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Keeping my hand on the spatula I told myself, “I will say nothing but the truth” and then lied blatantly through my teeth. I felt like the biggest hypocrite there ever was yet felt proud for averting an unpleasant situation. Giving lip service to someone out of societal obligation must be made an enforced offense. 😉
Before you form any opinions about me please be informed that I’m married for over twelve years now. As a new bride I faced the regular ‘teething problems’ most girls coming from independent and progressive backgrounds do. I was amused no end when my otherwise upfront mother advised me to massage my mother-in-law’s ego by being overtly appreciative of her.
This resulted in some cruelly hilarious incidents, at my cost.
“This is a nice bedsheet” meant that I came back home with its hideous counterpart.
“I love this dish” had me getting fed till I could burst open.
“I feel like going out somewhere” was taken as a wish to visit a temple nearby.
“Why don’t we go shopping?” sent us to the grocery shop with our day maid.
You get the gist? *headpalm*
Imagine the horror when one day I decided to actually speak the truth!
“Have I lost weight?” incredulously met with my straight-faced “I don’t think so” and went quiet.
“My son can do everything” had me wondering aloud “Why can’t he still make tea?” and blamed my expectations.
“You don’t respect me” met with my stoic silence. (Murder is a crime even when instigated, at all times after all!) 😀
I’ve gained a reputation of being candid but that saves me from a lot of heartburn and guilt. My friends know that with me ‘what you see is what you get’ and accept me the way I am.
I respect people who are brave enough to tell the truth. That said, making someone feel better with an undeserved but gentle compliment is a gesture of generosity. Good manners and truth are not to be mixed here! 🙂
‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’
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This was a fun post and you had me laughing aloud at the results of your diplomacy.
By now you are well aware of my penchant for speaking the truth, aren’t you?
Even my compliments are genuine, btw:)
You seem to have followed the famous “मध्य मार्ग” and you are right, it keeps conflicts to minimum
Is there any parameter of recording How Loud was that laughter? I am laughing non stop reading this hilarious post V.. especially the last one – You Do Not Respect Me 😉
Truth hurts! No doubt about it, and people want to listen ONLY appreciation in truth. It applies to us all, we always (me for sure) get sulky though momentarily when told a not so appealing truth. Like – if some tell me – you didn’t even lose an ounce of weight after all that ado!! Time being I get offended… but later accept it… yes! that’s true.
Lovely post V, keep writing such delicious posts.
Haha! I can sympathise with everything you have said here. Your post was a delightfully funny read and I could easily identify with your sentiments.
Hi Varsh,
Nice post. what an amazing line “Good manners and truth are not to be mixed here” It is true to the core. It is very difficult if not impossible to mix both of them.
Thanks for sharing this post. Have a good day. 🙂
I am still laughing… wonderful fun post 😀
It was my story I was the same and after the years of doing the same I realised that it was not worth it had the post come few years back I would have been in a better situation
Haha! This post left me in splits. ? Sometimes it is better to keep quiet, especially if you don’t have anything nice to say! ? Great take on the prompt.
Silence is golden, sometimes for us and sometimes for others. 😉
Thanks a lot, Shweta.
I am quite similar – I say what is on my mind, an open book to sorts. People don’t always like it and they want someone to coddle their ego. But at the end of the day being honest is what makes me ME and I totally agree good manner and truth aren’t the same.
I speak my mind too but at times it just isn’t the right time or opportunity. I learned to pick and choose my truths and its working out fine. 🙂
Goodness Lord! You have a way with words. I just super enjoyed this post and had a hearty laugh❤️
Thank you so much! 🙂
Last one look like mine …same to same …You don’t respect me …I always say this …and other person have to read between the lines!!
Even if we speak truth, how many people can take it on their face? Very few and you will be hated forever. So it’s definitely what we can adopt always.
Candid post. You nailed it! Can identify.
Truth is fine, but only when it is served to those who can digest it!
True, not everyone has an appetite for truth. Thanks for reading, Anita. 🙂
I so agree with you! Truly said- ‘That’s an excellent bedsheet meant I came from the background having a hideous counterpart’. Ha ha! Indeed one should massage the ego of One and only but not at the stake of demeaning self. I too suffered with this syndrome which is cured by self now. Very well written article!
We live and learn, right? Glad you’re cured of it just like I did. Now I just say I’ve too many stored and have no space but will carry it with me next time. 😛
My goodness, that was a real fun, the first part and I started pondering over and counting no of times it has happened. It’s difficult to accept truth but their has to be a sheer boundary more so during societal commitments.
It happens with all of us, I think. Its a part of acceptance and maturing in a relation that’s tricky and delicate. The humour makes it a bit easy. Thanks for reading, Jhilmil. 🙂
This post is fun reading and even i can relate everything with my day to day life…Hahaha..Always keep writing such funny posts.
Lol I can definitely relate to this post. Humourous and straight from the heart content here !
Hey Varsha, this is the same case at many homes. At least, I have realized that your can never be your mom in laws favorite for a long time. That roller coaster keeps shifting.
I have a devrani and I know the shifting of favourite part. Just one wrong step and it changes its course. 😀
lol, that remind me of my days. that were humorous dialogues and truth fact. I never dare to speak truth infront of in laws because I know a storm will shake my house,relation and love
We have to find a midway and speak in the right tone and manner when we have to, I feel. I know the storms and they can be nasty. Better to keep it to ourselves in that case.
HaHa! Its good to say what you feel and let other person know the truth. But sometimes people get offended easily. So its always better to say it indirectly. This was a funny read.
The trick is in dipping it in honey and then saying it out loud and hoping that they won’t be offended. 😀
Thanks for reading, Deepa.
Wow… It is so fun to read your post. I can feel your words. Love the way you write every post . Great
Your post was really a funny read keep posting such amazing content frequently. I can relate it with my daily life though
Lol the post was epic and to the point, Loved reading each and every points mentioned, will definitely share it with friends too
Haha. Story of our lives, isn’t it? 😉 Glad you liked it, Charu.
Oh my god! This made me laugh so hard that my granny is asking me if I am alright! This is so true! Sometimes speaking truth puts us in hilarious situations!
Your granny wouldn’t approve if she knew what you were laughing about! 😀
Thanks, Mrinal. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
haha!!! I try n tell truth to others but still there are many instance where unknowingly we lie to ourselves as well as others . loved the way u bought hilarious as aspect
Totally a fun post to read! Ah, I can relate to the being fed till glory. If say – the food is yum!
This is a hilarious post. If diplomacy is shunned, the blatant truth would hurt so many and lead to embarrassing situations. Another great post, Varsha! Loved it!
I had to put it in a humourous way so as not to have any guns pointed at me. 😛
Thank you, Dipali. A compliment from you means a lot! 🙂
Hard reality of life in a joint family. I guess either mother in law or bride has to compromise and speak white lies. Massaging ego is the first art of diplomacy. You did well. I guess best way to handle mother in law may be by managing her son. If you pull the ear, head also moves.