask your sister what she wanted before making these hampers?

CoffeeCoinneseur · 01/01/2020 18:57

If someone isn't diagnosed, who decides they're "on the spectrum"?

Strongmummy · 01/01/2020 18:59

On the basis neither have been diagnosed how do you know they’re on the spectrum. In particular you’re purely speculating about your sisters partner and it’s rather offensive that you’ve diagnosed him in my view.

I think they were pretty rude yes and if you want to say something to your sister go ahead.

RunningAwaywiththeCircus · 01/01/2020 19:00

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progesterworry · 01/01/2020 19:02

So what if they get overwhelmed being WATCHED so closely

What if they have selective mutism and literally couldn’t get the right or any words out ??

selmabear · 01/01/2020 19:04

I know you're hurt for your mother but I'd probably let this one slide OP.

misspiggy19 · 01/01/2020 19:06

@RunningAwaywiththeCircus

Temper, temper.

RunningAwaywiththeCircus · 01/01/2020 19:09

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TopOftheNaughtyList · 01/01/2020 19:12

@RunningAwaywiththeCircus there are ways to inform and educate people without being so bloody rude in your responses.

JamesBlonde1 · 01/01/2020 19:12

Yes they were fucking rude. And I'd call them BOTH out on it. What's the point your DM buying them anything, wouldn't bother next year. No excuses.

busybarbara · 01/01/2020 19:14

Sounds like you’re making excuses for them being rude and ungrateful. They’re autistic when they’re actually diagnosed imo. Should you get involved though? No.

RunningAwaywiththeCircus · 01/01/2020 19:17

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Karenisbaren · 01/01/2020 19:19

To be honest I would keep out of it, of course high functioning autistic people know you should say thank you, however autistic people can be very brutally blunt, hence saying "I have loads of sponges!" I dont think its that they are ungrateful, its a case of they have these things why do I need more?

livefornaps · 01/01/2020 19:20

Sponges do sound shit though