Honestly, based on the brother in this story and your comment, it would make absolute sense if you guys were dating.

I don’t know how you pulled incompetent out of “I can hold my own.” Are you only able to think in extremes? Regardless, you’re ignoring the basic respect one should give to the host.

But she admits that she’s actually incompetent

No. If you are a guest and they didn't ask you for help or advise, back the fuck off. It isn't your grill so just leave them be. If it is inedible, then don't eat it but don't boss someone else around in their kitchen as that is a dick move.

Kinja Deals is indeed good affiliated link practice. Those sponsored “articles,” on the other hand, can get right the fuck out.

“something she doesn’t do well”

“The whole question is whining” is a bit of a cop out. She didn’t complain in the moment. She knows that she was being “territorial.” She has asked a third party how to change the disprefered behavior of her brother.

Projection much? You are on the wrong site.  You need to be over on Slate writing to Prudence.

“But she admits that she’s actually incompetent.”

Or, you could not be passive aggressive and either decline invitations to dinner parties where the food is inedible or encourage your boyfriend to have a direct but gentle conversation with his sister upon receiving the invite as opposed to trying to not-so-obviously babysit a grown woman who is cooking.

She explicitly says she can hold her own. If her brother wants to grill, he can host.

I foresee a brother who’s going to be told to leave his bitch of a girlfriend at home in the future.

If I invite you to my house for a free meal, and the first thing you do is try to commandeer the grill because you assume I’m incompetent at the one task required for that meal, you can kindly hit the bricks.

In middle school, my older brother tried to correct my violin technique. I had taken about a year’s worth of violin lessons at that point and he had seen Party of Five a few times. Older brothers are not always instructing from a place of a knowledge, but rather a place of older brotherdom. Their credentials are not…

Our pediatrician prescribed our (perfectly healthy) baby some nasal spray and baby Tylenol. When we protested “But she’s not sick!” she just smiled and said, “Oh, she will be. And it’ll be 2AM and the pharmacies will all be closed.”

THIS. I finally figured out that shit will stink no matter what and I replaced that thing with a small trash can with a lid, that I empty frequently. Smells way better. 

Books are always awesome, I’ve also given a month of diaper service(with mixed results)

Funding a full time nanny for a year is BALLER. On my significantly less baller largesse, I funded one week’s worth of the post-partum doula my sister hired to help her after her second. That was a gift I was very happy to give.

Yes! That trip to CVS at 2:30 in the morning when not even a soothing drive, all snuggly in a fleece onesie, blanket(s), favorite animal(s)...and that’s just for Mom! Hearing your child bark like a beagle, too young to know how to “blow,” muttering under your breath because Dad “is too tired...!” Gah! And then they’re…

“My standard gift—an L.L. Bean boat tote filled with small necessities like baby Motrin—seems like much, much less of an MVP move.”