"I didn't know you expected a response" Reality check me, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of like this. DH's family likes to talk ALL THE TIME with just small talk. If it's a special day (birthday, holiday, anniversary) I field phone calls all day long and have the exact same conversation with each of them. Sometimes twice if they call early in the AM they call back later to see how the day was. Went on vacation and they called every day to see if we were enjoying it. It sounds nice in theory and I'm sure I sound like a bitch but it's beyond grating. Maybe your SIL and brother are like me? I talk when there's a purpose but am not into small talk. Some people are talkers and some are not.

They obviously like you and want to show they care. Pull the stick out...you may need them one day.

[Anonymous]

OP, your SIL doesn't like you and your brother doesn't care enough to keep up his relationship with you. Sorry, that sucks. Been there, gave up.

[Anonymous]

Brothers are like this. Mine lived the fraternity lifestyle until his first kid was born when he was 33.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you have different communication styles. You are probably an extrovert and recharge from talking and communication. Your brother is likely an introvert and finds it draining. I had a roommate who needed to be in communication with everyone all the time, and I found it the weirdest thing ever. It's what makes you happy, but others aren't wired that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of like this. DH's family likes to talk ALL THE TIME with just small talk. If it's a special day (birthday, holiday, anniversary) I field phone calls all day long and have the exact same conversation with each of them. Sometimes twice if they call early in the AM they call back later to see how the day was. Went on vacation and they called every day to see if we were enjoying it. It sounds nice in theory and I'm sure I sound like a bitch but it's beyond grating. Maybe your SIL and brother are like me? I talk when there's a purpose but am not into small talk. Some people are talkers and some are not.

They obviously like you and want to show they care. Pull the stick out...you may need them one day.

Who calls anyone every day on their vacation?

PP's ILs are crazy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you have different communication styles. You are probably an extrovert and recharge from talking and communication. Your brother is likely an introvert and finds it draining. I had a roommate who needed to be in communication with everyone all the time, and I found it the weirdest thing ever. It's what makes you happy, but others aren't wired that way.

+1 every time the phone rings, I have a sense of dread about it. Some people just find it exhausting. It's not personal.

[Anonymous]

My family is like this. Not like you're going to change them. If you ask a direct question, you will get an answer. If you ask an open ended question, you'll get a one word answer. How are you? fine. What's going on in your life? Nothing new. If you do something great, you might (only might) get a congratulations. It's who they are. I don't get why it matters and why you can't accept them for who they are. They seem fine with you and don't get irritated over what I'm sure they consider over communicating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family is like this. Not like you're going to change them. If you ask a direct question, you will get an answer. If you ask an open ended question, you'll get a one word answer. How are you? fine. What's going on in your life? Nothing new. If you do something great, you might (only might) get a congratulations. It's who they are. I don't get why it matters and why you can't accept them for who they are. They seem fine with you and don't get irritated over what I'm sure they consider over communicating.

Exactly

[Anonymous]

Maybe they are very busy and tired at the end of the day. The last thing they may want to do is small talk. Move on, stop wasting so much time and energy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am kind of like this. DH's family likes to talk ALL THE TIME with just small talk. If it's a special day (birthday, holiday, anniversary) I field phone calls all day long and have the exact same conversation with each of them. Sometimes twice if they call early in the AM they call back later to see how the day was. Went on vacation and they called every day to see if we were enjoying it. It sounds nice in theory and I'm sure I sound like a bitch but it's beyond grating. Maybe your SIL and brother are like me? I talk when there's a purpose but am not into small talk. Some people are talkers and some are not.

They obviously like you and want to show they care. Pull the stick out...you may need them one day.

Who calls anyone every day on their vacation?

PP's ILs are crazy!

Sounds like they are retired and bored.

[Anonymous]

I think you may be overreacting a bit.

I think in the future you should ask a specific question if you want a response. Some people just don't feel like answering emails and maybe your SIL is indeed shy.

[Anonymous]

Since it's your brother, I would be frank with him and ask if he prefers that you contact him less. I don't know what the relationship is like, but my siblings and I don't have PC conversations.

Your SIL is quite rude, by the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your SIL doesn't like you and your brother doesn't care enough to keep up his relationship with you. Sorry, that sucks. Been there, gave up.

+1. Sigh.