Am I a laughing stock?

[CovidHeadache]

I jokingly call my house “surname towers” so for example if my surname was Jackson, my house would be called Jackson Towers. I’ve called it this for years, it’s very very lighthearted as I’m sure everyone knows. We host a lot of social events and I use the name in invites for example “birthday party, Jackson towers”, “Strictly finale party, Jackson towers” etc
In Christmas/birthday cards “love from A, L and all at Jackson towers”

All my friends and family know I call the house this and some call it this name too either in replies or just in general.

Anyway, last night I’d popped to my mums and my sister was there, we were talking about taking the kids to a Halloween event tonight and I said “why don’t you bring them back to the towers afterward and we can have a little party?”

My sister then said “I’m sorry but can we stop with this towers bullshit, it’s so cringy”. I said “It’s a joke! And you’ve never complained before!” My mum then said “not to your face maybe”. They both started laughing and my sister then said “no I’m sorry, someone needs to say something, people have been ripping the piss out of you for years for it, just give it a rest now”.

so to cut a long story short, turns out almost my entire family have been slagging me off for it for years and my sister hinted that my friends have too.

When I got home I rang my friend and asked her if the towers name annoys her and she said “no course not” so I asked if she knew if it annoyed anyone else to which she hesitated and then said “not annoy as such”. She wouldn’t elaborate further.

Now I’m pretty thick skinned and can mostly laugh it off if I’ve been a dick but this time I’m a bit upset, I keep trying to tell myself I’m not bothered but I can’t stop thinking about it. Have I been a laughing stock for years? If so AIBU to think someone might have mentioned it before now?

It’s a bit wanky, OP. Sorry.

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Jist stop.

I get that you meant it as a joke, and I probably would’ve found it harmless. Im guessing the first time was a bit funny but repeating it and trying to make it a thing wore thin.

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Honestly, I wouldn’t worry. You did it as a joke, some people got it and some people didn’t. That’s jokes for you. It reminds me of Nigella saying “mictro-wav-ee” and dimwits thinking she was trying to make it sound fancy rather than the exact opposite.

Yes, it’s really cringey. At least you know now! I’m not sure people would feel comfortable telling you, I’m don’t think I would. I’d put in the same category as people who say ‘chez (surname)’, or ‘mi casa’.

I think if you live in a tiny bungalow it's quite an amusing joke. Anything much larger and it does seems a bit cringe. But honestly, it's a small thing and these people care about you (and benefit from your hosting!) so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

What sort of home do you have OP? I mean if it’s a one bedroom flat then I can see the funny side of you calling it Jackson Towers.

Honestly it's the kind of thing I'd laugh about too but not say to someone's face. It's just one thing, it's not like they think badly of you in other ways. There are lots of examples of this, people have quirks or say things others think are silly but it doesn't mean they dont respect them in other ways. I get why you are upset though, it's embarrassing. Try not to let it take over

I think if used once or twice in jest, it’s fine. I think it’s the whole making it “a thing” that I find cringe

It’s a 3 storey town house (not massively expensive, not posh by any means)

It’s a joke.

if people are that bothered they could of course decline what seems like your generous hospitality.

I think I’d have to continue now just because I know people are judgey.

I mean, what is your house like?
If its a 3 bed semi I would probably find it funny in an ironic way, if its a huge deatched house with turrets I would find it obnoxious.

But I suppose either way its pretty cringy and I would probably rip the piss a little too (as friends do!)

Then I doubt people are taking the piss and making you a laughing stock.

It sounds like your sister has been quite nasty, I’d try to forget it.

It's a bit like someone calling themselves by a nickname when no one else does, especially when it starts with 'The..'

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Yep, I agree.

My friend calls his house the “Surname Zoo” .. makes me laugh. I wouldn’t laugh if it was “Surname Towers”..

Just style it out, reduce usage!

life would be very boring without people like you. Some people don't want laughter and joy

Does your husband call you 'The Lady of the Towers'?

It is cringy OP. Sorry. At least you know now so you can stop!

I have to add I think you are fair enough. I remember when Sarah Kennedy was on radio 2 and she always called her home Kennedy Towers and nobody seemed to comment on that. I reckon some people do not have much of a sense of humour and I find that sad.

I’m assuming it’s a reference to “Fawlty Towers”? I think it’s cute and shows that you are a welcoming person, organising all those events is so kind. They are AH.

A joke that was probablgly funny at first but has worn thin as you have overused it.