Originally Posted by Millsyisland (Post 11098550)

If my in-laws came to visit for a month, I'd need to vent somewhere too..

In fact, anything more than a week is hell.

Originally Posted by Irishbeekeeper (Post 11098544)

and please do feel free to vent if you need to about anything or anyone
oh and also my inlaws are visiting and its been a month now and I miss my space :frown:

Originally Posted by Millsyisland (Post 11098550)

If my in-laws came to visit for a month, I'd need to vent somewhere too..

In fact, anything more than a week is hell.

Originally Posted by shiva (Post 11098595)

I cant even cope with my own folks for that long

Originally Posted by Brains1983 (Post 11098597)

I had my mother in law here for 2 months last year. I've been roped into buyung her another ticket for this year, hopefully only for a couple of weeks !

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 11098655)

It's almost exactly two weeks away but I'm already getting nervous about my sister coming.

It's for her 30th, she's not visited me yet. She's been to Fujairah before but that was working, so has seen nothing of Dubai.

This was sort of forced on me, so she got something special for her 30th...

The problem is, she's chalk and I'm cheese. She's a lovely human being and extremely pleasant, but just isn't quite on this planet in some areas.

Like me, she carries a little timber, well, a bit more than me. She's not a monster or huge or anything, but she seems to think that Michael Buble is waiting to whisk her off her feet. She claims to have lost a load of weight, but whenever I'm spending time with her, all she does is eat. Random shit, like slices of bread and butter, or that hateful soreen(?) cake shit. Don't moan about being fat and do nothing about it.

Now, that's all quite materialistic and shallow. As I said, we're chalk and cheese, she's an engineer but cannot apply logic to the real world. She told me she's got a budget of 200 quid for 11 days in Dubai. I told her not to ****ing come. I got told by Mum she was coming. I told Mum I KNOW she has much more money than that. I got told that was none of my business.

I asked when she was coming. She didn't know. She actually replied to my email with a question mark, nothing else.

Mum had to give me dates so I can book some time off work.

I then got to the bottom of the 'i've got no money' bullshit charade, she has got money to spend and does want to have fun, but doesn't want to eat and drink loads and put all this weight back on - Fair enough.

So, she found the Desert Road Run...it just so happens to be 8 hours AFTER she flies home. It took four emails each to get that message across.

My sister isn't stupid, selfish, horrible, nasty, unhelpful, mean. She's actually really nice. I think we are just polar opposites and wind each other up by just being ourselves. She's too much like my Mum, I'm too much like my Dad.

I've got two weeks until she's here and then I've got 11 or 12 days with her. I'm definitely going to consider a brother/sister slap (they're allowed) at some point, I know it. BUT, then I've got my MUm on skype saying I need to be nice, it's her 30th and I've only got on big sister (she ignores my two step-sisters) and have to look after her. Then I Feel like a massive **** for moaning about her.

I'm just going to treat her like a moron and take her everywhere and show her shiny lights and hope she enjoys it.

Serious first world vent problem from hell. If you've read this far I'll buy you a beer.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 11098655)

It's almost exactly two weeks away but I'm already getting nervous about my sister coming.

It's for her 30th, she's not visited me yet. She's been to Fujairah before but that was working, so has seen nothing of Dubai.

This was sort of forced on me, so she got something special for her 30th...

The problem is, she's chalk and I'm cheese. She's a lovely human being and extremely pleasant, but just isn't quite on this planet in some areas.

Like me, she carries a little timber, well, a bit more than me. She's not a monster or huge or anything, but she seems to think that Michael Buble is waiting to whisk her off her feet. She claims to have lost a load of weight, but whenever I'm spending time with her, all she does is eat. Random shit, like slices of bread and butter, or that hateful soreen(?) cake shit. Don't moan about being fat and do nothing about it.

Now, that's all quite materialistic and shallow. As I said, we're chalk and cheese, she's an engineer but cannot apply logic to the real world. She told me she's got a budget of 200 quid for 11 days in Dubai. I told her not to ****ing come. I got told by Mum she was coming. I told Mum I KNOW she has much more money than that. I got told that was none of my business.

