So, I’m 27, my girlfriend’s 27, and we’ve been together for about a year. I’m not originally from Canada (been here 8 years), and my English is generally good, but every now and then there’s that one word that completely screws me over.
Last weekend was the big moment: meeting her parents for the first time. I was nervous as hell. Like, sweaty palms, rehearsing polite small talk in my head, the whole thing. I really wanted to make a solid first impression.
Her parents were super lovely. classic, polite, small-town Canadian vibes. Her mom (let’s call her Susan) is one of those super efficient, no-nonsense women who’s just on it all the time. She had dinner totally under control pouring wine, barking (friendly) orders at her husband to grab the bread, making sure everything was perfect. She was hosting like a total pro.
We sat down, the food was amazing, and me—wanting to be charming and compliment her for being so organized—say, with my biggest smile:
“Susan, honestly, you are such a dominatrix in the kitchen. Everything’s amazing!”
The entire table went DEAD quiet.
Her dad literally paused mid-bite. My girlfriend’s eyes went huge. Susan just stared at me with this frozen smile like her brain had left her body for a second.
I’m sitting there, thinking I’d nailed the compliment, and after what felt like an hour of silence, my girlfriend kicked me under the table hard and muttered, “WHAT did you just say?”
I was confused as hell, like, “What? I’m saying she’s super in control like a boss.” My girlfriend’s face: absolute horror.
It wasn’t until later, when we were in the car driving home, that she explained what dominatrix actually means. I nearly crashed the car from how hard I was cringing. I had no idea I’d just called her mom a leather-wearing BDSM mistress in front of her whole family while eating chicken parmesan.
I haven’t stopped replaying the moment in my head ever since. Pretty sure her dad hasn’t either.
Safe to say, I won’t be living this down anytime soon.
TL;DR: Tried to compliment my girlfriend’s mom for being super in control in the kitchen. Accidentally called her a dominatrix over dinner. Kill me now.
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Backup of the post’s body:
So, I’m 27, my girlfriend’s 27, and we’ve been together for about a year. I’m not originally from Canada (been here 8 years), and my English is generally good, but every now and then there’s that one word that completely screws me over.
Last weekend was the big moment: meeting her parents for the first time. I was nervous as hell. Like, sweaty palms, rehearsing polite small talk in my head, the whole thing. I really wanted to make a solid first impression.
Her parents were super lovely. classic, polite, small-town Canadian vibes. Her mom (let’s call her Susan) is one of those super efficient, no-nonsense women who’s just on it all the time. She had dinner totally under control pouring wine, barking (friendly) orders at her husband to grab the bread, making sure everything was perfect. She was hosting like a total pro.
We sat down, the food was amazing, and me—wanting to be charming and compliment her for being so organized—say, with my biggest smile:
“Susan, honestly, you are such a dominatrix in the kitchen. Everything’s amazing!”
The entire table went DEAD quiet.
Her dad literally paused mid-bite. My girlfriend’s eyes went huge. Susan just stared at me with this frozen smile like her brain had left her body for a second.
I’m sitting there, thinking I’d nailed the compliment, and after what felt like an hour of silence, my girlfriend kicked me under the table hard and muttered, “WHAT did you just say?”
I was confused as hell, like, “What? I’m saying she’s super in control like a boss.” My girlfriend’s face: absolute horror.
It wasn’t until later, when we were in the car driving home, that she explained what dominatrix actually means. I nearly crashed the car from how hard I was cringing. I had no idea I’d just called her mom a leather-wearing BDSM mistress in front of her whole family while eating chicken parmesan.
I haven’t stopped replaying the moment in my head ever since. Pretty sure her dad hasn’t either.
Safe to say, I won’t be living this down anytime soon.
TL;DR: Tried to compliment my girlfriend’s mom for being super in control in the kitchen. Accidentally called her a dominatrix over dinner. Kill me now.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Hopefully your gf can explain the situation, or you can just say “I’m so sorry I got the word wrong” and you all can laugh about it… honestly I’m surprised nobody burst out laughing in the moment where you OBVIOUSLY did not know what you were saying.
I’m so sorry this happened to you but if it were me I’d be giggling at this! It really isn’t a big deal and they shouldn’t make it out to be more than it is. You were trying to give a well-intended compliment. They should understand that even if your English is good, you may still have some mix-ups. Your girlfriend should explain to them what happened. This shouldn’t be an embarrassing moment at all, you were being kind.
Maybe she was surprised because she really is one?
Honestly I love the idea of repurposing the word “dominatrix” to compliment women. 😂
Remindme! 3 years
Yall are getting married
Plot twist: she is literally a dominatrix in the kitchen and she and dad were worried you found out.
As a mother myself, I can only hope my children’s future significant others have a good sense of humor because I would be laughing and crying. I would also invite them over again in a heartbeat.
Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has those days.
Nope!
Silence is all but admission.
Should of asked Mom for some bread… Then said thank you Ma’am, may i have another!
You will be fine. Blame it on Google translate.
It would be funny, next time you show up, Susan has a whip in her hand.
I would have lost it if my daughter’s bf did this. I grew up around immigrants so I am aware that sometimes they just use the wrong words. I once told my sign language teacher I like his big boob’s once by mistake. It happens to the best of us.
Just explain the situation or have your gf do it.
That is hilarious though and thanks for the laugh.
I would have commented that the leather apron was a dead giveaway! 😆
RemindMe! 1 year
Why would you use a word you don’t know the meaning of infront of people you don’t know? If I was her dad I’d think you’re a dumb jackass tbh. Oh well, I’m sure they’re not impressed. Hopefully you can come back from it, first impressions and all.
You have to marry her now, so that the family can lightly tease you for the rest of your life.
I’m shocked your gf didn’t step in right then and there. Would have made a great ice breaker for the rest of the evening.