Original story
My brother (M47) and his wife (F45) have one son, Ryan (M17). I (M36) am unmarried without children, and Ryan is my parents’ only grandchild.
My brother and his wife are both public schoolteachers and do alright for themselves but are by no means wealthy. I’m an attorney and am well off but certainty not rich.
Ryan and I have always been close. I used to have a job that required a great deal of travel, and I’ve taken him to Japan, Australia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and many countries in Europe.
His parents approved of this as a way to help him expand his horizons and have never objected to me spending money on him before. However, last week he turned 17.
For the last decade or so, I’ve worn a medallion featuring an Ancient Greek coin with the image of Poseidon. Ryan has always thought this was a cool piece – so for his 17th birthday, I gave him a medallion with a coin featuring the image of the god Apollo.
For those who haven’t brushed up on their ancient mythology, Apollo is the son of Zeus and the nephew of Poseidon. I thought the necklace was a great way to commemorate our relationship – it cost about $1,200.
But my brother didn’t like the gift at all. He told me the necklace was “extravagant” and accused me of trying to “show up” him and his wife.
I pointed out that Ryan got a new set of golf clubs for this 16th birthday and would be getting a car for 18th birthday. Therefore, this necklace wouldn’t compete with the other “big gifts” he received and would be receiving from his parents.
I also reminded my brother that between airfare and hotels, I’ve spent more than $1,200 on Ryan during some of the trips on which I’ve taken him. But my brother didn’t listen and told me to take the necklace back, saying I didn’t need to “rub [my] money in [his] face.
” I refused, saying that Ryan is old enough to appreciate such things.
I don’t think I did anything wrong, but AITA?