RealTalkAJ

I wanna know if you’re close with your cousins.

Are you close with your cousins?

Not as much as I’d like to be, and that’s a shame because whenever I have family get together they’re some of the first relatives that get the function going for me. If you’re someone that sees themself as the leader of their family and find yourself in the same situation, seek your cousins out. It’s like combining the avengers or the Justice League in a way.

You don’t get better cooperation from anyone else in your family besides your cousins

When it comes to family dynamics, cousins occupy a unique position.

Unlike siblings, parents, or even uncles and aunts, cousins represent a branch of the family tree that is both close enough to feel familiar and distant enough to bring fresh energy into interactions.

One of the strongest benefits of this relationship is the cooperation you can expect.

Cousins are often the leaders within their immediate families.

They are usually the “standouts” in their respective households—people who hold influence, take initiative, and embody traits that make them more dependable when it comes to working together.

When you deal with a cousin, you’re not simply dealing with a random family member; you’re working with the best that family branch has to offer.

These qualities make collaboration smoother and more fruitful.

Unlike siblings, who sometimes carry childhood rivalries and competitiveness into adulthood, cousins can often meet you with a clean slate.

They understand that your relationship is not weighed down by daily friction or shared living experiences.

This opens the door for more effective cooperation, whether that’s in family events, business ventures, or just planning a holiday get-together.

Cousins bring perspective, initiative, and a willingness to work toward common goals without as much baggage attached.

You get some of the most meaningful displays of respect with them

Another dimension that makes cousin relationships stand out is the level of respect exchanged.

In many families, respect can sometimes get tangled in familiarity.

Parents may become too accustomed to you to acknowledge your growth, and siblings might joke at your expense more than they uplift you.

Cousins, however, often approach things differently.

In my experience, cousins consistently offer the most meaningful displays of respect compared to anyone else in the family.

A large part of this comes from the fact that we don’t see each other daily.

There’s truth in the saying, “absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

When cousins reconnect, there’s a natural tendency to think highly of each other, to bring out the best, and to show that the bond still carries weight.

Each meeting feels like an opportunity to validate—or challenge—our assumptions about one another.

That respect shows itself in the way cousins listen, the way they celebrate milestones, and the way they treat you with a blend of familiarity and admiration.

The time apart allows them to witness your progress from a distance, and when they acknowledge it, that respect feels genuine.

It’s not a courtesy—they truly value what you bring to the table.

Cousins show you some of the best forms of hospitality

Hospitality is another area where cousins shine.

Think about the times you’ve visited a cousin’s home.

More often than not, they extend kindness, warmth, and comfort in a way that sometimes surpasses what you might receive from siblings.

There’s something about cousins that makes them want to create an experience for you, whether that’s offering food, making space, or ensuring you feel welcome.

Part of this comes from the semi-formal nature of the relationship.

You’re family, but you’re not part of the immediate household.

That gap encourages cousins to act as hosts rather than just fellow family members.

When you arrive, they may see it as an occasion worth honoring, and they rise to the opportunity by offering genuine hospitality.

Let’s be honest—some cousins treat you better than your own siblings.

While siblings may sometimes overlook your presence or take you for granted, cousins lean into the idea of making a visit memorable.

That sense of kindness fosters a deeper bond and reinforces the idea that family doesn’t have to feel transactional or routine.

With cousins, hospitality becomes a way of celebrating the relationship itself.

You can mess up with your cousins and learn better from those situations

One of the most underrated benefits of having cousins is the space they give you to learn from mistakes.

With immediate family, the stakes can sometimes feel too high; slip-ups can leave long-lasting marks that affect the core household dynamic.

Cousins, by contrast, provide a kind of buffer.

They’re close enough to matter but distant enough to allow for trial and error without permanent fallout.

This makes them some of the best people to experiment with ideas that might be considered taboo, like mixing family with business.

In my own experience, cousins can serve as a bridge between personal loyalty and professional accountability.

They’re not “day one ride-or-dies” when it comes to money or ventures, but they’re also not strangers.

This middle ground creates an environment where you can test boundaries, collaborate on projects, and face the consequences together—all while still preserving the bond.

The beauty of this arrangement is that you’re attached to both the process and the result, but you’re not so emotionally clouded that you lose judgment.

If something goes wrong, cousins often understand, forgive, and help you recalibrate.

They don’t carry the weight of living with you daily, so mistakes don’t define the relationship.

Instead, those missteps become valuable learning opportunities.

You get to refine your approach, strengthen your decision-making, and grow through experience—all with the support of family who genuinely want to see you succeed.