Sister in Skivvies 

Dear Mistress,

I’m a 34-year-old man, happily married to my awesome wife for six years. A couple times a year, we visit her family on the West Coast. Her family is more closely knit than mine, and also, as it turns out, much less modest. When we visit, my sister-in-law (who happens to be a knockout) has no problem wearing just her bra in front of me. Whether my wife is helping her pick an outfit, or we’re getting ready to go to the beach, my sister-in-law always seems to find a reason to parade around in her underwear.

My wife doesn’t seem to notice her sister’s immodesty, but I detect some annoyance from the sister’s husband. He has told her on more than one occasion to “put some clothes on,” creating incredibly awkward moments between the two of us. To tell you the truth, I’m pretty tired of her exhibitionism. I could talk to my wife about it, but wouldn’t that sound like I have a guilty conscience for even noticing my sister-in-law?

Signed,

Averted Eyes

Dear Averted Eyes,

In a perfect world, we would all be comfortable enough with our bodies to walk around in various states of undress — but that’s not reality. Sounds like your “knockout” of a sister-in-law is content in her own skin and completely oblivious of her surroundings. While it’s wonderful that she’s body confident, it’s too bad that she can’t read the energy around her. If you’re averting your eyes and squirming in your chair while her husband scolds her for being bare, she might want to throw on a robe.

Talk with your wife and ask her to speak with her sister about covering up in mixed company. Focus on the uneasy dynamic your sister-in-law is creating between you and her husband, taking the focus off her sister’s skivvies (and keeping you out of the doghouse). Explain how uncomfortable you are when your brother-in-law reprimands his wife in front of you, and ask that she help allay the awkwardness. Be sure to ask your wife to be discreet, too — you don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill’s worth of skin.

Dare to bare,

mm