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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To find her jokes about me offensive

192 replies

isitreallyjoking · 28/03/2017 21:35

Just to lessen any confusion I will say now that DW and I are both women.

DW has a cousin who is also her very close friend. Cousin has a habit of saying things about me which I find offensive but she always says are jokes or sometimes advice. For example she will say oh God why are you wearing that or if you just spent 20 more minutes on your hair it would probably look half decent and lots of jokes about how I'm punching above my weight with DW. She also quite frequently says no offense but ... usually followed by something a bit offensive , like no offense but my granddad would wear those shoes.

I find these quite offensive however DW and her family tell me it's just how she is and she is like that with everyone.
But whilst she may make one or two comments about others at an event she always makes at least 8 or 9 about me. Once or twice DW or I have pulled her up on it but she shrugs it off as she was only joking and I need to learn to take a joke.
We only see her in person about 5 times a year and DW is close to her so I tend to just try and ignore it.

On Sunday we all went out to dinner for DW aunts birthday (cousins mum). Most people were drinking quite a bit including cousin. So cousin had already made her usual comments about my outfit/appearance. Everyone was sat around the table waiting for food including DW and our DCs and a conversation started up about mothers day and how people celebrate. One of the guest said they thought it was commercialised.

Cousin then pointed at me and said I bet you think it's commercialised how did you used to celebrate it with your mum.
My mum died when I was in primary school so I don't really remember celebrating with her.
However people quite do sometimes forget my mum died when I was young so I just assumed cousin had.
I told cousin that I don't remember what I did with my mum.
Cousin said oh my God I can't believe you don't remember what you did with your own mum how could you forget.
Aunt then whispered to cousin I didn't hear but I assume she reminded her that my mum died when I was young.
Cousin then said oh God yes sorry though I guess that explains why you are the manly one. Everyone was completely silent which was really awkward.
Cousin then said come on I was only joking, because she had no mum she never learnt how to be a mum or a women herself that was the joke. See its funny now I've explained it to you. Cousin then sighed and said God you need a sense of humour and walked off laughing to herself.

The food came shortly afterwards and everyone ate and cousin came back and everyone was joking with her and it was forgotten. As soon as we ate I told DW I wanted to leave. She agreed and we didn't speak to cousin again. We said goodbye to everyone else and no one mentioned it.

We got home and I told DW that I was upset about the comments. She agreed they were mean and she messaged cousin to ask her to apologise.

Cousin messaged DW today and said she was sorry if I was upset but she had been drinking and it was just a joke and everyone else didn't think it was a big deal.

DW thinks that she was drinking and has just made a bad joke and its all ok now because she apologised. I think she wants me to just forget about it. But I don't think it was a funny joke and I don't think she meant her apology. I am still a bit upset about it but everyone else seems to think I should just accept it was a joke.

So AIBU to think that her jokes are just offensive or should I just accept that it's a joke and go along with it.

OP posts:
PeachyImpeachment · 28/03/2017 21:56

Wow. What a cow. Avoid in future. I hope your DW stands up for you.

MrsTwix · 28/03/2017 21:56

What a nasty horrible baggage.

RJnomore1 · 28/03/2017 21:56

Awful. Complete bullying and even worse masked as humour so you feel bad being hurt.

The worst kind of arsehole IMO.

Can you refuse to go anywhere she will be until others step up about this?

HarryPottersMagicWand · 28/03/2017 21:58

She did that non apology, "I'm sorry you are upset" not "sorry I upset you" and then made excuses.

She's a cunt if I'm honest. She knows exactly what she is doing and everyone else enables her shitty behaviour. I fucking hate people who do this and turn it around on you saying you have no sense of humour etc. No, it's that you are a twat! Can you tell I've been on the receiving end. It usually happens to me when all the men in my family get together, then suddenly it's 'pick on Harry' time and I'm too sensitive if I don't find it funny.

Tell your wife her cousin isn't funny, she is knob and you want her support. When the cousin starts, I'd give it back and see how funny she finds your jokes. The saying is many a true word is said in jest. She means everything she says to you.

Questioningeverything · 28/03/2017 21:58

I'd agree that she's a cunt but in the words of someone much wiser than me... she lacks the warmth and depth to be considered one.

honeyroar · 28/03/2017 22:00

The whole of your OH's family are pathetic not saying anything to her, but especially your OH. I would refuse to go out with them again, and I would seriously wonder whether my OH was worth it in your shoes.

rollonthesummer · 28/03/2017 22:01

She sounds horrible. But your partner doesn't seem to care about how it's left you feeling, and that's much worse

This.

I could not and would not be in a relationship with someone who didn't have my back.

JammyGeorge · 28/03/2017 22:01

Vile behaviour that you shouldn't have to put up with. How anyone could think that comment about your mum is funny is beyond me. Bunch of bastards the lot of them.

PoundlandUK · 28/03/2017 22:01

What she said wasn't just unfunny, it was cruel. No way would I forget that...some things just can't be taken back.

Your DW sounds nice and obviously wishes it hasn't happened so tries to gloss over. But she shouldn't be minimising what was said to you because it was spiteful and the horrid. I shuddered reading it Flowers

2017SoFarSoGood · 28/03/2017 22:02

she is a bully and plain rude. Nothing funny about her remarks to you, and the fact she keeps on (and in fact seems to escalate) with you is just rotten. I'm sorry your DW is not being more forceful in her support of you, or wiling to take this nasty cousin to task.

