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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Ungrateful MIL - absolutely LIVID

388 replies

Lipbalmstrawberry · 19/02/2024 18:38

It’s MIL’s birthday today and we went out for a meal at lunchtime. I gave her her gift which was a blouse from River Island and when she opened it she just was like “Eugh, I don’t think this will suit me. It probably won’t fit me either.” “Have you got the receipt? I’ll go in and change it when go into town on Friday. If not you can keep it I don’t like that.” all with a scowl on her face. I was completely aghast and fuming so I just lied and said I don’t have the receipt and put it back in my bag. Not a word of thanks! I felt even a bit humiliated to be honest.

The rest of the lunch was completely normal and she was talking to me as though nothing happened but inside I was absolutely seething and I still am to be honest. I wished I’d have told her to not be so rude! And she never even said thank you for the cake either!

WIBU to not bother with a cake and present next year? I’m thinking of not bothering after that reaction.

OP posts:
Bantuchick · 21/02/2024 14:59

It was the thought that counts. It doesn’t matter that it was a blouse it was the thought you put into it. To not just show gratitude is just rude to me

Bantuchick · 21/02/2024 15:03

HarrogateHouseSale · 19/02/2024 18:41

Buying your MIL a blouse from River Island is an oddly personal gift
At least she was honest, you can get a refund and your money isnt wasted.
Why dont you have a receipt? Regifting or shoplifting?

Where does the cake come into it?

Bit hostile isn’t it? The put down was unnecessary

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 21/02/2024 15:06

dinkdink · 21/02/2024 14:32

I can’t believe how many people have old fashioned views I’m with you how can it possibly be classed as bizarre 😅

Edited

I can't believe how some of you think a comment like that is a hint to buy a random blouse from a random brand.

I'm also puzzled why you think that not buying clothes as a present is "old fashioned". Odd choice of words.

Bantuchick · 21/02/2024 15:07

JoanThursday · 19/02/2024 19:09

Is that you, SIL? I think we share the same MIL. 🙄

😆😆😆

akasalishsea · 21/02/2024 17:15

I would hold a silent truce and here is why: You were incredibly nice to purchase a present for your MIL and take her out. That alone would of made me grin and bear and be grateful for a gift I did not want. I am a frank person by nature, highly analytical and an introvert so not many people's social cup of tea. I am also super reliable, trustworthy, fair, compassionate and love to great depths without wanting anything back. Best of all I am a constant work in progress as you and your MIL are.

When I have encountered similar behavior first reaction is compassion. My thinking would be she may of been as shocked as you were about an inappropriate gift and her behavior was based on that. She may have felt unheard, dismissed, like you just picked something out to satisfy meeting some expectations around her birthday. She may of felt the invite was insincere. If we do anything for ulterior motives (guilt, making us look good to family, hubs, etc it is insincere and others will feel that because we are not relaxed and in a place of genuine love). DIL relationships are complicated even for women who don't want total control over their domaine. You may not be competing with her and other women and looking for a fight so you can end your part in relationship building in other to build your domaine but you might have had a seething reaction because she is your MIL. Would you have purchased a blouse for a friend without considering it was something they mentioned they wanted? If your own mom hated would she have lied and so you expect her to be like mom? Would you have preferred she lied?

I think her response was less than stellar and you could address it in a light hearted way by bringing the receipt by her home (getting permission of course to stop by) and sharing how you felt but doing it with humble humor. Here is a script you could adapt " Hi- I am pretty embarrassed about the birthday gift but our relationship means a lot to me so I want to apologize if I seemed distracted at your birthday lunch. I was so embarrassed that you had such a strong negative reaction to the gift that I couldn't think straight and was flustered. In hindsight I realize you, just like me, want to pick out your own clothes. I thought it was beautiful and assumed anyone would. Add in that I am not used to frankness and I felt a bit toppled and angry about that. Here is the receipt and now all I need is a hug". Then just shut up. This allows you to let her gently know she was rude, that you value the relationship and your gift giving was inappropriate but done out of love. It is a win win. When you let someone know you value the relationship what you are giving them is not permission to abuse you or expect insta closeness. What you are saying is you value their life enough to want to keep the relationship on a good standing with regards to willingness to work through tough stuff (which all relationships go through) and to bravely communicate feelings and thoughts in gentle, respective ways and to really hear them so you can create closeness.

