Is the silent treatment acceptable? (Womanly opinions welcome...I can't really read women's minds)

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QUOTE//////No email, and I’m going to GIVE it to her, rather than mail it/////QUOTE

Sounds good. Keep us posted, old chap.
 
Why do you think he doesn’t censor her mail too?
I’m not sending it. I’m giving it to her
Wait, we’re agreeing? :eek: 😃
I’m scared, too 😉

That is creepy- agree with Jay56. I’ve only heard hardcore Fundamentalists talk like that, and it’s never a good thing. And agreed further- get a friend to call. A female friend even, and then switch the phone. Or meet her at the library. That her father screens her calls, and that she doesn’t have a cell… it is a prison. She is a prisoner. This isn’t being protective, this is a power-trip. And she’s either so used to it she doesn’t see it, or she’s scared. Or perhaps accepts it.

Listen, I didn’t get a cell until a couple years ago, and even then I hardly use it for anything other than texting. So THAT’S not a problem for me.
But yeah, you could call it a prison. I’ll see how she feels about it, and me soon. Don’t worry.
Yes it is. It’s more not effective to sit online and talk to us about how hopeless the situation is.
Its even more “not effective” to repeatedly misunderstand my intentions.
This is effectively a way to get perspective (which seems to have failed) and a way to bounce ideas off of people (Which seems to have worked) AND I was emotional when I wrote this, so I was ranting, and very upset. A three-fold purpose, not ineffective (The proper term)
One is different with their own then with others’ children.
Yeah, I guess that’s true.
Oh, don’t be so sure of that. If her father is so deathly controlling now, you can bet a good deal of money that he’ll have (name removed by moderator)ut on her and any grandchildren. One doesn’t relinquish control so easy. You can’t even get to talk to her now.
Heh, if you think that I’ll even MARRY her if she gives signs of allowing him to control her beyond the wedding day…you must be crazy. So far, all I’ve seen is crazy parenting, and some rather successful marriages with the older kids.
Dude. She can make decisions all on her own, but not who she will date/marry? And this extents to talking to any possible suitors, interacting with them at all, or owning a cell phone / email? Does she have a car- can she drive?
Nope.
However, my ideas on WHY she doesn’t have a cell or email is simply an observation and opinion. It may not be true. However, its likely. Plus, she’s not really good with computers either.
You’re not pursuing a relationship. You’re following her around like a puppy while her dad glares at you. Doesn’t know if it’s her decision? It better be- unless they’re into arranged marriages. Which aren’t all that bad, but haven’t heard of them very often in Catholic societies. She’s 20. Most families into arranged marriages see that as around the age to marry- so even in that place you might be more welcome to see her. Those traditions include things like family dinners.
No kidding.
And no I’m NOT following her around like a puppy! And her dad doesn’t glare! He was this way with all of the kids (which would explain why 2/3 of the marriages happened without the family’s interference.
Certain things you CAN be critical of. That’s all fine and dandy. But ONE of those things is how I behave. And I’m certainly not following her around like a puppy. Please reserve such judgment until you come to Eugene, Oregon, go to St. MAry’s Catholic Church, and watch my behavior.
Now, I would describe my behavior as being “Naive, passive, and impatiently patient.”
If she’s guilty of not standing up to her father, then I’m just as bad.
Correct? Good, then we agree.
I thought this was amusingly romantic at first, but it quickly dissolved. I think you should leave it. I am all for love and romance and overcoming the odds, but this is too much. She’s either a prisoner or pulling you around, and you’ll defend her manner of going about this until we can no longer argue because we’ve mentioned everything already. This is not a healthy way to start a relationship. You mentioned her engaged siblings were barely about to walk about the house out of view- that is complete and total control. This will not go away when you marry, this will extend to grandchildren, she is brainwashed.
Yeah…I mentioned it alright, but you fail to realize that events like that actually spurred the son to move out and deal with it on his own.
I am 19. Two months before I turned 19, at 18, I went to London. Alone. To see my boyfriend for ten days. I had a hotel, nothing inappropriate happened so let’s not even go there. My family, who I love dearly, decided I was mature and responsible enough to fly halfway around the world and chill in a major city for over a week with my beloved.
The one you’re pursuing can’t even pick up the phone at 20.
Commendable.
I find that story to be fascinating, and incredibly sweet.
However, not even my family would allow that.
Which makes me wonder if your not a little biased. After all, someone under minimal discipline would react strongly to a situation like hers and mine.
 
