Has this happened to you?

@mummybec (685)
Australia
July 23, 2008 6:13pm CST
Have you ever had someone want to be much like you that they start dressing and acting like you? Also copying everything you do etc...?? Well in my case I have someone who is always buying the same clothes as me - as soon as she sees something on me within a few weeks she is also wearing them, when I fell pregnant with my first child, her and her partner started trying as soon as I announced it so within a few months she was also pregnant... then when I fell pregnant again we kept it quiet just to see what would happen after I did announce it, before we said anything she told me she was not thinking about having a second then funnily enough just after we announced it she said they were going to start to try... (I am sure just because I was) The clothes thing I find frustrating at times but can live with, But now she is starting to move in on my friends too... trying to spend time (by herself) with my friends - in particular my Best Friend... which really annoys me as I am now feeling like I cannot have anything to myself where she is concerned!! I dont know what to so - has anyone had something like this happen to them? If so how did you deal with it... if not what would you do if it did - please share any thoughts and opinions, they will all be greatly appreciated! :)
3 people like this
8 responses
23 Jul 08
Hi mummybec, That is very scary and very annoying I'm sure your not very flattered about it, it reminds me of the single white female. I would stay away from her and let your friend know what she is doing,and you are better off if she is going somewhere else. Tamara
2 people like this
@ellie333 (21016)
23 Jul 08
Hi Tamara, I'm a single white female LOL, what does that mean, sorry I haven't heard the expression before. Hope your toe is better, I'm still hurting but off to docs tomorrow as the receptionist saif she would try to fit me in. Huggles. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
24 Jul 08
Yeah I can see why it would remind you of SWF (Ellie - it is a movie where one woman basically steals someones elses identity) Unfortuntaley she is my sister in law (married to my husbands brother) so it is not like I can get away from her and I also feel a little restricted in what I can and cant say just to keep the peace in the family as I do not want to cause to much hassle...
2 people like this
• Philippines
23 Jul 08
good day.. heavens no and I'll be really alarmed if a person tries to imitate me in everything I do. That's just weird.
1 person likes this
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
23 Jul 08
It sure can be very annoying at times!! I am finding myself feeling upset about the fact she is moving in on my friends... I think that is the worst part so far...
1 person likes this
• Philippines
24 Jul 08
She just wanted to be you..scary isn't it, I mean she starts with the way you clothe yourself, getting pregnant as you were, moving on with your friends. what's next?
1 person likes this
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
24 Jul 08
Yeah that is right... What is next?? She seems to try to "copycat" my every move so I have started to not say things to her - like what I plan to do etc just so hopefully she wont try to do the same. As she also seems to try to do something first if I have already said I was going to do it! So I have learnt to keep my mouth shut on some things!
1 person likes this
@ellie333 (21016)
23 Jul 08
Hi Mummybec, They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but it can get really annoying can't it eh! They obviously look up to you and want to be like you as they admire your qualities. They probably lack self esteem and need building up what I suggest is that the next time they buy an out fit like yours give genuine advice but say in a kind way 'wow that is so like my outfit but for your figure what I would go with is this....................and ry to get them to create there own individual style. In fact the new Empire Stores catalogue has body shape suggestions so maybe take a peek at that and guide them away from copying you and to build their own unique image. Hope this helps. Ellie :D
1 person likes this
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
24 Jul 08
Hey Ellie, Yeah I have heard that saying before too... but yep sure is still annoying! I have said things before to her about clothes and different things - like not all clothes suit people the same etc. But I dont think she cares how she looks half the time! I have also said things like... hey that looks familiar (saying it in a nice way) she just laughs and says "yeah you have this too dont you?" We dont get an Empire Stores catalogue - dont even know if we have them is Australia - is it online to view? It sounds like it is worth a look
2 people like this
• Philippines
24 Jul 08
I'm just wondering why she is copying everything you do? I could think, maybe she idolized you. But when I think of the latest she did? when she hang out also with your friends? I could feel that she is jealous with you. She wants to have what you have? It is kind of annoying but maybe it is good to be friend with her.Maybe she needs attention that's why she id doing that.
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
24 Jul 08
Hmm I am not sure if she idolises me but people have told me that she looks up to me a lot and she respects me and what I say so maybe it is a bit of jelousy? I cant really not be her friend as she is my sister in law so I am always going to be nice / friendly to her. I do think though at some point I am going to have to have a little chat to her about a few things - but try to do it as nicely as possible!
