Man Behaves Strangely at Family Gatherings, His Girlfriend’s Sister Starts Getting Concerned

Have you ever been stuck at a family gathering pretending to enjoy a conversation with someone who has the emotional range of, say, a houseplant? You smile, nod, try to make small talk, and they respond like they’ve just woken up from a coma, if they respond at all. It’s the social equivalent of walking into a room and realizing you’re the only one wearing a costume.

That’s exactly the situation unfolding in today’s Original Poster’s (OP) life, as she took to the internet to ask whether she’s being unreasonable for quietly resenting her sister’s boyfriend for not being anti-social.

More info: Mumsnet

There’s something exhausting about being around someone whose presence just doesn’t sit right

Young couple sharing drinks outdoors, while others barbecue in the background, reflecting on sister's boyfriend seeming quite fake.

Image credits: stockieimage / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The author’s sister’s boyfriend planned a surprise birthday dinner but changed the date without informing her, then assumed she was uninvited

Person struggles with sister’s boyfriend being fake, debating whether to confront or stay silent about concerns.

Text on a white background discussing incidents and examples of a sister's boyfriend's behavior.

Text about organizing a surprise birthday dinner, with doubts about sister's boyfriend feeling quite fake.

Image credits: summerdreams19

Person in denim jacket and beanie holding a red cup, thinking sister's boyfriend is quite fake outdoors near a fire.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

She skipped the dinner to avoid drama, and neither the boyfriend nor her sister followed up afterward

Text excerpt about a person encountering sister’s friend before a dinner, considering sister’s boyfriend as quite fake.

Text about someone doubting their sister's boyfriend is fake and debating whether to expose him.

Text saying it’s possible he forgot, but questioning how he didn’t notice absence during the meal or mention it afterwards.

Text excerpt about sister's boyfriend acting fake and distant during family BBQ, raising doubts about his authenticity.

Image credits: summerdreams19

Two men holding beer bottles near a grill in a park, while a woman sits at a picnic table in the background.

Image credits: Stockbusters / Freepik (not the actual photo)

At a family BBQ, the boyfriend was present and acted withdrawn and eventually left without speaking or thanking anyone

Text excerpt expressing disappointment in sister's boyfriend for bad behavior despite early relationship days and drinking mistakes.

Person doubts sister's boyfriend is genuine and contemplates whether to reveal he is fake.

Person struggles with sister's boyfriend seeming fake, unsure whether to confront or stay silent about concerns.

Image credits: summerdreams19

Not a fan of his behavior, she began avoiding her sister and nieces due to his constant presence, which she couldn’t stand anymore

It all started when the OP’s sister’s boyfriend tried to plan a surprise birthday dinner. He had reached out to her and she gladly accepted the invitation, except he didn’t tell her that the date had changed. The OP only found out by accident through a friend, and feeling awkward, she skipped the dinner and stayed silent so as not to ruin the day.

However, the boyfriend’s obliviousness didn’t stop there. He didn’t notice her absence nor did he follow up afterward. Her sister didn’t mention it either, raising eyebrows about whether she even knew about the invite in the first place. Fast forward to the next family event, which was the guy’s second time meeting the family, and let’s just say he didn’t leave a glowing impression.

After a couple of drinks, he turned super quiet and eventually ghosted the gathering entirely without a “thank you” or “goodbye.” To make matters worse, the OP’s sister seems oblivious to how uncomfortable things have gotten. She keeps inviting her to hang out with them, however, she has started avoiding them entirely, just to keep things civil.

The more she dodges, the more her sister pushes, though. The OP explained that it’s not that she wants to sabotage the relationship, however the tension is affecting her bond with the entire family because she never wants to be where her sister’s boyfriend is.

Young man looking thoughtful and concerned indoors, reflecting on sister's boyfriend and his possibly fake behavior.

Image credits: lgolubovystock / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Mayo Clinic provides some insight into the situation and hints that social anxiety may be at play as it involves intense fear or anxiety in social settings, often leading to avoidance behaviors that can interfere with everyday life.

They explain that people with social anxiety often fear talking to strangers, worry excessively about being judged or embarrassed, and may experience anxiety well before a social event even occurs. During interactions, the fear can become overwhelming, making it difficult to engage or communicate.

Social anxiety is often misunderstood due to cultural expectations that value extroversion and sociability. Amaha highlights that this misunderstanding fuels stigma, making people label individuals with social anxiety as aloof, rude, or disinterested, when in reality, their reserved behavior stems from anxiety, not arrogance.

This is why making assumptions can be dangerous, as Health For Life points out. They state that when people assume instead of communicating clearly, it can create misunderstandings, emotional distance, and resentment. Furthermore, differing perspectives may be ignored, and negative patterns can form, sometimes even becoming self-fulfilling prophecies.

Netizens insisted that the OP was overreacting and making unfair assumptions about her sister’s boyfriend. They suggested the incidents she described didn’t justify such strong dislike, acknowledging the awkward behavior but urging open communication.

What do you think about this situation? Do you think the sister’s boyfriend is just awkward or is it a red flag in disguise? We would love to know your thoughts!

Netizens insist that the author was being completely unreasonable and that her reasons weren’t justifiable as to why she should resent her sister’s boyfriend

Commenter middleagedandinarage discusses disliking sister's boyfriend and questions whether distancing from sister is justified.

Commenter discusses sister’s boyfriend being fake and whether to reveal the truth about his behavior and character.

Text post discussing concerns about sister’s boyfriend being fake and debating whether to confront him or not.

Text advice about tolerating sister’s boyfriend despite feeling he seems fake and not being a danger to her.

Screenshot of a forum post discussing whether to bite tongue about sister's boyfriend appearing quite fake and suspicious behavior.

Text advice about dealing with a sister's boyfriend who seems fake and controlling in a family setting.

Commenter advises to keep quiet about sister’s boyfriend being quite fake, suggesting not to out him.

Screenshot of an online discussion where a person questions sister's boyfriend seeming fake and considers whether to out him.

Person doubts sister's boyfriend is genuine, debating whether to confront him about being fake.

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