I have a large family. I don't see or communicate with them very often because frankly, we don't have much to meaningfully talk about. I don't think DNA and blood necessarily a family make. There's a very large age gap between my siblings and me. I'm actually closer in age to my nieces and nephews.
Anyway, my two sisters and two of my nieces are very outspoken and opinionated.
Yesterday my brother from Arizona and his wife were at my sister's house for quite the family gathering. A few of my my nieces and nephews and their teenage children were there.
Now, I haven't seen the kids (brother's and sisters's grandchildren) since they were little tykes... basically we are strangers.
My sisters and nieces have always had something to say to me and about anything. It ranges from my few tattoos and their meanings; my food choices (I am Hindu and do not eat beef or any mammals); the fact that I became Hindu (they are Catholic when necessary); and such. I'm weird according to them.
I have put on a lot of weight since I last saw them almost three years ago. I like myself the way I am and want to gain more weight.
From past experience I know how it would go: "hey, what the hell happened to you!?"; "hey what's up with the weight?"; "you need to do something about that gut"; etc. Those are not so bad in and of themselves except that I know it would be said in front of these kids I don't know, and out loud.
I chose to not go because I've had enough of their mockery and comments, which they brush off as "teasing". The problem with this is that we range in age from 40s to 70s... we're not children.
So the question for disinterested third parties: was I right or wrong to avoid an occasion that I am 90% sure would result in my humiliation?
Anyway, my two sisters and two of my nieces are very outspoken and opinionated.
Yesterday my brother from Arizona and his wife were at my sister's house for quite the family gathering. A few of my my nieces and nephews and their teenage children were there.
Now, I haven't seen the kids (brother's and sisters's grandchildren) since they were little tykes... basically we are strangers.
My sisters and nieces have always had something to say to me and about anything. It ranges from my few tattoos and their meanings; my food choices (I am Hindu and do not eat beef or any mammals); the fact that I became Hindu (they are Catholic when necessary); and such. I'm weird according to them.
I have put on a lot of weight since I last saw them almost three years ago. I like myself the way I am and want to gain more weight.
From past experience I know how it would go: "hey, what the hell happened to you!?"; "hey what's up with the weight?"; "you need to do something about that gut"; etc. Those are not so bad in and of themselves except that I know it would be said in front of these kids I don't know, and out loud.
I chose to not go because I've had enough of their mockery and comments, which they brush off as "teasing". The problem with this is that we range in age from 40s to 70s... we're not children.
So the question for disinterested third parties: was I right or wrong to avoid an occasion that I am 90% sure would result in my humiliation?
7 years