Background:

Sister-in-law's Boyfriend is a natural Alpha who has regular practice with a difficult-to-deal-with girlfriend. Interestingly though, in groups where him, my brother-in-law, maybe another guy and myself are present... I tend to dominate the group conversation and direction. Still, with his girlfriend (SiL) he's a champ.

Scenario:

At my sister-in-law's (de facto) house (It's her boyfriend's) for dinner last night. They have a dog puppy. The dog likes to get into her plants.

Boyfriend is playing pool with her father. She walks in and immediately starts in with, not yelling, but it could be at any moment, and definitely with a harpy tone:

her: "that dog keeps getting into my plants and destroying them!"

him: silence while playing pool with her father

her: "She never stops! and you tell me I need to discipline that dog more!"

him: silence while continuing to play pool with her father

her: stands in the doorway, looking at him. Finally turns around and walks away.

Outcome:

She wasn't mad when she left... or happy. She just left and resumed whatever she was doing before. I couldn't even understand why she started up on the topic... because the plants were outside and she hadn't been out there for at least an hour before.

I just watched... like a documentary. A very obvious shit test unfolding before me, and this guy handles it in perfect textbook fashion. I could have narrated what was going on like Attenborough!

Synopsis:

By simply not saying anything... and acting like she wasn't even there, she shut-up quickly and walked away. Silence is golden.

Side note: out of the 3 sisters, I seem to have gotten the best one. I never get such blatant shit tests as that... mine are more subtle.