I asked when she was coming. She didn't know. She actually replied to my email with a question mark, nothing else.

Mum had to give me dates so I can book some time off work.

I then got to the bottom of the 'i've got no money' bullshit charade, she has got money to spend and does want to have fun, but doesn't want to eat and drink loads and put all this weight back on - Fair enough.

So, she found the Desert Road Run...it just so happens to be 8 hours AFTER she flies home. It took four emails each to get that message across.

My sister isn't stupid, selfish, horrible, nasty, unhelpful, mean. She's actually really nice. I think we are just polar opposites and wind each other up by just being ourselves. She's too much like my Mum, I'm too much like my Dad.

I've got two weeks until she's here and then I've got 11 or 12 days with her. I'm definitely going to consider a brother/sister slap (they're allowed) at some point, I know it. BUT, then I've got my MUm on skype saying I need to be nice, it's her 30th and I've only got on big sister (she ignores my two step-sisters) and have to look after her. Then I Feel like a massive **** for moaning about her.

I'm just going to treat her like a moron and take her everywhere and show her shiny lights and hope she enjoys it.

Serious first world vent problem from hell. If you've read this far I'll buy you a beer.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 11098655)

It's almost exactly two weeks away but I'm already getting nervous about my sister coming.

It's for her 30th, she's not visited me yet. She's been to Fujairah before but that was working, so has seen nothing of Dubai.

This was sort of forced on me, so she got something special for her 30th...

The problem is, she's chalk and I'm cheese. She's a lovely human being and extremely pleasant, but just isn't quite on this planet in some areas.

Like me, she carries a little timber, well, a bit more than me. She's not a monster or huge or anything, but she seems to think that Michael Buble is waiting to whisk her off her feet. She claims to have lost a load of weight, but whenever I'm spending time with her, all she does is eat. Random shit, like slices of bread and butter, or that hateful soreen(?) cake shit. Don't moan about being fat and do nothing about it.

Now, that's all quite materialistic and shallow. As I said, we're chalk and cheese, she's an engineer but cannot apply logic to the real world. She told me she's got a budget of 200 quid for 11 days in Dubai. I told her not to ****ing come. I got told by Mum she was coming. I told Mum I KNOW she has much more money than that. I got told that was none of my business.

I asked when she was coming. She didn't know. She actually replied to my email with a question mark, nothing else.

Mum had to give me dates so I can book some time off work.

I then got to the bottom of the 'i've got no money' bullshit charade, she has got money to spend and does want to have fun, but doesn't want to eat and drink loads and put all this weight back on - Fair enough.

So, she found the Desert Road Run...it just so happens to be 8 hours AFTER she flies home. It took four emails each to get that message across.

My sister isn't stupid, selfish, horrible, nasty, unhelpful, mean. She's actually really nice. I think we are just polar opposites and wind each other up by just being ourselves. She's too much like my Mum, I'm too much like my Dad.

I've got two weeks until she's here and then I've got 11 or 12 days with her. I'm definitely going to consider a brother/sister slap (they're allowed) at some point, I know it. BUT, then I've got my MUm on skype saying I need to be nice, it's her 30th and I've only got on big sister (she ignores my two step-sisters) and have to look after her. Then I Feel like a massive **** for moaning about her.

I'm just going to treat her like a moron and take her everywhere and show her shiny lights and hope she enjoys it.

Serious first world vent problem from hell. If you've read this far I'll buy you a beer.

Originally Posted by al dente (Post 11098666)

Get her to the Hash House Harriers?

Originally Posted by TheShed (Post 11098660)

Heineken please Scampy ;-)

Originally Posted by Irishbeekeeper (Post 11098662)

mate!! thats all i can say!!
:drinkingpals:

Originally Posted by Bahtatboy (Post 11098665)

Scamp: I hope you're not expected to subsidise her stay. If she only comes with 200 quid, that's her choice.

