You know, my mates always used to say that this fellow was unlucky with his wife, but even unluckier with her parents.
So, the girl came from a well-off family and she never went without. She got sent to a proper nice university and her folks sorted everything for her. Once she graduated, she went out to work, but all the money she made went into her own account for herself. Her dad was actually quite chuffed about this always went on about her capital building but never missed a chance to have a go at his son-in-law for not bringing in enough for the household.
Hed say stuff like, You ought to be the backbone so my daughter can stand strong behind you. Will you be able to look after her if she falls ill? Have you got enough saved to take her on a holiday abroad?
Money worries had never even crossed the newlyweds’ minds, they were perfectly happy sharing what they had. But the father-in-law just couldnt let it go, making a point of having a pop every time they met. It got bad enough that the poor bloke started dreading every get-together, always trying to come up with reasons why he couldnt make it. He even hoped to skip the father-in-laws birthday, but his wife dragged him along by the ear, made him sit at the table and smile at all her dads fancy friends.
During the party, one of the women suddenly piped up and asked, So, what exactly does your son-in-law do, work-wise?
And the birthday boy, with a sneer, went, Oh, hes just a civil servant brings in a few pounds, nothing more. Its really my daughter holding the whole family up…
Eventually, the man just got fed up with being mocked like that. It wasnt only uncomfortable it felt humiliating.
He stood his ground, Firstly, Im not just a regular civil servant, I lead a planning team, and secondly, my salarys not peanuts. Everythings paid for together, you know? I cant just click my fingers and become managing director or start buying your daughter mansions and fancy cars. If youre really so worried about your daughter, then why didnt you help us buy a house?
At that, the father-in-law just grinned, humming to himself happily. You could tell he almost enjoyed winding him up.
Anyway, later on, after the candles and cake, while the bloke stepped outside for a smoke, the father-in-law followed him out.
Not bad, actually, he said, sounding thoughtful. Youre definitely getting somewhere. You know your worth, you can stand up for yourself about time. If you just sit there being patient all the time, youll never move forward.
The bloke realised then that his father-in-law had been deliberately pushing his buttons to see what hed do under pressure. Turns out, putting someone in their place and standing up for your boundaries is worth just as much as a fat bank account. From that night at the birthday do, he started getting a lot more respect from the in-laws hed finally proved he wasnt a pushover.
