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Post by onlymark on Sept 26, 2010 11:22:39 GMT
Betsi, slightly confusing your first point there - are we talking about MY mother, or the mother of my wife? I'm talking about her mother, my mother in law the worst regular guest we have (and I know it is a cliché) is my mother in law.
I know what you mean about sleeping arrangements, it has also happened to me whereby I've been invited to stay "for as long as you want" - but bring your own mattress and sleeping bag. A bit difficult when there are five of us.
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Post by betsie on Sept 26, 2010 12:12:49 GMT
Betsi, slightly confusing your first point there - are we talking about MY mother, or the mother of my wife? I'm talking about her mother, my mother in law the worst regular guest we have (and I know it is a cliché) is my mother in law.
I know what you mean about sleeping arrangements, it has also happened to me whereby I've been invited to stay "for as long as you want" - but bring your own mattress and sleeping bag. A bit difficult when there are five of us. Sorry, Mark, it's down to my careless reading! That's a really nasty one then, if it's your mother-in-law. In that case your wife would have to deal with it, though you could still lay down the law to your mother-in law regarding her behaviour in your home towards your wife.
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Post by onlymark on Sept 26, 2010 13:06:26 GMT
I would lay down the law a bit if I knew about it. The thing is that when it has happened I'm either not in the room and don't find out about it until later or they speak to each other in their mother tongue of Slovenian and I don't have clue what they are saying. However, I should really tell the mother in law that she ought to be reasonable in what she says in the house.
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Post by betsie on Sept 26, 2010 13:52:49 GMT
I would lay down the law a bit if I knew about it. The thing is that when it has happened I'm either not in the room and don't find out about it until later or they speak to each other in their mother tongue of Slovenian and I don't have clue what they are saying. However, I should really tell the mother in law that she ought to be reasonable in what she says in the house. I think this would work best, it will shock her and leave no room for manipulation and denial: just ask to speak to her privately, raise your voice and look intimidating and tell her she's got to stop criticising and interfering and hurting members of your family because you will not tolerate it in future and will issue no further warnings. Then turn on your heel and leave the room.
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Post by onlymark on Sept 26, 2010 14:23:18 GMT
Me? Look intimidating? I don't think I'm able to do that. I'm far too small, gentle and mild mannered.
Perhaps you could give me some tips?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2010 14:42:56 GMT
Mark, didn't you keep the handcuffs from when you were a policeman?
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 26, 2010 15:20:15 GMT
Kinky!
Reading about bad hosts and pillows reminded me of what happened to a friend of mine. Her parents were coming from another country to visit her and, as she had no guest room set up, she went out and bought all new and nice for them.
The first morning her mother got up with one side of her face all red and what appeared to be tiny punctures, but which hadn't penetrated the skin, on that side of her face. She was unaware of it herself until everyone exclaimed and she looked in the mirror. My friend went into the guest room to look for possible bugs and decided to make the bed. When she fluffed the pillows light dawned. She told me later, "They did seem awfully cheap for feather pillows."
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Post by onlymark on Sept 26, 2010 15:25:53 GMT
K2, I've worn out several pairs over the years, at work and at home, but I seem to have run out of them. Maybe your pink furry ones could be lent out?
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Post by betsie on Sept 26, 2010 15:41:17 GMT
Me? Look intimidating? I don't think I'm able to do that. I'm far too small, gentle and mild mannered. Perhaps you could give me some tips? Roll all your resentment and anger at her various offenses into one ball, look her straight in the eye, pinning her to the spot and let her have it. You needn't raise your voice. the alternative is to speak in an almost over-articulated whisper, which is just as effective. Do not say it apologetically,do not dilute the message and don't let her get a word in: say this is an announcement, not a discussion opener. If you let her talk back, it's a lost cause. ;D
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Post by onlymark on Sept 26, 2010 17:59:52 GMT
Right-oh. I'll practise that a bit and try it in the mirror a time or two. Then the next time I see her I'll give her both barrels.
Can I try it out with small children first? Just to get my eye in?
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Post by betsie on Sept 26, 2010 19:28:06 GMT
Nah, the small children would just laugh at you. It only works on old gits. ;D
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 27, 2010 5:37:27 GMT
Too late. He's outside barking at baby birds.
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