bhabi issue

This is going to be long, sorry! I have a good relationship with my bhabi. We are not that close though that I feel like I can sit down and say something about this situation to her.

So my bhabi is not pakistani, she is Arab. A few years ago, there was a function at my parents house. My dads family is not nice, they say rude things and try to pass them off as jokes but everyone knows what they really mean. They have made life miserable for my mom as well. My youngest chachi, you can basically call her uneducated. She is from the village, and I think only went up to grade 8, but she is my dadas niece, that’s why they picked her. She does not have a bad heart, but she says things without realizing she is being hurtful. So that is a little background.

At the function, my chachi told my bhabi that she has lost so much weight that her nose looks big on her face now (my bhabi has always been sensitive about her nose). My bhabi tried to laugh it off, and just walked away (she is the one who told me what happened). To add insult to injury, when she walked away, she sat with my dads sisters and some of my cousins. The topic of pregnancy came up and my older Phupo (who is quite rude) said to her, you look like you are pregnant again, are you having twins? My bhabi has one set of twins. That’s why she asked about twinsi guess. Anyway, i can’t remember what her response was, but basically my Phupo was saying she looked fat.

Later that evening, my bhabi told me what had happened. I tried to console her, and told her not to take their words to heart, cause they were just rude people and honestly they are jealous of our family, which is true. I told my mom after what happened. She was able to say something to my chachi, but my Phupo is seriously such a b**** and has made my moms life miserable, that she has absolutely no confidence to say anything in front of them. My grandmother does not speak English, and my bhabi doesn’t speak our
language, but somehow my bhabi made my Dadi understand what had happened. My Dadi yelled at both my Phupo and my chachi for what they said. My chachi called my bhabi and apologized to her. She even had her daughter send an email from her apologizing. My Phupo
did nothing. Since then, my bhabi doesn’t talk to or interact with either my chachi or Phupo. Any time there is a function at one of their houses, she makes a big issue of not wanting to go. At first my brother was understanding and they didn’t go to functions. But it’s been over 2 years now. He thinks she should be over it by now. She still makes an issue, doesn’t say Salam to any of them, and when she sees them will always say things like ugh, I don’t want to see chachi/Phupo. She will walk right past them without even acknowledging them.

Here is the thing, my chachi has apologized to her numerous times and she honestly feels bad about what happened. I think she should just get over it now. My Phupo didn’t apologize, so I think it’s fine of she wants to keep her distance but at least she can say Salam to her. And I think she should just be normal with my chachi now.

Is there anything I can say to her? I want to tell her to get over it now, or do you think she is right by basically holding this grudge against them?

Re: bhabi issue

Yes, she could get over it but she is probably just protecting herself from getting hurt again. I am like that too. If I get burnt more than once, I will do whatever it takes to protect myself from getting burnt again. It could also be that she feels if this happens again, she will say something ever meaner. Lol.

And no, you shouldn't say anything to her.

Re: bhabi issue

It's been 2 years, she should get over it now.

Their comments were rude and she was probably hurt by them but I'd say she is overreacting a bit now.

On the other hand I'm not sure you should interfere in it. It should be your brother's job, not yours.

Re: bhabi issue

Leave her be.. I think it's understandable she wants to keep her distance..

Think how you'd feel it people made comments about you like that.. am sure she still feels very self-conscious and doesn't need the extra stress and possibility of being called names by them again.. I think it's often better to stay away from people like that and all the family politics..

Re: bhabi issue

^ This. Its not your place to tell her anything regarding this. At this point, this is between your bhabi and her husband and they need to sort this out on their own.

Re: bhabi issue

She needs to grow up! Maaf kar dena is a good thing esp when an elder has apologized to you so many times. Old people can be set in their ways and like you said in your chachi's case that she is not a bad person so your bhabhi needs to loosen up a bit.

Even for phupo, its not a big deal! Log is se buhat zyada baate kar lete hai, doesnt mean you stoop to a lower level and not even say your salam dua. Don't forget people, salam is done for Allah and you are basically fulfilling your human rights. To make a marriage cimfortable, both sides need to make huge sacrifices....your bhabi should be doing nothing in comparison if she lets go of her ego and keep salam dua with her husband's familiy like any sane adult should.

