I’m Kana, 32. I live with my husband Kota (36) and our son Yusuke (5). My in-laws live about 15 minutes away by train, and my parents are about the same distance by car. We mostly see my own parents—because unlike my in-laws, they’re not stingy or pretentious, and I can actually relax around them.
The other day, we went out to eat with Kota’s parents, and they ordered the cheapest course on the menu. It was such a miserable experience that I blocked their numbers and told Kota I didn’t want any more contact. Today, we went to a big shopping mall with my parents, with Kota driving.
Yusuke called Kota’s parents “stingy,” and my dad completely lost it. Yusuke had been so excited to go out to eat with everyone, but after my dad’s shouting and the cancellation of dinner, he started crying. Honestly, what’s so wrong about him telling the truth?
Last time, my in-laws were so cheap that Yusuke couldn’t eat what he wanted. And now, after getting his hopes up about going out to eat, we’re canceling again—it’s just cruel. So, while Kota drives my parents home, I’m planning to take Yusuke to our usual shabu-shabu place instead.