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Sorry to bother you with my "problem", but I was making myself crazy with it this morning when I was still lying in bed.
Since last June my brother has a girlfriend, she's from Germany. They've met in Italy during an international swimmeet.
Since then my brother spends most of the time at his girlfriends house and in time he has learned to speak German (as her parents can't speak any other language). Tanja, the girlfriend can speak some English by the way. Whenever we see each other (mostly that is in Germany) she only speaks German to my parents and I, while my mother can't understand her. Tanja makes no effort in learning some Dutch to at least have a nice conversation with my mother. No, she speaks English/German and my mother has to try to understand her.
Please note, that Tanja lives just 10km from the Dutch border! (2 hours driving from my parents house to Tanja's house)
My brother is twice a week here in Holland and has dinner at my parents house. Tanja we hardly ever see. I guess she will come next month with my brother as it's my mothers birthday nov12. It seems like my family is only good for visits on birthdays. As my parents have been over to Germany several times to help with the backyard and the garage.
I understand why my brother spends his time there rather than at his own apartment (big house versus apartment). My brother is known by all her familymembers and friends. My aunts/uncles and grandparents never saw her.
I've tried to let my brother know that it would be nice if Tanja learns Dutch for our mothers sake, but he says she's not good in languages. Tanja even said herself she didn't have time
So I can predict that when ever they get married the service will be in Germany and all in German and that their children will only speak German! My brother is too weak to make his own opinion.
So, is it me? that I think this is a one way relationship and that Tanja doesn't even care about her boyfriends family (my parents and I)?
Of course it's their life to live, but it sure isn't nice.
It makes me really sad though, and angry at the same time.
Since last June my brother has a girlfriend, she's from Germany. They've met in Italy during an international swimmeet.
Since then my brother spends most of the time at his girlfriends house and in time he has learned to speak German (as her parents can't speak any other language). Tanja, the girlfriend can speak some English by the way. Whenever we see each other (mostly that is in Germany) she only speaks German to my parents and I, while my mother can't understand her. Tanja makes no effort in learning some Dutch to at least have a nice conversation with my mother. No, she speaks English/German and my mother has to try to understand her.
Please note, that Tanja lives just 10km from the Dutch border! (2 hours driving from my parents house to Tanja's house)
My brother is twice a week here in Holland and has dinner at my parents house. Tanja we hardly ever see. I guess she will come next month with my brother as it's my mothers birthday nov12. It seems like my family is only good for visits on birthdays. As my parents have been over to Germany several times to help with the backyard and the garage.
I understand why my brother spends his time there rather than at his own apartment (big house versus apartment). My brother is known by all her familymembers and friends. My aunts/uncles and grandparents never saw her.
I've tried to let my brother know that it would be nice if Tanja learns Dutch for our mothers sake, but he says she's not good in languages. Tanja even said herself she didn't have time
So, is it me? that I think this is a one way relationship and that Tanja doesn't even care about her boyfriends family (my parents and I)?
Of course it's their life to live, but it sure isn't nice.
It makes me really sad though, and angry at the same time.