Re: bhabi issue

I agree that she should get over it. However, everyone's comfort level is different. You cannot make someone behave a certain way. She probably finds it very uncomfortable to face them again thinking they must always be judging her.

Re: bhabi issue

I have a simple question something every man asks himself.

Why are you getting involved?

Re: bhabi issue

I am sorry if this may offend the light hearted ones....but if i were the husband, my wife would not have the choice to behave that way! Simple.

I am a women myself and no way can i take **** from anyone but that doesn't stop me from showing at least basic etiquettes with people, especially those who matter to my family.

Re: bhabi issue

I am surprised she had such a massive reaction to those sly comments made by your chachi and dadi. Maybe it's because she's Arab and they don't tolerate that kind of chalak-ness in their culture? I don't know. But seriously, my susraal say all kinds of back-handed compliments and remarks to my face ALL THE TIME, and I've never complained to them. I used to complain to hubby, but he thinks it's all in my head (maybe it is???) so I don't bother with him either, unless it's REALLY BAD. The sad truth is that susraal will always make comments like this, and it's something you just have to live with.

I'm even more surprised Chachi apologised!!! Seriously! In answer to your question, yes she should get over it. Tell her the hadith that goes something along the lines of if you show Rehmaniyat to people in this life, Allah may show Rehmaniyat in the Hereafter. It's always better to be the bigger person and forgive. Don't stoop to their level by being just as bad as them.

Re: bhabi issue

So say some relative of yours got off on the wrong foot with your husband and now your husband refuses to meet with them. How exactly will you give him no choice to behave that way?

Re: bhabi issue

She's not Pakistani so our etiquettes + the much greater importance we place on keeping extended family and esp elders happy probably isn't a priority for her..

Sane people tend to stay away from situations which could result in more trouble imo

Re: bhabi issue

I don't see the point in making elders apologize about such trivial stuff.
It wasn't right of them but its not a big enough issue to hold onto for 2 yrs.
You're bhabhi is just being miserable and carrying around a grudge.

Islam doesn't say you need take insults but it is pro forgiveness.

Re: bhabi issue

Leave her be. People handle things differently. I have learned that i am better off away from such people and keep my distance from them, since i can't deal with their comments either.

Also, her reaction should teach your phupho and chachi a lesson. Just because they are elder and have been chances to say whatever they thing is right, doesn't make their comment less hurtful.

Do not say anything to your bhabi or you will damage your relationship as well.

Re: bhabi issue

No if she was a man, she wouldn't be told to get over it. She would be told her issues were ok.

As for the OP, I don't think your bhabi needs to get over anything for your sake or your phupo or your chachi. Whatever's to all that. She might get over it because it's important to her husband (your bro) but that is between them and has nothing to do with you.

I think that our culture pressures people to keep toxic individuals in their lives. The way you describe your dad's family, they sound toxic and I don't think your bhabhi should be forced to keep them in your life.

I know people are like old people act like douchebags, but younger people should let it go. Why? I think not being rude back is the extent of courtesy they are entitled to. You act like a douche, you should be treated like one.

Re: bhabi issue

same rule applies to all human beings; husband or wife.

Re: bhabi issue

Forgiveness for people who haven't asked for it is a bit much. Her phupo isn't sorry, she isn't even willing to pretend. So there needn't be any forgiveness there.

Her chachi asked, and while I think that should matter, I can see why the OP's bhabi doesn't believe them, if this is their regular style.

Re: bhabi issue

Those are not just Pakistani etiquettes.

Re: bhabi issue

Just because lots of people are crappy human beinsg doesn't mean peopel should start accepting that (if they don't have to), is se sheh milte his aise logon ko. They are bullies, they know no one will stand up to them, so why would they ever not act like jerks?

Re: bhabi issue

i believe importance of family, relatives and most importantly respect is in every culture and religion! More so...she married into a Pakistani family, time for her to live up to it ;-).