Number ONE! (UPDATED)
(UPDATED, to add that we finally got copies of Hub`s brother`s wedding photos in the mail yesterday, and imagine my surprise that the bride apparently wore only a Western-style wedding dress -- even though she was marrying into a Kyoto Nishijin family, that has made kimono for generations! When Hub and I married, I wore a kimono designed by one of Hub`s uncles to our reception, because I knew how much this would matter to the family. At the very least, I think the new DIL should have donned traditional attire for a photo op, and I`m kind of amazed that this didn`t occur to her.)
I called my mother-in-law yesterday, in Kyoto.
"How is Hub`s younger brother`s wife?" I asked. His younger brother, as you might remember, was married last summer, and their first baby is due in October.
"I don`t know -- she never calls me!" said my MIL.
Wow -- I was astounded. She was complaining to ME, the gaijin DIL, about her Japanese DIL. So after all these years, I guess I`m the number one daughter-in-law, because I compare favorably to number two.
Later, she commented that she noticed in recent photos and videos that I have lost weight. "You look much better," she told me. "You only need to lose about 10 more kilos."
Wow -- that`s the kind of comment my own mother would make. So maybe I`m an honorary daughter.
"She really likes you," said Hub. "She wouldn`t have said that about your weight if she didn`t like you."
Hmmm. Would it rude to tell her to go back to the distant, feigned politeness she showed me for 16 years?
Yeah....I guess it would be.
I called my mother-in-law yesterday, in Kyoto.
"How is Hub`s younger brother`s wife?" I asked. His younger brother, as you might remember, was married last summer, and their first baby is due in October.
"I don`t know -- she never calls me!" said my MIL.
Wow -- I was astounded. She was complaining to ME, the gaijin DIL, about her Japanese DIL. So after all these years, I guess I`m the number one daughter-in-law, because I compare favorably to number two.
Later, she commented that she noticed in recent photos and videos that I have lost weight. "You look much better," she told me. "You only need to lose about 10 more kilos."
Wow -- that`s the kind of comment my own mother would make. So maybe I`m an honorary daughter.
"She really likes you," said Hub. "She wouldn`t have said that about your weight if she didn`t like you."
Hmmm. Would it rude to tell her to go back to the distant, feigned politeness she showed me for 16 years?
Yeah....I guess it would be.
posted by L. at 10:30 PM
8 Comments:
too bad, though, hey....
could be worse? grasping at straws here i guess.
My mil was something like that but I ended up being her favorite in the long run.
She's probably still praying for me though.
Wow! Having been a long-time reader of your blog, that just sounds weird, L. Maybe she's suffering from the onset of early Alzheimers? Anyway, congrats on being #1!
You're #1! You're #1. hahaha I hope she is not ill.
That really cracked me up. You're been accepted and so now there is no escaping the tactless expressions of concern! I remember when my Korean mother gave my best friend in high school unsolicited advice about clearing up her severe acne. When I tried to explain my mom's faux pas to her, she got mad at me because she was "only trying to be helpful!"
I'm sure this will endear you to the new SIL. I can hear it now, "that L is such a GOOD DIL. She even calls me from the United States."
I realize it's annoying but I think your husband may be right. Remember that old saying that "it's when Japanese stop complimenting your Japanese that you know it's really good?" This is probably similar.
It only took 16 years and another DIL to reach #1! Yay!
Post a Comment
<< Home