How to redirect hateful conversation?

[DaisyYellowGold]

Spending a lot of time with in laws recently, and as MIL has no life but loves to gossip, all she talks about is either how great her DD is (sil only not DH) or belittling everyone else. SIL is the same so when they are together it is even worse. Does anyone have any good ways of deflecting conversation?

If you have to spend time with them just don’t involve yourself in the conservation or have any reaction to it. Can you change the conversation to a different subject? Leave the room to make a drink? Start watching telly or get your phone out till they talk about something else?

Why are you spending so much time with them?

Just change the subject or nod and smile 🤷‍♂️

What would you normally do because you must have had this at some point in the past, either at school or work or something?

MounjaroOnMyMind a few reasons at the moment but hopefully not for much longer! MIL is a gossip as I say so it’s like she’s constantly thinking in her mind of who she can tell me about next…usually someone I’ve never met. I’m not a good conversationalist naturally and I mostly don’t engage but it is tiring.

FLOWER1982 when it’s the two of them together I think I’ll have to start getting my phone out as you say even though it’s rude.

This is what I usually do but just recently I’m finding it really hard. It was ok when I only had to see them every couple of months but it’s been more than that recently and it’s draining. Maybe I need to go in with some stock conversation starters.

Take a crochet or cross stitch project and work on that, and just say ummmm every now and again

This is actually a fab idea!