Your fuming rage eats you and harms your entire family whether you said anything out loud or not.. MILs run the gamut of "Very dear to horrible but we have to make sure we are not looking for a fight when we declare a MIL's behavior as horrible. Interestingly we rarely hear about horrible FILs but we would hear more if DIL complained about all that their FILs fail to do. How many FIL offer to babysit, bring food during illness, try to create holiday memories, buy presents or remember special occasions, just to name a few things we women often do as mothers, sisters, partners, DILs and MILs? Yet FIL are not criticized even when they offer unsolicited advice partially because we females are not competing with them for our hubs love, devotion or time. No household needs to pit a MIL against the family which is what occurs when a DIL is fuming. And for all MIL's out there who ever criticize their DIL, I can only say shame on you and stop it today! ZIP that overbearing, judgemental mouth and get a life outside of the control freaking you feel compelled to do because you've culturally learned that is supposed to be your role and a right of some sort. It is not in this day and age and should never of been a right for a MIL to have any domaine over her own daughters or her DIL's household. Cultural BS that needs to go the way of the dinosaur because not all culture and tradition is positively supporting or uplifting.. If you want a role in your adult children's lives be the most beautifully supportive, compassionate person they are going to meet every time you are around them. Your DIL and her partner are just getting through life best they can and they need the space to do life their way because they belong to a newer culture and different ways of thinking (the exception to non interference would be if physical abuse of a child is occuring, sexual included as well as drug and alcohol addicted parents driving while children are in car, etc-).

When you stop telling others how to live then you have to focus on your own successes and failures and what you want outside of the easy way out which is focusing on the faults of others. Get out of everyone's way and be the happiest person you can be by focusing on your life and helping others, including your own family but without a breath of advice unless specifically asked for and zero criticism or negativity. You sow what you reap- either a sweet garden to relax in or one full of thorny uncomfortable bushes that shuts others out. Your choice- same for DIL's looking for a fight. This MIL was less than gracious and rude depending on how one values complete frankness. She was refreshingly forthright to people like me who value frankness and we'd of had a good laugh and she would of gotten the receipt. She was rude to not thank you for taking her to lunch and buying her a gift. You can move forward in anger or you can move forward with compassion for a woman who may still be working on herself. Your choice. Always leading with compassion for others and yourself brings a lot of love to any relationships.

dinkdink · 21/02/2024 17:29

The audacity 😅 MIL doesn’t deserve a gift, it does not matter if flowers a voucher or clothing was gifted it is the thought that counts, MIL should of appreciated the act of kindness

dinkdink · 21/02/2024 17:33

zingally · 21/02/2024 10:45

She was very rude, but also... River Island is a strange destination to get a present for a woman who is probably at least in her 50s? That's a shop for teenagers and 20-somethings. I'm nearly 40 and probably haven't bought anything from there in 10 years at least.

But from now on, present buying can be the responsibility of her actual child.

RI doesn’t have an age limit

dinkdink · 21/02/2024 17:37

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 21/02/2024 13:13

The being 68 is irrelevant, but I agree with the rest of your post. Buying clothes is odd unless you've had a clear steer towards a particular item.

Mentioning this thread to my mother, she replied with I almost bought a jumper from there yesterday, good on her and she is 77 👏🏽

TheWildEyeBoyfromafreecloud · 21/02/2024 17:38

Op I think it's quite nice that she felt she could be open with you but obviously.. Not quite that open

dinkdink · 21/02/2024 17:39

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 21/02/2024 15:06

I can't believe how some of you think a comment like that is a hint to buy a random blouse from a random brand.

I'm also puzzled why you think that not buying clothes as a present is "old fashioned". Odd choice of words.

