I have an off-topic question. My husband's married sister is 10 years younger than him. She's the baby of the family.
The problem I have is that whenever she and her husband have visited us (they used to live out of state) I have always prepared a really nice dinner--chicken breast, rolls, salad, dessert. They have NEVER offered to help out or bring anything. Once I asked her if she could bring a fruit salad and all she brought some cut up melon. (Maybe I'm being petty but it wasn't much of a fruit salad)
Even if we do something like takeout pizza, this sister eats some but doesn't chip in or even offer to do so.
She now lives in state and when she comes to visit for the day, we provide lunch. She never brings anything--we always feed her and her daughter and sometimes her husband. They invited us over once for a family potluck--but so far our hospitality hasn't been reciprocated. We've never been taken out for dinner or asked over for dinner.
Now these are not poor newlyweds by any means. They've been married almost 5 years and she made $30K a year as a nanny while her husband probably pulled in another 20K. They put a lot into savings and they've just purchased a home. They also dress nice, have nice furniture, etc.
I grew up where you're hospitable even when you don't really have to give. I think since she's the youngest, she's so used to people doing things for her that it doesn't occur to her that she could be hospitable in return.
They want to come for a visit in a couple of weeks and I am so resentful that once again I feel like I will provide a meal while they just enjoy it. My husband says he doesn't know how to help her get a clue. He thinks maybe she assumes that the person hosting is the one who provides the meal. I could see that but the problem is they have NEVER invited us over for dinner or out to eat.
Any ideas? I don't want to make her feel bad either but I do feel like they kind of take advantage of my hospitality. I feel a lot of bottled up resentment but don't know if it's my place as the sister-in-law to say something to her. (My husband hates any kind of confrontation)
Thanks for letting me vent!