The fact you did not call knock her out is amazing; you are a better woman than I will ever be. Sorry your feelings were hurt Flowers

CantSleepClownsWillEatMe · 28/03/2017 22:03

Yup she's a dick. Oh and she's not happy with yours and your wife's relationship. There isn't enough here to suggest why that might be but whatever it is you're the problem in her eyes.

Unfortunately your wife and her family, as happens often, just accept this behaviour as normal or make excuses if she goes too far. They may be used to doing that but it doesn't mean you have to Op.

CantSleepClownsWillEatMe · 28/03/2017 22:06

Just to add that maybe it's time you did call her out on her behaviour. I mean she's not just going to stop is she? Everyone including you lets her away with it so what do you have to lose by contacting her to say her comments were cruel and you won't be accepting her rudeness anymore.

BoneyBackJefferson · 28/03/2017 22:07

As you are low contact anyway, I would refuse to go to the events that she is at.

If people ask tell them the truth, you don't appreciate being the butt of the jokes.

If they say that its only a joke either tell them that you don't enjoy it or they can fuck off.

If your DW has your back then she will agree. If not maybe all is not as good as it seems.

Butterymuffin · 28/03/2017 22:07

I doubt anyone else thought it was funny either, but they kept quiet. Your wife's reaction though is very disappointing. I think you need to say to her flat out that you feel upset and hurt by the way her cousin behaves and, most of all, that she puts the social requirement to be polite to her cousin above her love for you. You're worried about making her choose, but it really isn't a comparable choice. I wouldn't be speaking again to any relative of mine who had behaved like this to my husband, and I would tell other family members that I wouldn't be going to any event they would be at.

cafesociety · 28/03/2017 22:08

Her 'jokes' are just a way of getting at you and your DW should be aware of that. I would keep out of her way full stop. Her remarks are bullying and intended. I have a cousin like this who 'calls a spade a spade'...no she is just damn bloody rude, tactless, thoughtless, hurtful and smug.

I have not got a 'joke' against me posted by an in-law on the internet for all to see...I am 'sensitive'. All bollocks. It's never a joke if it is at someone else's expense and makes them upset and angry.

She is a shallow, unkind person who posted the passive/aggressive 'joke' and admitted it was because she thought I wouldn't see it. Well I did and cut her out of my life....which all the better for it.

Whocansay · 28/03/2017 22:09

She is breathtakingly nasty and a homophobe to boot. There is nothing remotely funny about a child losing their mother. The 'manly' one? She can fuck off.

If you see her again, respond to every single barb in kind. I would look for a chink in her armour and exploit it, to be honest. That will make her stop. She's an out and out bully and that's the only way to deal with people like this.

And I agree with the others who say your wife should have your back on this. She is letting this continue by minimising it.

YouTheCat · 28/03/2017 22:09

As I say to small children every sodding day 'If the object of the joke isn't laughing then it isn't a joke, it's bullying'.

ThePiglet59 · 28/03/2017 22:09

The whole lot of them sound like twats.
There is obviously an issue about lesbians and this is just them digging at you.
I couldn't live with somebody who stood by and watched me being humiliated like this.

Lemonwhacker · 28/03/2017 22:10

I am so sorry you have to deal with this at all. How dare she speak to you like that or try to degrade you in such a way! If my cousin or any family member spoke to my wife/partner like that they'd be shot down in seconds, if it continued I'd cut all ties with the family member. Drinking is not an excuse to be a massive cockwomble, which the cousin clearly is.
Tell your wife it's not acceptable for you to be spoken to like this, and don't be scared to answer the silly woman back.

PoundlandUK · 28/03/2017 22:11

I'd also not be using the word "jokes" to describe her remarks towards you. Because they are neither being delivered nor received as such.

"Offensive personal attacks" fits better.

wictional · 28/03/2017 22:11

Alcohol is not an excuse.
I would be tempted to reply to the cousin there and then with "are you making up for something lacking with your comments? are you so unhappy with yourself?"
Tbh I wouldn't be worrying about your DW's feelings at this point. Her close cousin or not, her comments towards you are unacceptable and no amount of excusing herself will excuse that.

AtrociousCircumstance · 28/03/2017 22:11

Your 'D'W would feel differently if she was the one getting 8 or 9 critical, malicious, evil 'jokes' at her expense.

The cousin is such a disgusting shit of a person is hard to believe no one pulls her up properly on this shit.

If I were you I would be tempted to make a list on everything cousin might feel bad about: anything about her appearance, lack of achievements, situation. And then rip the shot or of her in response followed by a cheery "Joking!!!"

I mean I hate humour like that but someone like that deserves a taste of their own medicine.

Your DW is being horribly weak and needs to address this. That is the main issue.

greeeen · 28/03/2017 22:14

I would not be attending anymore social events she was going to. I would also be deeply disappointed in DH if he behaved as your wife has. It shows a complete lack of support.

isitreallyjoking · 28/03/2017 22:14

Being honest I have always thought that cousin thinks that I'm not good enough for DW.

I have tried to challenge her a bit but she just shrugs me off as she was only joking.

OP posts:
littlefrog3 · 28/03/2017 22:14

DW's Cousin sounds jealous.

Your DW needs to tell her to back off.