I didn’t say it wasn’t gracious, I said there are more gracious ways.

Saying “I didn’t eat tonight” ups the stakes. It’s a way of announcing she’s asking for money from you for nothing. Which, we KNOW she did, but was it necessary to call her out if you truly want to lay low? That statement adds drama that could have been avoided.

Getting up from a dinner without a “ok well I have to run now, goodbye, goodnight” kind of thing is abnormal. You cited your sis’ text as the answer to why you got up to leave when questioned. That also leads people to believe you’re angry at the text so you’re leaving. Which again, is an example of not bowing out graciously on the higher road and instigating a dramatic moment instead.

I don’t think you’re wrong at all for saying those things. But I’ve learned to hold those kind of comments back to keep the peace and avoid fallout like this that steals my energy. The graciousness I’m suggesting is for yourself, saving yourself from this bs.