Man Law: Sisters Are Off Limits (Or Are They?)
A few summers ago the fellas and I were at a poppin’ barbecue in Brooklyn (there tend to be quite a few of those). At some point during the night this fly honey walks up to my boy Frank, greets him with a warm smile and kiss on the cheek. They exchange pleasantries while I lay in the cut unintroduced and amazed by her beauty. This girl just had the most beautifullest complexion in the world and prettiest pearly whites I’ve seen on a human being, like ever. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit but she was fly no lie. After they’re done talking, she hugs Frank goodbye and walks away, with my eyes firmly fixed upon her sultry gait the whole time.
I turned to Frank and was like, “Yo, son, who was that?”
“Oh, that’s my boy Jamal’s little sister, Aisha.”
“Man, she’s hot.”
“What?”
“She’s bad, son. Hook it up.”
“Yo, chill, B.”
“Why, what’s up, that’s you?”
“What? Nah, I can’t even look at her like that she’s like my own little sister.”
“Aiight, but what that got to do with me? She ain’t my sister.”
“Yo, you buggin. You know Jamal.”
“Yeah, but not like that. (Laughs).”
“Yo, he would kill you and then I’d bring you back to life just so I could kill you, too.”
“Damn, it’s like that, B? Aiight, I was just kidding… But she is cute, though.”
“I’m not even talking to you about this anymore. You breaking the code, man.”
See, there’s an unwritten code amongst men: Don’t mess with anyone’s sister. Not sure when it was written or by whom, but it’s one of the male species’ oldest rules of conduct and staunchly upheld for fear of serious beat downs (i.e. Frank’s threat of dual death). I understand and respect the thinking behind the rule and would issue a similar proclamation if anyone in my crew expressed interest in my little sister—she’s only 19 for Pete’s sake. This is especially true if the homie is a dog/player. I wouldn’t allow anyone of that caliber, friend or not, within five feet of my female kin or close female friends. But I feel like playing Devil’s advocate: What happens when your friend is actually a decent guy?
This is a tricky situation because no one wants to picture their little sister getting down (eww) and you definitely don’t want to imagine her with one of your boys (double eww and vomits in mouth). Now I know when it comes to my exes, I try to not stand in the way of their happiness. So if I’m truly removed emotionally from them and someone I know could possibly make them happy, why should I stand in their way? I actually found myself in a scenario where one of my boy was interested in a girl I used to “mess around” with. It was hella awkward at first, but I really didn’t want to be with her at all and he did, so I gave him the green light. They actually wound up engaged and even had a baby together. Unfortunately, the marriage thing never worked out, but even still, I never stood in the way of their potential happiness.
But could I apply the same logical thinking to my own sister? I dunno, maybe there’s a slight possibility under the right circumstances. My boy would have to be 1) Head over heels in love with my sister and vice versa. 2) I don’t think it could be a super close homie, like it would have to be a tertiary friend of a friend (kinda like how I was to Jamal, who I just knew in passing). 3) He would have to be an honorable, trustworthy and complete gentleman to be worthy of my sister’s affection and my approval. 4) Of course my sister would have to be of age and homie would have to pass the Booty Bell Curve for me to even give the idea of evoking a Good Guy Clause in the Sister Rule an inkling of serious consideration. But maybe I’m just cut from a different cloth.
Fellas, what would you guys do if one of your friends tried to kick it to your little sister? Would it make a difference if it was your older sister? Is there any scenario where you would allow someone you kinda-sorta knew to date your sister? How much say does your sister have in the matter? Ladies, do y’all have similar rules about your brothers getting with your friends? Any females out there willing to admit to ever having a crush on one of your brother’s friends? What did your brother do when he found out?
Speak your piece…
“Man Law: Sisters Are Off Limits (Or Are They?)”