People

Has someone ever come up to you and a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger, and said any of the following?

1. "You two are so cute together!"

2. "What's going on with you two?"

3. "You're dating, right?"


4. See picture below:

People make it so difficult not to fall in love (when you shouldn't be doing anything of the sort with a stranger, an acquaintance, or even your friend). However, I'm going to introduce you to the preliminary elements of the Sibling Rule.

The Sibling Rule will change your life.

Not only will it stop you from hesitating, stammering, and lying profusely when people ask about a non-existent relationship, it will also strengthen your friendship with that person, unless they're a stranger. In that case, do not implement the Sibling Rule. Walk away and mind your business.


The Sibling Rule basically allows you to see the person you're trying not to fall in love with as your brother (or sister, but from now on I will use he and him in order to avoid the annoying him/her/he/she and grammatically incorrect: they and them).

How will the Sibling Rule benefit me?

If you truly believe that he is your brother and view him as your brother, you will act normally, no matter what. You will hopefully treat him with the love and respect he deserves, while still preserving those glorious moments of goofing off and goodhearted fun.

Plus, you'll be prepared with some answers to the nosy questions above. Let's give them a normal response.

1. "You two are so cute together!"

"Ah, thanks. I'd like to think so. We're so much like brother and sister, we're starting to look alike."

2. "What's going on with you two?"

"What do you mean?"

3. "You're dating, right?"

"Nope, he's like my brother."

4. "You guys are such a cute couple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Oh, we're not a couple."

Sometimes, straight-up honesty is the best. That way, you don't have to force the brother statement down their throats.

Will this actually work?

It signficantly depends on how much effort you put into it--how much you want it to work. I've had this work beautifully for me as preventive measures for a budding friendship. But, I've also failed miserably because I didn't want to try, and I fed my mind excuses: "But, he's so cute/hot/charming/perfect for me/etc ..."

You've got to believe in mind over matter, or in this case, mind over inane feelings for someone you shouldn't have feelings for.


Friendships are closer to sibling relationships than you think. Do you realize how often you've spotted a cute couple in the mall without knowing that they were actually brother and sister? And you were jealous of them! I've been guilty of asking fraternal twins how long they've been dating. Please, learn from my mistakes. Don't be like other people and assume. Don't anticipate when you'll find "the one" because that will only lead to desperation, which never ends well.


Love,

~Zabrinah