With christmas looming, I know we will be spending more time with the inlaws. There are times I haven't gotten along with them in the past, all to do with DCs, but we tend to get along ok now.
I get the feeling I'm not particulalry liked, which is fine, I guess I wouldn't always have chosen them as inlaws.
One thing that really bugs me though, is that how rude they can be in conversation. They make conversation with me a lot, however every topic is on their terms. For example, the minute I begin speaking in response, MIL will switch off and begin talking about something else or speaking to someone else. It's extremely rude. Also, if either MIL or FIL have not initiated the topic of conversation, they ignore me and begin doing something else. Whenever I speak, it's in response to something they've asked, because they won't listen otherwise.
After an hour or so in their company, I've often started feeling quite 'talked at', inferior and inadequate. It knocks my confidence and I notice that I begin speaking more and more quietly the longer I'm in their company. Knocked into submission almost.
My DH barely speaks in their company, he seems to just switch off from them entirely. Although he's not even aware he does this.
Ladt week I told MIL about DC's school play, could tell she wasn't listening and maybe 10 minutes later began asking questions about DCs school play. It's always on their terms.
How can I avoid feeling so inadequate in their company?