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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:
Ginger1982 · 09/07/2023 06:38

Your DH needs to address this head on with his family. If he doesn't, he does not have your back.

billy1966 · 09/07/2023 06:39

Awful behaviour but they have form, so you shouldn't be surprised.

No need to make any further effort.

Don't rush into having children with a man that isn't loyal.

See how things play out, but they do sound awful so better to avoid them going forward if it suits you.

Tell your husband that it is his familybthat felt the need to be so rude and unpleasant and it is up to him and them to sort it out.

Don't be surprised if they don't and expect you to just accept their nasty bullying behaviour.

Lacucuracha · 09/07/2023 06:40

I can’t believe people are making excuses for these rude and ungrateful people.

I would wash my hands off them and never even look at them again.

And your DH is a coward not to stand up for you better.

Please just go back home and don’t even bother saying goodbye to BIL/SIL.

Spend time with other BIL or MIL or anyone else who was kind to you.

Why did you save up for the gift? You sound too generous, let DH handle gifts for his side of the family.

Lacucuracha · 09/07/2023 06:41

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.

Who are they jealous of? Are you wealthier or have a better job than them?

Bansheed · 09/07/2023 06:52

That was pretty horrid of them. What punishment did the other absent members get??

However, there is an element of fragility and overall sensitivity around your post. Is there any way they could find you difficult?

I really feel for your DH. His brother has hurt him and he now has to sort out a painful situation.

Lacucuracha · 09/07/2023 06:54

@Bansheed you feel for a DH who didn’t even stand up for his wife? He sounds like a coward.

It’s not ‘fragility’ and ‘sensitivity’ to be offended by people who are consistently rude to you.

noglow · 09/07/2023 06:58

However, there is an element of fragility and overall sensitivity around your post. Is there any way they could find you difficult? what do you mean? It all sounds pretty reasonable of OP to be upset by what they've said to me.

Vettrianofan · 09/07/2023 07:02

You can choose your friends but you can't choose your family comes to mind here...

Vettrianofan · 09/07/2023 07:04

The main person who really appreciated your attendance is all that matters and that's your DN, OP. Best to be civil with DH's brother. I have been in similar situations with my own BIL. Thankfully we hardly see each other. Funeral of MIL or FIL will probably be next time in my own situation.

standardduck · 09/07/2023 07:04

That's really rude of them.

Your DH needs to stand up for you, there is no way he should just ignore it.

You are lucky to live on the other side of the world, at least you don't have to see them again. I would not make any effort anymore and let your DH deal with his family.

Backstreets · 09/07/2023 07:07

Sounds like the sort of people that always need someone to pick on. Other BIL in the clear for some reason so they turned on you. Nasty. Agree it’s good you live elsewhere, and feel no guilt bowing out of the next event. Even if they’ve moved onto another victim then, they’re still twats.

Mix56 · 09/07/2023 07:17

I'd say they are jealous, the gift is a real diamond, theirs probably wasn't,
You are probably richer & happier than them.
They have decided to use you as the scapegoat for their petty little rivalry
Not naming you after the event was inexcusable & You should be saying to your H, that he needs to pin his brother down on this, how dare he insult you and Him, in a public way, you were ill the night before.
If they hate you so much I assume they aren't returning the gift? Oh NO, funny that.
No more contact with them, no loans, no help, no advice, no visits.

Zarataralara · 09/07/2023 07:27

They would say hello to DH, and when he introduced me - one walked off, and the others looked the other way.

Drop them, block them, forget they exist. From ^^ this I’d say someone has been shit stirring about you, probably making up stories. My parents did the same about me to relatives causing a terrible atmosphere at a special event and really upsetting an older relative I cared about.
Your BIL and SIL sound very passive aggressive. Dump them.

Lulooo · 09/07/2023 07:36

To exclude you from the list is not only a personal nasty gesture but also an attempt to humiliate you in public. I would have it out with them before I leave and then cut them from my life. Fuck that, no one treats me that shit and gets away with it. I would stand up for myself and lose my rag a bit. I would expect my husband to at least calmly and civilly take my side with them and tell them it’s not on. Especially after the expenses and effort you made.

FloofCloud · 09/07/2023 07:40

These are clearly vindictive nasty people. How much longer are you staying? In all honesty I'd be finding other things to do whilst I was staying and not see them. If you're staying with them, leave and get a hotel or air BnB

YouOKHun · 09/07/2023 07:52

It sounds like envy to me as well. Like a PP I was going to ask if you are a lot wealthier? The comment about diamonds seems quite telling. Either someone has been shit stirring or they are envious and are looking for any small “crime” (like not going to the event) to give an excuse to be openly hostile.

Either way they sound like weird people who you don’t have to bother with again. I hope your DH is letting them know it’s not acceptable? Personally I’d tell them what I think of them but I’d expect my DH to back me up.

soundsys · 09/07/2023 07:52

But... the event you missed on Friday that you didn't think was important... was Friday night dinner?

soundsys · 09/07/2023 07:54

(I could be reading that wrong, and they were still completely unreasonable, but maybe it was more important to them than you realised?)

Lacucuracha · 09/07/2023 07:54

soundsys · 09/07/2023 07:52

But... the event you missed on Friday that you didn't think was important... was Friday night dinner?

Seriously? She had been to hospital that week and been subjected to rudeness by BIL and SIL. She was totally right not to want to go.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 09/07/2023 07:56

What a bully! And your niece would know the necklace is mainly from you a man wouldn't be likely to choose one so pretty xxx

26f19ej · 09/07/2023 08:02

Could it be that some of this is cultural? This doesn't excuse the behaviour but the Friday night dinner is an important tradition. Whilst this isn't nice, a lot of News do think that not having kids straight after marriage is a shame and that the point of life is to have kids. Again not saying they are right to say it to you.

madeincalifornia2022 · 09/07/2023 08:07

@soundsys Not a formal Friday night dinner. It was just a get-together, not all family was in attendance, and communicated that it was optional.

OP posts:
TodayInahurry · 09/07/2023 08:09

I have found religious types to be quite unpleasant. I generally avoid them

xyz111 · 09/07/2023 08:32

As you said op, you live half way round the world. You don't need to see these people again anyway. Yes they sound awful, be glad you don't live 5 mins away!! What has DH said since then?

MimiSunshine · 09/07/2023 08:45

How were they with you up to tbd point you gave your niece the gold and diamond necklace?

because the pointed comments about lab grown diamonds sound like ones made to try to slap you down and devalue your generous gift.
you say it’s a typical gift but I’d hazard a guess that they feel a bit shown up by it. I’m sure they’ve spent a fortune on their daughters event but a diamond necklace is visibly generous and they may be feeling jealous.

the comments on having babies also sound like the only reason they can think of as to why you’ve not had any yet is fertility issues / prioritising your career. Not that you just don’t want any yet, this must also threaten their world view in some way so that you’ll never fathom.

as for the last party, I would go, only because you live your niece and she’d want you there.
just blatantly ignore the rest of them and outwardly have a fab time. Don’t let them get in your head.
and if BIL begrudges paying for your food, then eat loads of it 😈