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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:
RampantIvy · 09/07/2023 08:47

TodayInahurry · 09/07/2023 08:09

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

Please don't tar them all with the same brush. I'm not religious, but have quite a few religious friends (C of E), and none of them are remotely like that.

Campervangirl · 09/07/2023 08:52

Remember that people only treat how you allow yourself to be treated.
I'm totally on your side op, I wouldn't have gone to the party either, they've made their feelings about you very clear & they've done it publicly by removing your name from the list that was read out.
I would absolutely cut them off.
You need to value yourself, you don't need to keep the peace with people who so clearly dislike you.
I'd also be having a hard work with dh.
"Your family has hurt and publicly embarrassed me and you watched them do it. You need to pick a lane, you have two choices, keep the peace with your db and his wife or defending your own wife. Let me know what you decide is more important"

BadgesforBadgers · 09/07/2023 09:09

Of course it would be easiest and quite satisfying to cut BIL and family off, but that would give them the greater satisfaction as that is what they want.

I would be tempted to confront BIL tell him in no uncertain terms you ate part of family and no rude , inappropriate or downright nasty behaviour by him will change that.

You are fond of your niece , and you only see them infrequently.

I say style it out .

MovingBird123 · 09/07/2023 09:20

TodayInahurry · 09/07/2023 08:09

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

Weird comment. OP states that they don't practise much. Just like you will find people in Christian tradition having christenings for babies or celebrating Christmas despite the family not regularly attending church or believing very much, you can find Jews who participate in all the cultural aspects despite not being especially religious. There are so many levels and types of observance that it's bizarre to lump them together. You will find horrible, snooty people everywhere regardless of religion...

WaitingForNothingGood · 09/07/2023 09:21

I'd have nothing more to do with them. They will undoubtedly poison your nieces opinion of you too so I'd just never see or communicate with them again.

Your husband might feel the need to keep some line of communication but I'd leave him to it.

RampantIvy · 09/07/2023 09:29

Well said @MovingBird123

Theimpossiblegirl · 09/07/2023 09:29

They sound awful.
I would be furious. Is it worth talking to the parents in law? Your dh should have your back.

FlamingoQueen · 09/07/2023 09:45

So they are normally nasty to your other bil and now it’s your turn! What a pleasant family. Sounds like they’ve been gossiping about why you’ve not had children and perhaps they all think it’s your fault and are treating you badly for this reason. Has your dh said something to them in order for them to think like this?
I personally would refuse to have anything more to do with them and if you do ever have dc, don’t let them get involved!

Mylifeislikeaboatrace · 09/07/2023 10:00

Fuck the lot of them.

Lacucuracha · 09/07/2023 13:46

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 😈

I’d be surprised bud they’re jealous or feel shown up. I think they feel the necklace is their due and it maybe be they expected more, like a cash gift on top.

Some people get very entitled with child free siblings, they think they should spend their money on their own children instead.

Shinyandnew1 · 09/07/2023 13:51

After you didn't show up last night, we deleted your name off the list of family members so you would not be included"

he will bill me for the food as I didn't show up last night

Did you actually tell them you wouldn’t be going to the family meal?

Jongleterre · 09/07/2023 14:05

It does all sound petty and jealousy fuelled.

Was the necklace you bought something they could not afford?

I bought a diamond tennis bracelet for a good friends daughter when she was 18 as they had a big family get together at a restaurant and we were invited to the meal and afterwards back at their house.

My so called good friend was extremely unpleasant about the bracelet making the sarcastic comment to her daughter in front of me, "You won't be able to wear it anywhere, you'll be robbed and murdered for it"!

I rolled my eyes at the time but didn't pursue an argument so as to spoil the occasion but the next time we spoke I said there was no need to make that remark and she huffed and puffed and skirted around what she said.

They had bought her a car and many other gifts but took umbrage at what I bought! 🤷🏼‍♀️

RampantIvy · 09/07/2023 14:54

because the pointed comments about lab grown diamonds sound like ones made to try to slap you down and devalue your generous gift.

Aren't they ethically better?

MisschiefMaker · 09/07/2023 21:08

You aren't good enough for them because you aren't Jewish.

Be glad you live far away!

Hellodollydaydream · 09/07/2023 21:17

How obnoxious I would pretend they don't exist block, but not before you've given them a piece of your mind

MisschiefMaker · 09/07/2023 21:25

RampantIvy · 09/07/2023 14:54

because the pointed comments about lab grown diamonds sound like ones made to try to slap you down and devalue your generous gift.

Aren't they ethically better?

Well young people are happy enough with their smartphones made with lithium batteries mined by children in the Democratic Republic of Congo so I doubt the ethics of diamond mining are right up their on teenagers' lists of concerns. SIL was being insincere in my opinion.

Partypiddler · 09/07/2023 21:33

Yanbu!

Does he fancy you, OP?

bumblebee2235 · 09/07/2023 21:48

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.

Could SIL and BIL be jealous of you? Hence not wanting to acknowledge your gift or anything?

Tbh the minute they dismissed gift If it was against my DH I would of corrected them and said my DH too.. and if my DH had his name removed and treated like that I would of disowned them tbh. It's against me to treat anyone like that in all honesty and I would be deeply disappointed if my family acted so deplorable I would expect better from them and let them know it!

Ilovecleaning · 10/07/2023 18:19

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.

Didn’t you read the original post?

N0ëlle · 10/07/2023 18:28

That sounds hurtful, and baffling.

Brush yourself down but hold your head up high. You went, you bought a gift because you wanted to, and they decided to instruct the SIL's family to blank you Confused

Although you may like the niece, don't bother again in the future.

ButterCrackers · 10/07/2023 18:35

How awful of them to bill you for an event you could not attend because you were recovering after hospital treatment. An email or message to the whole family to point this out is what I would do. Say of course you will pay for the food you could not have and any other expenses incurred. Explain that you had let them know you were in hospital and then recovering. Point out that you hope the your niece likes her diamond jewellery. Say that you were sad to be deleted wilfully by them from the list of family members. Explain the costs you had incurred for travel, hotels etc. Then never bother again with them.

Isaidnomorecrisps · 10/07/2023 18:45

Just watched Ted Lasso (!) and the best episode was when the mother tells the daughter the best way to deal with horrible bullies is to be ultra nice and sociable and warm - completely throws them off track. Because it’s completely counterintuitive. You could have some real fun with that approach….

IbitebecauseIwantto · 10/07/2023 19:48

Well said @Campervangirl

CelestiaNoctis · 10/07/2023 19:49

Are you white? Just trying to gauge if it's race motivated even. Seems extremely nasty for no reason and I would distance myself totally.

Smugglerstop · 10/07/2023 21:01

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

Wow