Need to be polite to my in-laws

[Anonymous]

This should not be so difficult. I have to spend several hours (in my house) with my in-laws over the weekend. I already know what I should do to be polite, but somehow when faced with them it becomes hard to do so. Hoping I can get some new tips I haven't already thought about. Ready...go!

[Anonymous]

To whatever is said:

1. Smile

2. Nod if it isn't a racial slur or something equally inappropriate

Repeat as needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This should not be so difficult. I have to spend several hours (in my house) with my in-laws over the weekend. I already know what I should do to be polite, but somehow when faced with them it becomes hard to do so. Hoping I can get some new tips I haven't already thought about. Ready...go!

You can't be polite and pleasant to someone for several hours? I think you are the problem.

[Anonymous]

ask questions - even if you couldn't care less - for example "how did you make this cake? what does it have in it?" force the in law to give you the recipie verbally - takes time and thought on their part (longer convo than if they say, i'll email it to you").

compliment them in changes to their home (yeah, that new piece of "art" is really crappy looking and why on earth anyone wants a bronze horse in the kitchen is beyond me, but i have been able to say "wow - is that new? how interesting! where did you get it?")

if no change to home, compliment clothing - "what a nice sweater!" "it looks very warm-cozy-soft-whatever"

continue asking questions

if you know they ask you questions (my in laws always ask how my job is on day 2 of my visit) prepare a nice monologue - i always want to say fine and move on b/ci know they don't really give a crap, but i feel like offering a real evaluation and some interesting tidbits makes me sound nicer than if i just said "fine, thanks"

good luck!

[Anonymous]

Do you have kids? Remember you are teaching them how to treat their in-laws, and also what behavior is acceptable from their future spouce towards their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have kids? Remember you are teaching them how to treat their in-laws, and also what behavior is acceptable from their future spouce towards their parents.

There's a fine line btw. being a polite kiss ass and being trampled on.

If in-laws are a major pain in the ass, I will not "model" for my children how to be a victim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have kids? Remember you are teaching them how to treat their in-laws, and also what behavior is acceptable from their future spouce towards their parents.

There's a fine line btw. being a polite kiss ass and being trampled on.

If in-laws are a major pain in the ass, I will not "model" for my children how to be a victim.

That's weird to equate being polite with being a victim. ?

[Anonymous]

Wine.

[Anonymous]

Act in a way you would want your kids to emulate when they are grown up and faced with an unpleasant social situation.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I'm not a talker.
So I show my non-rudeness by:
1. smiling.
2. getting them the most comfortable seats, the best to eat and drink and waiting on them generally.

A few hours is perfect for showing what a gracious host you are without going round the bend!