ghoshneha

Some common symptoms that you are as tongue tied in front of you in-laws as a wet rabbit infront of a wild boar:

• You start stuttering and stammering and discover than you can actually speak Peruvian!

• You agree with whatever they say. (Even if that means that your house is too small and their daughter deserves a place to stay)
• You watch saas bahu serials with them because they say it’s “educational”.
• You don’t even let a squeak out when they shove enormous amount of greasy and bland food down your throat!

Fear not! You are not alone my friend!

You are just a part of the every growing clan called:

I rather crawl into a hole and die in fetal position, than to face my in-laws.

Okay, I agree! Some in-laws are total terror to deal with, but brace it guys and girls, it is your fault too! Okay, before you start hyperventilating, hear me out!

Phew!

Now….

There is just life altering word that you need to know before you realize that, the situation isn’t that bad. So brace yourself….here it comes…DIPLOPMACY.

There…I said it!

Usually, before tying the knot, a girl and guy can throw their weight around their parents cry and scream if she/he doesn’t like something, hold their breath till they turn blue, and voila..! All their demands will be met!

But the story is a little different after marriage, isn’t it? Your mother in-law might like that ugly pair of shoes that looks like a reject by a drag queen. Or your father in-law picked up a shiny new shirt for you, which makes you look like Neil Diamond.

So what do you do? Tell them honestly?

NO!

Unless you want to be tagged as “Unappreciative”, “Difficult” or the classic one…”Why did I get my son/ daughter get married to this ungrateful little snip”.

Ouch!

So at the end of the day, the question is what should you do? Since you are reading this article, I am sure that diplomacy isn’t one of greatest skills. So read on…because its time you acquire that crucial trait.

Here are some tips that you should follow:

Ø If you go shopping and she/he picks up something that you hate, don’t tell her directly on the face. Instead tell them that you think it looks good, but also provide them with more options and things that you think will look better. To make your case stronger, get the opinion of other people as well. For example, the sales woman.( Maybe bribe her from before)

Ø Convince her that it was their idea in the first place. Your in-laws might not like what you think, but if you make them believe that the idea was theirs in the first place, they will definitely swoon. For example, “Remember dad, you always wanted a corduroy suit? Why don’t you get that one instead?

Ø Use your smile. And by that I don’t mean in creepy way. Say what you think with a smile on your face. There are two reasons behind that. Firstly, an opinion with a smile will make less threatening and that way you will have more chances of getting your way. So next time, use the potent power of your smile.

Ø Keep giving subtle hints about what you like, hate, what you think is good or bad. Remember, the key word hers is subtle. Don’t go on announcing to the whole world but make sure it reaches the ears of the concerned person. For example, “I have there is a new cooking class which teaches all the gourmet meals. I have heard that they are great…..”

Now these are just some of the tips, but remember to rely on your wit and brain to get yourself out of a tricky situation. Yes, you do have some, I am sure! But at the end of the day, if you think the situation is getting out of control, don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Whats the worst that can happen?

If nothing else, they will respect you for your honesty and not take you as a pretty mannequin.