‘My sister has list of rules we have to follow at family gatherings – it’s bizarre’

A woman was left stunned after her sister wrote up a ‘code of conduct’ for their family to follow at festive gatherings. The autumn and winter months offer plenty of opportunities to spend quality time with loved ones, from Halloween celebrations to Thanksgiving dinners. The 32-year-old woman had been hosting Thanksgiving at her home for five years, describing the gatherings as “a little messy and chaotic, but part of the charm.”

However, this year, her 29-year-old sister decided to introduce some order to the family gathering. The sister arrived with printed copies of what she called a ‘Family Code of Conduct,’ which included rules such as no overlapping conversations at the dinner table, a ban on political topics, a dress code of ‘smart casual,’ and assigned seating based on personality compatibility. The sister demanded that everyone read and sign the rules before attending Thanksgiving.

The woman questioned her sister’s seriousness, but her sister insisted on enforcing the rules to improve family dynamics. The woman decided not to comply and told her sister to host Thanksgiving herself if she wanted to micromanage the event. As a result, the woman cancelled hosting, leading to disagreements within the family. Opinions were divided on whether the woman should have accepted the rules to keep the peace or stood her ground.

On Reddit, users shared their thoughts, with some suggesting that the woman host Thanksgiving just for her brother, while others commended her for not allowing her sister to dictate the family gathering. The incident highlighted the tensions that can arise when family members have different expectations and approaches to events like Thanksgiving.

Insights:
Family gatherings can be a source of joy and connection, but they can also bring to light underlying tensions and disagreements among relatives. In this case, the clash between the two sisters over a ‘code of conduct’ for Thanksgiving demonstrates the importance of communication and compromise in maintaining family relationships. Each family member may have their own idea of how gatherings should be conducted, and finding a balance that respects everyone’s preferences can be challenging but essential for a harmonious celebration.