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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I a laughing stock?

814 replies

CovidHeadache · 31/10/2025 09:03

I jokingly call my house “surname towers” so for example if my surname was Jackson, my house would be called Jackson Towers. I’ve called it this for years, it’s very very lighthearted as I’m sure everyone knows. We host a lot of social events and I use the name in invites for example “birthday party, Jackson towers”, “Strictly finale party, Jackson towers” etc
In Christmas/birthday cards “love from A, L and all at Jackson towers”

All my friends and family know I call the house this and some call it this name too either in replies or just in general.

Anyway, last night I’d popped to my mums and my sister was there, we were talking about taking the kids to a Halloween event tonight and I said “why don’t you bring them back to the towers afterward and we can have a little party?”

My sister then said “I’m sorry but can we stop with this towers bullshit, it’s so cringy”. I said “It’s a joke! And you’ve never complained before!” My mum then said “not to your face maybe”. They both started laughing and my sister then said “no I’m sorry, someone needs to say something, people have been ripping the piss out of you for years for it, just give it a rest now”.

so to cut a long story short, turns out almost my entire family have been slagging me off for it for years and my sister hinted that my friends have too.

When I got home I rang my friend and asked her if the towers name annoys her and she said “no course not” so I asked if she knew if it annoyed anyone else to which she hesitated and then said “not annoy as such”. She wouldn’t elaborate further.

Now I’m pretty thick skinned and can mostly laugh it off if I’ve been a dick but this time I’m a bit upset, I keep trying to tell myself I’m not bothered but I can’t stop thinking about it. Have I been a laughing stock for years? If so AIBU to think someone might have mentioned it before now?

OP posts:
Princejoffyjaffur · 31/10/2025 13:05

You sister sounds a bit thoughtless. Ignore and carry on best you can. I know someone who does and I think it's cute and funny.

thestudio · 31/10/2025 13:04

I would go with HMP Jackson

Heronwatcher · 31/10/2025 13:04

AngelicKaty · 31/10/2025 13:01

Indeed. Or answer OP's original question which was " AIBU to think someone might have mentioned it before now?" (Which, of course, they should have - years ago when they were first bothered by it - and done so kindly so that OP could take it on board, not in the spiteful way OP's 'D'S did.)

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It’s difficult, as with most lame jokes you hope that the person will catch on themselves when no one else is laughing or calling it “the towers.” And then before you know it things have gone too far (see, getting a plaque put up).

OP I am sure you’re not a laughing stock, you just made a minor misjudgements- just chalk it up to experience and move on.

mcmuffin22 · 31/10/2025 13:03

CovidHeadache · 31/10/2025 13:00

I already have the door plaque 🙈 it’s in the hallway though, not on the outside of the house 😂

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Get an outdoor one and invite your sister round for the unveiling? 😁

PucaBandearg · 31/10/2025 13:03

CovidHeadache · 31/10/2025 13:00

I already have the door plaque 🙈 it’s in the hallway though, not on the outside of the house 😂

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I think you sound great fun @CovidHeadache 😆

Whowhatwhere21 · 31/10/2025 13:03

We have a family around here who have named theres their surname and manor, so like mumsnet manor.... its a standard 3 bed house.
They post on Facebook. Decorating the xmas tree - at mumsnet manor.
Watching the fire works- at mumsnet manor.
Brilliant day out with friends, back to mumsnet manor for takeaway.
Myself and a few others I know have always cringed at it tbh

CrystalSingerFan · 31/10/2025 13:01

mcmuffin22 · 31/10/2025 12:39

Engraved door plaque and personalised stationery required 😁

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Or a keyring? I live in somewhere with a posh, historic bit and a 1980's estate for the rest of us. This keyring works for me...

Am I a laughing stock?
AngelicKaty · 31/10/2025 13:01

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 31/10/2025 12:55

As usual everyone's focusing on the wrong thing i.e.whether you're being 'wanky' rather than whether your mum and sister were being cruel.

