Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have nothing to do with my BIL after what he said

121 replies

madeincalifornia2022 · 09/07/2023 04:30

To have nothing to do with my BIL (DH brother) and his part of the family...

I Flew halfway around to world to attend an important religious life celebration for my 12-year-old DN in London. My and DH's only holiday for the year as we live abroad, and a big investment with hotels, meals, event outfits, etc. I was so excited to celebrate with everyone as I rarely see his family!

A few days after we arrived went to BIL House for a catch-up. DH and I gave DN her present, a special gold and diamond necklace I had personally saved up for and purchased as an heirloom (typical for this type of celebration). She was thrilled! BIL and SIL would not acknowledge that the gift came from me and only referred to it as coming from DH (Uncle). Rude, but I decided to let this go - it's been a while since I have seen them since we moved away.

As we sat down to dinner at their house, my SIL started chatting to me about lab-created diamonds and that young people did not want real diamonds, etc. It was bizarre, to say the least, especially after the gift we just gave. Otherwise, everything was pleasant until my husband, and I went with BIL to walk their dog. We started talking about his half-brother just having a baby a year after he was married, and how lovely, etc. BIL turned around to us and said, "It's really very sad when people don't have babies after they get married." DH and I don't have kids yet, we have been married for five years. He then started poking to see if we had medical issues in a polite but invasive way and would not stop going on about it. We laughed it off since we have not even started trying and he backtracked...I was more than a little embarrassed as it felt like they had been gossiping that I had fertility issues at home.

During the week, I had some dental medical issues and went to the hospital, so I felt a little fragile. On Friday, there was a family get-together before the big day on Saturday for my DN event—mainly SIL's family. I did not go because I was not keen on having weird and difficult conversations like the other night when I was under the weather. My other BIL and MIL(Step mother to this BIL) were not attending, so it did not seem crucial. It was a buffet-style meal at SIL parent's house and not formal. My DH still went.

The next day I showed up at the main event (religious service), and my BIL greeted me. He immediately remarks that he can smell my perfume in an unpleasant way, making me feel very self-conscious. I ignore it, and I ask him where the bathroom is. He walks me over, and with no one around - he says jokingly that he will bill me for the food as I didn't show up last night. I apologized and reiterated that I had been in the hospital earlier in the week and was not feeling well enough to attend last night as I was on strong antibiotics.

During the service, the main speaker read all family names, including wives. I was not on the list, and my DH was a little upset about it. After the ceremony, we mixed and mingled with those in attendance. SIL's family refused to acknowledge me or make eye contact. We went to speak to BIL as we planned to head off and get ready for the main party later in the evening. My DH remarked to his DB that I was not named in the ceremony. BIL turns to me. "After you didn't show up last night, we deleted your name off the list of family members so you would not be included". I was shocked.

After I left the service, I burst into tears as this was so hurtful. This then led to me, arguing with DH, as I refused to attend the later event. DH felt caught between me and wanting to be there for his brother. I felt that it was as equally disrespectful to him that his own DB would not recognize me.

I don't want anything to do with BIL and SIL again. I am very fond of my DN. They were petty to remove my name and humiliate me in front of friends and family. Should I just get over this?

OP posts:
AngelAurora · 09/07/2023 04:43

You live away from them, get over it and be thankful you do are far enough away not to put up with them every day.

FloydWasACat · 09/07/2023 04:51

That is shit, but don't over think it it. They are petty and and all about themselves, you will be away from them soon.

P.S. I would feel the same as you by the way

FloydWasACat · 09/07/2023 04:52

No idea my words kept repeating themselves there!😂

BlastedPimples · 09/07/2023 04:56

Incredibly rude and petty behaviour.

What's the history? Have they always been like this?

Why does SIL's family ignore you?

frazzledasarock · 09/07/2023 04:57

They sound deliberately nasty.

I’d step right away and have nothing to do with any of them again.

Do you have friends and family you can visit and go see instead? Try and salvage a ruined holiday?

Glitterblue · 09/07/2023 05:11

How nasty, childish and petty. I'd struggle to have anything more to do with them after that but it's difficult when it's DH's family. Having said that, I suspect my own DH wouldn't want anything to do with his brother if he did that to me.

madeincalifornia2022 · 09/07/2023 05:20

@BlastedPimples I have no idea why SIL family was acting that way toward me! Most of them live in South Africa, so first time meeting. They would say hello to DH, and when he introduced me - one walked off, and the others looked the other way. I met some of them once at DN Birthday party a few years ago, and all was great. I suspect there was some nasty gossip about me after I did not come to the Friday night event.

