Is it normal for my family to constantly make fun of me?

My mother and my elder brother are always laughing about my appearance, saying awful things about how I have greasy hair and crooked teeth. These comments really upset me. My mother says I look like a tramp and I'm a trainwreck. They know these comments upset me and I've even cried in front of them because of it, but they just laugh it off and say "it's just a bit of banter" and I "can't take a joke". Is it normal for your family to do this? Am I just overreacting?

Voting Results
14% Normal
Based on 43 votes (6 yes)
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Comments ( 32 )
  • fireinthetacobell

    Wash you hair dude, but no it’s not normal. It’s your moms fault if you have crooked teeth anyway (both genetically and financially), so tell her to quit being a dumb bitch and that she failed as a parent.

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  • nikkiclaire

    I don't agree with those that say to do it back. Don't fall to their level. Save up and get out of there as soon as you can. You don't have to cut ties with them but at least you'll be able to demand proper respect and only deal with them when they treat you correctly.

    Until then just disengage and leave whenever that shit starts.

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  • Invader

    When u grow up just move out
    Because there's no point in living with a mom and brother like them

    Remember you r beautiful
    No matter what ppl says

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  • Meowypowers

    Find a good dentist and then leave that mess of a family. Go make something of yourself.

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  • jethro

    Move out and never look back. It's that simple.

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  • Nednerb43

    Fire back . With confidence not anger. Hit em where it hurts and make sure they know thats how you also feel. Even if 99% of the world thought you were ugly thats still 75000 people who don't

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  • Boojum

    It's not "banter" if one person is getting all the shit and not flinging any back. They can call it banter if they want, but people whom you have every right to expect to care about you are saying things you find hurtful, so it's bullying.

    I agree with JD777. As a sibling and daughter, you know what things your brother and mother are sensitive about. So grit your teeth, slide into the dark side, and jab those sore points, girl. Do it with a shit-eating grin just so they know you're "only joshing".

    It's a crappy way for a family to interact, but if they want to be that way...

    And, yeah, it's not that abnormal, unfortunately. Families are made up of people, and some people can be total dicks.

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  • RoseIsabella

    Well, that's not very nice. Ask your mother to get you braces whenever they say that to you. Also, this might be the insensitive, and politically incorrect thing to say, but is your hair really greasy? You might want to look for some better shampoo, and conditioner. What they ate saying sounds mean, yes, but without seeing you I have no way of knowing whether, or not it's true.

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    • Ellenna

      Even if it's all true they're verbally bullying OP. If you have crooked teeth it wasn't your responsibility as a child to have them straightened, so maybe you could point that out to your parents.

      If your hair doesn't bother you, tough if it bothers them.

      If you could work out some way to detach and ignore them they'd almost certainly stop: bullying morons like them get off on the reaction and if they don't get it their game is over.

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      • RoseIsabella

        I think as unpleasant as it is it's not uncommon for siblings to verbally abuse each other, but the fact that the mother joins in is very disturbing.

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        • It's my mother who starts it, then my brother joins in, not the other way around.

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          • Boojum

            Mother-daughter relationships can be difficult, but that's pretty damn toxic.

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          • Ellenna

            That's really disgusting on your mother's part, she sounds idiotic as well as cruel.

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          • RoseIsabella

            Oh God, I'm so sorry, that's just awful!

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      • Ellenna

        PS: One way of responding might be to agree with them that your teeth are crooked and your hair isn't perfect, and so what? Or just smile and walk out of the room every time they start their bullshit.

        They sound like a nasty lot and I hope you can get away from them as soon as you can.

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    • fireinthetacobell

      If their hair is greasy I don’t think they should use conditioner

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      • RoseIsabella

        If you dry your hair, and scalp out too much it will actually start to produce even more oil.

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  • JD777

    Don’t be a victim. Fling the “banter” right back at them. Maybe they’ll lay off if you give them a bit of their own business.

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  • Bassmachine

    Are you going to let that define who you're?

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  • raisinbran

    Shave your hair and have your teeth pulled out. Problem solved.

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    • That's one way to look at it, lol.

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  • sissycakes

    basically if you insult them they will come back at you even worse, probably. also, it is horrible. the things that got to me, by anyone, random people included were character blows. when someone i love called me heartless i could barely stand it, but the physical body is not as important as the kind of person you are. i am used to people insulting my appearance, but i always want to be a good person.

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  • Issacelerx

    Perhaps say something mean about their looks and see how they like it. I know this may not be a good way to handle it, but it teaches them a lesson. Or just ask to have a chat with them and express your feelings about how it makes you feel without confrontation.

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  • JustinAnderson

    You should take some action

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  • AntiArchon

    If you're not a troll and everything you said is true and they said all those stuff without justified provocation then they're being emotionally abusive..maybe write them a letter expressing how you feel completely. In my family that works more that verbal confrontation.If it still doesn't work then get therapy yourself and meditation and train your brain not to let external stimuli fuck your brain up.. then move out when you can:)

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  • Annie25

    Aww honey no you're not overreacting
    I have been through this too
    And damn its awful to hear stuff like this from your own parents that too on a daily basis

    You have already tried to tell them in a nice way which dint work out
    Time for some mischief
    Get back at them with double the sarcasm they throw at you coz if you get upset in front of them this is gonna keep happening
    Burn and roast them and then we'll see if they can handle the shit🔥🔥🔥

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  • IrishPotato

    Your family sounds fucked up. Get away from them if possible.

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  • bigbudchonga

    Dude there's a way to put a stop to this. If you've told them it really hurts you, and you've even broken down, and they're still doing it, then I would do it back. They're obviously being pretty damn nasty to you. Nasty shit hurts. If you do the same to them then they'll see how much it stings and stop doing it. Just focus on something they're self conscious about and be a dick about it. When they tell they don't like it just say "it's banter", and do it whenever they pick on you. They'll get the message. Obviously it's not a pleasant way to resolve the situation, but I think you're either going to have to do that, or be stuck as the butt of the "joke" for the rest of your life.

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  • JellyBeanBandit

    Shit, sorry you have to go through that. It doesn't matter even if it is just banter to them, it's not just banter to you and they know that and yet they continue with it. Maybe just ask them very seriously to stop it from now on, and to just banter between themselves since you don't like it. Do they banter between each other? Cos if not then I don't think it is just banter, I think they get off on bullying you and excuse it as banter.

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    • They don't banter with each other, no, they get along very well. It's just towards me.

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      • JellyBeanBandit

        Well next time you should call them out on that and tell them that it's not fair that they only do it to you. Try not to say it in an angry or upset tone of voice though (I know that'd be difficult since you would be angry/upset), cos otherwise they'll just dismiss you as being all emotional and "being a baby about it".

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  • randypete

    It is normal you are a knob

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