What I’ve learned about women... having four from sisters
by Michael Thomas, 25, who grew up in a house full of them
c“They’d call me out if I was ever deceitful to women”
hristmas presents are a running joke in my family. I’m the youngest of five – and the only boy – so my sisters are convinced I used to get preferential treatment. I’m not so sure. I stand by what my parents say: my hobbies were just more expensive than theirs. After all, guitar amps and games consoles were just never on their wish lists. But then there was the year my two eldest sisters received an alarm clock and a dressing gown each... and little else.
My eldest sister, Catherine, is 11 years older than me, at 36. She’s followed by Sarah, 34, Mary, 31, and, finally, Liz, who’s a year older at 26.
Due to that supposed “preferential treatment” I received, my nickname was Little Lord Michael. They were all horrified when they discovered that Mum had been making me a cooked breakfast every morning before school after they’d left for university, while they’d always been left to make their own. On reflection, it was highly unfair. Even so, there were definitely times when I was a vessel for my sisters’ amusement: they would tie my hair up and refer to me as Michaela.
I went to an all-boys’ school, and there was a lot of interest when my peers discovered I had so many sisters – I was forced to explain to my 14-year-old friends that they stood very little chance with my twentysomething siblings. But the four of them have taught me so much about women: I make close female friends easily, who tell me it’s refreshing to be able to interact with a man who isn’t solely acting with “romantic” intent. My sisters taught me respect for women, too, saying, “Never ghost anyone, Mike; just be honest.”
They would call me out if I was ever deceitful towards the women I was involved with. Mary is an associate director at the events company
I work for – more senior than me – and once had a word with me after I dated people from the office despite being ambivalent towards them. I’d not been entirely genuine and, as a result, had upset a few girls. She taught me to avoid becoming involved with anyone if I didn’t have strong feelings for them. My sisters also came down on me like a ton of bricks when I broke up with a girl on her birthday. I’ve learnt to navigate relationships with more honesty because of this.
They are warm towards my current girlfriend, and have been towards all the girls I’ve dated, though some of my girlfriends have felt intimidated by such a large family of women! If I’m having relationship difficulties, I don’t always confide in them, though, because they can be fiercely overprotective of me.
All four of my sisters are my role models by default. They’re all successful and far more driven than I ever was. Sarah and I go to a lot of gigs, Catherine tries to give me careers advice, and Liz and
I now share a flat. Plus, when I hear one of my colleagues is frightened of a telling-off from the boss – AKA Mary
– I laugh; I’ve seen her freak out over a house spider once too often. Having four sisters has shaped who I am, and I wouldn’t change it for the world!