Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My in laws just gifted me scales for my birthday

422 replies

Lsquiggles · 11/08/2020 10:51

It's my birthday and I feel absolutely shit after opening a present from my in laws... Fucking scales.

No matter how hard I've tried with them they've always made it clear they don't like me that much, this is just the lowest blow.

They're meant to come over on Saturday and I don't know how I'm meant to bite my tongue.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Tooshytoshine · 11/08/2020 16:12

Ugh. What total arseholes... I'd have lunch with them and just eat what I wanted and drank as I liked. Give Henry VIII a run for his money.

I would say to them thank you for the gift of the scales. I told my friend about them and she said how rude a present that was! I obviously disagreed because only truly awful people would do that!

My FiL once said to me "you'd have thought you'd have shifted that belly running around after a toddler." I said "you'd have thought by your age you'd know making personal comments about people was rude and obnoxious but hey ho nobody is perfect!"

They are twats pull them up in it.

SunshineCake · 11/08/2020 16:13

@Lsquiggles

I'd happily never see them again as any time spent with them in painful at best but our daughter is their only grandchild so they crop up every month or so to pretend they care Hmm
Why are you letting them use your daughter to make themselves feel better ? Be a mother. Make a stand for your child if not yourself. They don't genuinely care and she will learn that soon. I am a great believer in that my children are very precious and it is a privilege, not a right, to spend time with them.
chubbyhotchoc · 11/08/2020 16:31

I think you have a Dh problem if he's refusing to see the malicious nature of this. Sorry op really horrible thing to do. I'd have to say something

pussycatinboots · 11/08/2020 16:33

Ah, I was going to suggest the PA pile cream and for you to serve them lettuce just lettuce for lunch, but some of these suggestions are Star

Ignore the wicked old bastards - you via DH get to pick their nursing home 😈😉

Candyflosscookie · 11/08/2020 16:33

God for you OP, I hope your DH gets it now.

Happynow001 · 11/08/2020 16:33

@Lsquiggles

HAPPY BIRTHDAY lovely OP! These 🎂🌹🍫🍷are for you!

Don't feel you have to share them... 🥳

PamDemic · 11/08/2020 16:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GinWithRosie · 11/08/2020 16:37

@Lsquiggles How did your DH respond when you told him to cancel their visit and to return their gift? Is he going to have your back, or did he continue to make excuses for his parents? Because there is no way on earth that buying weight scales for a new mum is 'not' malicious! It's a horribly mean gift...really insensitive and rude!! There's no misunderstanding of the message being sent is there...despite how they might try to 'oh so innocently' plead otherwise and gaslight you into believing otherwise 🤬

2020nymph · 11/08/2020 16:42

@loobylou10

Whilst some of these responses are hilarious, now is not the time to gloss over this with jokes. Ask outright - 'what was the thinking behind giving me scales for my birthday?' Make them squirm, ask the question, be silent and await their answer. Challenge this.

^ this!

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 11/08/2020 16:45

I would tell them they didnt match your decor and could they exchange them for something else ..see wht they come up with and if they keep buying crap and offensive presents keep sending them back ...and they get a tin of buiscuits for xmas to share and thats all..sod em op.What they did was mean and nasty and I would be pissing off out with dd when they come to somewhere you are appreciated and leave dh to tell them why.

PanamaPattie · 11/08/2020 16:48

Happy Birthday! The best present to yourself would be to cut the IL out of your life.

Londonmummy66 · 11/08/2020 16:48

Saturday tea is the perfect opportunity to put laxative in the milk jug - then take your tea black as you are saving on the calories in the milk.

howfarwevecome · 11/08/2020 16:49

What did your DH say when you told him he had to return them?

Do you really think your DH will man up and tell his parents they were rude and passive aggressive nasty? Or will he dump the scales in a bin somewhere and tell them he wants to take them out.

Polnm · 11/08/2020 16:49

Saturday an hour before they are due just pick up the baby and go out, let your DH explain why to them.

Don’t engage with them

BurtsBeesKnees · 11/08/2020 16:51

I agree with the posters that said your dh should ask them what they are playing at. So rude!

nanbread · 11/08/2020 16:51

Just playing devil's advocate... Have you been talking about losing weight, saying you need to do something about your weight, etc to them a lot?

If yes then maybe they were just misguided and thought it might be a helpful gift.

Or maybe they noticed you didn't have any at home (if they come to stay) and they're the type of people to weigh themselves regularly / think that everyone NEEDS scales

BlogTheBlogger · 11/08/2020 17:02

@Lsquiggles

No back story as to why the they'd gift me such a rude gift which is why I'm shocked. We've always had a bit of an awkward relationship as we have little in common, which is a shame because my dh is very close to my family but my parents aren't arseholes Grin

I've told my dh to give them the scales back and that I don't want them to buy me gifts anymore.

Excellent, well done. Do you think he will? Hopefully so as this will show whether he respects you.
Mittens030869 · 11/08/2020 17:24

I wouldn't play any games. I would send back the scales and say "I don't know how to not be offended by this present. Please do not come on Saturday."

I agree with this. That's just plain nasty, there simply isn't any other possible interpretation of this.

Feralkidsatthecampsite · 11/08/2020 17:25

If he doesn't tell them not to come Saturday make sure you have taken dd for a long walk. Leave a note telling them you have gone out to walk off some pounds..
I have a feeling dh won't stop them coming.

StripeyDeckchair · 11/08/2020 17:26

Give them back to them.
"I think you got your parcels mixed up and gave me the wrong present. No one would be so rude and thoughtless ad to give scales for a birthday present"

If the they say that it is your present still hand the scales to them
"Very rude very thoughtless very unwanted. You need to apologise for being so nasty"

And leave the room.
Do not discuss, if they try and argue just say
"If you're not apologising, say nothing. It will only make the situation worse"

If they try and blame you for your reaction reflect their own bad manners back to them.

crumpet · 11/08/2020 17:32

Mine gave me a laundry basket once. I gave it back.

crumpet · 11/08/2020 17:32

(It was a Christmas present)

Isinknot · 11/08/2020 17:34

Dear MIL once gave me an oven glove for my birthday, knowing I hate cooking.

Not even a pair of gloves, a single one.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 11/08/2020 17:39

My MIL got everyone lovely presents and I got shampoo for blonde hair. Mine is auburn.... my DH got her a tin opener for her birthday and she didn't speak to him for 6mths

BlogTheBlogger · 11/08/2020 17:39

@crumpet

Mine gave me a laundry basket once. I gave it back.
Brilliant!! What was their reaction?