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AIBU?

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MIL performance coughing/sneezing

63 replies

Pyrana · 16/04/2025 14:10

MIL is staying with us until May 4th. She arrived weekend just gone and she’s driving me insane with her performance coughing and sneezing. When she coughs she will literally start pounding the sofa with her fists and stamping her feet hard on the ground. When she sneezes she literally SCREAMS horror film style and again punches something or kicks out. We have had two drinks kicked off the coffee table since Sunday. I really can’t cope with it for another two weeks, I constantly feel on edge waiting for the next scream. Plus it’s embarrassing, Monday she did it in the back garden and you could literally hear the neighbours instantly fall silent wondering what the hell the screaming was all about.

I’ve told DH to have a word but he says he can’t tell his mother how to sneeze. I’ve said if he doesn’t say something I will. AIBU?

OP posts:
SeventeenClovesOfGarlic · 16/04/2025 14:42

May the 4th be with you.

Is she contagious? 🤢

Flossflower · 16/04/2025 14:28

Why is she staying that long?
Is she unwell?
Walk out of the room when she does it.

Mulledjuice · 16/04/2025 14:25

Plus it’s embarrassing, Monday she did it in the back garden and you could literally hear the neighbours instantly fall silent wondering what the hell the screaming was all about.

Give over! They won't care.

Just make a big show of moving anything fragile out of her blast radius

Oneearringlost · 16/04/2025 14:20

Fascinating!
Does she have insight when this happens?
Did she apologise when the drinks tipped off the table?
Has she always done it?
It would drive me to distraction!
Sympathy....I think I'd scream loudly, in fright, the next time she does it.

stayathomegardener · 16/04/2025 14:17

I do a series of tiny sneezes, I trained myself based on my Mothers ridiculous WAHOOO performances when I was a child.

No idea how you discourage you Mil but can concur it’s very tiresome.

Pomegranatecarnage · 16/04/2025 14:17

I’d struggle to cope with that. Has she always done it, or does she have a cold? She could stop the sneeze scream by pinching her nose and having a tissue ready. The pounding fists is ridiculous. Why such a long stay?

HiRen · 16/04/2025 14:16

Sorry but that's too funny 😂

I wouldn't be able to resist a "gosh Susan, that's quite a dramatic sneeze you've got there, you'll have next door's cat jumping off their couch at this rate".

Seriously, if she's unwell she'd really better go home. Wouldn't want to catch what she's got.

TomatoSandwiches · 16/04/2025 14:16

Next time she does it ask her if she's seen the GP about it and if she's says no or why then you can tell her its absolutely not normal.

ShortColdandGrey · 16/04/2025 14:14

next time she does it say "Bloody hell Sharon the neighbours are going to think we have the local zoo visiting"

TheLurpackYears · 16/04/2025 14:14

That sounds remarkable. All drinks in Tommy tippy cups for her from now on. I would also suggest that someone as ill as her needs to go home.
Has she come from abroad for such a long stay?

PeopleTalkingWithoutSpeaking · 16/04/2025 14:13

Is this a new thing with her?! Does she generally thrive on attention?

I'm sorry op, I'm sure it's not funny really, but your description did make me chuckle

outerspacepotato · 16/04/2025 14:12

Fall down and play dead the next time she does it.

If he won't tell her, you're going to have to or clear off the coffee table.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 16/04/2025 14:10

If she’s that unwell, perhaps it’s best she goes home now.