Wife wonders about siblings’ bathroom habits

DEAR AMY » Iama married woman. My husband and his younger sister are of a Mediterranean nationality. Family relationships are “closer” there, I think, than those in North America or Europe.

I was shocked to see my husband and his sister in our bathroom together. She was putting on makeup, he was brushing his teeth.

We were in a hurry to leave the house, but there was a half-bath downstairs that one of them could have used.

I have been in the bathroom with my own older brother, but it was to install new toilets — something practical — not to do something “intimate,” that, in my opinion, is only for a husband and wife to share.

I felt very “strange” about this situation. Then it happened a second time. I have decided that if it happens again, I will join them in the bathroom and put on my makeup or brush my teeth with them to see if they understand that I’m disturbed by this situation.

— Too Close!

DEAR TOO CLOSE! » If brushing one’s teeth or putting on makeup is considered an uncomfortably intimate act that only married partners should share, then we need to completely revamp sexual education in this country.

I don’t think this is an ethnic thing or a national characteristic.

I think this is a “you” problem.

Taking your letter at face value, these two siblings were basically sharing a mirror.

Many siblings that grew up in close households and perhaps shared a bathroom with other family members throughout their childhoods wouldn’t think twice about sharing their bathroom ablutions.

Because this bothers you so much, you should probably express your concern directly to these two, instead of passively trying to get your message across. But you should also anticipate some bewilderment on their part.

Contact Amy Dickinson via email at askamy@ tribpub.com.