Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

I'm sure she only means to be helpful, BUT IT'S DOING MY NUT IN!

24 replies

yorkshirelass79 · 03/08/2006 13:46

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
dmo · 03/08/2006 14:03

are you sure shes a friend?
sound like your having fun

edam · 03/08/2006 14:09

OMG you have to stop her doing this or you won't be able to stand her company for much longer. HOW patronising?

NotQuiteCockney · 03/08/2006 14:10

This is the sort of thing my MIL does. She doesn't mean it, particularly - she does it to everyone.

I bet your friend is the same way. She's just making conversation in her own (very very annoying way).

Pixiefish · 03/08/2006 14:10

sounds like she could be trying to fill in gaps in conversation

lemonaid · 03/08/2006 14:13

You could take the alternative tack

You: I'll be a bit skint this month, my car MOT is due
Her: Oh, make sure you get it booked into a garage
You: No, I was planning to take it to the vet
Her: It's illegal to drive your car if your MOT runs out
You: Are you sure? I thought they'd give me a cheque for £1000, a big bunch of flowers and a kiss from a really hunky policeman...

etc., etc.

Which might make your point more effectively than "I know".

Or just "Yes, thank you for reminding me. I shall also remember to keep breathing and not to try to put both legs into the same trouser leg" which I use on DH occasionally when he's going through a stage of stating the bleeding obvious.

NotQuiteCockney · 03/08/2006 14:14

Yes, that's how my DH handles MIL's compulsive explaining problem. It's more amusing than saying "I know" over and over.

Original poster
yorkshirelass79 · 03/08/2006 14:15

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Original poster
yorkshirelass79 · 03/08/2006 14:16

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 03/08/2006 14:19

Who said I keep my cool with my MIL?

I wander out of conversations if they're annoying me. I ignore a lot of it. I remind myself that it isn't personal, hard to do with an MIL.

TinyGang · 03/08/2006 14:21

Does she spend a lot of time in the company of young children? My speech patterns can go a bit doo-lally after hours alone with them all

Original poster
yorkshirelass79 · 03/08/2006 14:25

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
TinyGang · 03/08/2006 14:27

Omg she'd drive me nuts too then!

Original poster
yorkshirelass79 · 03/08/2006 14:32

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
Tommy · 03/08/2006 14:43

she sounds like my 4 year old DS!!!!

SSSandy · 03/08/2006 14:44

Think she's just thinking out loud

mawbroon · 03/08/2006 14:55

In that particular example, it really does just sound to me as if she is looking out for you and doesn't want you getting caught and fined for not having an MoT. And believe me, there are people out there who don't know that the insurance is invalidated or that they can legally drive the car to an MoT appointment.

Does she work in a job where she has to deal with the public all day? I found myself having to explain the basics to people when I worked with the public and it just kind of seeps into your everyday conversation too.

MrsBadger · 03/08/2006 15:01

I have several people at work like this who make me want to beat my head against the wall

My usual strategy is to head off the conversation onto a completely new tack that will hopefully catch her interest:

Me: I'll be a bit skint this month, my car MOT is due
Her: Oh, make sure you get it booked into a garage
Me: Yes... ooh, did you see they've opened a new coffee shop up the road? I saw it the other day and thought 'ooh I must tell Denise, she's someone who really appreciates a good cup of coffee'...

Sometimes it works, other times I have to look at my watch and squeak 'oh no, my samples will be overcooked / I've got to send that email / etc' and leg it.

bouncy · 03/08/2006 15:06

I have a friend who is exactly the same, but as 99% of the time she is a great friend, I tend to let it go and its a fault that I have learn't to except.

Original poster
yorkshirelass79 · 03/08/2006 15:06

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
fairyjay · 03/08/2006 15:09

I have a friend who is very similar - I tell her she should have been a teacher .

Bucketsofdinosaurs · 03/08/2006 16:24

My PIL is very tedious like that. It's insecurity that he feels people think he's thick so he spouts trivia constantly to give the illusion that he's not. It just makes him sound insane/boring/thick .
If you mention a town he'll just start randomly listing towns in that county (or country.)

mousiemousie · 03/08/2006 16:32

I think you need to take control of the conversation by changing the subject like Mrs B suggests! Sounds to me like your friend is just trying to make conversation - I can't imagine she is riveted by the details of MOTs anymore than you are in reality? Also sounds as though she is trying to look out for your interests - not everyone DOES know the stuff she mentioned, maybe it caught her out recently and that's why she is worried the same might happen to you?

sobernow · 03/08/2006 16:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CountessDracula · 03/08/2006 16:53

or you could just turn the tables on her

You: 'I'll be a bit skint this month, my car MOT is due'
Her: 'Oh, make sure you get it booked into a garage'

You: ooh yes if I don't then it would be illegal if it ran out and then my insurance would not longer be valid and I wouldn't be able to tax it and omg what if I ran someone over, then I might be sent to prison, the kids could be taken into care and I may hang myself with the shame"

Then start crying uncontrollably

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread