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 a combination of people being a bit thick and thinking that you’re being serious, and you using it so regularly that anyone who initially did think you were joking now thinks you’re being serious. You’ve overplayed it.

My mum then said “not to your face maybe”. They both started laughing… I don’t think your mum sounds very nice. I mean, your sister doesn’t sound nice either, but mum’s aren’t supposed to laugh when their daughter finds out that people have been taking the piss out of her.

Essentially, you’ve got no choice but to style it out, unless you want to move house, change your name and cut ties with everyone you’ve ever said it to. Or move to a house that could legitimately be described as the Tower. It’ll be fine. People forget and they’ll move on to taking the piss out of the next person with an unusual little quirk.

Do you have a slimline telephone?
(Sorry not RTFT so probably someone else got there before me).

😆😆

Yes this. Mildly funny for a few mentions, now just highly annoying and sounds ridiculous. Very much like you have some snobby image of your place being better than everyone else’s.

I feel really sad for you feeling this way and I don't think it's been handled well. You've not hurt anyone and really it's not a big deal to most people I'm sure. Maybe just dial down on it, but try to put it behind you. I'd say most people have much bigger stuff going on in their lives to give it too much attention. It might feel hurtful now, but hopefully in time you will have packed it away.

Do you have plenty of friends who are happy to attend parties at the Towers? If so, don’t worry, it’s just a quirk. If they laugh, it’s in an affectionate way. I’m sorry you now feel uncomfortable about it, so now you probably need to reduce using it. If you just say ‘Traitors Finale Party next Wed, bring a bottle’ they’ll still know where to come.

You are NOT a laughing stock, you sister is probably jealous of your social life.

Terry Wogan always referred to his home as Wogan Towers as I recall. It was just a joke and he was well liked.

Ditch the sister not the nickname for your abode 😉

A bit weird. But you mow know how people feel ,so stop calling it that now you know what people think.

We used to live in a flat and called it Surname Towers because it was tiny. It was a joke. Now we live in a 4 bed detached and don’t call it that anymore but think fondly back at Surname Towers…I think your friends and family are being harsh.

I'd be really hurt by my sister and mum commenting and laughing like that. It's just a joke surely they realise that. Sounds like your sister is putting you in your place.

You're absolutely not a laughing stock either

You've said your friends call it that too? So it's a long running joke. I think your sister is jealous.

No the sister is doing OP a favour. It’s not kind to say “carry on making a fool of yourself- no-one cares”

You're not a laughing stock because nobody cares. Just move on.

Your family, and your friends sound really mean spirited and fucking boring. As do most of these mumsnettters replies. What's wrong with people? My God, it's a bit of whimsy, who'd even give it a seconds thought beyond passing amusement. To speak about you behind your back is nasty, which is far worse than being 'cringe'. People are ridiculous, sorry it's hurt you.

This thread really did bring out the humourless curmudgeons.
It may not be the highest comedy. But it hurts no one.

It’s very very Amanda

If you assume it is a bit irritating then so what? Why is doing something that irritates others a problem? I’m sure your mum and sister do things that irritate you. You’re just not the one going around being snide and rude about it. This all reflects way worse on your sister and mum than it does on you.

I do plenty of irritating things as do most people. That’s life and we’re all different and all have our quirks.

Oh come on, of course it's funny, it's tongue in cheek humour. They are being mean girls.

Me too! Fuck the haters

I agree. One of my friends gives everything a name, eg Thomas the toaster, Mildred the mixer. Some of my friends use funny names for things, eg calling their tiny courtyard garden "the grounds" or the bathroom "the library" because they like reading in the bath. It's just fun. It's being a bit creative, bringing a bit more imagination into everyday life. I enjoy it, here at Leftie Manor 😁

Your Surname is Bucket isnt it? Or.... isnt it pronounced like that? 🤣

I don't see the problem! It's nice that you try to speak in a light hearted, jokey way and people should focus on your welcoming invites than nitpicking an innocent turn of phrase.

(Fwiw I find people who use the word 'cringe' actually make me cringe because they clearly enjoy judging others)

@CovidHeadache I'm sure your real friends aren't laughing at you.

I made the mistake of sharing this conversation with my DP and now he wants to call our house surname Mansions (his surname starts with M) 😁

I know the feeling. It’s the shock of it, almost like a betrayal. I’d imagine it’s a much bigger deal in your head now than it’s ever been in reality.