Plushness

There's an unwritten rule between women in larger and closely knit families that has a strong resemblance to that between girl friends: we speak to each other about any problem the family is facing, but we never embarrass the person(s) that is facing this problem.

For example, if a cousin goes through a nervous breakdown we will discuss it as the women in the family, but will not embarrass him/her about it. We will not give unwanted advice, or ask if they have seeked professional help, or ask his/her parents why she hasn't gotten over "it" yet. The intention is not so that we can gossip about them, but so they do not feel uncomfortable and singled out when they are in our company. And most likely it will be family members that they will feel okay to mingle with first before going out in the real world, and you don't want them to feel pitied or seen as a victim etc.

If an uncle marries a witch, we will be civil until he figures it out (and of course sometimes they don't). And elder aunt will break the silence, and the younger members will nod silently (you have to always agree with your eldest aunt, this is another unwritten rule).

Now if this social-disaster ettiquette is ignored by a female member of the family/friend, she will be shunned from that tight guardianship forever. She will be the Angelina Jolie of the family.

I might sound preachy, and i know we're all busy with something (facebook) or the other (bbm) but I would be interested in hearing views on this.

Note: You cannot comment on Angelina Jolie

P.S. Imagine the men in the photo were women (too hungry to look longer thru google images).

P.S.S. Yahoo & Microsoft will never beat GOOGLE

P.S.S.S. BLOGS have come back in (seasonal) fashion after what seemed to be a LONG Vila Moda 90% sale