AIBU to resent SIL always taking food off my plate!?

[freename]

If theres a meal we're at together, home, restaurant, wherever she always samples things off my plate. She never orders dessert, but will happily try and nick some of mine.

It has got to the stage where I go to great lengths to avoid sitting anywhere near her but the last time we were together she actually moved seats to be closer to me!

DH thinks she sees it as some kind of female bonding. Bond with someone else I say Other than confrontation which I want to avoid (because lets face it with her it would be like pandora's box ) how can I deter this particular obsession.

[StealthPolarBear]

have you tried shouting

FREENAME DOESN'T SHARE FOOD!

[hotbot]

while she is watching, spit on your food first...

[nickytwotimes]

Yanbu.
My mother and my aunt both think this is reasonable behavior, and it drives me MENTAL!
I just tell them to get off my plate in a jokey manner and move it away if necessary.

Worst thing is my mum uses her fingers.

[piscesmoon]

Just tell her, politely, that you don't like it.

[ArizonaBarker]

As soon as your food arrives, lick it all.

Simple.

[mmrred]

'Accidentally' stab her with your fork as she's reaching in.

[freename]

hotbot it may come to that!

[Seabright]

Sneeze & cough all over it.

[mmrred]

Or shout - IT IS STILL FATTENING OFF SOMEONE ELSE'S PLATE, YOU KNOW

[StealthPolarBear]

or after you've boith had some start talking about the really bad D&V bug you're JUST getting over

[freename]

She's often 'off' the alcohol but will want to sample MY wine even if her DH is drinking the same. Sip from his glass FGS!

[TheProvincialLady]

Casually mention in conversation that you have just been to the loo and forgotten to wash your hands. And manhandle your pudding as much as possible.

[StealthPolarBear]

or eat with your fingers after obviously scratching your bum (or pretend to, on second thoughts )

[Katisha]

How extremely annoying.
Can you make a joke of it and swoop your plate away when she approaches it, merrily laughing "get your own".
And then keep doing it...

[bibbitybobbityCAT]

Good God! Scream very loudly "Who the f said you could help yourself off my plate?" I would probably slap someone round the face if they did this to me. Nicky - just because she's your mother you don't have to put up with that you know.

I am a mumsnetter of 4 years standing but I swear this is one of the most outrageous things I have EVER read on here. EVER. HONESTLY. Am so on your behalf.

[bibbitybobbityCAT]

Lol! pisces has the best answer.

[piscesmoon]

A quiet word, in private, is better than a lot of shouting, licking and spitting!

[sayanything]

I'm with StealthPolarBear on this, I do actually cry "SayAnything does not share food", in the manner of Joey Tribbiani. Few things annoy me more than food envy and DH is oh so guilty.

[FABIsInTraining]

Move your plate away.

And just keep saying no.

[TheProvincialLady]

Gawd bibbity, don't you read many of the theads then?

[onepieceoflollipop]

Gosh, calm down bibbity

[freename]

mmrred I'm thinking she is trying to control her intake and it's ok to take from me (another female who might relate to dieting iyswim). I don't because if I want something I just have it. Maybe she is worried that if she takes from the guys plates they might tease her?

[Jux]

When she goes for it, just swap plates with her. Ostentatiously. "Oh right, I'll have yours then".

[colditz]

You say

"NO. I am hungry. I ordered this portion because I want it. I'll order you one too if you like. I know you like to think you can't eat a whole one, but I CAN."

[diddl]

YANBU!

It´s annoying.

Order some thing she doesn´t like!!