I have a small dillema

[AlCzervik]

My sister-in-law is moving to a much smaller home than she has now, she also has a large collection of art? She calls me and asks me if i'd like a few of her Tomas Kinkcaide pieces, i thank her and tell her no thank you. She got a tad pissy and asked my why and i told her that i'm just not a fan but surely she knows other people who are. She was not pleased. Should i call her up or send her a card? Normally she's totally reasonable, i've never had any problems with her in 17 years and i was being honest which i didn't think was offensive. Where am I going wrong here?

[Dookus]

1. she's probably upset

because the last 35 people she called turned down that crap, too.

[freetobegay]

3. Art is in the eye of the heholder.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Just tell her it doesn't fit your "scheme"

Mainly because it doesn't if you're a normal human. Ye Gods, she has no right to impose her horrendous taste on you.

[AlCzervik]

4. That what i told her

she's been to my house and she knows that his...what my husband calls FART Fake+art=FART just wouldn't fit in. She has a nice home and good taste with this one exception.

[Spinzonner]

5. Do you think perhaps

she may be asking you as a way of holding them and maybe getting them back in the future rather than as an outright gift ?

Maybe you could ask her if she would like you to hold or store them for her and she could rotate the ones she's displaying.

Be honest about them not appealing to you for putting them up in your home but try and figure out what motives may be operable and be flexible in the interests of family harmony.

[AlCzervik]

7. I asked her her if she needed storage

which in my case makes no sense since i live in california and they live in florida. No she wanted to give them to me for keeps and i think she should give them to somebody that would appreciate them.

[salin]

6. Stress related over-reaction

she probably loves the pieces (or payed alot for them) wants to find "homes" for those that she can't ... and normally would come up with various alternatives. BUT am guessing there is some real stress involved in the move... so suddenly the dilema... thinking of a solution (You!) ... then getting that solution dashed... leads to OVERREACTION.

Think of a couple of alternative solutions for her dilemna, then call her up - and be nice and empathetic to the stress and tell her you had some ideas about her challenge (of placing the artwork).

[Rowdyboy]

8. Hold onto them for a few years ...

Then sell them on E-Bay. Make money on the bad taste of others!

[Raster]

9. good point, AND they'll appreciate once he croaks...

...it's a w.t. cultural investment.