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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask which interpretation of this conversation is right?

115 replies

VibrantAmI · 15/04/2017 09:59

I was chopping banana in the kitchen for my porridge, and asked DH if toddler DS would like some banana too. DH replied that DS had eaten some banana before his breakfast.

How would you interpret that reply?

A) DS has had some banana and doesn't need any more.

B) DS enjoyed some banana this morning so would like some more.

DH and I interpreted the conversation in different ways, as above. I'll tell you which one I am when you tell me which one you think is unreasonable. I fully expect you all to agree with me. Grin

OP posts:
wasonthelist · 15/04/2017 10:08

Neither is "right" or (un)reasonable.

Trills · 15/04/2017 10:08

If he said one thing and you understood another, it's something for both of you to work on.
Him to say things less ambiguously
You to recognise that what has been said is ambiguous and not to assume either way but to ask for clarification

cardibach · 15/04/2017 10:08

I'd have extended the conversation as his reply wasn't an answer. I'd expect A.
Time you told us now OP.

Lovewineandchocs · 15/04/2017 10:09

A. I'm guessing you thought A but your DH insisted he meant B Smile

NormaSmuff · 15/04/2017 10:09

B, that the toddler does actually like banana. but I doubt it is a new food.

so in this case probably A

Whisky2014 · 15/04/2017 10:09

matilda because if you think there's an obvious answer within the response, why would you need it clarified?

sdaisy26 · 15/04/2017 10:09

A.

Especially as we would only really do 1 banana a day max so here would definitely mean already had some, doesn't need more.

XiCi · 15/04/2017 10:10

A, although your DH should have been clearer and I would have asked him whether this meant yes or no

ineedamoreadultieradult · 15/04/2017 10:10

Either could be right so you would have to ask a clarifying question.

chickenjalfrezi · 15/04/2017 10:10

A

I guess it only is an issue if it happened to be the last banana otherwise this is a total non-issue

BitOutOfPractice · 15/04/2017 10:11

A

Algebraic · 15/04/2017 10:12

A

WicksEnd · 15/04/2017 10:12

A

Original poster
VibrantAmI · 15/04/2017 10:12

I interpreted it as A. DH was surprised that more banana was not provided, and explained that he felt his answer inferred that DS had enjoyed the banana so would like some more.

Both him and my mum are awful for not answering a straight question. DH prepared DS's breakfast and I didn't know if he'd already been given fruit. I'd have been delighted with a yes or no!

OP posts:
Trifleorbust · 15/04/2017 10:13

Neither is an answer to the simple question asked.

SummerHouse · 15/04/2017 10:13

A. B is just weird. And if DH is claiming this was his intentional meaning I would wonder if he was just backtracking. My guess is toddler did want banana and he didn't want to be wrong. So he has adapted his meaning. In an annoying "I told you so" type way.

00100001 · 15/04/2017 10:14

A

KnockMeDown · 15/04/2017 10:15

I'm with the poster who said why did you not just ask the toddler? Though I can't see how either interpretation would lead to a situation worthy of starting a whole thread?

00100001 · 15/04/2017 10:15

I would have asked "so does he want banana or not?" after that response

CherryBlossomPink · 15/04/2017 10:18

Depends on tone - if it's a dismissive, "oh he has already had some earlier" then I would assume no more, but if it was an encouraging "oooh he really enjoyed his banana earlier" then I would give some more.

OverOn · 15/04/2017 10:18

I'd have said A too. Sounds like he was backtracking.

Next time ask 'Was that a yes or a no'?

DontGiveAFlying · 15/04/2017 10:18

A and aaargh how annoying Grin

NormaSmuff · 15/04/2017 10:19

it does make sense to me, but your DH should know that you Know DS enjoys banana so that wasnt actually the question.

Whisky2014 · 15/04/2017 10:19

Though I can't see how either interpretation would lead to a situation worthy of starting a whole thread? And yet you felt compelled to respond on said thread, knock.

wasonthelist · 15/04/2017 10:20

....and explained that he felt his answer inferred.... On a small but somewhat relevant point of pedantry from my English teacher, Mr Castle (1978), only the recipient can infer things, the deliverer is just saying them.