Making A Badly-Timed Meal Out Of It

(I am over at my parent’s house while they are preparing dinner. My father is a stickler for having dinner at 6:30.)

Dad: “Shouldn’t you be home getting dinner ready for your husband?”

Me: “We don’t eat until 7:30 or 8:00.”

Dad: “What? You should have dinner on the table at exactly 6:30 so that [Husband] can eat on time.”

Me: “[Husband] doesn’t get home until after 7:30.”

Dad: “It’s not right, eating that late.” *my grandmother walks into the kitchen* “Did you hear that, Nanna? They don’t eat until 9:30!”

Grandmother: *looking daggers at my mother* “Dinner should be on the table at 5:30; 9:30 is too late.” *both Dad and Grandmother start leaving the room*

Me: “I never said 9:30; I said 7:30. [Husband] doesn’t get home until then.”

Mum: “Don’t waste your breath; they won’t listen, because everyone else is wrong.”

Me: “What did Nanna give you a dirty look for?”

Mum: “Because I am not home early enough for her dinner time.”

Me: “But you work until 5:30 and have half an hour drive to get home.”

Mum: “Exactly; I am supposed to tell [Store Owner] that he needs to close the store by 4:30 so I can get home to cook dinner.”