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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be irritated by this Christmas card?

31 replies

ChristmasAlready · 23/12/2013 12:44

more than irritated actually. Confused

It is from a English speaking family living out of the UK, the children are older teens. They have turbulent relationship with each other.

Their 'Christmas' card shows a photo of the 4 of them, all smiling grimacing. The words inside are printed and are not in English. It ends with their names, not 'love from' or similar. Nothing has been added by hand.

I really want to respond by sending them a text in some language they won't understand, but DH thinks that is a step too far. Hmm

Heri ya Krismasi na Mwaka Mpya na wewe kila

OP posts:
SweetSeraphim · 23/12/2013 12:47

Erm..... I'm a bit confused. Why do you actually care? Confused

Original poster
ChristmasAlready · 23/12/2013 12:49

me too SS, I don't know why I care. But I do Sad

OP posts:
pictish · 23/12/2013 12:49

Err...okay. Weird thing to be annoyed about...but I'll play along.
What would have suited you better?

5Foot5 · 23/12/2013 12:51

Irrespective of the language and whether they get on (what has that got to do with it?) I think I would be slightly annoyed at a totally printed card with no sign of any personalisation at all

feelingvunerable · 23/12/2013 12:54

Perhaps they have sent the same one to everybody, hence the foreign language and lack of personal touch.

Tbh a lot of Christmas is fake, there is no meaning or sentiment in a lot of things. people just go along with it.
I wouldn't stress about it.

Original poster
ChristmasAlready · 23/12/2013 13:07

What would have suited you better?
A message I could understand would have been better and a bit of personalisation.

They probably have sent the same card to everyone but the majority almost all of their family and friends won't understand it.

OP posts:
pictish · 23/12/2013 13:08

Unless they're good pals you'd expect the personal touch from, I'd just put it in the recycling and forget about it. It's a generic card.
That's what I did with the round robin we received which was basically about their new swimming pool, with photos. Confused

snowed · 23/12/2013 13:09

YANBU. I can't see what the card has to do with Christmas or thinking of you at all.

pictish · 23/12/2013 13:10

I tried googling it. It's Swahili. I couldn't fine a direct translation, but I figure it says something along the lines of Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Look - it's a shit card. Forget it.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/12/2013 13:11

Yabu

Recycle it if it bothers you that much.

Original poster
ChristmasAlready · 23/12/2013 13:12

it's a shit card. Forget it.

I'm trying to, pictish.

Thanks snowed

OP posts:
leftangle · 23/12/2013 13:15

Possibly a simple mistake? I sent my DB and SIL a totally blank card one year. They only knew it was from me because they recognised the handwriting on the envelope.

Either way not worth getting wound up about.

lackingimagination · 23/12/2013 13:22

I actually like the thought of receiving a Christmas wish in other languages. For example if I had friends in France I would happily receive a card with French in it even if they could speak English.

natwebb79 · 23/12/2013 14:10

Wow, why are you bothered? They've thought of you and sent you a card. I received a card from a friend with Merry Christmas written in Russian. I loved it, makes a change from the usual. Confused...

FiveStarHadItComing · 23/12/2013 14:11

Pictish is right, it is Swahili. Google translate translates it as:

Happy Christmas and New Year to you all.

I lived in Germany for a year or so sent German Christmas cards. Fortunately, my friends and family all liked the idea. No one sent back random messages in other . Why would they?

FiveStarHadItComing · 23/12/2013 14:11
  • in other langiages
FiveStarHadItComing · 23/12/2013 14:12

Gah! Languages.

(Good job really can only just type in English...)

cjel · 23/12/2013 14:15

i think your stab about how theyt don't get on yet are picturing themselves as smiling sounded spiteful. You jealous?

iheartdusty · 23/12/2013 14:17

we have had at least 2 cards this year where the senders got our names right but totally forgot to sign them.

we have figured one of them out, but the other remains a mystery.

it's a stressful time of year.

BackOnlyBriefly · 23/12/2013 14:17

This place where they live. Would it have cards in english in the shops?

If I were french for example and sending a card back home I don't know where I'd buy a card in french.

Original poster
ChristmasAlready · 23/12/2013 14:41

It probably would have cards in English, but they have had these cards custom printed/made.

I think it is the lack of personal message that I find off.

OP posts:
feelingvunerable · 24/12/2013 08:17

I guess some people actually don't love Christmas that much, whilst others go the whole hog and generally make themselves ill trying to get everything just right.

They must fall into the first category.

mrsjay · 24/12/2013 08:32

so they sent you a carrd in their language with their photo on it so you do know who it is from why are you so pissed off I don't gettit

Original poster
ChristmasAlready · 24/12/2013 08:37

No it's not their language, nor the language of their families, nor the language of most of their friends.

OP posts:
mrsjay · 24/12/2013 08:38

soo they have sent cards in a language that they dont even use ? is that right maybe it was a printing error or something and they just sent them out,