Should I tell my materialistic half-sister I can’t spend much time with her?
A reader says her wealthy, class-conscious half-sister makes her uncomfortable and even ill; she asks whether to tell her she can’t spend much time together.
DEAR ABBY: For the past three years, my family has had reunions with my older half-sister, “Sybil.” We did not grow up together, and we have very different lifestyles. I grew up with little money and numerous hardships; Sybil grew up having every need and want met. She’s successful and wealthy.
I am proud of her and everything she has accomplished, but she is difficult to be around. Sybil is materialistic and talks constantly about everything she has. She’s class-conscious and uncomfortable in “low-class” environments, like affordable restaurants and stores. It literally makes me ill.