Mine's a Stellar, ta.

Originally Posted by al dente (Post 11098666)

Get her to the Hash House Harriers?

It is only 11 days and try not to bring old stuff to the table and just treat her how you find her. This is tricky but means that the sibling slap may be staved for a week or two.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 11098655)

It's almost exactly two weeks away but I'm already getting nervous about my sister coming.

It's for her 30th, she's not visited me yet. She's been to Fujairah before but that was working, so has seen nothing of Dubai.

This was sort of forced on me, so she got something special for her 30th...

The problem is, she's chalk and I'm cheese. She's a lovely human being and extremely pleasant, but just isn't quite on this planet in some areas.

Like me, she carries a little timber, well, a bit more than me. She's not a monster or huge or anything, but she seems to think that Michael Buble is waiting to whisk her off her feet. She claims to have lost a load of weight, but whenever I'm spending time with her, all she does is eat. Random shit, like slices of bread and butter, or that hateful soreen(?) cake shit. Don't moan about being fat and do nothing about it.

Now, that's all quite materialistic and shallow. As I said, we're chalk and cheese, she's an engineer but cannot apply logic to the real world. She told me she's got a budget of 200 quid for 11 days in Dubai. I told her not to ****ing come. I got told by Mum she was coming. I told Mum I KNOW she has much more money than that. I got told that was none of my business.

I asked when she was coming. She didn't know. She actually replied to my email with a question mark, nothing else.

Mum had to give me dates so I can book some time off work.

I then got to the bottom of the 'i've got no money' bullshit charade, she has got money to spend and does want to have fun, but doesn't want to eat and drink loads and put all this weight back on - Fair enough.

So, she found the Desert Road Run...it just so happens to be 8 hours AFTER she flies home. It took four emails each to get that message across.

My sister isn't stupid, selfish, horrible, nasty, unhelpful, mean. She's actually really nice. I think we are just polar opposites and wind each other up by just being ourselves. She's too much like my Mum, I'm too much like my Dad.

I've got two weeks until she's here and then I've got 11 or 12 days with her. I'm definitely going to consider a brother/sister slap (they're allowed) at some point, I know it. BUT, then I've got my MUm on skype saying I need to be nice, it's her 30th and I've only got on big sister (she ignores my two step-sisters) and have to look after her. Then I Feel like a massive **** for moaning about her.

I'm just going to treat her like a moron and take her everywhere and show her shiny lights and hope she enjoys it.

Serious first world vent problem from hell. If you've read this far I'll buy you a beer.

Originally Posted by Meow (Post 11098735)

Good luck! I'll pass on the beer as I think you'll need it more than me.

Surely she doesn't expect you to subsidise her? GBP 200 is nothing unless she intends to sit around your flat all day.

Oh and she's your sister so you are allowed to moan about her. You can criticise but others can't. That's the rule about family.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 11098655)

It's almost exactly two weeks away but I'm already getting nervous about my sister coming.

It's for her 30th, she's not visited me yet. She's been to Fujairah before but that was working, so has seen nothing of Dubai.

This was sort of forced on me, so she got something special for her 30th...

The problem is, she's chalk and I'm cheese. She's a lovely human being and extremely pleasant, but just isn't quite on this planet in some areas.

Like me, she carries a little timber, well, a bit more than me. She's not a monster or huge or anything, but she seems to think that Michael Buble is waiting to whisk her off her feet. She claims to have lost a load of weight, but whenever I'm spending time with her, all she does is eat. Random shit, like slices of bread and butter, or that hateful soreen(?) cake shit. Don't moan about being fat and do nothing about it.

Now, that's all quite materialistic and shallow. As I said, we're chalk and cheese, she's an engineer but cannot apply logic to the real world. She told me she's got a budget of 200 quid for 11 days in Dubai. I told her not to ****ing come. I got told by Mum she was coming. I told Mum I KNOW she has much more money than that. I got told that was none of my business.

I asked when she was coming. She didn't know. She actually replied to my email with a question mark, nothing else.

