Anonymous
Post 07/01/2017 23:22     Subject: Re:Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
My FIL is in his 80s and is mostly to the point where he says whatever is on his mind and gives no shits what anyone else thinks. Thankfully, he's generally a good guy and not racist or hateful or anything. Anyway, we were just at a family gathering (DH's side of the family), and DH's mother was not there. Everyone kept asking my FIL where she was, and I guess he got tired of all the questions, because he finally announced, VERY LOUDLY, that she'd been having diarrhea for the past five days and would not be joining us. MIL is a very private person who does not discuss her health with anyone and she probably would have killed him. That put an end to the questions, though.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2017 15:12     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
I get a kick out of all the unfunny assholes who stalk any "funny" threads… When you see the topic "funny" and feel the need to lurch in and correct people for perceived infractions with their own families you really have a problem.

I'm enjoying the stories… Especially the "that's Thursday! "
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 22:23     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:My mom asks "Are you watching the Bachelor?" each and every time we see her. None of us has ever watched it. And every time, we say no. But she'll launch into a discussion of the most recent episode as though we'll find it impossible to resist. "You girls watching..." "Grandma, no, we aren't watching The Bachelor!" "Oh, well, there was some scandal..."

Then once when a relative we rarely see made a reference to the show, my mom inexplicably denied watching such trash tv. She later told me she didn't want Aunt Sue to judge her.


I know what scandal she's talking about. I don't admit I watch it either.
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 12:26     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have been visiting my in-laws house for, well, 12 years. My FIL, who I love dearly, tells me the EXACT same stories about their quaint New England town each year. Every year, he acts as if I have never visited before. I find it hilarious and wish I had thought to take a video each time he tells the same story. It would have been YouTube gold.

The other hilarious thing my in-laws do is they carry on two different conversations with me at the same time. They will each speak at the same time - totally different topics - while sitting next to one another in the car. Of course it's a challenge for me to try to keep each conversation going, but I do. Apparently, they do this with everyone else in the family as well. It's just so funny.

I need more humor in my life clearly.


Hahaha my inlaws are currently here and they do this too!! It's a position of power, really...they both start talking to me about something totally different at the same time, and it's like AH who do I look at / respond to first?! I try to switch it up equally (plenty of opportunities, really)

I would totally watch that YouTube video, btw.


Mine do this too! I try really hard to participate in both convos, but husband has given up and just ignores them until one triumphs over the other.


Question for all 3 PPs...what happens when you or someone else actually says, "Hold on Mary, Bob...I can't talk to you both at once about different topics!"


I've tried saying something like that ("Sorry, what was that? I can't quite follow you both!") and I get a chuckle, but it doesn't change anything long term. I'm not comfortable speaking up more because it seems like just how this family operates, and I don't think it's my place to rock the boat. But your advice seems like something obvious I haven't tried, so maybe I'll try that wording next time!


Just because a dynamic is "the way it is" doesn't mean that you have to tolerate it. I would never allow myself to be repeatedly pulled into this type of unhealthy dynamic--whether they realize it or not, they are clearly competing with each other/being passive aggressive toward one another. Politely shut it down, every time. Whether or not they change your behavior, YOU don't need to be put in the middle of their immature conduct.


Oh my god you need to get a life


Hey, if being a doormat and playing into other people's toxic dynamics works for you, have at it!
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 11:28     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have been visiting my in-laws house for, well, 12 years. My FIL, who I love dearly, tells me the EXACT same stories about their quaint New England town each year. Every year, he acts as if I have never visited before. I find it hilarious and wish I had thought to take a video each time he tells the same story. It would have been YouTube gold.

The other hilarious thing my in-laws do is they carry on two different conversations with me at the same time. They will each speak at the same time - totally different topics - while sitting next to one another in the car. Of course it's a challenge for me to try to keep each conversation going, but I do. Apparently, they do this with everyone else in the family as well. It's just so funny.