A blouse could be ageless as I said before it’s hardly a mini skirt 😅

Donsyb · 21/02/2024 18:12

MIL bought me a hat for Christmas which I hate. I just smiled and said thank you, put it in in the cupboard and I’ll never wear it. I didn’t tell her I don’t like it as she would be upset, she thought she was doing something nice. I did tell my OH so he can steer her away from similar purchases in the future!

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 21/02/2024 18:36

dinkdink · 21/02/2024 17:39

A blouse could be ageless as I said before it’s hardly a mini skirt 😅

I think you've missed the point. The posters who are saying it's "bizarre" arent saying that from the point of view of whether the clothing is "old fashioned" or "timeless" but from the point of view that buying clothes as a present is bizarre.

dinkdink · 21/02/2024 19:24

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 21/02/2024 18:36

I think you've missed the point. The posters who are saying it's "bizarre" arent saying that from the point of view of whether the clothing is "old fashioned" or "timeless" but from the point of view that buying clothes as a present is bizarre.

No that’s just one of the issues brought up

Doggomom91 · 21/02/2024 19:29

HarrogateHouseSale · 19/02/2024 18:41

Buying your MIL a blouse from River Island is an oddly personal gift
At least she was honest, you can get a refund and your money isnt wasted.
Why dont you have a receipt? Regifting or shoplifting?

Where does the cake come into it?

Are you actually accusing someone of shoplifting what is wrong with you 🙈😂

llizzie · 21/02/2024 20:13

SausageRoll58 · Today 12:48

I'd never buy that awful woman anything again, not even a hideous tatty ornament from Poundland! What a horrible brat she is!

That, I believe was the intention of the MIL, who like most people, prefers to buy their own clothes, that they have chosen, that they tried on to see if it suited them. To pretend to like something runs the risk of always getting clothes for birthday that she doesn't like. The short and sharp works.

Quizine · 21/02/2024 20:22

Bad manners and rudeness should never be tolerated. Ever.

She may not have been disciplined as a child. Or she may be unwell.

She is not old, she cannot use that as a defence. Tell her off for her rudeness, and tell your DH that his mummy is not very nice, and if she is rude to you, you will react and won't be told by him to just keep the peace and say nothing. That's how rude people get away with it, and they get worse and worse with practise.

bringincrazyback · 21/02/2024 21:10

HotChocolateNotCocoa · 20/02/2024 23:56

All the “OMG you bought her a blouse?! That’s so weird!!” comments hurt my brain. A DIY minge electrolysis kit - THAT’S weird. A life size sculpture of Yvette Fielding in Cathedral City cheese - THAT’S weird. A blouse is just… well, a blouse.

How does someone get to the age of 68 and not know that the protocol here is to say “Oh, how kind” and then discreetly add later, “Actually, I find size 12s are a bit tight on me these days. Would you mind if I had the receipt just in case?”

Get her bath cubes next year. Cheap ones. Miserable old sow.

Minge electrolysis splutter 😂

northlife34 · 22/02/2024 06:50

I don't understand why everyone is saying it's a poor choice of present? Not everyone's mothers in law are little old dears who live in Bon Marche you know, my mam is 52 and we both wear stuff from River Island.

She asked for new blouses that's what she got, even if she didn't like it there are much more diplomatic ways to let them know that! Never a need to be so rude!

OP, get your money back and buy yourself something nice!

tinytim2016 · 22/02/2024 06:52

I don't know the gift maybe a bit odd for a MIL. I wouldn't buy my mother in law clothes of any kind unless it was winter and my limit is gloves and scarf it's a bit personal. Maybe she was disgusted and shocked but at at least she was honest. Better than taking home and putting in a bin which probably would of made you .pre frustrated. But your reaction to lie on the spot out of spite seems very tit for that.

northlife34 · 22/02/2024 06:54

zingally · 21/02/2024 10:45

She was very rude, but also... River Island is a strange destination to get a present for a woman who is probably at least in her 50s? That's a shop for teenagers and 20-somethings. I'm nearly 40 and probably haven't bought anything from there in 10 years at least.

But from now on, present buying can be the responsibility of her actual child.