Mum had to give me dates so I can book some time off work.

I then got to the bottom of the 'i've got no money' bullshit charade, she has got money to spend and does want to have fun, but doesn't want to eat and drink loads and put all this weight back on - Fair enough.

So, she found the Desert Road Run...it just so happens to be 8 hours AFTER she flies home. It took four emails each to get that message across.

My sister isn't stupid, selfish, horrible, nasty, unhelpful, mean. She's actually really nice. I think we are just polar opposites and wind each other up by just being ourselves. She's too much like my Mum, I'm too much like my Dad.

I've got two weeks until she's here and then I've got 11 or 12 days with her. I'm definitely going to consider a brother/sister slap (they're allowed) at some point, I know it. BUT, then I've got my MUm on skype saying I need to be nice, it's her 30th and I've only got on big sister (she ignores my two step-sisters) and have to look after her. Then I Feel like a massive **** for moaning about her.

I'm just going to treat her like a moron and take her everywhere and show her shiny lights and hope she enjoys it.

Serious first world vent problem from hell. If you've read this far I'll buy you a beer.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 11098755)

I really don't know Meow. She admitted she has more money (I know she does), so it shouldn't be an issue at all.

Oh well, this might be me getting all worked up for nothing. Feels good to rant. I copy and pasted that post and emailed it to my Dad (changed a few bits here and there) and he just replied laughing.

Originally Posted by Meow (Post 11098764)

Well, you really don't want to upset a big sister ;) but best to let it out rather than have a row when she gets here. Hopefully she'll see that things are expensive and will use some more money of here own. You have to be clear and she surely cannot expect you to pay for everything? Not unless she fancies dinner in Ravi's/KFC/McD's every night with the odd shwarma thrown in.

If she drinks don't forget to tell her to buy some duty free on the way in as there is 30% tax in Dubai and that might get the message over too. If you and L are both working suggest she cooks for you the odd night too. That's fair.

x

Originally Posted by Alexa (Post 11098787)

Find somebody to take her to the malls...that should give you a nice breather !
Oh...and Dragon Mart...as she does not have a big budget...;)
I do not envy you.

Originally Posted by Blue Cat (Post 11098829)

Try and enjoy it Scamp, I have two brothers neither of them bother with me at all. I am not upset about that as it has been like that for years and years. I have my own family and friends so it is no great loss, but every now and then I think about how it could have been, all I ever wanted was a nice family and everyone happy. I am lucky with cousins though, they are great and two of them have been over here in the last six months.

As for the budget I am sure it will be fine, there is something for everyone in Dubai.

Originally Posted by the_red_sheep (Post 11098836)

I would be very straight forward with her before she gets here about what to expect the prices of meals, drink etc to be, send her examples if necessary. Also, ask her what she is expecting to do and wants to do when here – it really winds me up when people turn up without a clue and expect to have their hand held and be shown about for their entire stay.

She is your guest, and while I believe in making guests feel welcome, I also think that when you’re staying in someone else’s home you have to eat what they eat, buy in groceries, help out with dishes, laundry, tidying and you take your host out for drinks/dinner. You’re not in a hotel you have to pull your weight and show your appreciation for the free lodgings. Staying with relatives might be cheap holiday, but it shouldn't be a free one!

Originally Posted by shiva (Post 11098595)

I cant even cope with my own folks for that long

Originally Posted by martinbkk (Post 11098903)

Maybe you could get her 'fixed up' so some other poor schmuck helps take the strain a bit:D:blink:

Originally Posted by mikewot (Post 11098909)

I think the market for 'plumpers' is a bit restricted, even in Dubay.

Originally Posted by mikewot (Post 11098909)

I think the market for 'plumpers' is a bit restricted, even in Dubay.

Originally Posted by the_red_sheep (Post 11098836)

I believe in making guests feel welcome, I also think that when you’re staying in someone else’s home you have to eat what they eat, buy in groceries, help out with dishes, laundry, tidying and you take your host out for drinks/dinner. You’re not in a hotel you have to pull your weight and show your appreciation for the free lodgings. Staying with relatives might be cheap holiday, but it shouldn't be a free one!