I need more humor in my life clearly.


Hahaha my inlaws are currently here and they do this too!! It's a position of power, really...they both start talking to me about something totally different at the same time, and it's like AH who do I look at / respond to first?! I try to switch it up equally (plenty of opportunities, really)

I would totally watch that YouTube video, btw.


Mine do this too! I try really hard to participate in both convos, but husband has given up and just ignores them until one triumphs over the other.


Question for all 3 PPs...what happens when you or someone else actually says, "Hold on Mary, Bob...I can't talk to you both at once about different topics!"


I've tried saying something like that ("Sorry, what was that? I can't quite follow you both!") and I get a chuckle, but it doesn't change anything long term. I'm not comfortable speaking up more because it seems like just how this family operates, and I don't think it's my place to rock the boat. But your advice seems like something obvious I haven't tried, so maybe I'll try that wording next time!


Just because a dynamic is "the way it is" doesn't mean that you have to tolerate it. I would never allow myself to be repeatedly pulled into this type of unhealthy dynamic--whether they realize it or not, they are clearly competing with each other/being passive aggressive toward one another. Politely shut it down, every time. Whether or not they change your behavior, YOU don't need to be put in the middle of their immature conduct.


Oh my god you need to get a life
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 11:15     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have been visiting my in-laws house for, well, 12 years. My FIL, who I love dearly, tells me the EXACT same stories about their quaint New England town each year. Every year, he acts as if I have never visited before. I find it hilarious and wish I had thought to take a video each time he tells the same story. It would have been YouTube gold.

The other hilarious thing my in-laws do is they carry on two different conversations with me at the same time. They will each speak at the same time - totally different topics - while sitting next to one another in the car. Of course it's a challenge for me to try to keep each conversation going, but I do. Apparently, they do this with everyone else in the family as well. It's just so funny.

I need more humor in my life clearly.


Hahaha my inlaws are currently here and they do this too!! It's a position of power, really...they both start talking to me about something totally different at the same time, and it's like AH who do I look at / respond to first?! I try to switch it up equally (plenty of opportunities, really)

I would totally watch that YouTube video, btw.


Mine do this too! I try really hard to participate in both convos, but husband has given up and just ignores them until one triumphs over the other.


Question for all 3 PPs...what happens when you or someone else actually says, "Hold on Mary, Bob...I can't talk to you both at once about different topics!"


I've tried saying something like that ("Sorry, what was that? I can't quite follow you both!") and I get a chuckle, but it doesn't change anything long term. I'm not comfortable speaking up more because it seems like just how this family operates, and I don't think it's my place to rock the boat. But your advice seems like something obvious I haven't tried, so maybe I'll try that wording next time!


Just because a dynamic is "the way it is" doesn't mean that you have to tolerate it. I would never allow myself to be repeatedly pulled into this type of unhealthy dynamic--whether they realize it or not, they are clearly competing with each other/being passive aggressive toward one another. Politely shut it down, every time. Whether or not they change your behavior, YOU don't need to be put in the middle of their immature conduct.
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 10:46     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have been visiting my in-laws house for, well, 12 years. My FIL, who I love dearly, tells me the EXACT same stories about their quaint New England town each year. Every year, he acts as if I have never visited before. I find it hilarious and wish I had thought to take a video each time he tells the same story. It would have been YouTube gold.

The other hilarious thing my in-laws do is they carry on two different conversations with me at the same time. They will each speak at the same time - totally different topics - while sitting next to one another in the car. Of course it's a challenge for me to try to keep each conversation going, but I do. Apparently, they do this with everyone else in the family as well. It's just so funny.

I need more humor in my life clearly.


Hahaha my inlaws are currently here and they do this too!! It's a position of power, really...they both start talking to me about something totally different at the same time, and it's like AH who do I look at / respond to first?! I try to switch it up equally (plenty of opportunities, really)

I would totally watch that YouTube video, btw.


