MiL a-salted a birthday cake

[CurtainWitcher]

DD's birthday get-together for a few family members in the garden.

I made a lovely (if I do say so myself) big, decorated Victoria sponge, which is DD's favourite.

DH handed a slice to MiL, who immediately asked for salt. She then shook salt ALL over it, before eating it.

It's not the first time she's salted sweet food. She says it's the only way she can "bear it".

Aibu to suggest she doesn't ask for cake, if she's going to cover it in salt?

It’s a weird habit, but what’s it to you? Just let her eat it the way she likes it.

Sounds normal though. Seems like sweet things are salted aroumd the whole world. If she likes sugar in her tea its because tea isnt naturally sweet so still makes sense she seems to like a contrast.

Sounds like she's doing it as some kind of passive-aggressive way of dismissing your cooking, if she clearly wasn't actually enjoying it, and there were other salty/ savoury food options available.

I'd just leave her to it- she's the one that's eating it.

I know people who do this..

Though they have a medical condition where we are taught to drink salt water or eat copious amounts of salt! So slightly different

But oh my gosh. Sounds so yum!! I can easily empty tablespoons of salt into any food I eat!!

I don’t understand it - if you don’t like cake, surely just don’t eat cake?

I fucking love cake, but would still sprinkle some salt on it if the baker had used unsalted butter in it!

I’m also that person who puts ketchup on a roast dinner, which gets me in trouble too, so something about the sweet and salty mix is obviously at play here.

You're not being unreasonable, your MIL is, and also rude. I agree that it seems passive aggressive, it's cake not a bush tucker trial. It sounds like she's saying your cake is so shit she needs salt to kill the taste rather than salty cake being a preference. She could just say no, she doesn't have to "bear it!" FFS!!

I don't think there's anything so ridiculous that The Contraries wouldn't defend on here and claim the OP as wrong/hysterical/silly to care about/mention. Putting salt on a cake is fucking NUTS!!

I’ve put teaspoons of salt into water and drunk it before

Ooooh. Yes!!

You know if you said it was you who put salt on your cake everyone would be saying you're weird and rude to MIL for doing it.

@teamlannister Exactly! What's so hard for the MIL to politely say, "No thanks." or, if she's feeling really daring "No thanks, I don't like sweet things."

OP should offer her salt when the MIL puts salt in her tea next hehe

This isn’t a normal “rude” situation though. While it does t really bother me - it could be thought of as sort of rude if someone salts an already salted dish before tasting - like, erm stew.

However you wouldn’t have salted a cake - and therefore it’s not her “judging” your cooking. She’s just a weirdo who salts dessert!

"I’ve put teaspoons of salt into water and drunk it before"

I thought that acted as an emetic. Don't you feel sick afterwards?

Absolutely none of your business how she eats her food, even if you made it. Everyone's taste buds and palettes are different. Not something I've ever heardbif but you can't say "no you can't have this if you're putting salt on it". Makes you look bitchy. Be annoyed on the inside and let the woman enjoy her cake

Well she can do as she likes, but it’s very odd!
That said, I like cheese and Christmas cake, so I supposed it s not that weird!

@2bazookas

I'd certainly ask her not to do it in front of the DC's , normalising a very unhealthy habit.

It hardly doing a line of coke in front of them.

The bit about having to “bear” it is rude of her though, and that’s why I voted YANBU.

My favourite chocolate is Tony’s Chocolonely caramel sea salt. There are big salt crystals in it and it’s AMAZING.

🤣 Christ almighty some people are bay shit crazy. Why eat it if you have to destroy it first?

I think it's weird, salting a cake but I always eat fruit cake with cheese. My dad used to do it.

She shakes or grinds the salt on really frantically, as though the food is revolting.

It sounds as if you don’t like her much; if it wasn’t salt it would be something else that annoyed you.

My Dad used to have bread soaked in hot milk with salt. He also put salt on Apple pie and custard.

Has she got Parkinson's? My BIL can only taste food if covered in chillis.

I appreciate the fact that she doesn't like sweet food, but I don't understand why she asks for it, and then ruins it.

Attention seeking? It’s strange to not be able to bear a food but eat it covered in salt like she was doing you a favour. 🤣 But I’d have just eye rolled and thought she was being a bit of an attention seeking twat. I’m sure your daughter loved it which is far more important than what your salt obsessed MIL thinks.

This thread is mean. Your MIL is frantically putting lots of salt on every mouthful and your concern is your own feelings OP?

Isn’t your DH even a bit worried about her? If this was my mum, I would ensure she sees a doctor.

She sounds attention seeking. Maybe she thinks it makes her sound more interesting. Or maybe she thinks it implies she's better than everyone because she can't bear the taste of sweet food because she's so healthy and definitely not a greedy pig. Or something. I'd ignore!

I really don’t see the issue. She still ate it regardless. Also, if she has form for this, why are you so offended? It’s nothing out of the ordinary of her behaviour. Seems like you’re just looking to nit-pick because she ate your lovely cake in a way you didn’t like.

You like your cake, doesn’t mean everyone else will find it to their liking, and it also doesn’t mean you’re a bad baker.

I find most cakes overly sweet to the point I get a headache. There are very few places that I’ve found that don’t over sweeten their cakes and a slice for theirs is about £4+. When offered or at a party, I often eat a very small piece (taking off the icing and jam), cover it in single cream to cut the sweetness, or have milk with it. I cut out 50%-75% of the sugar out of most of the cakes I bake because I find it unnecessary if I’m going to have other sugars (frosting, jams, sweets,sauces) on top.

Maybe she noticed the way you were looking at her hence the “bear it” comment. Leave her to it.