I got an email a few days ago from an acquaintance, Bob (not his real name) that talked about some Toxic People in his own life. His wife has quite the extended family, 3 brothers, 4 sisters, many cousins and aunts and uncles. The problem is that Bob is kind of the outsider. His wife's family is very tight-knit and Bob doesn't fit in. He was an only child, he's outspoken and articulate, he's not afraid to argue, in a sense, a lot like me.
Well according to Bob: "They won't stop talking about me behind my back, no matter what I say to my wife. A month ago, they were whispering to each other that I was beating her. The month before that it was that we were broke. Now it's the 'fact' that I'm having an affair at work."
The worst of it is that Bob's oldest sister-in-law comes by the house often and lays these rumors on Bob's wife so then it starts an argument between them, and then Bob goes home from work and has an argument with his wife, because he's upset about what they're saying. He wants to confront them directly, but his wife won't let them.
Bob said "So, Maurice, what should I do? I'm going nuts here, and I don't think I stay married if I'm going to be sniped at all the time". Well Bob, I know what you're saying, and what you're going through. I've been in my share of passive-aggressive relationships before. I've been around passive-aggressive families before. I haven't forgotten you buddy, I'm just trying to think through an answer.
I figured I'd turn this over to my readers and see if any of them have any ideas. So what do you all think? What should Bob do? Divorce? Confront them? Leave it alone? What would you do?