Belgarion, do see the light. While we aren’t attacking her character in a moral sense, here, it’s kinda obvious she’s not all that. You’ve got to stop idolising her and realise what kinda thing they have running in the house and what you’re getting into. Give her a chance before you cross her out but don’t promise yourself too much. And until she’s ready to tell dad no, she’s not ready for anything anyway.
I agree with you.
(Surprised?)
Yeah, Belgarion…something is really odd here. If anything, she doesn’t behave like an adult. My dd is 13, she’s not permitted to date yet…and needs our permission to do things. That is how this 20 yr old girl is behaving…and yeah, her dad is controlling, but it sounds like she is not very mature, otherwise she’d have enough of it, and get out on her own.

Unless this is a smokescreen, and she just doesn’t want to tell you she isn’t into you. Immature girls do that you know, just sayin’. :o

I am not sure what else to say, but I think you deserve better. What are your parents’ thoughts on this?
Its not a smokescreen, because as I said, if she didn’t like me, I would be told.
That’s the only thing her dad was straight-forward about.

Yeah, well it IS an immaturity. And it must be dealt with (HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THAT!!! :p)
Sounds good. Keep us posted, old chap.
Will do. Pray for me. PLease? 😃
 
How could I not pray for someone who quotes the Princess Bride in his sig? Wonderful film. Of course I shall.
 
I’m not sending it. I’m giving it to her
Commendable.
I find that story to be fascinating, and incredibly sweet.
However, not even my family would allow that.
Which makes me wonder if your not a little biased. After all, someone under minimal discipline would react strongly to a situation like hers and mine.
Well, yes, because one would expect someone to be under minimal discipline once they’re old enough to vote and serve in the military…

Even in the days of very strict parenting, parents still expected their children to court and be married by their twenties.

PLT and I may be under “minimal discipline” but I believe part of that is due to the fact that, once we were eighteen (at least in my case), we were considered adults, not only by the law, but by our families as well. Even though my parents still pay my tuition, they don’t care what I do as long as I pay for other things, keep my grades up, and still remain a good person (good Catholic in my book, but my parents aren’t practicing). That’s because they trust me and they want me to learn how to make my own decisions.

That’s why I have such a strong reaction. I was raised to be independent and self-sufficient. I also take after my dad in stubbornness, so I’ve fought to get my own way if needed. I don’t need my dad’s permission to court anyone.

I don’t mean to sound snippy, snarky, or mean. I’m just frustrated that a dad would have a problem with his adult daughter living and acting like, well, an adult.
 
Does anyone have a spy helicopter that will evade her dad’s surface to air missle system to help him deliver it?
Maybe we can outfit it with some sort of device so that it can only be opened by her and will issue an electric shock to any interlopers. 😃
 
Well, yes, because one would expect someone to be under minimal discipline once they’re old enough to vote and serve in the military…
Yeah, but I’m nearly 20 and I’m living at home. I’m expected to follow my family’s rules while I live under their roof. And with their financial support.
Even in the days of very strict parenting, parents still expected their children to court and be married by their twenties.
Yet again, I’m glad that we don’t live in those days, since the women married in their 20’s would be married to guys in their 30’s
PLT and I may be under “minimal discipline” but I believe part of that is due to the fact that, once we were eighteen (at least in my case), we were considered adults, not only by the law, but by our families as well. Even though my parents still pay my tuition, they don’t care what I do as long as I pay for other things, keep my grades up, and still remain a good person (good Catholic in my book, but my parents aren’t practicing). That’s because they trust me and they want me to learn how to make my own decisions.
Sure, that’s a good way to handle things.
But right now, one thing that I learn is how to take care of kids. My dad lost his job a while back, so he’s at home all the time now, so its not like I’m taking care of kids all the time. But I have responsibilities, still. Likewise, (Yeah, its WAAY to much, but I’m just trying to provide some perspective on this, for me as well) she has responsibilities at home, too. Perhaps not taking care of kids (she’s among the youngest) but actual work. I suppose for the sake of anonymity, that’s all I should say…
That’s why I have such a strong reaction. I was raised to be independent and self-sufficient. I also take after my dad in stubbornness, so I’ve fought to get my own way if needed. I don’t need my dad’s permission to court anyone.
Yeah, I don’t need my parent’s permission to date/court anyone.
And I think its wrong for them to have that much control, but then we don’t know the entire story.
But one thing that I know for sure is that games are being played, (Mostly against me) and THAT is definitely not right.
I don’t mean to sound snippy, snarky, or mean. I’m just frustrated that a dad would have a problem with his adult daughter living and acting like, well, an adult.
And I’m not frustrated?
I seem to be a lightning rod for this kind of frustration when I’m feeling it, too!! 😃
 
