We were at PIL for NYE in a different country where PIL live. I am not from UK. We’ve rubbed along together during the many times we’ve seen each other each year for the last 20 years or so.
On Xmas day MIL took candid group photo on her phone during dinner which included me and kids. She Immediately started laughing at the photo. She passed the phone round to my DD (16) and DH with the picture with what looked like my face enlarged. I guess I was caught in a « non —posed » face - mouth open or eyes closed expression - I don’t know as I wasnt shown the photo. When passing it round MIL said. « Look at [ambleside] ha ha ha!« laughing really loudly inviting others to laugh.
It was right in front of me sitting there. DS and DH didn’t react - they seemed embarrassed. I didn’t say anything I just smiled a bit as I was just stunned. I think MIL sensed it didn’t go down well and the subject changed to something else.
No-one had said anything since to me - especially DH. It keeps playing on my mind the last few days. I feel the butt of a joke in front of my children and DH, which Aldo made them uncomfortable. Maybe it was just a joke or banter, and she didn’t mean bad. But in the last 20 or more years MIL had always used the formal « you » form of address to me- which I assume is to keep a distance. We are not therefore definitely not on «joshing » terms.
How would you react if you were me? Not sure whether I am being unreasonable feeling hurt by it.