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.

You're right pax

The head tilt and tinkly laugh is Delores Umbridge in four words

I thought the head/tilt thing was from a piss-take thread on here? As in 'are you ok OP? . People are recommending it as serious advice?

I can't do a tinkly little laugh. I just tried and I sounded like Peter Griffen

Ha ha how about just a sudden piercing scream.

I fantasise about that during supermarket queues.

And then once done just look blank so everyone thinks they just imagined it.

Ok tried that on the dog and she looked shocked as only a terrier can.

This is good.

If someone said "did you mean to be so rude?" I would say "Yes I did, and? Or "Nope, not at all". Depending on whether I did or not. I don't think it's a great come back to be honest.

Scooby doo does a good tinkly laugh.

I hate passive aggressiveness but as I lack social skills I suspect I don't notice it when people do it to me, so am quite happy.

Can't bear a tinkly laff. I have a group of relatives who do this, and are seemingly only capable of making small talk. More of a snorter myself.

I actually find it quite intimidating to be in a room full of head tilting, tinkly laffing small talkers. Maybe why it's deployed as a PA tactic?

There are some lovely head tilters out there. Shall keep some on file to post along with Umbridge should I be tilted at .

Green - laughed at 'sudden piercing scream' but as I've just been to the dentist it came out as a frothy gargle. Would that work too?

nicky love your 'yes I did' response.

Several of my neighbours have just started their kids at very expensive private schools and the Mums all immediately start doing the head tilt and tinkly laugh. It feaks me the hell out, even if I hear them doing it over the fence.

paddington

Yes of course a gargle with maybe a spit of blood would be ace.

Head tilt and tinkly laugh

I wouldn't use 'did you mean to be so rude' just in case the answer was 'yes'.

My attempt at a tinkly laugh caused the nearest of the cats to actually open her eyes for a second or so, before giving a sigh and going back to sleep.

Excellent example of the genre right at the end of this clip.

WTF is that dog, soubriquet? Is that the creepy one off those daft subreddit forums where they talk about slenderman etc?

No idea..just googled scary head tilts and fluffy came up there

Ah, it's from creepypasta. I think it's been doctored a little though.

creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Smile_Dog

MardyBra
Oh and anyone who posts a head tilt with a tinkly laugh as a reply needs to be banished to Nethuns.

I agree re tinkling and tilting but I love you most because you realise the word 'needs' often needs to be followed by 'to be'!

This new way of writing, (do people actually use it in conversation?) for example, after an argument they say DH needs gone.
Or after a spill, Floor needs clean!
Of course I know what it means but I don't like it!
Attempts tinkle/tilt but achieves twitch/tic!

"'I thought the head/tilt thing was from a piss-take thread on here?"

I definitely saw some serious tinkly laugh recommendations on the uninviting the wedding guest thread earlier.

I never got why the on glue thing was funny. I think I probably started a thread about that too at the time.

Tinkly laughers aren't the only ones who need to grow up
This needs to be someone's username ASAP.

I've never seen a but now, when I do, I'll think of a Scooby Doo laugh instead. And then get the bastarding theme tune stuck in my head all day.

IamEarthy

Luckily I don't hear that construction - is it a local thing to you?

I'd be happy with "The floor needs a clean" but that sounds very odd.

However, my grammar doesn't always cut it. Ever since I taught DS the difference between less and fewer, he'll immediately pick up any momentary lapses.

Can I smile and wave?

Well can I?

this feels like normality settling over us

Only if you're a penguin Exit