How do you deal with family members who think they are better then you?

I usually annoy them by refusing to leave their side. I want to know why they think they're "special". Maybe their wonderfulness will rub off on me.

Yin, what's with the holidays and relative questions? You want me to drive over and rough someone up for you? Say the word...

I listen to them intently for a few minutes, then I just shake my head, snicker and walk away. That leaves them dumbfounded.

With a big dose of humour.

I try not to talk to them. I stay away from them. If they get even more condescending or rude, I have a bit of a temper so I might resort to violence which I try to avoid and fail horribly.

Ah, you've heard about my brother then? I treat him with some amusement. I try not to let it show but once in a while it breaks out and he gets offended.

None of of my family members would ever claim to reach such heights.

I don't ! Only one I had like that was my sister -in-law and I don't have to deal with her anymore. Otherwise, what's left of my family doesn't act like that at all.

I try to avoid laughing at them any more than necessary.

Like you do when ANYONE treats you badly .. You let them know just how their behavior reflects on THEM .. NOT YOU. Accept the fact that they are small minded and insensitive..and understand that you can't change or control THEIR behaviour or regret  .. But you can control yours. 

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Ignore them completely .. but be polite if and when you have to.

My hubby's bro and his wife are like that .. which I find rather weird, because at one time (when we were way younger) .. we were all very good friends.  Now .. HE can't be trusted with anything he can steal, SHE .. won't even say hello to me if I meet her face to face in a store unless I say it first.  You know, she's one of those that will accidently make eye to eye contact, at which time she immediately averts her eyes so she can pretent that she hasn't seen me.  Does it to everyone in the family.  I often have pondered WHY she does that..and wondered if it's just an insecurity .. but, the more I think of it .. She doesn't want to make any effort to connect because she is just a  .. well something I can't say here on the site.

There is only one who has ever tried that. It was my mother-in-law. The only thing she is better at then me is being a good Catholic, and I have no problem with that. However when she tried to tell me how I could do things better, at first I just smiled and listened and did my way. After awhile, I told her that may have worked for her, but that isn't how I and my husband do things. And the longer I was married and learned more of the family secrets all her superiority was nullified, because I knew the truth and quietly let her know I did. I was always mindful not to make it public so she could never hold it over my head for being rude in front of others the way she did with my sister-in-law, She is now estranged from that part of the family, and I would never do that to my husband or step-daughter.

I am so sorry that you are in this is your situation. I would encourage you to take the high road. Try to remember that you are all family. I would also encourage you to talk with them and let them know how you feel. When you talk things out, it works out in the long run. You wont be festering a grudge. Hope this is helpful