MIL has been in Britain for 30 years. She speaks perfect English and flamboyantly presents herself as a paragon of right-on, PC multiculturalism, assimilation and tolerance. She goes on every anti-racism march in the country, heads up endless campaigns in support of Kurds, Palestinians and Tibetans and sends angry emails to the local newspaper each time the BNP leaflet the town. And she sanctimoniously lectures me on such issues with a great air of superiority at every given opportunity.
Today I bought her a green scarf and hat for Christmas. DP said to me "you cannot give her that. It's green and nobody from her [insert ethnic group] ever wears green. It's what [insert neighbouring ethnic group] wear and MIL would be horrified and disgusted if anyone thought she was one of those."
I have pointed out the irony, or rather the cognitive dissonance, or rather hypocrisy, of such an attitude. But DP still insists that to give his mother a green scarf and hat would be a cultural abomination. I have suggested that a green scarf and hat might therefore be a very useful gift in helping MIL overcome some embarrassingly ingrained ethnic prejudices. But DP is insisting the MIL would never be seen dead in the colour green and thus that I might as well go and change the garments for another colour.
What does AIBU think? Should I give MIL the green to challenge her to live up to her principles, or should I just go and get another colour?
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AIBU?
to give MIL a Christmas present which challenges her petty prejudices?
67 replies
redandyellowandpinkand · 22/12/2010 20:37
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