What's all this flipping tinkly laughing?

[MardyBra]

And bloody head-tilting?

Haven't been on MN much recently, and I've come back to find that the standard advice for dealing with MILs, SILs and Wendys is to say something passive aggressive with a head tilt and a tinkly laugh.

What's wrong with an assertive down-to-earth: "MIL, I know you want to spoil the grandkids with a large box of Quality Street for their tea, but I'd prefer it if you could feed them kale and quinoa. Thanks."

Instead the standard advice being doled out is increasingly a passive aggressive: "We don't want them getting fat MIL" [head tilt].

Fuck that.

MIL once tried commenting "naughty" at me when I ate some cake once. I just looked at her, but obviously the look ensured that she never did it again.

I deploy a very effective tinkly laugh in real life.

But then I am a PA bitch. I'm happy with that.

thanks for that suggestion Lemony.

Yeuch, I'm in total agreement. The whole tinkly-laugh thing makes my skin crawl.

Batteries Do you think you could be convinced to join the dark side and become an aggressive-aggressive bitch? There are down sides but it's more satisfying.

Life improves immeasurably when you go from passive aggressive to aggressive aggressive. I can recommend it.

I've never heard a tinkly laugh seen a few head tilts though

I've just tried a tinkly laugh and a head tilt. I think I'm doing it wrong because I appear deranged.

Personally I prefer assertive to aggressive.

But I'm happy to escalate to non-passive aggressive if I encounter passive aggressive.

If that makes sense.

I know it's a while back, but I like the Umbridge comparison pax

When we were at university we used to head tilt so much because we thought it made our hair look longer. We'd also stick a leg out and hands on hips. As a result it looks like several of us have serious neck / spine issues in photos from that time.

Is that what a head tilt is meant to achieve?

If I ever witnessed a tinkly laugh/head tilt in real life, even if not directed at me, if assume the person doing it was a bit of a wanker and have no more to do with them.

But I'm not expecting that everyone on mn is someone who i would get on with in real life, so I'm happy to live and let live.

I think most 'well if that was my MIL I'd do/say x' posts are about letting of steam and amusing fantasy rather than what people would actually do, anyway. Better to make up PA comments on mn than say them in real life.

Totally agree OP. Tinkly laughs and head tilts conjure up an image of a slightly unstable 1950's housewife who's been at the gin to me.

This is cute though

Anytime I read a post that suggests the OP adopts a "tinkly laugh and head tilt" I can't help but think the poster is a totally unimaginative knob that spends far too much time on mumsnet.

I have no idea what a tinkly laugh is supposed to sound like.

I would like to know though, has anyone ever actually used "Did you mean to be so rude?" I don't think that's in the same league and I'd love to try it in context. People are rarely rude to me though because I've been a Nanny for nearly 25 years so I have developed "The Nanny Face". Three year old I currently care for has learned to do it too and I saw her take down her 11yo brother with it the other day.

Spa day suggestions are shit.

The internet seems to do a good line in head-tilting dogs.

I have no idea what a tinkly laugh is supposed to sound like.

In my head, high pitched and fake.

Head tilt and a Brian Blessed belly laugh would be awesome though.

Prof that's definitely my new thing! It would be so unexpected.

greengoddess 😄

You inspired me to try mine and my puppy put his paws up onto my chest and gazed earnestly into my face for about ten seconds. I think he thought I was in pain maybe.

I'm more a Brian Blessed myself. I know a lot of tinkly laughers and they usually specialise in 'helpful' comments.

In defence of "did you mean to be so rude"… I've used it several times since hearing about it on here. Only with horrible family members though.

Works like a charm.

I imagine Umbridge too!

Yanbu. This passive-aggressive tinkly shit gets right on m'tits.

I have been given the nickname Muttley The Phantom Wheeze Bark because of my laugh (weird friends) So 'tinkly' ain't gonna happen....

I also agree that head tilts and tinkley laughs can fuck off, but I like biscuits, and am keeping them. Think I will have one now..... wanders off scattering crumbs across the thread.....