Mother in law - kinda funny but annoying

knottie3c0525a8a3c64eaa · July 2013

So every single time I see my mother in law she looks at me and say with a pitchy voice: "what a darling dress, is it new???" Imagine hearing the same thing every month for 3 years. She is a bit controlling with expenses and stuff and want to know where we spend our money, asks lots of questions, etc.
Since I know for a fact she will ask it again tonight when she comes to visit, what would be a smart response to hint to her that is annoying and none of her business?

Last time I laughed and said "you haven't seen all my clothes because I've been the same size for 10 years and I don't see you enough". Next morning she said the same.

vstevens · July 2013

How about a flat "Nope" and stop the conversation cold. WHY are MILs so strange sometimes?

DamnPrecious · July 2013

Wear something fugly.

kiki1978 · July 2013

Why does she even care? It's not her life.

lolinshag · July 2013

"Just new to me. Bought it off a sex worker after one of her Johns ripped. Look! You can't even see the blood anymore!"

sugarland726 · July 2013

It's none of her damn business what your finances are. You could say that to her.

ccip82 · July 2013

How about responding with a simple "Oh just shut the fuck up already!"

bregrobb · July 2013

At least she doesn't try to give you her old clothes. Mine does and I still haven't figured out how to politely say that my hubby doesn't like me looking like his mom lol.

karah4816 · July 2013

bregrobb said:
At least she doesn't try to give you her old clothes. Mine does and I still haven't figured out how to politely say that my hubby doesn't like me looking like his mom lol.

Hah, omg my mil tries to do that too and she has terrible taste.

holly142 · July 2013

Where the same dress every time you see her!

DamnPrecious · July 2013

karah4816 said:

At least she doesn't try to give you her old clothes. Mine does and I still haven't figured out how to politely say that my hubby doesn't like me looking like his mom lol.
Hah, omg my mil tries to do that too and she has terrible taste.

My MIL said she should have saved her maternity clothes because they were "soo cute". Um, your youngest is almost 15. Eww

halfthetree · July 2013

Oh this is the kind of thing that would make me develop a twitch or something everytime I was near her. I agree with PPs, just a simple no will be enough. You will constantly get this when the baby is here too, I don't know how to help you lol maybe she is just really trying to be nice and be a "girlfriend" to you?

alinafed · July 2013

"Geez that's weird, you've already asked me that about this exact dress... About ten times!"

LuGal623 · July 2013

alinafed said:

"Geez that's weird, you've already asked me that about this exact dress... About ten times!"

This! Maybe that'll shut her up!

dltate29 · July 2013

When she asks the question reply by making an observation and a question: "I notice you seem to ask me this same question every time we see each other, why do you ask?"

She might come back and say she is just curious or just admiring and making small talk in which case you could either try to approach the subject that it makes you uncomfortable, or move on.

I am not sure that really helps any but I always fins probbing for more answers with additional questions helps to dig into what people are really thinking or feeling.

knottie3c0525a8a3c64eaa · July 2013

dltate29 said:
When she asks the question reply by making an observation and a question: "I notice you seem to ask me this same question every time we see each other, why do you ask?"

She might come back and say she is just curious or just admiring and making small talk in which case you could either try to approach the subject that it makes you uncomfortable, or move on.

I am not sure that really helps any but I always fins probbing for more answers with additional questions helps to dig into what people are really thinking or feeling.

You know what, that's exactly what I'm going to do! I have done many of the suggestions from PP (saying no politely, saying no not nicely, etc). This sounds like a great way never to hear the same question again and again. Will try and let you guys know how it went!! Haha

dltate29 · July 2013

icoelho said:

When she asks the question reply by making an observation and a question: "I notice you seem to ask me this same question every time we see each other, why do you ask?"

She might come back and say she is just curious or just admiring and making small talk in which case you could either try to approach the subject that it makes you uncomfortable, or move on.

I am not sure that really helps any but I always fins probbing for more answers with additional questions helps to dig into what people are really thinking or feeling.
You know what, that's exactly what I'm going to do! I have done many of the suggestions from PP (saying no politely, saying no not nicely, etc). This sounds like a great way never to hear the same question again and again. Will try and let you guys know how it went!! Haha

good luck!

amt0312 · July 2013

Thank god my MIL lives 18 hours away. Anyways, she's the one who can't manage her finances and comes asking us for $ every few months. Makes me so mad when all she does is buy tupperware and bullshit teacups (excuse my language) from TJ Maxx and she's living on a tiny pension.

Sorry to hear about your troubles! Hope it gets better

cyndilouwho77 · July 2013

I have the same prob with my own parents, they are so engrossed with money it makes me crazy! They always say to me and the kids, "Oh thats cute, when did you buy that?" My favorite is when I can reply with "You bought that for her 8th birthday" she is now 10....lol!

Just last week I was bringing in a target bag that had eyelashes, hairspray, and bobby pins (my kids had their annual dance show) and I happen to grab a few things out of my car and throw them in the same bag....in the driveway she asked me why I bought a new makeup bag....I was seriously so confused because she bought me the set when I got married about a year ago. When I told her it was old she asked me to prove it.......I seriously LOL'ed as I took it out and opened it. She then told me I spend way to much money and I need to control it, which to me is funny cause I own one pair of mat pants and one mat shirt....all my other clothes are so old some even have holes in them....of course thats when she tells me I should dress nicer...ugh....sigh!!

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