Course it's not! My mam is 52 and will wear bits from there I'm 35 and happily wear some river island stuff. Granted, not as much as I used to but jeez we're not middle aged old farts once we get to our 30s, we can still wear fashionable stuff 😊

Peaceupatown · 22/02/2024 06:59

Lipbalmstrawberry · 19/02/2024 19:26

DH and I bought the blouse together and he found her really rude but he doesn’t like me to slag off his parents so I said my piece in the car and I haven’t said anything since.
She’s 68 and the blouse is something similar to what she would usually wear but even if it weren’t I would never be so rude. She’s always been very thoughtless.

She was rude but no 68 year old is wearing river island, it’s a veryyyy young persons shop and maybe she was offended?

Devonshirerexx · 22/02/2024 07:01

I am going back 16 years when DH and I had 4 children and his mother organised her own 50th in a pub and requested her gift to be a bracelet of her choosing,
anyway it was extremely expensive and beyond our means at the time, so we went halves with sil , she didn't even look at it or thank us , then a week later told us she had exchanged it for a cheaper version as it was way too expensive , I had to laugh because we never received the difference haha , but I've never forgotten that , so no longer go out of my way, plus she doesn't bother with our children who are all grown now apart from our teenage daughter , she is still extremely rude. She requested a pair of boots for Christmas last year told me her size and type so I ordered her a lovely pair and she actually loved them , only to inform me 3 weeks later that her feet are swollen so I need to send them back , it was past the time frame to send them back so I am stuck with the boots lol and I stupidly bought her a size up which were slightly different to the original pair which she rudely commented about so when I say I don't bother anymore, I gave her a second chance haha and it blew up in my face , also the birthday cake we took to her 50th birthday party she asked the staff to put it away and left it there , I got a call a week later to ask if they should dispose of it as my number was on the box , I think I will give up now , I bought her a soap and smelly set for Christmas her face was a delight , and that is karma enough for me , ungrateful, my mother would be happy with a card , but we were brought up not dragged up or spoiled , I would take the blouse back ask for a gift voucher , give it to her and say I am sorry it wasn't to your liking I will buy vouchers in future , but smile whilst you say it , see what her reaction is , if it is again the same then opt for pound shop smellies next time haha.
Its always my job to do presents for all family on both sides and i do have great taste, as I am sure you have yourself , some people are just so rude and ill mannered , don't take it to heart, as long as your DH doesn't take after his mother ;)

Devonshirerexx · 22/02/2024 07:11

thenovice · 21/02/2024 09:56

Reading this thread has been so revealing. There are so many people who are rude and have no manners! No wonder society is getting nastier and more unkind by the minute.
Poor OP. You are not to blame for your MIL's reaction. Your husband should be having a word with her about treating you that way. Just don't get involved with present buying for her again EVER. Flowers

🥰 spot on , a few unkind comments on here , surely they are trolls , or mother in laws themselves.
My mother in law is a receiver not a giver , I am the opposite I get joy from giving and don't expect anyone to fall at my feet.
But she could of just exchanged it herself quietly or asked her son for the receipt as it wasn't her style and she didn't want to offend , buy no she openly showed her ungrateful nature. I feel for op. Been there myself.

Mlb123 · 22/02/2024 07:12

HarrogateHouseSale · 19/02/2024 18:41

Buying your MIL a blouse from River Island is an oddly personal gift
At least she was honest, you can get a refund and your money isnt wasted.
Why dont you have a receipt? Regifting or shoplifting?

Where does the cake come into it?

Oddly personal? It's not an Ann summers edible thong! Lol. The op also stated she lied that she didn't have a receipt , which is explicitly clear enough for anyone to decipher that the OP did actually have a receipt and hadn't been shoplifting to obtain a present for her MIL birthday , but I should have said 'for your gift' because only the disgruntled, ungrateful, gift receiver would be questioning the OP in such a paranoid , rude manner. Well the OP can add cyberstalker to her list of complaints regarding you! Hahaha 😜

Devonshirerexx · 22/02/2024 07:14

And best comment award goes too... 🤣🤣🤣 brilliant

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