OK, Belgarion: When are you giving her the letter? 🙂
It depends. I’m going to have to wing it, because there is no sure time where I’ll be able to get her alone. I’ll have to trust that God will give me an opportunity. If He doesn’t, then perhaps He wants me to wait a little longer.
Does anyone have a spy helicopter that will evade her dad’s surface to air missle system to help him deliver it?
Oh gosh, that’d be frickin’ AWESOME
:rotfl:

I have to say, Belgarion…this is better than a Lifetime movie. 🍿

😃
…Hmm…never watch that channel (Its a channel right? :whistle:)
…Geez, someday there’s going to be a movie about this…“Unfortunately Based on a true story” 😛
Maybe we can outfit it with some sort of device so that it can only be opened by her and will issue an electric shock to any interlopers. 😃
Ouch, I don’t want to ZAP them…Ok…maybe a little… 😃
 
This reminds me of one of my favorite Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.

Foghorn sees the dog courting the old chicken. “I love ya. I’ll buy ya jewels. We’ll travel!” He decides he wants the old hen. A stiff competition involving boards on the head and Acme traps ensues. Finally Foghorn wins the battle. He wins her heart. The last line is “I won! I won! Do you think there may be some way I could have lost?”

Be careful while you are really seeking to win this “prize” that you know you are winning the whole family. Someday if you “triumph” you may wish you had lost the quest.

But you won’t listen. You are sure her father will dry up and blow away. You THINK the relationships with the “married kids” are normal with him. What do you really know of the inner dynamics and frustrations of this family. Have you TALKED to one of the guys that managed to marry one of the other daughters how much fun he’s having?

You say little about the mother of this family. I’m wondering about her and her place here. And what example she’s setting for the daughter.
 
This reminds me of one of my favorite Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.

Foghorn sees the dog courting the old chicken. “I love ya. I’ll buy ya jewels. We’ll travel!” He decides he wants the old hen. A stiff competition involving boards on the head and Acme traps ensues. Finally Foghorn wins the battle. He wins her heart. The last line is “I won! I won! Do you think there may be some way I could have lost?”

Be careful while you are really seeking to win this “prize” that you know you are winning the whole family. Someday if you “triumph” you may wish you had lost the quest.
Wow, that’s a cartoon. And very objectifying, IMO.
Anyways, you don’t know that.
But you won’t listen.
Neither will you
You are sure her father will dry up and blow away.
That’s a funny image
You THINK the relationships with the “married kids” are normal with him. What do you really know of the inner dynamics and frustrations of this family. Have you TALKED to one of the guys that managed to marry one of the other daughters how much fun he’s having?
Well, well. I happen to know people who have married into the family. And before you even suggested it, I decided I wanted to confirm that I was right. I’m waiting on an email right now.
Though its never been brought up as an issue before. Unless my memory is failing.
You say little about the mother of this family. I’m wondering about her and her place here. And what example she’s setting for the daughter.
Her mom is nice, and for some reason she doesn’t really deal with the courting stuff. Oh well. She’s a very intelligent woman, and that seems to have influenced the kids quite a bit. After all, the young woman knows things that I never even think about…Odd things…lol
But useful, really.
 
And I think its wrong for them to have that much control, but then we don’t know the entire story.
I cannot fathom any possible story that would warrant this, except very horrific ones.

You said before that this is the perfect woman. When pressed, yuo said you know her very well, for several years.

Now, it’s nice to see teens posting on this with their insight, but let me tell you as someone who was quite wild in her youth (I was an atheist - I have an excuse) and dated way too many men… There are NO perfect people. And yes, I know you are exaggerating to make a point, but there’s no one even as good as you say. The personality you see is a response to being controlled and that is geared at not making waves. By her acquiescing to his control, she is having to sublimate her natural feelings of rebellion over such a ludicrous situation. I would venture to say that no matter how well you think you know her, she would say that no one really knows her.

Or, on the flip side… she’s just not that into you and she’s hiding behind her dad because you are too nice to hurt. Or possibly too dense to get a clue.

