According to custom, today is the day for married daughters to return home with their husbands and children for a family reunion. However, it has also become the most awkward day for many sons-in-law, especially those from other places. On February 11th, the hashtag "The Unique State of Sons-in-Law Visiting Their Mothers-in-Law" became a trending topic, with people noticing that sons-in-law all over the country seem to behave the same way when visiting their mothers-in-law!
Wandering around the village entrance, idly playing with the dog!
Is this the standard procedure for sons-in-law visiting their mothers-in-law's house?
They look unfamiliar, are well-dressed, don't understand the local dialect, and when you meet them they just smile foolishly and offer them cigarettes. They wander around the village slowly and aimlessly. If you see such strange men at the village entrance these days, don't worry, they are not dog thieves, they are just sons-in-law from other places.
They loitered around the village entrance, doing nothing, idly watching the sky and the ground to pass the time, hoping to finish their meal soon and go home. Their mother-in-law's dog was their best friend.
Some netizens, in order to prevent their father-in-law's dog from not playing with them, simply brought their own dog to pet. Meanwhile, the sons-in-law who didn't have a dog to play with were rather lonely and could only chat with some chickens and pigs.
Old son-in-law VS New son-in-law
Being able to do the work and be good at handling situations are the ultimate skills.
However, netizens pointed out that these people who seemed out of place were all new sons-in-law, while the old sons-in-law had already taken over the gambling on New Year's Eve, and the sensible sons-in-law even let their fathers-in-law win money.
Many experienced sons-in-law also shared their experiences, saying that new sons-in-law shouldn't feel awkward. There are many ways to make things easier, such as: do things as soon as you see them, sweep the floor several times, say nice things, and offer cigarettes to everyone you meet.
Some "socially adept" sons-in-law choose to actively join the fray, going wherever there are many people, chatting with them, and trying to integrate themselves.
Some sons-in-law are "eager to help," doing everything at their mothers-in-law's house—fixing light bulbs, herding cattle, cooking, playing mahjong—adapting to local customs and proficient in everything, earning high praise from their mothers-in-law.
A good son-in-law is not only sweet-talking, calling his mother-in-law "Mom" this and "Mom" that, but also takes the initiative to trim his father-in-law's nails, making his father-in-law very happy. He is a model son-in-law.
Out-of-town wives also have something to say
Have you ever experienced similar awkwardness in fitting in?
Seeing the trending topic "The typical situation of sons-in-law visiting their mothers-in-law's house" on social media, some wives from other places said that they felt the same way and were filled with awkwardness during the Spring Festival.
Some netizens also commented that at this time, sons-in-law should be more understanding of the difficulties their wives face when spending the Lunar New Year at their husband's family home. Everyone should be considerate of each other and put themselves in each other's shoes during the Lunar New Year.
Today is the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Did you go back to your parents' home?
When visiting relatives and friends during the Chinese New Year,
Have you ever experienced the same awkwardness of integrating as a son-in-law or daughter-in-law from another region?
