2 weeks ago my son and his wife bought a 4 room HDB near the place i live in. After settling down they invited us for a small party for the occasion.
We sat for dinner and talked about the house a bit. I, my husband, and my daughter-in-law continued conversing after my son excused himself to take an important call. My daughter-in-law showed me the original key to the house and I asked if she made copies yet and she said no. I said she should and also give one copy to me as well. She looked at me funny and asked why she should. I explained that it is necessary so that it could be used in emergencies. she rudely said “I don’t know what kind of an emergency that would require you to have a key to our house, sure won’t be a fire incident!”. She obviously didn’t seem to have any idea that a fire incident wasn’t what I meant and I got offended by her sarcasm.
I pointed out that it’s not just her decision because this is my son’s house as well. She smiled at me trying to be polite and stated that only the ones who contributed towards the house get a copy and that I really don’t need one anyway. Also assured me that my son will have the same answer for me.
Basically saying “Don’t bother to bring this up with my son, he’ll tell you the same thing” but I did and she spoke on his behalf the entire argument repeating what she said over and over. Things escalated to her calling me pushy and me telling her she was being unnecessarily rude and disrespectful.
My husband and I left in a rush and I felt horrible. My husband went on and on about how paranoid and controlling I was to basically be “demanding” a copy of the key to the new house but again I stated that I was just trying to be helpful and taking extra precautions since anything could happen but he insisted I overstepped and ruined my son and my daughter in laws joy for their new house as well as dinner.
I genuinely do not think what I said was out of line and I’m not sure why daughter-in-law reacted so intensely. I think my request was innocent.
What do you think?