Dear Queenie,
My sister is a world-class snoop. Every time she visits us, if we don’t keep a close eye on her she will go through our things – not just like medicine cabinet and kitchen cupboards, but closets, desk and bureau drawers, night table, even the pockets of clothes she finds lying around. Then she gossips about whatever she finds to whoever will listen.
We found out about it when someone she gossiped to mentioned something to us and when we asked how they knew about it they said she told them.
Queenie, is there any way to put a stop to this?—Offended sibling
Dear Sibling,
Well, you could put locks on all your drawers, closets, cupboards, etc.
Or you could make up a lot of little notes saying, “Hey, Sis, mind your own f***ing business” and put them everywhere you think she might stick her nose into – but probably not if you want her to ever speak to you again.
Or you could make sure that whenever Sis is in your house you or your spouse is right there next to her keeping an eye on her, although that might be awkward when Sis goes to the bathroom.
Or you could have a heart-to-heart conversation with her about how offended you are by her snooping, for whatever good it might do.
The only other thing I can think of is to bar her from your house completely – and, if necessary, explain to any other members of your family your reason for doing so.
