Mil says no tea in living room

[LetUsHaveACupOfTea]

NC incase mil on here. No one is allowed to drink anything but water in mil's living room incase it gets spilled on the rug. To have a cup of tea I need to go downstairs to the kitchen to drink it. The rug isn't mega expensive or anything. I'm not overly clumsy. AIBU to think that's a bit silly? Do you allow your guests to drink tea infront of the telly or might it risk them ruining your rug?

Her house her rules. You could suggest non spill mugs with lids.

Yanbu. A house is for living in

I mean obviously it's her house and I'd go along with it but YANBU that's ridiculous. I'd hate not to be able to enjoy a glass of wine or cup of tea in the living room!

I think she's being ridiculous, but the fact is it's her home, so her rules apply.

As the usual response on MN, especially regarding the dreaded MIL, seems to be 'my house, my rules' then maybe you should respect her's. It gives you a good excuse not to stay long too if necessary.

She sounds very clenched up. I would feel sorry for her as her life sounds pretty joyless.

Yes ridiculous and unwelcoming

It’s her house and her money that paid for the rug, it will be her hands that cleans up mess, perhaps she is fed up of cleaning up accidents.

YANBU that is ridiculous but like others I would go along with her 'rules' to keep the peace

@HappyHammy
I don't think anyone is suggesting OP she not go along with the rules. I thought the question was whether or not the rules were ridiculous. (They are).

Is she rigid in others ways or just in this?

Just dont visit

I think she is being over the top looks at curry stain on the wood floor, homes are to be lived in.

I have strict rules in my house about food and drinks. I've got brand new carpets upstairs, a brand new sofa and a brand new rug. I don't want anyone eating or drinking anything near them.

It doesn't matter how much it cost, it's about respecting other people's property.

Her sitting room, her rules. Have you raised children yet? My guess is she has had years of having her house destroyed and is OVER IT.
I'm postponing replacing my rugs (and furniture, and wallpaper, sigh) until my hoodlums have left home. I hope my daughters-in-law don't sneer at what I can afford.

NoSauce very rigid in general.

windycuntryside I have never spilt tea in mil's house or had any accident that needs clearing up. She is perfectly fine risking it in my house and my rug while she drinks tea in my living room. But I would not ask guests to drink in the kitchen while everyone else in another room as its very unwelcoming

First week in new house dd spilled a glass of water on cream carpet. Never shifted...

It might not be an expensive rug to you but it might be to her or it might have irreplaceable sentiment. Whilst I think it’s a bit ott, it’s clearly important to her and obviously not to you so it sounds like you wouldn’t have the respect of it she is looking for so I can understand her ban.

If she’s rigid in general surely this is no surprise?

Not very welcoming though!

She’s just as reasonable as all those people who make their guests take their shoes off.

WitchenKitch I am not sneering. I am saying its not like 1000s of pounds or some family antique rug (if that's a thing).
And I am careful when in someones house. Surprisingly I have never spilt tea on anyone's rug or couch.

Does she have the plastic still on her sofas too

2020BetterBeBetter think its a few years old so not sure about sentimental value. Think it's replaceable with something very similar atleast

Alsohuman I can understand the shoe thing. But no tea in a living room!!!!!!!!

Her house her rules.

yup - you make the rules in your house, she makes them in hers

I'm also asking is it a ridiculous rule, not should I go against the rules.

Fatted so I'm not respecting people's property if I have a cup of tea in the living room?