Meet the Parents

[Doctor X]

I enjoy lurking here and reading the many experiences of people. I am somewhat glad that mine to not generally merit a topic.

I heard something interesting. It does not involve a secular person per se, but I think the problem applies. This involved a son of a Jewish friend of me Mum's--who is Buddhist--son . . . not me Mum--or, as his mother affectionately calls him, "My Bu-Jew!"

Well, he had to finally Meet the Parents--see, there is a point to all of this--of his fiance. They are, apparently Bible-thumping, born again, burn in hellfire Christians. Long story short, one of the "relatives" remarked to him:

I suppose you would like to play a fiddle on the roof.

I suppose it could have been worse. I am, as always, struck by the level of insensitivity in any prejudice. He is rather secular in that his Buddhism is secular--does not "worship" the Buddha as an avatar of a deity--and he has asked that his soon-to-be wife that they wait for their children to decide what religion--if any--they want--in other words, not to baptise them. Of course, "the family" may try to circumvent that.

Anyways . . . I am interested in other stories of Meet the Parents/Relatives of lovers, mistresses, who-was-left-when-the-bar-closed and how ye reacted.

--J.D.

[Loren Pechtel]

Originally posted by Doctor X

Anyways . . . I am interested in other stories of Meet the Parents/Relatives of lovers, mistresses, who-was-left-when-the-bar-closed and how ye reacted.


Well, I have the advantage that her family is buddhist. It's never been a problem at all.

On the other hand, I didn't meet her parents until more than 5 years after we married. There was a slight problem of an ocean between us and it wouldn't have been advisable for her to leave the country.

[xxthe_leewitxx]

The very first time I met my MIL-to-be (of course, didn't know she was the MIL2B at the time), she told me all about her ex-boyfriend who had used witchcraft to mesmerize her, and the night that she had gotten caught up with 'satanists' at Paleface Park in Austin. These experiences are the basis of her fundamental (Christian) beliefs. It's only gotten more fun from there! :)

The best one-liner from her was only obliquely religious. Last Thanksgiving was the first time I met the SO's aunt (his mother's sister) when we went to her house for the festivities. I, being the fairly good chef and polite person that I am, brought a dish along. When the aunt complimented me on my berry cobbler, his mother popped in with, 'You know, she cooks with wine!' At this time my reputation with his family was of a wild, crazy party girl (OMG, she drinks, stays up past midnight, and knows what sex is!), and the implication was clear. His father stepped in to tell her that 'the alcohol cooks out' before I could figure out what to say in reply to that, thankfully.

In other news, the SO's youngest sister, who's not quite two yet, got a Scripture Bear for xmas. It quotes different scriptures depending on where you squeeze it! SO calls it the brainwashing bear. I really thought my family was strange until I met his.

[Doctor X]

How can you cook without wine?

Does the "Scripture Bear" quote the parts that demand sacrifice of the first-born?!

--J.D.

[xxthe_leewitxx]

Originally posted by Doctor X
How can you cook without wine?Oh, it's possible, but I don't think you can cook very well without it. You have to remember that we're talking about a woman for whom ranch dressing is a culinary panacea (uck!!). I think she honestly believed that I was cooking alcoholic food or something. When she found out that the SO has a drink every once in a while, her response was "You weren't raised that way!" "What way??" was his question. :rolleyes:

I'm corrupting his innocent mind, that's the problem... (evil Mr. Burns-type voice) Yes, my plan is working perfectly... Now that I've gotten him hooked on the alcohol through my cooking, I can keep him drunk all the time!! (/evil Mr. Burns-type voice) ...or some such.Does the "Scripture Bear" quote the parts that demand sacrifice of the first-born?! If so, I hope it's not taken to heart, because that would be my SO... :D

[adf1972]

Doctor X, are you allowing non-religious but funny "Meet the Parents" stories in this thread too? I have an amusing story -- well, it wasn't amusing at the time, but anyway -- but it doesn't involve religion.

[The Other Michael]

Hello adf1972,

Secular Lifestyle posts need to have some religious/secular element to them. Your story might be a better fit in The Lounge.

cheers,
Michael

[adf1972]

Ah, well. Never mind, then. :o

[Doctor X]

adf1972:

Let me know what thread you post it in. Just last week I condemned Larry King as a "waste of space" "worse interviewer ever"--amongst Larry King fans. I can call this "religious/secular" because he hawks quackery, and caters to frauds like Van Praag, Edward, and Sylvia Brown--in fact any jerk with a "magical power" to, like, you know, make you feel good for a low introductory price.

xxthe_leewitxx:

Congratulations! You will be the Painted Hussy and the Whore of Babylon who corrupted your SO. Include it on your resume.

Anyways, anyone have clever, interesting ways in which the "got out" of the line of fire? With regards to the LK, I despise him so much I went on the attack.

--J.D.