Bizarre conversation!

[whatajoke]

Well, MIL just called me to ask about Christmas pressies for DH, DS's etc.

We had the most bizarre conversation.

Basically I have known MIL for 5 years and although we 'get on' we are not exactly close. A few bad words were sad once but I took the plunge and called and made up and said it was all my fault etc (it wasn't!).

Anyway, she is my DS's GM so obviously I want to get along.

So, she calls (haven't spoken to her on the phone for months? years?). I say what I think DS's would like for Christmas. But I get tongue-tied, I can't think what to say and everything comes out wrong...I stutter...I say things that make me look stupid AND THEN I SAY I'M LAZY!!

What am I on about? She just went quiet on me!

Me? Lazy? Never!! She asked me what I was up to. I meant to say that set Wednesday aside to work because I work from home and have to set myself hours or else I get lazy. What I actually said was 'Well I'm a bit lazy!!'. WTF??

Why the hell do I get tongue tied and stuttery with my MIL? She's not in the least bit condescending or intimidating!

But right now she must think her DIL is a jibbering idiot

BTW, I do see her every month or so, we just don't talk on the phone often!

Keep playing the conversation back in my head...and it makes me feel worse!!

was it a joke that went wrong:

Hmm, sometimes phone conversations go wrong, and you hang up shrug and carry on with your day - I'm sure she's much less bothered about it than you are.

actually think we all have to set ourselve targets othewise get lazy. it's only human

No...it wasn't a joke. MIL doesn't do jokes!!

I started to say I get a bit lazy (meant to follow on with the reason) but I forgot what I was saying and just stopped!

She started going on about how her DD copes with work, kids, college etc, making me feel even worse!

I then mumbled on about DSS (who is there after school tonight) doing something for his dad (my DH) and asked her to help him but I said it so sternly I shocked myself.

Then at the end I said take care and have a nice day, she said thanks you have a nice day too. To which I replied 'thank, you have a nice day too'.

I am actually laughing about it now.

were yo nervous

yeah, stupidly so!

oh my lord, sorry but it sounds so funny and exactly the kind of thing I would do. Sometimes I think I shouldn't be allowed to talk on the phone.

The worst case was when my uncle (father's brother) died. He lived very far away in another country, hadn't seen or spoken to him for years and when I called my aunt (his wife) to express condolences it all came out so badly wrong. They live on a farm, and she said "you must come over I know it will be difficult" - meaning, "now that your uncle's no longer here you will be sad". To which I replied "no no it won't be difficult at all it will be fine" - as I took her words to mean that the farm is not very modern or comfortable .

Oh Saadia, that is so funny.

I'm not like it with anyone else, just her and FIL!

I think I just want to sound intelligent, bright, nice and I just end up sounding an idiot!

Next time she calls I'm not answering

Oh my I've done it again. Saadia - it's not at all funny about your uncle (my condolences), it's just funny the way you interpreted it.

I think I should just talk to myself....safer that way!

no don't worry, sounds awful to say but as I barely knew him it really was just a courtesy call, obviously sad for his wife, but, just wanted you to know you are not alone.

lol i do things like that all the time so reassuring that i'm not the only one. at least this was on the phone not in RL so you didn't have to deal with a totally blank stare from her as well as the awkward silence!

whatajoke - i think you THINK to much and worry too much about what people are thinking of you. Your MIL prob wasn't thinking anything bad about you .

I get tongue-tied on the phone, I always get DH to answer the phone and if I am in on my own and the phone rings I just don't answer it, so I know what you mean. Put it this way, I would never make a good receptionist or work in a call centre .