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I’M sick of my younger sister’s double standards.
When she comes here with her children, they run around like little savages and she never says a word.
From smearing food on the walls to tipping juice all over the floor, they’re out of control.
Yet, when my twins were young, she was so uptight and prissy that I was too scared to unstrap them from their pushchair.
She lived in a swanky apartment back then – all glass tables and sharp edges – and looked down her nose at us.
Now she permits her two sons to rip through my house like a hurricane.
NO-one likes me because I’m feisty and can be a bit over the top.
I used to hang around with a gang of school friends but I realise that I’ve been subtly dropped by each and every one of them.
My last boyfriend left in early 2016 and, besides a few disastrous hook-up dates, I’ve not been able to find a decent guy to replace him.
I’m in a new job where no-one is interested in chatting to me, joining me for lunch or even buying me a coffee.
I admit that I can be a bit loud and outrageous. I speak as I find and have a wicked sense of humour, but life is for living, right?
Why does everything have to be deadly serious and boring?
Wimps
Every time I say something outrageous or funny to the girls who sit opposite me, they look at me as if I’m mad. Being sarcastic is my way of breaking the ice and having a laugh.
My boss has no sense of humour whatsoever and most of the staff are scared of their own shadows.
The other day his secretary was having a bad hair day. She got caught in the rain and looked hysterical. I quipped that she’d give Ken Dodd a run for his money and she ran off crying.
Later, in the toilets, her mate accused me of being insensitive and unkind. What a bunch of wimps.
At my old place, everyone used to slag each other off all the time. It was just the way we rolled. Here I feel lonely and isolated. My sister says I’m turning into an “acquired taste”.
She says I need to calm down and stop acting like I’m the star turn on Mock The Week, but I like being snappy and feisty.
Why should I have to tone down my natural sense of humour and fun just to fit in with all the deadbeats around me?
JANE SAYS: Your sister should take full control of her children.
It’s not rocket science. You did it. Saying “no” isn’t going to scar your nephews for ever – quite the opposite.
How else are they going to learn? I suggest you stand up for yourself.
Be ready for them the next time they come round and make it abundantly clear what is, and isn’t, acceptable behaviour.
Keep all food in the kitchen and don’t let them wander free-range. Above all, remind her of how she used to be with you.
I suspect you’re reluctant to speak to your sister, because you fear it will cause a row.
She’ll defend her children like a lioness and be wounded that you’ve dared to criticise them, but you too deserve respect and consideration. JANE SAYS: Your sensible sister sounds spot on.
It sounds as if you’re treating your new office like a comedy store. You’re doing your turn, but no-one’s interested. You sound like an annoying kids’ entertainer.
It’s always hard fitting into a new environment.Your new colleagues aren’t going to be exactly the same as your old ones.
As for your “wacky sense of humour” I’d give it a rest if I were you – it sounds very annoying indeed.
People go to work to use their brains, fill their time and earn money – not to be insulted.
Has it never crossed your mind that you might be deeply irritating and immature? It’s not a case of your colleagues not “getting” you.
You need to grow up and start being more considerate of them. I don’t think I’d fancy facing you, first thing on a Monday morning.
My advice is calm down, get on with your work and gradually earn the respect of your colleagues.
Regarding your social life in general and your love life in particular, the same advice applies.
Being annoying and “wacky” can be really draining. Why do you think all of your old school friends have deserted you and subsequent dates haven’t worked out?
Look at your behaviour and start making changes before you end up very lonely indeed.