Well, the Dreaded Brother-in-Law sounds like a little mousey guy in the corner, not interesting enough to talk to for several hours even once a year, and pretty neurotic to boot. I'm guessing here, but it doesn't sound like his social skills are really very highly refined, either. I hope he has good personal hygiene!
You don't really sound that catty. Catty can be good, incidentally, especially since we are all in dire need of light amusement after all these heavy discussions about religion and stunning poetry about nonfunctional body orifices and missing limbs. Of course, it is not good to hurt feelings, but since your brother-in-law doesn't seem to be following this thread, it doesn't seem harmful.
My brother-in-law used to drink too much and try to pinch my nipples at family events. Once at Christmas, I bent over to look at the turkey in the oven, to make sure it wasn't turning into jerky or anything, and he came up behind me and gave me a big, very friendly swat. I'm glad I didn't end up in the turkey pan. So count your blessings! |
