to think the novelty has worn off after 3 hours

[pinkginandtonic]

Went to brother and sister in laws today for an early Christmas get together. We have just got home.

Had a lovely lunch, a few glasses of wine etc. All good fun and a bit of a laugh.

Then they get out the giant party poppers and before long the meal has descended into a riot with food, napkins etc being thrown across the table.

Now, I find this all quite fun and amusing but this literally goes on for 3 hours. No real conversation just constant throwing of food at one another. I know they all think I am really boring but I just find it very dull and childish for so long.

The brother and sister in law are in their 50's.

Every "do" that involves them always ends up the same way - in the summer the water pistol super soakers come out and that also goes on for 3 hours too.

It's not just at their house but at mine or at parents-in-law.

I have come home feeling like I must be a right old misery, but am I?

OMG that’s awful! I would let my 5 year old behave like that! Do not attend any family events!

Have they ever appeared in the Jeremy Kyle show ( just asking). You don’t sound boring just not common and tedious! No normal person (over the age of 2) would find that entertains

I really hate it when people act like dicks then dress it up as fun. If this was done in front of little children I’d be fuming, no example to set. Your not boring op. Your an adult.

How odd. I would hate that.

I know some ‘you’ve got to laugh’ types. They irritate me when they start saying that sort of shite. So meaningless.

What a waste of Food. I don’t allow my 1 and 2 year olds to throw food!

Very strange for adults to behave this way and tbh I wouldn’t find throwing food amusing for a minute let alone 3 hours

I think I'd have to get going after flinging a token bit of gristle.

I remember being about 4 and being bored by "funny" films where food was thrown about....... and that didn't last three hours! Jeezo, that sounds tedious.

Are you likely to get a binfull of water chucked over you or is it only the "fun" people who get that?

Gross

Also and this is not having a go at anyone who’s said it’s common but I have friends from all walks of life and none act like this, me included.

They sound unbelievably immature all round. It's not you.

Oh yes, I've had the bin chucked over me.

You know when you've made an effort to do a nice BBQ and make yourself look presentable, put on your sunscreen etc and then it all descends into a riot. Thank god we live in a rural location with no neighbours.

No, they haven't been on Jeremy Kyle - they're too busy having "fun" to do that. They also don't discuss any problems or issues, I think this is their way of "bonding".

This is honestly one of the oddest things I've read on here are they ever serious? e.g. getting some bad news or would they just whip the super soakers out and have a jolly good time

Until you have struggled to put food on the table, you don't have a comprehension of its value.

When DH and I were younger we had to toss up between food and electricity and sometimes went hungry as a result.

I cannot bear to see food wasted.

'Food fights' leave a very bitter taste in my mouth.

My nearly two year old knows not to throw food. I would expect by fifty there be a little more awareness and maturity.

YADNBU

We never see them unless it's a big family "do". They don't seem to know how to just have a coffee and a chat.

My partner has a really poor relationship with his Dad and can't talk to him at all (Mum died 25 years ago) but to the outside world they are close as they still work and live together and spend hours together every day.

I'm not saying what you should do, OP, but I couldn't go to any events with these people however dull my DH thought that made me.

Really? 3 hours?

Do they have children?

I would finish eating then go sit in another room. No bloody way i'd sit there having food thrown at me.

It's just not funny at all. And not for 3 hours!

Life size singing santas? How vulgar.

Oh god they sound like they are 'wacky' and will tell anyone that
Is the husband partial to loud ties and socks?

Wasting food is wrong. YANBU.

Why is it ok for them to call you prim and proper, but I guess it's not okay for you to call them vulgar and annoying?

Food throwing is to be expected in babies, gets gently corrected in 18 month olds and stamped out i the over-2s. I would have left after the second piece of food lobbed.

Yes, funnily enough I don't tell them I think they're vulgar (although I'm sure they can tell from my falsely cheery demeanour). The whole thing makes me feel quite excluded.

Although i now feel so much better having actually thought about it properly after years of this behaviour.

Your in-laws are immature, bad mannered, revolting boors who seriously need to grow up. Perhaps they should also get counselling to explore the issues surrounding their need to behave this way rather than interacting like mature adults.

I'd never eat another meal with them again.

I'm stunned you let them do it in your house too. I'd have put my foot down after they tried it the first time.

Gross - why do you stay for so long each time? Perhaps eat the meal and make your excuses before the "fun" starts.

Could be a laugh once, but not every time!