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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:
Wenfy · 11/07/2023 12:25

It seems to be that you might have pissed off sil by buying real diamonds when her family only got fakes and DB was taking it out on you instead of the south african family.

pinkyredrose · 11/07/2023 12:38

Bat Mitzvah?

Anyway you already knew they were arseholes as you knew they were rude to the brother with mental health issues. What kind of person does that?

GatesOfBabylon · 11/07/2023 13:05

Most religious people have these prejudices. I know a lot of Catholics and they are all like this, looking down their nose at everyone else.

Brighteyes2368 · 11/07/2023 13:07

Talk about toxic bs! I'm so sorry they treated you like that. They're jealous you could afford something so expensive (the gift) AND that you and DH aren't on the "must have babies immediately" train.

They've decided you're not living the life THEY want you to and they've decided to punish you (seems like classic Golden Child behavior toward Scapegoat with other BIL).

I know what I'd do in a situation like that, but I get told I'm unreasonable when I cut out toxic people from my life because "it's FAMILY".

PSA: NOBODY should treat you as less than PERIOD.

pinkyredrose · 11/07/2023 13:33

GatesOfBabylon · 11/07/2023 13:05

Most religious people have these prejudices. I know a lot of Catholics and they are all like this, looking down their nose at everyone else.

You need to get out more . I know a lot of Catholics too and none of them are like this.

MisschiefMaker · 11/07/2023 16:28

Jewish racism. Most people outside the community have no idea how rife it is.

OP should ask her DH outright whether race or religion had anything to do with it. I bet he knows if that's the case. Hopefully she will be able to tell from his reaction even if he denies it.

Lacucuracha · 11/07/2023 16:41

MisschiefMaker · 11/07/2023 16:28

Jewish racism. Most people outside the community have no idea how rife it is.

OP should ask her DH outright whether race or religion had anything to do with it. I bet he knows if that's the case. Hopefully she will be able to tell from his reaction even if he denies it.

Eh? I thought they’re all Jewish?

pinkyredrose · 11/07/2023 19:51

Lacucuracha · 11/07/2023 16:41

Eh? I thought they’re all Jewish?

Op isn't

Lacucuracha · 11/07/2023 20:38

Ah sorry

MacarenaMacarena · 11/07/2023 21:12

Make sure you speak to your niece about how carefully you chose the necklace for her, and how determinedly you saved up for it.
She should know the truth about who gave it to her. (and possibly what an arse her father is)

Papernotplastic · 11/07/2023 21:29

They might behave this way towards you because you’re not Jewish but it’s quite possible that if you were Jewish they’d still act like this towards you. There are enough posts on here about people’s SILs, BILs and their own adult siblings being really weird with them and sometimes roping the rest of the family into ignoring or chastising them.

If the diamond had been lab grown they’d have moaned about it not being ‘real’. If you had children they’d probably have started the criticism with your birthing choices and worked through weaning and toilet training to pick at your choice of school.

You live a long way away from them. Be thankful. Very, very thankful.

ellyeth · 12/07/2023 15:02

They sound vile. Being insensitive about someone with mental health issues, and being extremely unkind and rude to you says what kind of people they are. Also, it is excruciatingly bad form to make hints about having children. And perhaps you being non-Jewish is an issue for them - which is just as bad. I would give them a wide berth and I am so sorry that something you were looking forward to has been so spoilt for you.

ellyeth · 12/07/2023 15:03

In my experience, this is the sort of nastiness that very religious beliefs engender - though it is not always the case.

samG76 · 12/07/2023 15:27

I think they're just an unpleasant family - it sounds more tribal than religious, especially as OP has they are non-practising. I've never heard of names of family and their wives being read out during the service - sounds as if this was a calculated insult to OP but outside the context of a service.

ToWhitToWhoo · 12/07/2023 15:30

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.

OP did go to the niece's special event; just not to an earlier informal get-together.

pinkyredrose · 12/07/2023 16:07

Maybe they were annoyed because you called it a Bat Mitzvah not a Bar Mitzvah.

Walkingtheplank · 12/07/2023 16:42

pinkyredrose · 12/07/2023 16:07

Maybe they were annoyed because you called it a Bat Mitzvah not a Bar Mitzvah.

It was a Bat Mitzvah...

IbitebecauseIwantto · 12/07/2023 16:44

pinkyredrose · 12/07/2023 16:07

Maybe they were annoyed because you called it a Bat Mitzvah not a Bar Mitzvah.

I’m guessing it was a girl @pinkyredrose and it would then be a Bat Mitzvah?

pinkyredrose · 12/07/2023 16:46

Ah I was wrong!! Sorry all!

Brefugee · 12/07/2023 16:59

After similar behaviour from some of my SILs I just pretend to myself they don't exist. It's liberating

Esmer123 · 24/02/2024 09:01

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