Indeed. Or answer OP's original question which was " AIBU to think someone might have mentioned it before now?" (Which, of course, they should have - years ago when they were first bothered by it - and done so kindly so that OP could take it on board, not in the spiteful way OP's 'D'S did.)

ResusciAnnie · 31/10/2025 13:00

It's all a bit 'you don't have to be mad to live here... but it helps pahaha' - very cringe, harmless though!!

Original poster
CovidHeadache · 31/10/2025 13:00

mcmuffin22 · 31/10/2025 12:39

Engraved door plaque and personalised stationery required 😁

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I already have the door plaque 🙈 it’s in the hallway though, not on the outside of the house 😂

OP posts:
ZoeCM · 31/10/2025 12:59

It's very twee. Sorry, OP, but you did ask.

24kPalamino · 31/10/2025 12:59

Aw op, it’s ok. Honestly.

It’s such a small thing I bet comments have only been made from time to time, I can’t imagine it being a constant source of ridicule…and so what if they have been laughing anyway? That says more about them than you. I’m sure every one of us have been slagged off or talked about at some point. I have quite an eccentric style and suspect some people might comment, but who cares.

Heronwatcher · 31/10/2025 12:58

I think it might grate on me after a while, sorry. Like a joke that’s been done to death.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 31/10/2025 12:58

Sorry op, i think stop using it immediately and laugh it off as taking the joke too far, do not for a second let them see you be negatively impacted by it

But that would be the last time I trusted my mum or sister tbh

Vanderpump Rules Eye Roll GIF
largeprintagathachristie · 31/10/2025 12:56

It would be funny in the way I think you were intending if you lived in a small flat.

But as it’s a three storey townhouse it just falls completely flat/sounds wank.

LillyPJ · 31/10/2025 12:56

Butchyrestingface · 31/10/2025 10:32

I reckon it was probably mildly funny the first time.

So at the second or third or seventh time you'd say ' That's not really funny any more' instead of letting her carry on and laughing behind her back.

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 31/10/2025 12:55

As usual everyone's focusing on the wrong thing i.e.whether you're being 'wanky' rather than whether your mum and sister were being cruel.

Ooodelally · 31/10/2025 12:53

I have to agree with PPs that it’s the, “making it a thing” that has had people rolling their eyes but I can’t believe it was more than that? Surely your friends and family have better things to do than discuss this in any great detail or with any level of frequency? We all have our quirks and we’d all probably die to know what people say about them behind our backs…

Horsie · 31/10/2025 12:52

mcmuffin22 · 31/10/2025 12:39

Engraved door plaque and personalised stationery required 😁

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🤣🤣🤣🤣

WhatDaHell · 31/10/2025 12:52

I would continue. I think it's funny

Arlanymor · 31/10/2025 12:51

The joke has just worn thin, that's all. I doubt all of your social circle have been discussing it behind your back for years. It's just that over time it's moved from mildly funny to eyeball roll. I wouldn't expend too much energy thinking about it.

I think the reason it's hit a bit hard is because it's one of those moments in life where you suddenly see yourself from the outside and that something you had assumed to always be one way isn't that way for everyone else.

2cubesoficeandasliceoflime · 31/10/2025 12:50

Oh and if you want to call it Towers, just own it.

Horsie · 31/10/2025 12:49

My dad sometimes used to call our house this, and I thought it was funny, but it sounds like you've really overdone the joke, OP. Sorry!

PracticalPixie · 31/10/2025 12:48

Totty Towers is worse than 'Jackson' Towers tbf. We were all young once I suppose!

My first email address was something ghastly too iirc

2cubesoficeandasliceoflime · 31/10/2025 12:48

There has been a very similar post to this before. Something to do with a postman though?

The thing is, you might find it funny but I can see it would wear thin quite quickly and a lot of people wouldnt realise your tongue was in your cheek when you keep using it.

I wouldnt have laughed at you or been mean about it though. I would have rolled my eyes and thought it was daft.