Why do they keep laughing??

[ShinyNewNameTimeAgain]

Sorry just a rant but my IL’s are driving me mad. They’ve been here for a week already and they just laugh at everything. Ask them if they’d like a cup of tea - ‘yeah ha ha ha’, comment that it’s raining ‘oooh it is, isn’t it? You wouldn’t expect that, ha, ha, ha,’ - at a cafe and waitress takes their order ‘oooh fish and chips ha, ha, ha’, then when it arrives they laugh at it again. They laughed at every present I got them. I don’t think they found it funny they just laugh at everything. Except jokes. You tell them a joke and they look completely bewildered.

I’ve never experienced anything like it. Why are they mindlessly laughing at everything? I’ve never spent quite so much time one on one with them (dh is I’ll so I’ve been looking after them mostly) but I don’t understand why they laugh at everything. I don’t think I’m difficult to get on with, I’ve never caused people to keep laughing at everything I say before. I don’t think they’re doing it because anything is funny, they just seem to think it’s a normal reaction to any comment about anything.

I’m getting fairly close to murdering them all. I know I’m being unreasonable but they’re completely insane.

Just keep telling jokes. That’ll keep them quiet!

SIL does this. Drives me nuts.

They sound like they've just been lifted off a 1950's seaside postcard!

Got any psychiatrist's as frinds who might find them "interesting"?..

oooh fish and chips ha, ha, ha’, then when it arrives they laugh at it again

My sister is like this - even when u tell her something fairly serious - it drives me berserk!!

It’s a habit- they probably can’t help it. Must be infuriating- but what can you do?

It sounds like they have developed a mutual nervous mannerism and because they both do it they end up subconsciously reinforcing the behaviour in each other. It sounds pretty ingrained and they probably don't realise how weird it sounds to others if they are both doing it happily to each other.

My DH and I have been known to speak to our dog in funny voices in the privacy of our home but unfortuntately DH is so comfortable doing it he will do it out in public sometimes, to my utter embarrassment

I used to work in call centres and there would be someone who did this every single day...

What’s your telephone number? It’s ..... hahaha!
Any medical condition? It’s ,,,,....,,,, hahaha!!!!
Any questions? ...um no... hahaha!!!

Customers that I dealt with at the time mainly lower middle class and generally very happy with themselves read smug...

I wanted to reach down the phone and strangle them and I actually broke a tooth from excessive jaw grinding because of it....

at a cafe and waitress takes their order ‘oooh fish and chips ha, ha, ha’, then when it arrives they laugh at it again

That's properly tickled me

Roll a fat one and join in. If you cannae beat 'em...

It’s not that they’re jolly at all - they hate pretty much everyone and everything, they just mindlessly laugh. If they were on ecstasy I might be slightly more understanding. Afaik they’re just on Beta blockers and a daily dose of The Mail.

This is just brilliance. My MIL is the opposite and in twelve years knowing her I've never heard or seen her laugh. I'd prefer yours I think.

I hate that too, cannot abide people who laugh at nothing. I used to say, with a mild surprised smile, "What was funny?".

It's an unbelievably vulgar habit which should be knocked out of people at school. Just my opinion.

Be glad they aren't grumpy and complaining about everything

I do this if I feel socially awkward or anxious, or when trying to lift the mood talking to someone who gives off negative energy!

I don’t think they found it funny they just laugh at everything. Except jokes. You tell them a joke and they look completely bewildered.

That tickled me!

Just keep saying 'I don't get it'

I don’t think I’m brave enough to confront them about it. I’ve tried laughing back but they just look at me as if I’m the one that’s weird.

I find a lot of things funny. My friend and I used to get told off for laughing all the time even though we were good pupils. I’m not dim, just a happy person that sees humour everywhere.

This is brilliant. Reminds me of Kevin Eldon in Alan Partridge.

My colleague does this. If I say I’m going to get a sandwich, she giggles. If I say it’s raining, she giggles. Freaks me out.

Maybe they wonder why you're grumpy all the time? Sounds like you're just different types of people.

I imagine they feel your disapproval. Keep channelling your inner school ma’am and imagine they’re squirming. And breathe.....

Turn it in to a game. See if you can guess how many times they do.it in an hour.

peoplearemiserable do you laugh when people ask you the time? Or comment on the weather? Or when you’re asked if you want dessert? If so, why? I don’t understand.

Have you asked your DH?
Is he the same and is it a family trait or is it just this Christmas they appear to be laughing more?

Maybe they find you terrifying and it's just nerves because they are on edge?

Could be worse. I've a family member with hypochondria who never stops moaning. She's a delight at parties.