This is one of the most pernicious ways that women control social dynamics. My mother used to do this while I was growing up (not necessarily to me, but to the people in the family/social circle). It always made me extremely uncomfortable. I didn't realize what was going on until I was older and moved away. Then I noticed almost all women do this.

Here are the stages of manipulation: *Get called out for bullshit *Get upset, cry, and withdraw, making sure everyone in the family/social group is aware *Create a rift in the family/social group, making everyone uncomfortable *Tearfully extend and olive branch and apologize for upset behavior *Reconciliation and return to the status quo, giving relief to the family/social group *Bullshit that was orginially called out isn't addressed and gets ignored