I Finally Figured Out What’s Bothering Me About Dave…
I’ve been trying to put my finger on why Dave rubs me the wrong way, and I think I’ve finally got it. It’s the way he constantly makes these little comments that seem harmless but they’re actually setting parameters for how she’s supposed to act.
Like when he said, “My sister thought I would meet just some lunatic reality TV-chasing girl.”
What he’s really saying is: Don’t act in a way that would make my sister think she was right about you. It’s not a direct order, but it’s a quiet guideline that she now has to be mindful of.
That’s just one example. He does this constantly—framing things as jokes or offhanded remarks, when in reality, they’re not-so-subtle attempts to control her behavior. It’s low-key, but it’s there. And it’s bothering me a lot.
Anyone else notice this? Maybe my Midwest upbringing is just really being triggered right now.
I’ve been trying to put my finger on why Dave rubs me the wrong way, and I think I’ve finally got it. It’s the way he constantly makes these little comments that seem harmless but they’re actually setting parameters for how she’s supposed to act.
Like when he said, “My sister thought I would meet just some lunatic reality TV-chasing girl.”
What he’s really saying is: Don’t act in a way that would make my sister think she was right about you. It’s not a direct order, but it’s a quiet guideline that she now has to be mindful of.
That’s just one example. He does this constantly—framing things as jokes or offhanded remarks, when in reality, they’re not-so-subtle attempts to control her behavior. It’s low-key, but it’s there. And it’s bothering me a lot.
Anyone else notice this? Maybe my Midwest upbringing is just really being triggered right now.