My MIL gave the silent treatment. Just one of her abusive weapons. DH picked it up but I didn’t know until years after we were married. When he started doing it I was appalled. He wouldn’t talk things out, would just sit there saying nothing or walk out of the room.
I used to ask him how long he would not speak to me for because I had decisions to make regarding the car, house and needed his input. He’d say nothing. So I just went about my business without him... “I am booking my time off work for the summer. If you want to discuss dates you’ll have to speak to me, if not I’ll just do what I think”.
What stopped him doing it though was someone would ring to speak to him (landline, pre mobiles) and I’d answer the phone and say “it’s x for you” and hold out the phone and he’d not say anything 🙄. So I’d tell the caller “He’s sulking so not speaking or listening to me, sorry. Maybe you could try another time or write him a letter?” Or if someone knocked on the door to see him I’d tell them he hasn’t spoke to me for a day so there was no point in me trying to tell him there was a visitor... He’d find out later because the visitor would tell him!
When he realised that he looked a fool he stopped doing it. It’s why I treated him like a teenager and didn’t just walk out, because I knew it was learned behaviour from his mother, not really a part of his personality. Stupid but not evil.
Nobody except me ever sidnit to his mother. I once turned around and walked straight back out of her house after three hours travelling to visit because she opened the door with pursed lips and said nothing and FIL explained she was annoyed because we were late (late train) and dinner had spoiled.
Such a baby!
DH’s family were opened mouthed at my balls to do it, but hell, I was there for some event for them, didn’t want to be there, so perfect excuse to walk out.
She’s cut off now.