IRL, I’m a consultant who works with big companies. I’ve met a gazillion people and need to be able to be able to quickly read someone once I meet them. While I have only your words to go, this is my best guess.

What you do need to do is PM everyone who has posted to this thread and let them know when you post the post-letter update.
 
I cannot fathom any possible story that would warrant this, except very horrific ones.
I didn’t say it’d be a story with a good excuse, I just wanted it to be known that I don’t know everything about it.
You said before that this is the perfect woman. When pressed, yuo said you know her very well, for several years.
Well of COURSE no one is perfect. I’ll admit, for a year and a half or so, I was getting pretty scared because I was finding NOTHING (and I mean absolutely NOTHING) that I didn’t like about her. I knew that there was more to her, and I was right. Yes…I’ve found out that she is human!!! And I’m not just talking about THIS situation. I heard of a time when she was grumpy…yes, grumpy. And you know what, that actually made me feel MORE for her.
Sure, I know (and knew) her very well. But I will admit right now that I don’t know everything about her. Heck, that doesn’t happen until you’ve been married forever. My sister and BIL don’t even know everything about each other just yet.
Now, it’s nice to see teens posting on this with their insight, but let me tell you as someone who was quite wild in her youth (I was an atheist - I have an excuse) and dated way too many men… There are NO perfect people.
Of course. I explained this above
And yes, I know you are exaggerating to make a point, but there’s no one even as good as you say. The personality you see is a response to being controlled and that is geared at not making waves.
Oh please. Its not THAT bad. Every aspect of her life is not controlled. She is a VERY weird person (A fact that I find quite attractive) and may not make waves much with her parents, but she’s shocked me a few times! Sure, she’s not a crazy rebel, I’m not either! But she’s not forced to act like some Victorian Lady, always proper and such.

I cannot, and will not, agree with you on this. Her personality is her own, and she’s not like her sisters.
By her acquiescing to his control, she is having to sublimate her natural feelings of rebellion over such a ludicrous situation. I would venture to say that no matter how well you think you know her, she would say that no one really knows her.
Maybe, but then maybe not.
I can’t read her mind, so I don’t know either way if she REALLY wants out or not.
Or, on the flip side… she’s just not that into you and she’s hiding behind her dad because you are too nice to hurt. Or possibly too dense to get a clue.
Wow, I think you just insulted me.
But I will say for the millionth time…she’s IS into me. If she didn’t care for me, her dad would have told me to go away. He was pretty clear on that.
And of course I have other intel that I won’t release in the forums.
IRL, I’m a consultant who works with big companies. I’ve met a gazillion people and need to be able to be able to quickly read someone once I meet them. While I have only your words to go, this is my best guess.
Sorry, your best guess is wrong. But you really don’t have a lot to work with. That’s my fault, I should learn to take better notes.
What you do need to do is PM everyone who has posted to this thread and let them know when you post the post-letter update.
Sure, I will if they want to stop posting on here. But if you don’t want the update, let me know, peoples. 🙂
I’ll pray that its a good update…:o
 
Well, from the point of view of adults who have dated, courted, married, married into dysfunctional families and ended up divorced, this is all very cartoonish.

And yes, we are listening.

And what you keep saying is digging your hole deeper.

You are the one who doesn’t realize how this looks from the viewpoint of people who are parents with children of their own near your age.

You keep arguing with us how the father is unreasonable but he’s not a real issue and all you have to do is pierce the castle armor and the maiden will be yours.

Yes. Cartoonish. I can see the little pen and ink outline of you lying on your couch swooning over the fair maiden and pining.

C’mon. Life isn’t a movie. Go live it with people who aren’t following a medieval script.
 
Belgarion, I’ve got to agree with Liberanos that there are some things people are trying to turn your attention to and it would be good for you to suspend the defence for a moment and consider those things. Your judgement of that family is too optimistic, as is your judgement of your own situation. That’s okay, we’ve all been young, in fact in my case it wasn’t even long ago, and we would be very worrying if you were acting like a 40 year old with a baggage of jading experience when you’re 20. It’s your right to experience all that, but you’re gonna bleed from it. It’s often better to learn from someone else’s mistakes.
 
Or, on the flip side… she’s just not that into you and she’s hiding behind her dad because you are too nice to hurt. Or possibly too dense to get a clue.
Making up fake excuses and playing silly games is more dense than being unable to get such a clue.
 
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