A petty family argument has turned into a full-on row after a woman was told she wouldn't be allowed to come to her in-laws house for Christmas if she wore a hat. It all started at Thanksgiving, when a 25-year-old from the US wore a black leather cap to cover up a 'bad hair day'.
Explaining the situation on Reddit's Am I The A**hole forum, the unnamed user said: "The holiday was hostile, even more so than prior gatherings I'd been to, and hubby said MIL [mother-in-law] said it was because I wore a hat, but I know it was just an excuse. I told MIL I wouldn't come to Christmas with them, and blocked her number and Facebook."
As a test to see what the real issue was, the woman asked her husband to request that she be allowed to wear the same hat to the next big family gathering, as she had felt "unwelcome" at the last one.
She added: "Hubby said he thought I'd worn it because I had a bad hair day, but this time it's as a statement that they shouldn't treat me as an outsider, either because I wear hats all the time [...] or they just don't like me. If they won't let me wear a hat, what else are they going to restrict about me? Let me be me or I won't come. Period."
As requested, the husband asked his mother, and she asked him why he's "married the devil". The Reddit user continued: "He's growing tense with me and I told him he'll probably have to pick a side sooner or later and that I never intended it that way. He spent last night at a friend’s house because he needed to think.
"I feel bad because I care about him and know conflict stresses him out. I told him to text me when he was ready to talk. He hasn't yet."
In a late addition to the original post, the woman added: "[The husband has told his mother] that if I can't wear a hat, he's not coming either, and that she really should get over her antiquated BS. She did not respond well. I don't think we're going to Christmas there now so maybe we'll have a Friendmas? IDK! We'll think of something."
The story caused intense discussion in the comment section, with some people thinking the mother-in-law was right, claiming it's rude to wear a hat indoors. One person said: "You're literally trying to bait MIL. It's like you want a reaction from her. It's generally considered rude to be wearing a hat indoors/while dining. And 'bad hair day'? It's a family get together. Seems pretty immature to even be thinking about that. I'd expect it from a teenager maybe, but an adult?"
Another said: "Now it just sounds like you're trying to screw with her. Also, a lot of people consider it rude to wear a hat in the home."
However, others think the woman was right to be annoyed. One person said: "The hat is just the excuse MIL is currently using to cause trouble. You have been understanding about compromise and support with your husband. You tried."
Do you think the woman was in the wrong? Let us know in the comments below.
