Reply to How to relate to SIL who shows no unhappy emotions ever?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here! Thanks for the responses.
My sense is it's a defense mechanism, and it makes it really hard to talk about anything with her when she immediately shifts gears into something superficial; I guess I feel I can't be myself and have to always be "up" as well, or else she completely cannot relate. It's like she can't talk about anything uncomfortable (except that one time). She also posts on Instagram daily about inspirational quotes and sayings. As I said, it doesn't really affect me (except she is also our neighbor, so...we interact a lot); but it would help to understand a bit because sometimes I feel frustrated like she's putting on a show and I don't feel we can really talk. Like if I am having a bad day or something and cry in front of her, I feel like an alien.[/quote]

So keep it light and cordial with her, and when you need to cry or "go deep," call up a trusted girlfriend!

Don't be one of those annoying types who expects to be super close with a relative or an in-law Because Family. Read the room: she doesn't want that relationship with you. That's fine. Keep it light with her and go deep with other friends who actually want that relationship with you. [/quote]

It is OK to want to be close to your in-laws because they are family. It is not annoying. The previous poster tried to be helpful but the skeletons in their closet didn’t let them.[/quote]

No, it is NOT annoying...both parties have to want that closer relationship. She did not marry YOU. Not everyone thinks family or ILs = automatic closeness. Especially when some people are known to gossip, speculate, and judge. Don't be a dog with a bone. Read the room, respect her wishes, MOVE ON. Failing to respect someone's personal boundaries is annoying. LET IT GO.[/quote]

Maybe OP came to the anonymous board NOT to gossip. She asked for strangers to speculate instead of blabbing around to other family. Geez. It's natural to be puzzled, I think...I'd find it weird too.[/quote]

Yes, and? So SIL is a bit strange. Yes, and? Most people are kind of strange in some ways. So you shrug and do your best when you see them, and move on. What's really strange, to me, is why OP and types like you can't just leave it alone. So she's a little strange. Life is full of little mysteries. Keep it moving. Maybe get a hobby to help fill your time and keep your attention away from someone just living their life.[/quote]

I think you're missing the point of this forum.[/quote]

OP says she has a problem and seeks advice. My advice is to stop expecting others to behave in a way that makes sense to you or that pleases you, and to move on. Clearly it is you that missed that point. Sometimes the advice is let it go and get a hobby.[/quote]

I think you're assuming people who post here spend all their time thinking about the issue they post about, at the expense of having a life or hobbies. Be real, you're not being helpful by saying to "get a hobby." You're trying to smugly say the posted has no life and spends their free time analyzing their SIL. It wasn't meant helpfully; it was a dig. eye roll.[/quote]

OK, by all means. OP is free to use her time, energy, and mental real estate to keep speculating, observing, gossiping, wondering, and judging her SIL. Maybe in addition to her husband, she can whisper about this with other relatives as well. She can spend her time and energy continuing to expect another person to behave and live in a way that makes sense to her. She can continue to expect a relationship that she think she is owed, never mind what type of relationship the SIL actually wants. Do that, then, feel free! Enjoy the ride on that particular hamster wheel. It will give you so much more to gossip and judge about. [/quote]

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