To think that my brother shouldn't read my private emails then get in a strop when I ask him not to..

[insertwittynicknameHERE]

I was at the computer replying to a very private email to a friend when my brother came round (door was unlocked so he could walk straight in). I was just finishing the email off and said to him as he walked in 'I'll only be a minute then I'll put the kettle on'.

He came behind me and started to read the email, I asked him not too and he got all stroppy and upset, shouted at me and walked out slamming the front door.

He is 27 FFS not 7.

Arghh and now my mum will be on the phone at me about upsetting him, I am off out and not answering my mobile.

I really do not need this today of all bloody days, especially after the week from hell I had last week.

Looks like IABU lol.

I don't think it's unreasonable to look at what someone is doing on their computer if you know them quite well; if it's private you could just minimise the screen/lock the computer/ask them nicely not to read what you were writing. So I wouldn't say the reading your screen bit was unreasonable - how he reacted on the other hand, does sound quite immature.

How did you ask him not to - casually, or abruptly? If someone asked me not to read something nicely then I'd be fine with it, but if they were abrupt I'd feel a bit put out and offended.

YANBU my sister is the same.

I just said to him, 'please don't read this, it is private', I asked nicely. I think it is extremely rude for anyone to read something over someones shoulder. I shouldn't have to minimize it. I did say to him that I would only be a minute.

5inthebed, it is annoying isn't it.

If you asked nicely then he was definitely unreasonable for having a strop, but I still wouldn't say it's inherently rude to read something over someone's shoulder. I do that with my sister/friends, and they do that with me too - wander over and lean on the back of my chair to ask what's up. If I was writing a private email I'd minimise it - asking them nicely not to read it would only picque their interest!

I see what you are saying squirrel, it is just something I never do, not even to DH. I always think that if there is something someone wants me to know they will tell me IYSWIM.

My brother also reads my texts on my phone, it annoys the hell outta me. I have to hide my phone in my own home so that he doesn't.