"While you're up, would you..."

[Marseeya]

Does anybody else cringe when you hear those words?

When I was growing up, my mom was famous for the "while you're up" requests. It wasn't just a matter of "while you're up, would you bring me a drink of water" or "while you're up, would you bring me a napkin," but she always made these huge requests. "While you're up, would you make me a hot cup of coffee, pour me a glass of water and make me a tuna fish sandwich. Chop the pickle really fine and add lots of lettuce, tomato and mayo. Oh, and I'd also like a side of homemade baked beans. Would you mind whipping me up a batch?" I am not exaggerating! I honestly believe my mom adopted us kids more for servants than anything else. (There are a lot of issues with my mom, but this is one of the funnier ones.)

Now when my DH or kids do it, I start to feel really defensive! They never even make outrageous requests, but I'm to the point as an adult that I don't want anyone to make any requests of me at all. I try to counter that by saying, "While I'm up, do you want..." but it's tough.

Anybody else? Or am I just crazy?

 

[Blueeyes101817]

my grandmother used to do this and it would drive us crazy!
it was more of a game, when she started, we would sit real quick and not stand up again for awhile--we started to "scoot" to move instead of standing and walking--luckily, she doesnt do that anymore!

 

[DisneyNutMary]

This is a pet peeve of mine.
My DH does this- when no one is up!!! He'll say, While you're up, can you bring me some soda. No one is up, and then he has the nerve to be annoyed that no one GETS up to serve him.

My mother raised us not to serve anyone, unless it is our choice to do so- so I am not about to jump up because he's thirsty, and sitting right next to me, equal distance from the kitchen.

 

[Marseeya]

my grandmother used to do this and it would drive us crazy!
it was more of a game, when she started, we would sit real quick and not stand up again for awhile--we started to "scoot" to move instead of standing and walking--luckily, she doesnt do that anymore!

OMG, that is hilarious!!! I bet she got the point!

My big thing was always just not to get up, or only get up after she got up to do something.

 

[laurie31]

Oh dear. I used to do this to my little brother when we were kids. I'd sit at the dinner table nursing the last few sips of my drink, waiting for him to finish his, so when he got up for more I could finish the last of mine, hand him my glass, and say, "While you're up, would you get me some too?"

I don't do this to my kids, though. (I don't do it to my brother anymore either )

Laurie

 

[Just2554]

My boyfriend's mother does this to him all the time. She will be downstairs in the living room and we'll be upstairs in the computer room and she will yell UP the stairs for him to come DOWN and get her something she won't get up to get herself. It drives me crazy.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I hate this. Sometimes I don't get up to go to the potty because I figure I"ll be making somebody a snack and maybe even lose the remote.

 

[Disney Doll]

This is a pet peeve of mine.
My DH does this- when no one is up!!! He'll say, While you're up, can you bring me some soda. No one is up, and then he has the nerve to be annoyed that no one GETS up to serve him.

My mother raised us not to serve anyone, unless it is our choice to do so- so I am not about to jump up because he's thirsty, and sitting right next to me, equal distance from the kitchen.

The proper response to your DH is "But I am not up, so either wait till I get up or get it yourself".

 

[Stitchfans]

guess I am weird, it doens't bother me since we all do it to each other. no one has to do it more than anyone else. it us usually fair

 

[Marseeya]

guess I am weird, it doens't bother me since we all do it to each other. no one has to do it more than anyone else. it us usually fair

Yeah, it wouldn't bother me if it's fair. But when I was a kid, it sure wasn't! We kids could to it to each other, but just for a drink or whatever it was the other person was making. My mom just thought everyone should wait on her, and now that they're older, she's running my dad into the ground.

 

[Micca]

We only do "while you're up" at the dinner table. We only make minor requests like drink refills. I think asking somebody to bring something that actually requires preparation(like a sandwich) is a little out of line.

 

[Mkaz]

I guess I am a weird one too. I don't mind at all. When I was growing up my sister and I would bring our mom coffee, snacks, make a sandwich etc. We didn't mind because she worked her tail off for us. Our dad passed when we were really little so our mom was on her own. There were six of us and we all understood it how rough it was for her. Now that I am married and have children of my own, I do the same for them. If I get up I will ask everyone if they want anything from the kitchen. I never get any huge requests from them so it's no biggie to me.

 

[tevagirl]

my grandmother used to do this and it would drive us crazy!
it was more of a game, when she started, we would sit real quick and not stand up again for awhile--we started to "scoot" to move instead of standing and walking--luckily, she doesnt do that anymore!

 

[figment52]

guess I am weird, it doens't bother me since we all do it to each other. no one has to do it more than anyone else. it us usually fair

Nope you are not alone. We do it all the time and it is pretty much equalizing and no one resents it. OF couse we would never do what the OP detailed.

 

[outstandinfarmer]

I hate that! I very rarely do that, but my mom always used to do it all the time. She'd be sitting in her recliner and say that she was hungry. She would wait until I would get up and then ask me to get her something. Always. It drives me nuts!!!! I say we all get all our own stuff. I call that fair.

 

[LeCras]

After a few years in IT I started thinking my name was "While you're here.."

Charlotte

 

[mick67]

I don't run into this problem much...we all do it in my house and I'm just glad my kids are old enough to get me stuff now too!

It does bring to mind another pet peeve, though...

growing up, I was taught that if someone asked for something at the dinner table, like salt or "pass the biscuits," whoever asked for it got it first. My wife's family drives me crazy because if you ask for something at the other end of the dinner table, everybody digs in while they're passing it to you...you're lucky if there's a biscuit left in the basket by the time it gets to you, 5 minutes later!

 

[edcrbnsoul]

My mother bested that she would we ask if we wanted something "Ed would you like some ice cream" me "ya that sounds great" "good while your up get me some"