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AIBU?

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In laws policing drinking on holiday

179 replies

Cherry346 · 11/08/2026 15:44

I, along with DH and our two kids, stayed with relatives in law at their home in the South of France for our summer holiday (1 week) as we do every year unless they come to us in the UK. I noticed quite early on in the trip that uncle in law was not really offering me alcoholic drinks at the dinner table despite drinking wine himself and offering it to DH (it’s something I and UIL have previously enjoyed together – we’re both into wine and they live opposite a lovely vineyard where we’ve regularly done tastings). I have a long-term debilitating illness so don’t drink much (certainly no spirits etc) but do enjoy a glass or two when I’m away and find it really helps me relax, particularly after sorting the kids’ bedtime which I did most nights to let DH catch up with his family. Later in the week, auntie in law kept making comments about anti-inflammatory diets/querying what I eat so I suspect they were purposefully limiting my alcohol having read that it can sometimes negatively impact people with my illness (albeit in the six years I’ve been unwell I personally have not experienced any negative effects and similarly felt no better by giving it up for a period). At one point I briefly excused myself from the dinner table with indigestion and heard AIL mutter “maybe she’s gone in to get some wine” (like I was some form of closet alcoholic!!). AIBU to think that, at 44 years old, they are not entitled to police/judge what I drink in this way, despite what they may have read about my illness? To be clear, we bought a box of vineyard wine and paid for meals out to thank them for their hospitality, so there’s no suggestion they thought we were freeloading. I know this isn’t a huge issue in the grand scheme of things but it really got under my skin (pun intended!) and I spent the week feeling very uncomfortable/quite shamed/judged, especially when everyone else was imbibing! DH perhaps should have asked them whether there was an issue but I didn’t want an already strange/uncomfortable situation to become even more awkward! TIA

OP posts:
JoB1kenobi · 11/08/2026 21:37

I wonder if they’ve personally looked into your illness to try and be good hosts and it’s mentioned alcohol as a potential issue so they didn’t want to seem like enablers and being traditional weren’t the type to bring it up, hoping you might and as you didn’t casually slipped into it that AIL comment you mentioned hoping you’d enlighten them?

Next time, just be forthcoming that wine doesn’t affect you as you’d tested it out so you’re going to fill your boots where the wine tastes so good.

Cherry346 · 11/08/2026 21:32

AffableApple · 11/08/2026 21:26

@Cherry346 and @Shypinkpiggypants, any chance anyone thinks you're pregnant?

Haha definitely not!

OP posts:
AffableApple · 11/08/2026 21:26

Cherry346 · 11/08/2026 21:19

This was honestly what it was like! When we first arrived my husband was offered a beer and I some lemon water 😂 I perhaps wouldn't have thought anything of it if previous visits hadn't been very different (always a bottle of cold white or rose awaiting us on our arrival!).

@Cherry346 and @Shypinkpiggypants, any chance anyone thinks you're pregnant?

Cherry346 · 11/08/2026 21:19

Shypinkpiggypants · 11/08/2026 19:59

Earlier this week I was at in laws for a party.
All adults were drinking.
I was asked - would you like a drink. Oh yes please I said .
Would you like - apple juice , orange juice , root beer, elderflower and water or I can do a tea or coffee !!!!! I was just amazed and felt like I was in AA!!! Every other adult there was drinking . It was so bizarre.
DH said - I don’t think she wants an orange juice ! She will have a proper drink. No idea what that was all about but I felt really judged !

This was honestly what it was like! When we first arrived my husband was offered a beer and I some lemon water 😂 I perhaps wouldn't have thought anything of it if previous visits hadn't been very different (always a bottle of cold white or rose awaiting us on our arrival!).

OP posts:
BMW58 · 11/08/2026 21:13

I'd ask your DH if he knows anything about this first - if he says No then I'd tell him that you will ask them directly why they are being so odd towards your drinking.

I bet he'll try and dissuade you from talking to them - because he DOES know what's been said, and I've no doubt by him.

MyDarlingRose · 11/08/2026 21:12

Sounds to me like they’ve been told something about your drinking

Thepossibility · 11/08/2026 21:11

Viperregency · 11/08/2026 20:59

Why should he nip it in the bud. Why’s it his fault. She’s a grown up she can say pass the wine.

She obviously felt out of her comfort zone and it does sound like a strange situation (the man pours the wine?!) so I would expect a loving, supportive partner to back up his DW if she was being treated poorly in his relatives home. It would be different if on neutral ground like a restaurant, but demanding alcohol in a private home is awkward.

SummerDive · 11/08/2026 21:10

Viperregency · 11/08/2026 20:59

Why should he nip it in the bud. Why’s it his fault. She’s a grown up she can say pass the wine.

But it was said in his presence. When the OP was out of the room (even if she still heard)

So yes I’d expect him to correct the assumption.
If someine had made a comment like that about my dh, totally put of line with reality, I’d have looked at the person with an incredulous look saying ‘what? Theres wine on the table. Why would she need to go and find some more???’

Frenzi · 11/08/2026 21:07

Viperregency · 11/08/2026 20:59

Why should he nip it in the bud. Why’s it his fault. She’s a grown up she can say pass the wine.

Exactly - we arent living in 1826! Speak up for yourself!

Viperregency · 11/08/2026 20:59

Thepossibility · 11/08/2026 20:30

The fact your DH didn't nip this bullshit in the bud the first time it happened, on the first night, makes me think he knows exactly what is going on here. This is his family treating you this way.

