Just say YES!!
MIL: Hello, come in, would you like a cup of tea?
Me: Hello, not at the moment thanks, I just need to ....... (
whatever I've come to do)
MIL: Oh yes, well would you like a cup of tea or coffee?
Me: No thanks, I've just had one. Do make one for yourself though.
2 minutes later, from the kitchen
MIL: Did you say tea or coffee?
Me: Nothing for me thanks.
MIL: OK. Sorry, I've forgotten, did you say tea or coffee?
Give in, give in, she WANTS to make you a cup of tea
Me: I'd love a cup of tea.
MIL: Did you say sugar?
Me: No sugar thank you, just milk.
MIL: No I never have sugar in tea, just a little bit in my coffee.
Wait for it, wait for it..........
MIL: I've made tea, did you say you wanted coffee?
Me: No tea would be lovely thank you.
MIL: I've just made a cup for myself, you can have this one and I'll make myself another one.
MIL: I haven't put any sugar in it though, I never have sugar in tea, just a little bit in coffee.
And again, wait for it .......
MIL: Oh, I've made tea. Shall I make you a cup of coffee instead?
Me: No thanks, tea is fine for me.
I walk through to kitchen and pick up cup of tea
MIL: There's no sugar in that. You did say you wanted tea not coffee didn't you?
Me: Yes, thank you this will be lovely.
MIL: So how's your day been?
Me: Fine thanks but I'm feeling a bit tired now, let's sit down and have our tea. I'll take yours through shall I?
I walk back from kitchen with two cups of tea
MIL: I had a cup of tea around here somewhere. I expect it's cold now. Let me make you a fresh one.
Me: This one's fine thanks.
Takes a slurp
MIL: Are you sure, because I can make you a fresh one?
Me: I like to let it cool down a bit.
MIL: Oh I like my drinks really hot.
Pause, slurp....
MIL: This tea's gone a bit cold now but I like to let it cool down a bit.
Me: Me too. Lovely cup of tea Mum. Thank you.
Bless her darling hospitable soul.
The first thing MY mum used to say when I visited her was "put the kettle on and make ME a cup of tea".
I was brought up to wait on my elders and betters so I constantly find it uncomfortable to have MIL waiting on me. I would never accept her offers to make me a drink in my own house - I always made an excuse. And she was brought up with mums being mums, looking after everyone else, so she finds it really hard to let me do things for her. I think she accepts my help with better grace than I did hers.