Quote Originally Posted by li10up View Post
Lisa, I'm not making any judgments about your brother, I don't even know him, so please don't think I'm judging. I just think people do everything for a reason. It may be subconscious, but there is a reason behind it. When people who know you give gifts that don't "fit" you there may be an unspoken message. Maybe he is jealous of your riding or upset with himself that he gave it up for whatever reason. Maybe this is his subconscious "getting even" with you or trying to minimize your cycling. I'm sure that some are done just because the giver is a little ignorant (I don't mean that in a bad way) about what the receiver really would like...as in the case of the pedometer. Maybe you should encourage him to get back into riding? Anyhow these are just my thoughts on this. You get what you pay for, right? May all your other gifts be just what you'd like. Happy Holidays!
Lighten,
I agree with you. I think it's a combination of him not being able to "get" who I am and what I do, and also his need to be in a mental power position, maintaining his faded "roadie" image by promoting my "little sister on her Schwinn" status of 40 years ago. Doesn't really bother me too much but he totally wasted his money, and he often talks of not having enough money anymore. It also put me in the position of perhaps having to explain why I won't be putting it on my bike (if he asks me).
I did encourage him to ride more again when he was here this summer. His still has his old old Myata which he loves. He keeps it in good shape (unlike his body...he's sort of a heart attack waiting to happen- too sad).
He doesn't "get" why I got my lugged steel road bike (you could get a 7 pound less carbon frame! You have to lower your handlebars!)
It's very hard to talk with him because he cuts you off if you are not saying something that agrees with him. After he's said his peace about something, he's really not interested in others' ideas about it. I could go on, but I'll refrain!