Woman Was a Rising Star in Her Profession, But Her Family Interprets Her Success as a Slap in Her Brother's Face.

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In a high-stakes technical profession dominated by men, the Original Poster (OP) inadvertently ignites a family controversy. Sharing a simple video from her workplace spirals into accusations of flaunting her success, especially against her brother’s tarnished past. As familial tensions rise, OP is left wrestling with conflicting emotions and defending intentions never meant to hurt.

OP’s Ambitious Journey

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OP, a 30-year-old woman, follows in her father’s footsteps in a male-dominated technical field. She dedicates years of hard work and eventually achieves an advanced degree. OP’s determination pays off as she rises to the top of her field, becoming notably successful.

Brother’s Missteps

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OP’s younger brother, aged 26, chooses the same career path. Tragically, he makes several grave mistakes leading to a felony record. This record effectively ends his professional aspirations in the field due to failing background checks.

A Glitch at Work

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On a regular day at work, OP faces technical glitches with the system she works on. She sends a Snapchat video to her brother to pass the time and share a light moment. The video innocuously captures her pushing an error caution button and questioning the malfunctioning system.

Unexpected Backlash

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After her workday, OP discovers multiple missed calls and messages from concerned family members. The video, meant to be lighthearted, becomes a source of tension. Accusations fly, with many blaming OP for seemingly mocking her brother’s inability to work in the field.

Parents Weigh In

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OP’s mother harshly criticizes her for her insensitivity. Her father, while kinder, also believes the video was in poor taste. The consensus is that OP was flaunting her success, reminding her brother of his failings.

Standing Her Ground

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OP refuses to apologize, asserting that her brother’s mistakes are not her responsibility. She believes she shouldn’t suppress her achievements or walk on eggshells to protect her brother’s feelings. The video, she emphasizes, had no malicious intent.

Internal Conflict

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Internally, OP grapples with doubt, wondering if her actions may have inadvertently hurt or embarrassed her brother. However, only a handful of people, including her brother, would have seen the video. Historically, they have shared work-related content without any issues.

The Brother’s Past

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OP’s brother was charged with two felonies for fraud and embezzlement. Though he has served his time, he is still mending his life. Finding employment is hard for him, so he has settled for being a day laborer.

Previous Conversations

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The family’s history of discussing their work in front of the brother is revealed. He’s previously shown no signs of discomfort or resentment, making the current situation even more puzzling for OP.

Daily Snap Rituals

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OP and her brother exchange Snapchats daily, mostly about mundane, silly things. The work video was no exception, especially given it was a hectic weekend for her. She had no idea it would produce this kind of backlash at the time.

Father’s Understanding

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OP engages in a conversation with her father about the controversial video. He comprehends her perspective but still deems the snap ill-advised. This understanding provides a slight relief to the mounting tensions.

Mother’s Disapproval

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Contrary to her father’s approach, OP’s mother remains rigid in her disapproval. She refuses to listen to OP’s side of the story, further widening the family rift. Throughout the turmoil, the brother remains silent.

Confronting the Brother

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Realizing that understanding her brother’s feelings is crucial, OP confronts him. The conversation is essential to shed light on his actual feelings and determine if the family’s reaction was warranted.

The Family’s Role

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OP suspects her parents overreacted due to the family’s guilt and overprotectiveness surrounding her brother’s past. Their reaction was less about the video and more about their unresolved feelings and the need to shield him.

Was The Sister’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posts her story online for feedback and perspective. She sincerely meant no offense and was surprised by her family’s reaction. The readers in the forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter.

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “If he’s that triggered by a simple video of you pushing a button, what else do they expect? Just don’t bother sending him anything else that’s not necessary.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “Since you have committed the sin of being a successful woman, they are trying to put you in your place. I could be way off, but I’m sensing that. Nobody is offended by your text; they’re offended by your success.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “If you are continually bragging about your job and sending him all these videos to show off how important/successful you are, it will hurt his feelings, and you can respect that without hiding your success. You can find a balance.”

A Final Perspective on the Matter

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Another reader commented, “So, let me get this straight: your brother is a felon who ruined his own life, but your family is mad at you because your success hurts his ego?”