1 person likes this
@deemazing (395)
• United States
24 Jul 08
I have definitely had that happen. It was the most annoying thing ever, because I would go to school and my friend would wear the same thing as me. We looked like idiots. Also, one of my aunts is a copycat. My mom will buy something, and she will buy the same thing, but bigger or better. Then, she will boast about it non-stop. I just want to be like "if you were really that awesome you would have thought of the idea to buy it first". I would talk to her and tell her she needs to have her own personality. Of course, I'm a very blunt person and just to let you know, I am not friends with that girl any longer. So just be careful how you say it, I guess.
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
24 Jul 08
That would have been extreemly frustrating for you! Oh that thing with your mum and Aunt sounds like it could be a bit similar to me (well in the sense that the person I am talking about is my sister in law) Yeah I am going to have to at some point have a chat with her to talk things over... maybe if I speak to her about the things I do not like it might settle down a little bit ??
1 person likes this
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
23 Jul 08
No.I never had that experienced. From the looks of it it's very annoying. What is she your twins? I wish i can delve in to her mind and discover what she's really thinking. As for now the best thing you can do is talk to her nicely. Maybe you could find the reason why she's copying your every moves.
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
24 Jul 08
I have tried to suttely give hints to her as she really does listen to what I have to say - like if I said I do not like something then neither does she... so there has been times that I have said the opposite to how I feel to see if she says the same etc... Oh and she is related in a way... she is my sister in law - married to my husbands brother!! So it is not like I can get away from her and also feel like I need to be careful with what I say too!
1 person likes this
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
24 Jul 08
Hey Sugarbunny I think you are right with the low self esteem part... I do spend time with her, I see her at least once but most of the time twice a week! Yeah thankfully my best friend does know what she is like as she is one of the main people I can talk to about it My husband also sees it which is great - thats when I realised it really was happening as he would point things out too. I really do think I should have a chat with her it is just hard to know what to say without hurting her feelings etc.. I dont want to cause any trouble in the family at all.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
28 Jul 08
I do not mean to impose, and I do hope that I do not sound rude by asking but is this woman your own sister in law? When you stated that she had become pregnant around the same time you had, it made me think that maybe you are referring to your sister in law. I myself have had someone copy me, however it was a bit different in that it was during school, not only that but also because the things she would copy is the way I said something and I would personally say it to her as I felt we were friends and then I found what I had said, coming out of her own mouth, but or thus making her popular. The things I said were not derogatory towards me in anyway but would rather be classified as catch phrases. I did become distressed by this and ended our friendship several times during school, but ofcourse she kept coming back and asking me to forgive her, and I did as I do not like to keep grudges. However, in your own case I would most likely suggest that you talk to her but if you do not feel comfortable with talking to her, maybe wearing something so hideous that she would not dare wear it will cause her to stop copying you. Buy a few outfits or put together an ensemble that is completely tacky and then see what her reaction would be. Oh yes, and also as for the friends this old friend of which I mentioned did try to steal my own friends. To that, she proved her own self not worthy of their frienship, give it time and this person may very well do the same.
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
29 Jul 08
Yes she is my sister in law - I think alot of it comes from the fact she looks up to me??? but it can be really frustrating at times!! hehe maybe I should do the clothes thing... hmmm wonder if she would copy it then??
@meggan79 (436)
• United States
24 Jul 08
First of all...sorry to go off on your discussion...been a long day! I had someone do something similar to what your expierencing. It would be little things like comments I would say and then she decided that she wanted my boyfriend and thought she was secret about it. She just didn't realize that I didn't like him anyways. I think you should be careful about what you say, because you don't want anything to come back and bite you because of it. I would sit down one on one and talk to your best friend. If she is any kind of best friend she will not allow her to take over yall's friendship. Might not even hurt for your husband to talk to her's. Think the sooner you get your feelings straightened out with her the better. Good luck in whatever you decide, hope it works out for the best.
@mummybec (685)
• Australia
29 Jul 08
Thanks for the comments Yeah I usually am careful with what I do say and do around her.... really ever since I really realised this was happening It is hard though to say too much to her anyway as I know she is very sensitive and I do not want to make things any worse than they are! Hopefully she will just back off a bit... maybe??