Why should he nip it in the bud. Why’s it his fault. She’s a grown up she can say pass the wine.

Frenzi · 11/08/2026 20:59

Why didn't you just use your voice? "I'll have another glass please" "is there a hole in the bottle as there isnt much in my glass"

I dont understand people that complain about something without ever speaking up.

You are an adult - use your adult voice!

Mere1 · 11/08/2026 20:32

LeedsLoiner · 11/08/2026 16:25

FFS it's the 21st century and you're a grown woman with a husband and children, just say "can I have another glass of wine please?" or if he's pouring you short measures, say "can you put some more in please?".
"Man pours the wine" - presumably before the ladies retire to the drawing room !!

🤣

Thepossibility · 11/08/2026 20:30

The fact your DH didn't nip this bullshit in the bud the first time it happened, on the first night, makes me think he knows exactly what is going on here. This is his family treating you this way.

godmum56 · 11/08/2026 20:28

Shypinkpiggypants · 11/08/2026 19:59

Earlier this week I was at in laws for a party.
All adults were drinking.
I was asked - would you like a drink. Oh yes please I said .
Would you like - apple juice , orange juice , root beer, elderflower and water or I can do a tea or coffee !!!!! I was just amazed and felt like I was in AA!!! Every other adult there was drinking . It was so bizarre.
DH said - I don’t think she wants an orange juice ! She will have a proper drink. No idea what that was all about but I felt really judged !

did they have any reason at all to think (or hope) you might be pregnant?

PinkyFlamingo · 11/08/2026 20:02

DH perhaps should have asked them whether there was an issue but I didn’t want an already strange/uncomfortable situation to become even more awkward!

So you would rather feel.uncomfortable on your holiday?

Shypinkpiggypants · 11/08/2026 19:59

Earlier this week I was at in laws for a party.
All adults were drinking.
I was asked - would you like a drink. Oh yes please I said .
Would you like - apple juice , orange juice , root beer, elderflower and water or I can do a tea or coffee !!!!! I was just amazed and felt like I was in AA!!! Every other adult there was drinking . It was so bizarre.
DH said - I don’t think she wants an orange juice ! She will have a proper drink. No idea what that was all about but I felt really judged !

AquaLeader · 11/08/2026 19:58

OP, I think you need to open your eyes.

Your DH is right at the centre of this. If he were innocent or on your side, he would be querying their behaviour and asking questions.

EnigmaticEnid · 11/08/2026 19:58

What? There is no way I would sit around a table whilst the men, and chosen women only, were allowed to decide who could drink the wine. Who the fuck does he think he is? If another couple want to live out the man’s misogynistic wet dream and agree that his wife is subservient to him then whatever, but nobody else would be enlisting me as a side character in that miserable dynamic.

fuchsteufelswild · 11/08/2026 19:52

It seems to me OP is light on context. Did you ask husband wtf is going on? Did he notice it too and what does he say?

Seems like those people all had an agreement which is extremely weird, but to give them the benefit of the doubt - did you or husband mention a recent flare up of your health condition? Either way it would be out of line, but your being an adult goes both ways and you should be asking for a top up yourself, traditional customs be damned.

The hypocrisy of keeping up appearances and being rude is bad enough though.

Laurmolonlabe · 11/08/2026 19:51

I'd just say, oh you missed me out, how about a glass of wine. You can force them to explain themselves- otherwise the resentment will build.

Whiteshapelz · 11/08/2026 19:44

Your husband is no prize.
Allows you to be treated like this, sits on his arse every night whilst you do all the bedtimes, and you have your wine restricted.

I wouldn't be going near them again and I sure as shit wouldn't be entertaining them again until that lazy arse husband of yours sorts it out firmly.

Your illness didn't stop your husband sitting on his arse whilst you did all the bedtimes, did it.
Twat.

Sam9769 · 11/08/2026 19:41

You need to speak up for yourself! Could you top me up please as FIL is topping up the others. It's none of their business anyway. You can police yourself!
They can bog off!

Marieb19 · 11/08/2026 19:41

Good lord, how much longer do you have to stay with these people? They sound awful. I think either your DH shoukd say something or make sure this is the last holiday you spend with them. They sound dreadfully controlling and judgemental.

category12 · 11/08/2026 19:40

godmum56 · 11/08/2026 19:11

you take goats out to dinner????

Now that's a party!

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 11/08/2026 19:35

Starlight7080 · 11/08/2026 16:31

I think maybe you need to speak to your husband. I bet he has implied something which has influenced how they are acting around you with alcohol. Either way he should have spoken up for you.

This!!

Also, I dont think that they can sit back and think, oh but we are traditional and everyone knows their place and should keep to it.. is any kind of excuse for their behaviour.
It's awkward and embarrassing that they treated you like that and its difficult when something like that happens out of the blue to come up with the right response on the spot... Also awkward if you are staying with them because no one wants to start an arguement with their hosts.

But I also don't think you should let this slide. DH needs to know and needs to honestly tell you what was going on. And if you do see them again, he needs to have spoken to them in advance so that they don't embarrass you like that again. The Aunt's comment was completely uncalled for. Especially by a table of people who were busily quaffing their own wine.

If he doesn't, I think damn tradition, you've got time to think of a good response to them yourself. Take the bull by the horns and don't Allow them to embarrass you. In fact tell them they are embarrassing you and ask them to stop. Easy to say, hard to do I know.