Disrespect

[NHdisneylover]

I agree that I would assume it is a joke. We joke around all the time--I think it is one reason we are still totally head over heels in love after 17 years of marriage and 21 of couplehood

 

[declansdad]

OP I agree that it may have been a joke but I totally get what you are saying. My DH jokes with me like that at times but in the privacy of our home. I would be really mad at him if he did it in public. There's a time and place for everything.

And it would seem for that family, the time and place wasn't a problem.

 

[Momvic5]

Yesterday, I had a slip-up. My DD13 and I went into Hobby Lobby. We were just looking around at nothing in particular, and I mentioned that we needed a decorative piece on one of our end tables. My dd was standing right in front of a display of glass and mirrored balls - the ones that are to be arranged in a bowl. She immediately says, "You could get a bowl and put a few of these balls in it." Without thinking I reply, "No, we have enough balls in our house." (-And yes. I meant it as a crack at the boys in our home.) She laughs and says, "True." We start to continue down the aisle, and as I look up, I notice a lady is frowning at me, but her husband is laughing. I guess they overheard our comments.....I just smiled and continued shopping.

 

[declansdad]

Lighten up, Francis.

You just made the list, buddy.


Got to love a good Stripes quote.

 

[minkydog]

I don't know if she was upset or mot. I just found it terribly disrespectful.y.DH has NEVER said things like that my or my children's presence

 

[Janepod]

My husband calls me his albatross. Much more literary.

 

[mjkacmom]

When my husband and I go to the grocery store the clerk will say "do you want a bag for that ?" And my husband will say " no thanks, I left her at home!" He loves to see people's reactions. I think it is hilarious. I know he really doesn't feel that way about me!

I literally - thanks! Your DH sounds like a fun guy!

 

[Allison]

I don't know of she was upset or mot. I just found it terribly disrespectful.y.DH has NEVER said things like that my or my children's presence

That is your family. It doesn't make it disrespectful in the context of that family.

 

[Mandychelle79]

If you thought that was bad you would have been mortified when I said my family needs to line up and all get punched in their face.

 

[crashbb]

That is your family. It doesn't make it disrespectful in the context of that family.

And I'm sure that there are things that happen within the OP's family that that family would find disrespectful.

 

[littleteapot]

I don't think I have ever heard some one say "old ball and chain" to be disrespectful, only as a joke or in a kidding around way.

this

 

[aaarcher86]

I don't even know how that phrase could be considered disrespectful

 

[Handbag Lady]

I hate being called "Old lady." The one time my husband called me that when we were dating, it cost him jewelry and a tongue lashing of epic proportions. I still don't know why he thought I'd find that funny.

I suppose it depends on the people and the relationship.

 

[3Gsandme]

It's impossible to understand context and family dynamics from a thirty second interaction at Costco. Be glad, OP, that you have a different family dynamic.

 

[hiwaygal]

You just made the list, buddy.


Got to love a good Stripes quote.

I don't like that movie. Therefore the line offends me.

 

[Bob NC]

I didn't say anything, but I was offended.

I can't picture myself being offended by something a stranger says to his wife.

And, if it were me consider yourself extremely lucky that you didn't say anything.

-------------------------------------------------------

Every time I've ever heard the "ball & chain" comment, it has been used in a joking manner.

I've also heard, and tell, lots of Mother in Law jokes, but they are just that....jokes.

You might save a lot of grief by trying to not be personally offended at eavesdropped conversations of strangers.

 

[POOHsie]

My DH would say that kind of stuff out loud at stores, for the benefit of our DD and strangers nearby. I would return the barb with a few of my own. It was all in fun, and it was special, endearing, and done with love.

My DH is passed away now. DD is grown and moved away. I miss those times but I have the memories. Thanks for these posts.

 

[Bluestars]

If strangers heard some of the things my family members jokingly say to each other, they would probably interpret the comments as disrespectful. But we joke around with each other a lot. I think the guy was probably joking. The comment wouldn't bother me.

 

[Lynne M]

I don't know if she was upset or mot. I just found it terribly disrespectful.y.DH has NEVER said things like that my or my children's presence

Did you ever see "The Princess Bride?" Remember the part where the narrator said:

That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying "As you wish", what he meant was, "I love you."

My Mom has a nickname for my Dad. It's a spinoff of something a beloved, long since passed, family member once said. Someone who didn't know us, or the context, might think she was insulting Dad.

When she says it, she's saying "I love you."

When she says it, my Dad hears "I love you".

She uses it in private and in public, cause I don't think she much cares who hears her tell Dad that she loves him. And I know he loves to hear her use that nickname, no matter where it's said.

No one outside of that family in Costco will ever know the meaning of "ball & chain" to them. To you, it's disrespectful, to her, it could have meant "I love you."

 

[meliss8599]

My dd was standing right in front of a display of glass and mirrored balls - the ones that are to be arranged in a bowl. She immediately says, "You could get a bowl and put a few of these balls in it." Without thinking I reply, "No, we have enough balls in our house." (-And yes. I meant it as a crack at the boys in our home.) She laughs and says, "True." We start to continue down the aisle, and as I look up, I notice a lady is frowning at me, but her husband is laughing. I guess they overheard our comments.....I just smiled and continued shopping.

Ummmmmm....tag fairy? LOL