When I paid for a beach vacation for my boyfriend Jake’s family, I expected gratitude. Instead, his mom, Kathy, shocked me on the first night by clearing my plate and saying, “We don’t eat meat in this family. You won’t either.”

I was stunned. “But I eat meat,” I replied, only for her to dismiss me with, “Not this week!” Even worse, Jake wouldn’t stand up for me. That’s when I decided to teach Kathy a quiet lesson in respect.

Knowing her sweet tooth was her weakness, I arranged with resort staff to “limit” her access to desserts. Day after day, she grew frustrated as her favorite treats mysteriously became “unavailable.” On the third day, I calmly told her, “I don’t want your family seeing you eat all that sugar. It’s poison, right?”

The message hit hard. By dinner, she apologized softly, “I’m sorry.” That’s all I needed. I loaded my plate with steak and chicken, and no one said a word. Respect, I realized, is earned by standing your ground.