Obstinate aunt tries to start arguments
BY AMY DICKINSON
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
1/15/13 at 4:00 AM
Dear Amy: I have an aunt (married to my dad's brother) with whom I have been fairly close over the past 18 years. I don't have any siblings, and our family is very small, so even though she is 16 years older than me, we have been very close.
We are drastically different in most ways - she dropped out of high school, I have two master's degrees; she is a Republican, I am very liberal; I work outside the home, she doesn't - and we both have strong opinions. We also have children who are the same age, and that has helped us keep our connection.
When we disagree, she will stop talking to me for months at a time (she won't take or return my calls, etc.). She either won't talk about what happened, or if she does, it is through yelling and being obstinate. Several times I have decided that I am done dealing with her, but eventually we get along again, and our families spend time together several times a year.
At the last two functions at our home, she has tried to start arguments with me in front of other people. I think this is rude and inappropriate.
I cannot invite my mother to family functions because she thinks she is being entertaining by cutting me down in front of others, and I feel my aunt is quickly making her way into this category as well. What would you do? - Fed Up
Dear Fed Up: You can control this to some extent by anticipating that this woman will attempt to bait you. And you can determine that you will not play this particular game, because if someone throws an argument and no one shows up, then the perpetrator is left more or less stewing in her own juice.
She might have an illness, become argumentative when she drinks, or might have simply decided that she really doesn't like the cut of your jib.
You are already excluding your mother from family functions, but I suggest you explore ways to cope with your aunt's behavior - a combination of ignoring and deflection might work - or you could mentally (or physically) leave the room.
Dear Amy: Further responding to "Kissed Consultant," who was subjected to an unwanted kiss from a business associate - she needs to administer a swift hard shove to this man, at the least.
A strong forearm would not be amiss, either. Who cares if he's from another culture or doesn't know better? He needs a quick lesson in American etiquette! - Charis in Suwanee, Ga.
Dear Charis: If you see a "hard shove" as "American etiquette," then I'd say you've pretty much identified what's wrong with us.
Send questions via email to Amy Dickinson at askamy@tribune.com or by mail to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
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