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age
41-50,
anonymous
writes: My sister always has to tell embarrassing stories about me when we have family events. One time I had my friends over and forgot to open the flue on the fireplace. (My parents came home and managed to open it up, so everything was fine.) But then on Christmas Eve, my sister told all of my family about it. She also is passive aggressive about things too. When I was going through a rough period, I sent her a lot more e-mails than usual. Well, during a family party, she made some comment in front of family members about how I e-mail her too much. (Why couldn't she just tell me in private how she felt and not in front of all of my family?) She and I hang out and get along. But whenever there are family events, she has to put on a show and share these embarrassing moments. I usually just stay quiet and don't say anything when she does this. (My family members don't say anything either- they don't really care.) I don't say anything to irritate my sister. (I'm too busy keeping an eye on my little cousins, making sure they don't hurt themselves.) My sister is in her early 30s so I feel too old to be dealing with this stuff. I know it's not worth worrying about, but we have a family party coming up and I'm nervous she'll tell another embarrassing story. Why does she do this? How should I handle it when she does say something?
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female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (26 June 2010):
 I think olderthandirt makes a good point, siblings can be bothersome at times. They are not always your best friend, and they don't have to be either. You still must accept them like they are, because they are family. You can not trade family in for someone better, like you can with friends, or even a girlfriend. Family is family and you can never have a new family. So even if they annoy you, it is not worth burning bridges over.
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reader, anonymous, writes (26 June 2010): This is verified as being by the original poster of the question"What you used as examples here isn't actually that embarrassing, at least I can think of a lot more embarrassing things than silly slip-ups about fireplaces."
Yes, it wasn't the best example I guess but she also adds her sarcastic comments about the stories to people.
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male
reader, olderthandirt  +, writes (25 June 2010):
 I have two (2 many) sisters and they are relenless also it's their job to drive the big brother nuts. Shows equality or something- I love them anyway in spite of themselves. DO NOT BURN ANY BRIDGES my friend they are your only link to the past!
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female
reader, chigirl +, writes (25 June 2010):
I don't know if she sees the harm in what she does. Nor do I think the stories you have used as examples here are particularly embarrassing. They might serve as amusement for a short period, so try not to take yourself too highly, but learn how to laugh of yourself. Maybe next time, laugh along with her, and give her a taste of her own medicine, continuing it with a story about something she did.
But be careful with how far you go. What you used as examples here isn't actually that embarrassing, at least I can think of a lot more embarrassing things than silly slip-ups about fireplaces. I mean it was a mistake, not something you purposefully did that was wrong in any way. Now say she caught you masturbating to the married couple next door, now THAT would have been embarrassing to. So make sure, whatever story you decide to tell about her, in should always match up to the story she told about you. Don't take it too far.
I don't think she means any harm, I just think this is the way she converse.
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male
reader, CaringGuy  +, writes (25 June 2010):
I think you'll find that she's very insecure. Perhaps as children she always thought that you were treated better, or were a favourite, or that she was pushed aside a bit too much. Insecure people, or those that feel like they're second best will make someone else look a little worse to draw attention away from them. Maybe you should just ask her about it.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 June 2010): HiJust be you...and don't worry about what she will say..it's only your embarrassment nobody elses, and what have you done to feel so worried about anyway. You be you and just laugh and let sis be her, if she then tries harder at revealing personal things, you may have a sibling rivalry problem on your hands. Deal with it openly and honestly anything said to embarrass you, beat her to it finish the conversation/ story for her if you know what she is going to let drop and admit how silly somthing was that you said or did and she will have not have got the response she wanted.good luck !
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