To refuse to let my MIL bring her own kettle when she visits?

[BiscuitHammer]

Bit of a silly one maybe but it’s causing actual rows so here goes.

MIL is coming to stay for the weekend (joy) and she’s announced she’s bringing her own kettle because apparently ours “tastes funny”. I genuinely don’t know what that even means?? It’s just a normal Breville one from Argos. She says she can “taste the plastic” and it “ruins tea” which is ridiculous because we’ve had it over a year and no one else has ever complained.

I told her she’s being dramatic and she got in a strop. DH is now saying I should just let her bring it to keep the peace but I think it’s rude. Like sorry but turning up at someone’s house with your own appliances is a bit much isn’t it? What next, her own toaster? Portable shower?

I get she’s particular about tea (she only drinks loose leaf and swears PG Tips gives her headaches) but still. We’re not a bloody hotel.

AIBU to put my foot down and tell her to use ours or not bother?

(For context she also once brought her own pillow and sugar. Make of that what you will.)

I’d just let her get on with it and internally roll my eyes. Is it really worth falling out over?

I hear you OP, but is this the hill you want to die on? She sounds a bit odd, but unless she is awful in other ways, I’d let her get on with it.

Just let her get on with it.

This 100%

In the broader scheme of pick your battles, I’d let this slide.

She’s insane, of course, but life too short to creat lots of drama over it.

I take my own pillow with me on holiday
its comfy and I sleep better 🤷‍♀️

"Put your foot down"?

To achieve what?
Is this really the hill to die on?

A bit bonkers but as long as it doesn’t get in the way. What sort of kettle does she have that isn’t plastic?

PG tips does taste funny compared to other tea - it’s the only English breakfast tea bag I find tastes like this - kind of smokey taste.

Why do you care?

It makes no difference to you.

I can taste certain plastics so I believe her. It’s v annoying! So I sympathise a bit!!

Especially if as you say she’s particular about tea then I’d let her get in with it. It doesn’t hurt you and it makes her life a little bit better.

There Is no significant negative impact to this so while I would think it bonkers, I wouldn't care enough to object.

I can see why you’re annoyed but maybe she really can taste the difference. It doesn’t massively affect you other than the irritation factor so I’d let her do it.

Just let her bring the kettle, does it really matter? Same with the pillow. Unclench.

You are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Just let her be.

God does it actually matter?? Just let her bring it, roll your eyes inside and let her make all the tea whilst she’s here. Sounds like you don’t like her anyway, even though she does sound annoying!

Yes it is batshit - but best to learn to laugh at the batshittery then let it get to you.

On the up side, saves you offering to make her a cuppa. If she's that particular she is much better off making her own!

Your dislike of her is spilling over into this complete non event. If someone wanted to bring their own kettle to my house sure I'd think it was odd, for a nano second, then I'd just think sure whatever.

Not a hill I’d want to die on either but surely it’s the water that tastes different, not the kettle 😂

It’s weird but I can’t understand why you’d choose to have a battle over this when there’s absolutely no need. Just let her bring the kettle.

You seem to be wanting to make this into an issue. What's the point in meeting petulance, with petulance?

It's pretty harmless as 'quirks' go, I couldn't get worked up about it.

Life's too short to argue over a kettle. People have far worse to worry about. Just let her bring it and accept her eccentricities. If it makes her happy let it be.

Seriously, why does it matter? As to the pillow - that’s quite sensible if you want to sleep well. Sugar? Again, a bit odd, but not worth getting upset about.

Bringing her own pillow I totally understand. That’s not weird.

I'm guessing you haven't been married long OP? Batshit ILs are part of many people's deal and believe me, the best thing to do is just roll with it. Yes, it's rude, yes your MIL is a pain-in-the-arse, but this is not worth falling out over. You're going to be in each other's lives for potentially years to come, so it really is best to take a deep breath and smile, while rolling your eyes when you turn your back.