I thought I had a great relationship with BIL and SIL until this trip. We don't see them as often as we used to. I included SIL as 'maid of honor' at my small wedding and DN as bridesmaids. They can be rude, but usually directed to my other BIL, who had some MH issues. They have usually been very pleasant toward me, so this was a massive shock!

OP posts:
Goodfood1 · 09/07/2023 05:22

What they did was nasty, I think it's fine to have nothing to do with them their choice.

ChocBananaSmoothie · 09/07/2023 05:27

Well, you're sorted when they want a financial contribution for something family related or any kind of favour. "Sorry, it was made clear to me that I was not part of the family." Ideally I think it should be addressed and sorted but I know not everyone is good like that, or willing to acknowledge how you feel. Just leave DH to sort his family from now on.

Cherryana · 09/07/2023 05:29

Terrible behaviour on so many counts. To leave you off the list of family was the final act of extreme ostracisation basically ‘making you dead to them’.

Seriously, your husband needs to have strong words with his brother and you need to protect yourself from such hurtful behaviour from now on.

AllIwantforChristmas22 · 09/07/2023 05:51

Is there an element of racism here? Are they all Jewish and you are not?
i assume it was a bat mitzvah?

sorry they treated you so badly, as you live abroad it shouldn’t be too hard to go LC.

madeincalifornia2022 · 09/07/2023 05:57

@AllIwantforChristmas22 Yes, it was a Bat Mitzvah. Not Jewish, but in the 10 years I've been with my DH never been an issue that I don't practice. Neither do they really, this was definitely more of a 'social' ceremony.

OP posts:
Sunnysunbun · 09/07/2023 05:59

I think I would go and enjoy the event. He seems to be a bullying twat who wants to get a reaction from you. If you go and enjoy yourself then that will upset him. You are oh visiting so you can leave this pathetic man behind and not give him a second thought. He really is a bit sad.

QuizzlyBears · 09/07/2023 06:00

Did you send your apologies in good time for the Friday night, or did you just not turn up when they were expecting you?

RedHelenB · 09/07/2023 06:02

You should have gone for the sake of your neice yes her parents were petty but .so were you for not attending her special event.

Floppyelf · 09/07/2023 06:07

in one hundred years who knows if people will follow these religions. You’re better off not investing money/time on things you don’t believe in.

BadNomad · 09/07/2023 06:08

Was other BIL and MIL's names taken off the list too or just yours?

noglow · 09/07/2023 06:10

Yes they've made clear they don't see you as family for whatever reason so I'd have no more to do with them. Your DH will understandably feel torn but I would expect him to support you in this and if asked why say "you know why - your behaviour at the Bat Mitzvah".

AgentJohnson · 09/07/2023 06:23

They can be rude, but usually directed to my other BIL, who had some MH issues.

So when then were being unkind to your other BIL it was ok but when their vulgarity is aimed at you it is the end of the world, mmm. This is who they are and I wouldn’t waste more time on them, which makes living abroad so handy. Your H can dear with his revolting brother.

OddSockSeeker · 09/07/2023 06:24

You’ve seen their true colours, believe what you saw and cut ties. I wouldn’t let anyone disrespect me like that. They sound mean if they’ve been rude about someone with mental health problems also. Not my kind of people. You deserve better.x

Trez1510 · 09/07/2023 06:25

Did your gift to their daughter overshadow theirs? Did niece rave about it more than their or others' gifts?

That and perhaps not apologising in advance for not being able to attend may have upset them? Not that those things excuse that behaviour but they may explain it.

HarrisJu · 09/07/2023 06:26

@madeincalifornia2022 Well let’s hope the dn transitions into a better adult than her parents.
There will be some jealousy at the bottom of it all.

I’ve been through a very similar thing recently with my bil who I’ve known for over 40 years. It was a shock but I realise that he is definitely the one with the problem not me and dh agrees with me.

madeincalifornia2022 · 09/07/2023 06:32

@AgentJohnsonNot ok at all! I've always stood up for my other BIL, but there are some family complexities and jealousy here.

OP posts:
Caradonna · 09/07/2023 06:35

Is it something to do with the expensive gift you gave DN?
They felt you showed up their gifts as being inadequate or something and this behaviour was in 'revenge'.

Temporaryname158 · 09/07/2023 06:37

Have nothing more to do with them. Keep in touch with your DN and have nothing further to do with them