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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have forced this man to call his wife?

179 replies

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 16:35

So, there I was, in line to pay for my shopping at a Vietnamese supermarket. It just so happens a really good one is local to me, but they are pretty hard to find most of the time.

Chap in front is clutching a shopping list, has a few items, and asks the cashier (who really only speaks Vietnamese) for hawthorn. Now she did not understand what he said, I helpfully enunciated it properly, and translated it into French (smartypants or what) she had no idea, he had no idea he said its for my wife.

I said it was probably the bud or fruit of the hawthorn tree (as it indeed turns out to be). Both look blank. He shrugs his shoulders and looks as if he is going to slope off sans hawthorn.

At which point I suggested he called his wife for clarification.

He looked at me like I was stark raving crazy looney laydee. But she is at work! he gasped...

I said she might be rather cross and have a food crisis if he didn't. Still looked freaked out...but did go outside and call.

Was IBU to think that his wife would be pretty grumpy to have sent him to a speciality food store (I am channelling Ina Garten here) and for him to retreat without all the ingredients for her special planned dinner? And to not at least call or text to try and sort it out?

OP posts:
MrsCripps · 11/06/2014 16:51

Was Sharon there ?

Boudica1990 · 11/06/2014 16:51

My husband was in a Vietnamese shop today and this crazy lady started demanding he phoned me to make sure he was getting the right stuff....he was pretty freaked out by it.

It was you!!!!

Nah I'm joking, meh you tried to help in your own way, oh well, nobody is dead so I wouldn't worry about it Yanbu.

TwoInTheMourning · 11/06/2014 16:52

Nothing wrong with what you did OP, jeez some people can be really uptight.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 16:53
Grin
OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 16:53

We love Michael in our household...he always knows that Ina LOVES orange. And Miguel...so creative!

OP posts:
TwoInTheMourning · 11/06/2014 16:53

The French is because Vietnam was a French colony for a long time, so thought the Vietnamese woman might be more familiar with the French word for it than the English...

That bit is a bit weirdo alert though GrinGrinGrin

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 11/06/2014 16:54

Ah yes, narrative.

I sit at my desk and muse that the reflection from the window behind me is making it hard to see my computer screen. I hear, down in the hall below, one of my colleagues getting ready to leave for the day. Musing about Madame's random bloke's shopping list reminds me that I must get the ingredients for cake pops for DD2's charity cake sale before tomorrow. Was Madame BU? How would DH feel about a suggestion like that from a stranger? DH wouldn't have needed help with the French translation, although actually, I wonder if he knows what hawthorn is. I should ask him later. I don't think Madame is being particularly U about this though. Quite interesting to think about social interactions between strangers. Probably a lot depends on where you are or where you're from. Huh.

Hairylegs47 · 11/06/2014 16:54

I think I'd be hopping mad if my DH came back from a speciality shop with the wrong thing - Lush is bad enough. Drives me nuts, with DH not anyone else! I'd love it if anyone helped him and love it even more if he actually took their advice.

YANBU

TwoInTheMourning · 11/06/2014 16:55

I love interacting with complete strangers is shops though. All sorts can happen. I've had surreal situations in shops in New York and Madrid because people dare to talk to one another in what many English people would see as a very personal way.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 16:56
OP posts:
Hairylegs47 · 11/06/2014 16:58

Glad to oblige Grin - now, are you ever in Lush?? Wink

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 16:59

Grin I shall lurk on purpose at lush now!

OP posts:
Fenton · 11/06/2014 16:59

For you MadameD, in case you need in next time...

??(°.°)??(°.°)??(°.°) ?Lighthearted ??(°.°)??(°.°)??(°.°)? ?

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:00

gripping stuff!

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:01

Cheers Fenton!

OP posts:
EllenJanesthickerknickers · 11/06/2014 17:02

Laburnum is poisonous. (Misses point)

Canthisonebeused · 11/06/2014 17:03

You OP is hilarious and I think he was right to think you were somewhat loony ( though I do hate to use that term, but I think an exception is needed here) [ grin]

HavanaSlife · 11/06/2014 17:07

I thought this thread was going to turn into a bun throwing competition for a moment there Grin

Light hearted smiley anyone?

Canthisonebeused · 11/06/2014 17:08

How could anyone fight with a slightly unhinged but charming OP.

MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:08
OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:09

why er, thank you, Canthisbeused! (I think!)

OP posts:
MadameDefarge · 11/06/2014 17:10

I live in a very vibrant borough of London. Everybody yacks to everybody else, if that helps!

OP posts:
ProfYaffle · 11/06/2014 17:10

Hawthorn is sometimes called the bread and cheese tree because people used to nibble on it's leaves and haws. I once made hawthorn ketchup

Canthisonebeused · 11/06/2014 17:11

Please tell me this DID really happen though and it's not made up for comedy value

thornrose · 11/06/2014 17:12

AIBU is no place for the lighthearted [solemn face]

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