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?

I think it’s cringe, but in a sweet silly way. The people we love sometimes do or say daft naff things and it’s really not a big deal for most people.

Your sister was being unnecessarily unkind, imo.

I tend to use the phrase "and the point is..." when wrapping up an anecdote. One day my sister screamed at me "the point is! and the point is! and the point is!" like I was some dithering fool who can't tell a proper story.

I had no idea that this verbal tic was bothering her so much. It's her problem but she made me feel like a weirdo. I dont' tell her many anecdotes since then.

I would assume you are making fun of yourself, as in Fawlty Towers, rather than bigging up your home. I think your sister and mum were a bit cruel so I would carry on using the name for them, even if you stop for others. I think you have been a very welcoming host over the years and I'm sure your friends and family appreciate that.

Struck me as crabs in a barrel mentality.

I bet all your so called friends always enjoyed your hospitality at the Towers though, didnt they? Filling their boots with free food and drink while sniggering behind your back. I wiuld tell the lot of them to fuck right off 😉😉

This is a sibling or family thing. Over many years, annoyances always come to the surface often in an explosive way. Just roll your eyes and guve them a wedgie or something.

It shows you don’t take yourself too seriously and I like people who are like that.

Given that you clearly generously host your family and friends on a very regular basis it’s pretty poor for them to have been making fun of you behind your back.

I would find it endearingly quirky, I don’t why anyone else should find it so objectionable.

Personally I might forget a few people from invitation lists to make a point.

I like it me. Don't stop being you OP and tell your family that since they like to take the piss you'll bear it in mind for any future invites to your house.

There's no need for nastiness, especially when something is harmless and just someone's sense of humour.

Wouldn't bother me. Especially if it meant I was benefiting from the generosity of the hosts, as it seems people in your circle are! I'd just be glad of the invite.

Towers isn't her name 😭

Don't we all laugh a little bit at the eccentricities of our families? I would find this an irritating and slightly pompous affectation OP but I find plenty of things about my friends, families and acquaintances irritating - doesn't mean I don't love lots of other things about them. I would just try and remember all the things about your sister that rile you and feel free to unleash them on her once in a while ;-)

sorry OP, i agree with this

time to retire the joke

Its your choice what you call your home.
It does sound like it started as a bit of a joke. But then turned into its official name . Which is very awkward. Makes you sound like a snob .
It is nice they all kept up with it for so long. It doesnt seem like they told you to be mean .

I think on invitations it can be funny/ lighthearted, but using it in conversation "why don't you bring them back to the towers afterwards" is cringey and has gone too far!

OP

Next time you're passing Monica Mansions give me a knock and we'll have a nice cuppa 👍

GPT?

The fact you use it shows us all we need to know about you!

Well I think it's fine but I laugh at my own jokes most! Anyway who gives a crap you do you. If that's the worst they can laughat about you wish I was coming to Towers sounds great 💕

I think it's hilarious especially as it's a very normal house. If you were the wealthy one in the family living on a few acres then that might annoy people.

I have a friend that refers to his house as surnameville in exactly the same way. It's tongue in cheek.

They are being nasty.

It’s a joke. Lost its humour along the way, but somehow it stuck. So what!
It’s the people who judge after all this time, who are cringey.

I’d have to stop using it now yes, but don’t feel bad OP. The judgy ones are the ones who take themselves too seriously.

Your family sound mean-spirited and you sound generous OP. Your family would probably get on well with some of the doily-botherers on here.

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if a dear friend used a harmless phrase like this. As someone said earlier, style it out, use it less if you want to.

You've got some nice friends, don't let the cringeing fun police get to you.

OMG - I never realised the connection before - after all these years too 🤣

Calling it ‘your name Towers’ is a joke once, but giving off delusions of grandeur vibes after that

I think it’s quite endearing, we all have little quirks that others notice over time and we affectionately eye roll at!

What a horrible way for your mum n sister to treat you. Moving forward dont invite them to the towers. Its funny enough and anyone who thinks its cringe needs to lighten up.