My grandmother is in her seventies and for years she has been embarassing the family by not excusing herself when she is gassy. She seems to have no concern over where she is at the time~ in a grocery store, church, at the dinner table when everyone is eating, etc. It is always a gamble to take her anywhere, and an even bigger gamble to bring someone new home for a holiday thing. As if the farting weren't bad enough, she never says "excuse me" or anything, either.
This has got to be the strangest question on here, but my family and I are at a loss for something to do. When we have tried in the past, she whines about a sickness years ago that "triggered" this, like that makes it ok to be crude in public.
Any ideas?
2007-03-17 22:58:17 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I know that it is not the end of the world, and it does not prevent us from going anywhere with her, we only wish it was not so mortifying sometimes.
Thanks to those of you who are offering helpful answers!
2007-03-17 23:53:57 · update #1
Say "Excuse me" for her and move on with the conversation. Get past the moment. She is probably too embarassed to own up to it being her or she doesn't care. Either way it is obvious her behaviour is not going to change. If you are absolutely embarassed with someone new, warn them ahead or time, although you run the risk of looking petty, rather than her looking out-of-control or crude.
Also, there comes a point where you decide that flatulence is a small matter when you love someone, embarassing or not. In all reality it is only social stigma and it's not like she is streaking through the park or telling everyone your potty-training stories.
Besides, this is a woman who might be gone in a couple of years. Do you really want to look back and think, "I didn't go anywhere with Grandma, or really spend time with her because I was too busy caring about what other people thought."
2007-03-17 23:46:48 · answer #1 · answered by meraphetamine 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a really common thing you see as people age. My mother is getting older and she has the same issue. There's not alot you can do about it, they will do it no matter what and probably say "It's part of human nature" or "everyone farts" or "I have to do it because it make my stomach hurt or makes me feel ill to not release the gas". My husband is the worst offender, I swear like 15 or more times a day and there is nothing I haven't said, he just doesn't feel compelled to say excuse me or leave the room.
2007-03-18 07:29:16 · answer #2 · answered by Tell me something useful 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey. . . let her do it, why don't you believe her story how it all began! at that age, her guts may let wind loose for sure!! and if buddies find it disgraceful and disgusting, its a pity, unfortunate. They should visit some country I know in the East where it is no big deal!!
2007-03-18 06:55:08 · answer #3 · answered by ari-pup 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's 70 +, right? She was born before television existed and probably worked like a dog all her life. Let her fart wherever the hell she wants.
2007-03-18 06:08:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yours too. My grandma farts all day. I don't think we can do anything except laff. You can try to control what she has access to eat.
2007-03-18 06:48:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry till she starts defecating in those places! chill out-she's probably doing it on purpose to aggravate the lot of you
2007-03-18 12:35:25 · answer #6 · answered by connor g 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We all do it. At that age why bother being discrete.
2007-03-18 06:22:40 · answer #7 · answered by Lolipop 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