Would it/ does it bother you when your company looks through your things?

Question

Here's some examples of what my husband's mother and three sisters look through while at my house. They aren't sneaky about it either!

1.) I keep my shower curtain closed. After they use the bathroom, the curtain is open. One time I found child sized muddy foot prints in the tub after their visit. Must they look through my toiletries?

2.) My makeup was thrown around under the sink after my sister in law spent 1/2 hr. in the bathroom behind locked doors.

3.) My sister in laws showed my MIL a picture of my daughter that was framed. It said "Dad" on the frame and it was my gift to hubby for Father's Day. My MIL picked it up and examined everything on my shelves/ tables.

4.) My calendar seems to be the center of attention hanging on the wall next to my desk. They never knew when my birthday was, until after they visited. It was written on my calendar. I guess they can't keep their eyes to themselves!

5.) My sister in laws ran upstairs to my daughter's nursery and invited my MIL along. Thank goodness MIL declined. They looked through her toys, went in her closet and helped themselves to whatever they wanted.

6.) We were swimming in our pool when my husband's two sisters and mom decided they were going to invite themselves over to swim. MIL didn't swim, but she asked where we kept the beach towels so she could "get them for us." We already had towels. I think she was being nosy!

Is it normal for your guest to invade your privacy like this? Would you be annoyed? Has this happened to you? Give examples please. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would ask them what they are looking for.  In laws have a tendency to look for things that may compromise the spouse or child. They are just plain nosy and rude. Their intentions may be good but you must tell them that you do not like your privacy to be invaded.  IF there are any questions they can ask  

Answer 2

WOW!! That is so not cool lol I actually do not have that problem.. mt in-laws and I don't live in the same state nor do we get along very well.. so the whole diffrent state thing works out pretty well, right. anyways, i would suggest u talking to your husband about it and maybe he can talk to them in His Own Voice ( not saying "my wife says," or "my wife thinks") Then, if that doesn't work, try locks on doors.. sounds sad but it's your privacy.

Answer 3

that is creepy and wrong tell your husband that and don't invite them anymore my aunties are the same way but they can never find something with my mom's house. when they do that my mom would get a chair sit down and watch them when they're done she asks "are you done inspecying my house" and they'd be pretty embarrassed  

Answer 4

For crying out loud they are family!!  You are so over reacting!  You must be the only child because you evidently are not used to sharing your things and you are too private.  Do you have something to hide?  Don't you have the pictures displayed for people to look at?  Your SIL was probably using your makeup, I do that with my SIL too because we're like sisters.  Are they children?  Perhaps they were playing in the shower, hiding or something.  I doubt they really give a c**p what shampoo you use.  Shouldn't they already know when your birthday is?  Are they not family?  What do you care if they know when your birthday is?  Maybe they'd like to get you something because like I said THEY ARE FAMILY!  I drop by my in laws place all the time and they don't mind a bit.  In fact they gave me a key so I can just come by anytime to swim.  If I want food, a towel, a beer, or whatever I get it myself.  Maybe they do get a little nosey but probably because you are like a closed book that they can't pry open to see whats inside.  Gosh, don't be so uptight or you'll have a rotten relationship with your in laws.  And these people above me don't know what the h**l they're talking about either.  Creepy?????  Come on!

Answer 5

God, I'd be furious if people went through my stuff like this! I'd kick them out! And particularly if they helped themselves .... I'd have a talk with my husband about it. He needs to listen to you, and tell them where they are crossing the line.  

Answer 6

h**l yes, i would be not only upset, but pissed off.

i have never went to anyones house and just started opening cabinets, shower curtains, going through their room.

it is rude and disrespectful. but this type of behavior began when they were younger. their mother never established boundaries in their lives.

i do not care if it is family or not, you do not go through their stuff.

i wonder if you flip the script and go to their houses and rumble through their items, how would it make them feel.