DEAR MISS MANNERS: I pride myself on being a blunt, yet kind, person. I choose my battles wisely, speak from my heart, and always let someone know when they have upset me or my family.
I have some family members (in-laws) who are not used to my approach, which often leads them to ignore me, shame me on social media or call me names.
Should I just keep my mouth shut around them, or continue to be me?
GENTLE READER: The “you” of whom you are so proud is, by your own account, someone who habitually antagonizes others and inspires them to retaliatory rudeness. Miss Manners would not care to attend your family gatherings.
Whatever you mean by “blunt, yet kind,” it is not working. Perhaps you mean the supposed kindness of pointing out everyone’s faults. As it serves no purpose but to inspire the targets to upset you even more, Miss Manners would think that the closed-mouth solution would be a good choice.