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?

I waited years for my perfect room and no one is messing it.

See, my 'perfect home' is a home filled with good company who feel relaxed and enjoy being there, not one that looks like it is ready to be photographed for a magazine.

I find it really odd that people don't have a brew or a glass of something when they sit and watch TV

I could see having this kind of policy for "the good front room" but not for your every day sitting room.

My mum and dad have lived in my childhood home for nearly 30 years, and for as long as I can remember the good front room is out of bounds for entry except for special occasions and the pets are banned. Even on special occasions theres no food allowed, beyond a biscuit or two, and drinking is limited - tea/coffee is fine but definitely no red wine etc. The furnishings in there is almost as old as I am but they are in pristine condition.

The every day sitting room, on the other hand, is a free for all in comparison. Food and drink is allowed, the cat sleeps on the sofa etc and it is a comfortable room that is set up to encourage socialising. We all love coming round and just hanging out with family and friends and my parents house has always been the place extended family gathers for parties etc.

I could not imagine coming round to my parents and not sitting on the sofa with a cuppa, putting the world to rights while the kids play on the floor.

Also, I notice that a lot of people on this thread ascribe spillage to cups being put on the floor ... my mother has a coffee table and side tables everywhere as well as extra nesting tables for if the emergency chairs are brought in, so there is always a table within arms length of anyone who might need to put a drink down so no cup ever ends up on the floor where it can be kicked/knocked over.

You can replace anything except a relationship filled with love

Do you have to take your shoes off at the door before walking into her house? I don't
usually drag in manure, coal dust on my shoes and hate it when folk ask/expect me to comply with their rule. Would it be to protect their flooring I wonder. But, it's their house so their rules. See no problem with no tea in the sitting room, you could easily spill liquids on those un-shoed feet!

@BackforGood
I never said you couldn't have a drink in my perfect room. Only white drinks allowed.
However tonight after much badgering by hubby I did allow a half pint of lager but he was monitored at all times and he knew if he spilled a drop it was a no win for ever situation. Fortunately it all passed well, but normal no non white drinks will resume after festive period. He has the media room to mess in!!!

Generally, if you are not welcomed, not made comfortable, just vote with your feet, a house is a home, to be lived in.

@Rottnest a house is a home to those who reside in it. Everyone else is a guest and abides by the rules of the host/ homeowner.

Her house, her rules. If you don't like it don't go. If it was a MIL posting this about a DIL the responses would be very different

@Katzia I absolutely agree with you, the home owner sets the standard, sets the rules. The last time I made a mess, spilled tea etc, I would have been about 10 - 12 yrs old. Following that I learned how to cook, bake, etc and how to look after a home. I would not easily choose to go to a relatives home, to be stuck in the kitchen for a prolonged visit when I know I can behave in a civilised manner in the sitting room with a cup of tea, unless of course you are offering a lovely farmhouse style as mentioned by @saraclara,
I know how to behave. But if a relative thinks I don't behave in a satisfactory way, I would probably reduce my visits, frequency qnd timing. As I said, vote with your feet.
But I agree with you, your house, your rules.
@Bluerussian, ha ha, I sympathise, best wishes

Seems to me you're overreacting... why us this such a big deal for you? Just drink your cuppa at the kitchen table, have a nice chat and chill out a bit...
I do find it odd but I wouldn't let it bother me!