Backstory: My mom thinks I’m in AA because I once took her to a restaurant that did not have a liquor license. On her last visit, she was convinced I planned to take her to the same place (even though it was a completely different restaurant) and sent a series of crazy e-mails explaining why she refused to go.
I was very clear in our discussion that we are unwilling to go to a restaurant that does not serve wine. Why is that so hard to understand? If you and your husband have taken a vow to abstain from alcohol – then do so. Why punish the rest of us?
The last time we were at X restaurant it was practically empty. It was our group and, at the most, four other people.
So in summary, we thought the food was pedestrian and the room devoid of ambiance. I can make this judgment
because almost every dish served I have cooked with much better results. I am not a professional chef, but definitely know food and what level of cuisine is being served. I think at 71 years of age you all can accommodate my request.
Be thankful I did not inherit my mother’s taste buds and asked to go to the Olive Garden.
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Won’t go to a restaurant that doesn’t serve wine? Maybe she needs to go to AA?
November 21, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Whoa, there, mom! Maybe the wine helps the food taste better?
November 21, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Daaaaym, momma, chill out! Give that woman a glass of wine, quick!
November 21, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I agree with mom. A nice glass of wine makes the dining experience so much more enjoyable. However, if they all went to Olive Garden, she at least could get a glass of wine.
November 21, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I’m with Kim… Mom seems a little touchy about not getting a glass of wine. Maybe she’s the one that needs the AA
November 21, 2009 at 4:13 pm
The only thought I had in this whole post was how sad that mom doesn’t support daughter’s decision to abstain. If daughter is in AA, obviously there has been a problem in the past with over imbibing. So sad………..
November 21, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Maybe you should abstain from your mother. Did she really say “and your husband” instead of using his name? That’s weird, too. Who is the other party in her “we”? Whoever it is, it seems like she’s speaking for him but I wonder if he really feels the same way she does.
Jeez, mom, not every meal has to be OMGamazing, though maybe at age 71 people start to feel that way.
This is really one of the most disturbing “postcard” I’ve read on this site.
November 21, 2009 at 5:33 pm
A person who uses “the food was pedestrian” as a serious, non-ironic, non-sarcastic criticism of a meal is probably going to find something to criticize about any restaurant she is taken to or any meal served to her. Some people enjoy feeling too fancy for their surroundings.
November 21, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Wow……. I feel for the daughter and the woman’s mother! Seems no one can make a right move. Yikes… No one wants their Mom to feel punished and yet,…what’s the big freakin’ deal? To me, the company is the most important thing! I’d rather have my daughter or Mother with me during dinner, wine or no wine! But maybe it’s good that she’s communicating about her expectations… Whew!!
November 21, 2009 at 7:35 pm
This mother sounds like a snob and a bitch. Imagine her opinions on things that are actually important. Yes, I said it because it’s true.
November 21, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Alcoholism is considered, at least in the US, to be a disease. It’s not just abstaining. If this girl was in AA because she had problems with drinking, the last thing that would help was a mother that is selfish enough to overlook that so she can have a glass of wine and some “atmosphere”.
She sounds like my mother, and that ticks me off something fierce. How thoughtless.
November 21, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I didn’t find this one funny at all… the mom obviously has a drinking problem and sorry to the daughter, but your mom’s a royal witch… my mom is menopausal and has better manners!
November 21, 2009 at 10:23 pm
As the author of this post, I want to clarify that I’m not in AA and my mom didn’t use the term “your husband.” I just didn’t want to out my hubby here. I’m sorry if this postcard disturbed people, imagine what it’s like to be ME. :) You can check out more fun quips from my mom on Twitter @whyiamintherapy.
November 22, 2009 at 1:46 pm
PS – The irony here is that she suggested I was in AA because I once took her to a brand new restaurant that had yet to acquire a liquor license. We were able to bring our own wine, btw. AND the other important thing to note is this email chain was all based on the fact that she mistakenly thought I planned to take her back to the same place even though I told her several times I had picked a new place.
November 22, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I know that you probably love her, but she is a very poor listener and kind of mean as well. I think that you can say things nicely even if you’re 71.
Good luck :-)
November 22, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Hilary – that you haven’t killed your mom is a testament to you! Maybe you could set up a mobile IV-drip for her to take to the restaurant of your choice?
November 23, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Hillary,
My mother has moved in with my husband and I (temporarily). I have been going insane with her around. This post and your twitter account have made me feel so much better. I don’t know if it is a case of misery loving company or simply knowing that my mom isn’t the only mother that purposefully tries to annoy her child. Either way, all I can say is THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
December 1, 2009 at 8:07 am
Hilary, your post and Twitter feed finally broke down my resistance to signing up for Twitter. I think we need to make sure our moms room together at the nursing home.
December 2, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I live to find unlicensed restaurants, have you seen the mark up on inhouse wine??? You should take her to White Castle.
December 9, 2009 at 3:31 pm
These posts are usually pretty funny, but this made me angry. This woman has absolutely no compassion for her daughter, and as stated above, if she places alcohol over her daughter’s health and welfare she’s probably the one who needs to be attending AA meetings. Or maybe she just needs to take herself to restaurant and save her family the grief of trying to please her.
December 10, 2009 at 4:27 pm
She seems a little bit crazy – it’s funny if you and your husband don’t have any problems with alcohol but imagine if you did; that would be a terrible situation.
December 10, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Just have mom sneak in a flask next time.
January 10, 2010 at 1:38 pm