Mine do this too! I try really hard to participate in both convos, but husband has given up and just ignores them until one triumphs over the other.


Question for all 3 PPs...what happens when you or someone else actually says, "Hold on Mary, Bob...I can't talk to you both at once about different topics!"


I've tried saying something like that ("Sorry, what was that? I can't quite follow you both!") and I get a chuckle, but it doesn't change anything long term. I'm not comfortable speaking up more because it seems like just how this family operates, and I don't think it's my place to rock the boat. But your advice seems like something obvious I haven't tried, so maybe I'll try that wording next time!
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 08:03     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:mu MIL and FIL live about 5 miles away

every month I hear the same stories.


This. My FIL talks about how it was during and post war and how little they had to eat or how what we are eating in modern day America is a feast. He was 7-10 years old during the war (he immigrated here). He is now 75 but it left a lasting impression. My MIL went hungry too but she finds new topics to talk about.


You think being hungry, as in truly starving, is funny? What is wrong with you?
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 07:41     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My MIL finds a way to make "do you bake with butter, or Crisco" a part of every. single. conversation. I swear, we could be talking about Britney Spears or film noir or board games, and she will find a way to get butter v. Crisco in there.


Freak her out and say margarine.


Lol!!!


Or go totally rogue and tell her you're now only using mashed prunes in place of oil when you bake.
Anonymous
Post 06/30/2017 07:39     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:I have been visiting my in-laws house for, well, 12 years. My FIL, who I love dearly, tells me the EXACT same stories about their quaint New England town each year. Every year, he acts as if I have never visited before. I find it hilarious and wish I had thought to take a video each time he tells the same story. It would have been YouTube gold.

The other hilarious thing my in-laws do is they carry on two different conversations with me at the same time. They will each speak at the same time - totally different topics - while sitting next to one another in the car. Of course it's a challenge for me to try to keep each conversation going, but I do. Apparently, they do this with everyone else in the family as well. It's just so funny.

I need more humor in my life clearly.


You totally need to do a video of FIL! In years to come, you'll be glad you did.
Anonymous
Post 06/29/2017 23:47     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
My mom asks "Are you watching the Bachelor?" each and every time we see her. None of us has ever watched it. And every time, we say no. But she'll launch into a discussion of the most recent episode as though we'll find it impossible to resist. "You girls watching..." "Grandma, no, we aren't watching The Bachelor!" "Oh, well, there was some scandal..."

Then once when a relative we rarely see made a reference to the show, my mom inexplicably denied watching such trash tv. She later told me she didn't want Aunt Sue to judge her.
Anonymous
Post 06/29/2017 23:14     Subject: Re:Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
We're on vacation with my MIL and today she brought out a a large art portfolio full of coloring pages and drawings. I thought they were going to be my 8 yo daughter's art that she had saved over the years. Nope, it was full of my MIL's coloring pages and drawings that she's done with DD over time. She actually expected us to carefully review, study and comment on each one!
Anonymous
Post 06/29/2017 18:07     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:My MIL finds a way to make "do you bake with butter, or Crisco" a part of every. single. conversation. I swear, we could be talking about Britney Spears or film noir or board games, and she will find a way to get butter v. Crisco in there.


You should introduce her to coconut oil. It will blow her mind
Anonymous
Post 06/29/2017 17:02     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My MIL finds a way to make "do you bake with butter, or Crisco" a part of every. single. conversation. I swear, we could be talking about Britney Spears or film noir or board games, and she will find a way to get butter v. Crisco in there.


Freak her out and say margarine.


Lol!!!
Anonymous
Post 06/29/2017 16:58     Subject: Can we have a funny thread? In-laws/Family Summer 2017
Anonymous wrote:My MIL finds a way to make "do you bake with butter, or Crisco" a part of every. single. conversation. I swear, we could be talking about Britney Spears or film noir or board games, and she will find a way to get butter v. Crisco in there.


Freak her out and say margarine.