Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I be flattered or insulted?

74 replies

Serendipite · 19/07/2018 11:14

My MIL is staying over, and she mentioned her friend said they always just buy food from outside. She told her friend that "my daughter in law is an excellent cook, but she does not do fancy plating but who needs that?"

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
catlady34 · 19/07/2018 12:21

I genuinely think that's a compliment. It's not like she said "my daughter in law is an excellent cook but she doesn't do fancy plating. "Who needs that" is nice Smile

EvenThoughYouDidCHEAT · 19/07/2018 12:22

I like to call that a slap and a kiss.

Grin

Do be fair though the kiss was better than the slap. From a MIL I'd definitely take it as a compliment.

But then I'm a sucker for people liking my cooking.

Madforfootball · 19/07/2018 12:23

It's similar to what DP has said about my cooking: it might not look that good but it always tastes great! I take it as a compliment as I know that's the way it's intended (even if it is a tad too truthful for my liking!).

zzzzz · 19/07/2018 12:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scottishdaisy · 19/07/2018 12:25

I'd only be offended if I was actually making an effort with my presentation. My presentation is a bit of a running joke in my house but I'm fine with that because I do just plonk things down - don't wipe the plate if there are splashes around the rim or any kinda flourish that you see on MasterChef! I'd definitely take it more of a compliment...

Prestonsflowers · 19/07/2018 12:26

I agree with Birdsgottafly
Definite compliment.
You’re an excellent cook, so no need for fancy presentation

Eliza9917 · 19/07/2018 12:31

bubbles108 Thu 19-Jul-18 11:41:56
Or next time plate it real fancy : three small chips gracefully placed with a tiny carrot and a small piece of steak. A little drizzled gravy ( half a teaspoon) and voila.

Please, please, please do this!!! Dare her to ask where the rest of her dinner is.

DistanceCall · 19/07/2018 12:31

Compliment, definitely.

She said that presentation doesn't matter at all (although I wonder who on earth is used to restaurant-like plating when eating at home).

Original poster
Serendipite · 19/07/2018 12:33

To be totally honest, I have only been putting ready-to-cook meals on the oven. :D Like frozen breaded fish. Or frying lamb chops.

OP posts:
Italiangreyhound · 19/07/2018 12:36

Sounds like your MIL loves your cooking, compliment.

EvenThoughYouDidCHEAT · 19/07/2018 12:37

Substance over style every time!

Italiangreyhound · 19/07/2018 12:38

'Fancy' is a word with positive and negative overtones. Maybe she doesn't like fancy plating.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but would be mine!

AdoraBell · 19/07/2018 12:38

I would say compliment because she finished with “but who needs that”

AmericanEskimoDoge · 19/07/2018 12:39

LOL Fancy plating!! It's a meal at home! Who would expect fancy plating? I'd only expect "fancy plating" at a fancy restaurant.

(Of course, in my family and extended family, when we have meals in one another's homes, we go with the buffet-style, self-serve method. Less waste, people get to choose what they want and how much, etc.)

If someone said that about my cooking, I'd try to enjoy the compliment on the food, but (to be honest) I'd remember the silly "plating" comment, too, and secretly judge how meals were "plated" at her own table. Wink

FatBarry · 19/07/2018 12:43

Compliment.

Does she know you are reheating ready meals? if she does she isn't that posh or used to such great cooking so maybe you should be insulted after all.

Not criticism here whatever you serve, I love a good M&S dine in for two or an Iceland pizza!

Bananasinpyjamas11 · 19/07/2018 12:53

Flattered.

Melamin · 19/07/2018 12:54

I would take it as a compliment.

Maybe the fancy plating addition was a pa insult to the person she was talking to?

Substance over style wins with dinner Grin

nonetcurtains · 19/07/2018 12:56

OliviaStabler that looks similar to something I had to clear up off the kitchen floor yesterday (dog unwell).

user7469322 · 19/07/2018 12:58

food from outside

As in road kill or like, foxes, badgers, mice??

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 19/07/2018 12:59

I think it's a compliment. You're an excellent cook and you don't faff around

Anonymumm · 19/07/2018 13:05

I'd take it as a compliment, and I can't think of anytime when I've had one of those from my MIL!

I think she was proud of the fact she could say that to her friend, and was genuinely meaning it's the taste that counts, perhaps she was warding of an anticipated question from her friend, any which way - take it :-)

Jux · 19/07/2018 13:14

Ah, you need to do smears and crumbs and things - look at the Masterchef Telly Addicts threads from a few years ago where they take the piss massively.

A smear of brown gravy is a trackline etc - I'm sure you can imagine the rest!

Anyway, she likes your cooking so it's a compliment. Hold it close toyour heart and carry on as you do with a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing that she likes it.

GabsAlot · 19/07/2018 13:21

whats food from outside mean?

Original poster
Serendipite · 19/07/2018 13:23

Does she know you are reheating ready meals?

Well, she found out afterwards because she asked me where I got the fish. lol.

She doesn't know how to cook, by the way. My DH said she's never cooked.

OP posts:
chocatoo · 19/07/2018 13:34

It's a compliment - rather nice that she is singing your praise to her friend.

Swipe left for the next trending thread