We all have that one friend who has a mother that we can’t stand. Maybe she’s rude, nosy, bossy, or just plain annoying. But how do you deal with her without being disrespectful or hurting your friend’s feelings? Here are some tips on how to politely insult your friend’s mother without getting into trouble.
Use humor. Humor is a great way to diffuse tension and make light of a situation. For example, if your friend’s mother is always criticizing your appearance, you can say something like “Oh, thank you for your fashion advice. I always appreciate your unique sense of style.” Or if she’s always bragging about her achievements, you can say “Wow, you’re so accomplished. You must have a lot of free time on your hands.”
Use backhanded compliments. Backhanded compliments are statements that sound nice but actually imply something negative. For example, if your friend’s mother is always interfering in your friend’s life, you can say “You’re such a caring mother. You must worry a lot about your son/daughter.” Or if she’s always trying to one-up you, you can say “You’re so talented. You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Use sarcasm. Sarcasm is a form of irony that expresses the opposite of what you mean. For example, if your friend’s mother is always giving you unsolicited advice, you can say “Thank you for your wisdom. You always know what’s best for me.” Or if she’s always complaining about something, you can say “You’re so lucky. You have such a perfect life.”
Use passive-aggressive remarks. Passive-aggressive remarks are statements that express your displeasure in a subtle or indirect way. For example, if your friend’s mother is always inviting herself over to your place, you can say “You’re always welcome here. You make this place feel like home.” Or if she’s always talking about herself, you can say “You’re so interesting. You have so many stories to tell.”
Remember, the goal is not to hurt your friend or start a fight with their mother. The goal is to vent your frustration and make yourself feel better. So use these tips sparingly and with caution. And don’t forget to apologize if you go too far or hurt someone’s feelings. Or don't, your friend's mom probably liked it just like your mom did after I was with her last night.