I don't think she'll say that again. She doesn't actually want to hurt me.

My grandmother made jokes like that because she didn't want me to get stuck-up and think I'm better than other people. In practice, I was never allowed to develop any self-esteem at all.

My grandfather did it because he thought he was being funny. But turn it back on him even in the slightest, and that was unacceptable! Now you're getting personal! (Like he wasn't.)

My uncle did it because he was the youngest of his generation, I was the oldest of mine, we were only six years apart, and I was the little sister he never had. Again, he thought he was being funny. It felt good to him to have somebody HE could pick on, for a change.

My mother did it, I think, because I was some form of competition to her. She wanted to make sure she always outshines every other female in the family. This continued into my adulthood, which is a whole other post.

My siblings did it because it was a game. Plus, one of my brothers was insecure about his own social standing, and put me down so he could stand taller compared to me.

My ex-husband did it to show me who was boss, and make sure I never dared to think I was in any way superior to him. If I felt like I was worth anything, I might figure out I didn't deserve this, and leave him. (Notice the "ex" in there.)

My daughter grew up thinking this was normal family banter.