Originally Posted by britexpat76 (Post 11098757)

I have my little brother coming next Saturday and having not listened to me he decided to fly Saturday to Sunday as against including 2 fridays - meaning I have to have more time off at a time we are spastic busy. I will take the Sunday, thursday and last saturday off but I have no idea what to let him do on the Mon/Tues and weds I am at work. Thinking I may just chuck him some keys to a car and let him go walkabout........... Least in Dubs they can self entertain during the day.

:beer: Guinness Please.

Originally Posted by kittycat1 (Post 11099004)

You would think all the men on here are complete adonises...

Originally Posted by kittycat1 (Post 11098987)

so the moral to my story is, Ok so she's claiming poverty, you earn a decent salary so swallow it, enjoy the time with your sister and make the most of it, life is too short to worry about shit like that. You can afford it don't let it piss you off. If she is pissing you off because of too much of each other then I'm sure that's probably going two ways so give each other space, my tolerance is 3 days with my family before I have the urge to maim them, less with my brother, so I am sure she would appreciate some time to herself- cinema is a good option even if you go together but at least you don't have to talk but don't let money be something that causes rows, it really isn't worth it.

Originally Posted by kittycat1 (Post 11099164)

Beekeeper, if it was every weekend yes I'd have an issue, ok knowing she's not skint could wind you up but is it worth falling out over? Let it go I say and just enjoy her company, I'm pretty sure that everything scamp spends his money on is not an essential purchase so spend a bit of it on your family instead of whatever he normally blows it on . No harm done and he gets to enjoy the time with his sister if he just accepts it rather than watching the pennies tot up and feeling bitter about every last one- you can't take it with you.

Originally Posted by kittycat1 (Post 11098987)

The first time I went to New York was with a good girl friend for a 5 day stay. We were staying in a self service apartment. Prior to the trip we had planned loads so note my surprise when she tells me she only has 500 quid for the entire trip. I was livid, it was my first holiday for several years and I was stuck with a penny pincher. I ended up paying for her loads but was thoroughly pissed off to be doing so and to be honest it was a real blight on my trip. I'm normally pretty laid back and am generous to a fault, but I was so upset that she had travelled all that way to tell me oh I can't afford to do that and would expect me to go on my own or pay for her- bare in mind I was on low pay at the time and had saved for a long time to go so could not afford to be paying for two.

I had something similar on a long weekend to Dublin with another girlfriend, again first holiday in a long time and I was so annoyed.

Note why I now travel on my own.

Both experiences left me feeling resentful and pissed off and not enjoying myself as I was simmering inside, so the moral to my story is, Ok so she's claiming poverty, you earn a decent salary so swallow it, enjoy the time with your sister and make the most of it, life is too short to worry about shit like that. You can afford it don't let it piss you off. If she is pissing you off because of too much of each other then I'm sure that's probably going two ways so give each other space, my tolerance is 3 days with my family before I have the urge to maim them, less with my brother, so I am sure she would appreciate some time to herself- cinema is a good option even if you go together but at least you don't have to talk but don't let money be something that causes rows, it really isn't worth it.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 11100160)

You're right.

Whenever I go back she puts me up in Southampton because it's easier to see mates from there and lets them stay with me etc. Alright I don't do anything but sleep there and chat to her, it's still something she doesn't have to do.

I've just been wound up by the "I've only got a little money" which she's admitted is bollocks, she's probably got more than me. But then the bullshit excuse of not wanting to put weight back on that she's lost - I saw her a month ago, she hasn't lost any.

Ah **** it. I'm going to spoil her, she's always looked after me in a big sister / second mother sort of way so I shouldn't complain. 25 years of her being decent and helping me out.

What a difference a good night's sleep makes eh.

Originally Posted by TheShed (Post 11100166)

Don't spoil her too much Scamp - you owe us all beers now :p