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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
PanamaPattie · 11/08/2020 22:50

Bollocks to the "you don't have scales so they would make a good gift". Did they hunt through every room to make sure?

Why call tomorrow to say sorry - why not now? Hollow words. Good for you for not putting up with their shit.

FrangipaniBlue · 11/08/2020 22:54

@TeddyIsaHe

What knobs! I’d get them a burial plot for Christmas.
Omg definitely do this!!
Londonmummy66 · 11/08/2020 22:57

You absolutely need to take dc out before they turn up so that they know that it is a punishment

Tistheseason17 · 11/08/2020 22:58

Well done, OP.
Just told my DH and he said, "scales are on the list of things you don't gift - in the same way you don't stand up on the tube when someone looks pregnant for fear of upsetting them if they are not".

billy1966 · 11/08/2020 23:01

OP, ...remember to remain completely Hmmsilent as they try and explain themselves.....make zero to help them explain themselves.
Silence while you eyeball them is very helpful at a time like this....Hmm

As they have been so deeply unpleasant to you I wouldn't be gracious.....keep a right sour expression on your face and perhaps head off out with your child leaving your twat husband with them.

They need to learn finally that you won't be messed with.

They are not your family, you don't like them but if they behave themselves going forward...you MAY tolerate them.

If not....you won't.

Flowers
Estrellente · 11/08/2020 23:05

Well done OP, good for you :)

BlogTheBlogger · 11/08/2020 23:08

They noticed you didnt have scales??! Shame they didnt notice you didnt have a gorgeous bouquet of flowers/new jewelry/a voucher to treat yourself etc etc.

Only noticing "no scales". How convenientodd

Sally872 · 11/08/2020 23:10

I would struggle to buy scales for someone even if they asked me to. I would be paranoid it was a joke request! Also it is a household item not a gift. Glad dh is on board and told them you are upset.

ArnoJambonsBike · 11/08/2020 23:18

Keep it up. You know he will take the path of least resistance, so make it worse for him to upset you than upset those two bastards.

LookItsMeAgain · 11/08/2020 23:20

I'm not buying into their story about thinking that just because you don't or didn't own a bathroom scales, you needed one. Plenty of households don't live their lives by their weight. It can sometimes be a negative thing to have in a household. I'm pleased your DH has said that the gift is going back to them. Make sure that it does.
I would also think that they could have noticed that you were getting low in your bottle of perfume (if you keep it in the bathroom) or you might like a scented candle or some jewelry or something if they wanted to do something nice for you. They didn't so it wasn't.
Keep your children away from these people or intervene if they overstep.

Somethingkindaoooo · 11/08/2020 23:23

@Feralkidsatthecampsite

Are they coming for a meal? Make the healthiest most diety meal for everyone.. Vegan. Salad. Lots of beans. No top up sides. No alcohol - water only. Tell them you are so glad they are supporting you in losing the baby weight. Make them squirm op.
Oooh, yes, do that!! Make it the worst meal ever.

Did you ever say you needed some? Maybe they were being practical? ( grasping at straws).

Give them away on Facebay. Someone will be delighted, and at least you'll get to make someone happy

Hairthrowaway · 11/08/2020 23:24

How could they even know for sure whether you own scales or not? I keep mine in storage as I don’t like excess clutter in my bathroom. And we have a guest bathroom so no guests would be in my en suite even if the scales were out.

Somethingkindaoooo · 11/08/2020 23:25

Oops, didn't read your update.

Well done
🙂

Mumratheevergiving · 11/08/2020 23:27

@TeddyIsaHe

What knobs! I’d get them a burial plot for Christmas.
Grin I'd make it a great big oversized plot and let them know it's so they could fit in it.
lobster12 · 11/08/2020 23:28

Wtaf!!! Can't believe they gave you scales, I'm so sorry op that's so shit.

My in laws are very blunt, when I saw them last month they said in my last pregnancy I was fat whereas this pregnancy I just look ill. I think it's their culture though, I've started to be blunt with them to play them at their own game. I don't think even they would buy me scales though.

GinWithASplashOfTonic · 11/08/2020 23:31

Yes because the 1st thing I notice when I visit someone's house is whether or not they have some bathroom scales. If they don't I immediately make a note to buy them some for their Christmas/ Birthday present HmmHmmHmmBullshit

Please let us know what happens tomorrow. When they apologise in person. I really hope you make them squirm.

scoobydoo1971 · 11/08/2020 23:34

Go to an art shop. Buy spray paint of your choosing, along with glitter and anything else that takes your fancy like fairy lights. Bling those scales into a work of art...personally I would go for neon pink and silver glitter wrapped in feathers...but that is probably the heat getting to me! I would then hang them on the wall in a prominent part of your home as your new pride and joy...your vindictive in-laws will know you are rising above their low blows...

MzHz · 11/08/2020 23:40

GlAd your h called them, and as for their excuse - pitiful and they know it, better they know you know it.

They wouldn’t be darkening my door for a loooong long time if I were you.

LivingMyBestLifeNOT · 11/08/2020 23:42

This is awful OP.
I would still have them over and front them out and tell them why they think you need scales...

LivingMyBestLifeNOT · 11/08/2020 23:43

Oh and I love the idea of super healthy meal and no alcohol hahahaha

WhatifIfeellikeacat · 11/08/2020 23:52

"Thank you so much for the scales but you need them more than me." Something like that.

felineflutter · 11/08/2020 23:59

What knobs! I’d get them a burial plot for Christmas.

Ha my 1st thought too!

fruityt · 12/08/2020 00:21

If they were that concerned you didn't have scales in your house they'd of brought them for their son.
So rude of them.

backseatcookers · 12/08/2020 00:24

Fuck me, they sound like bullies. And the worst kind, with wise eyed proclamations of faux naivety. Uuugh. United front with your husband is needed now, time for him to step up and acknowledge they have been needlessly cruel. Poor you Thanks

justilou1 · 12/08/2020 00:35

Is DH okay about your request to give this back? A lot of DH's are spineless like this. (if he is he gets gold star)