An auction can be an incredibly fun way to raise money for charity or to have the opportunity to purchase unique items that you don’t usually have access to. But sometimes, people take these events a little too seriously and end up getting competitive about what they want to win.
When one woman paraded herself around an auction claiming that she wanted to win a vacation for her son, many bidders understood. But when someone realized that the woman had been lying all along, they made it their mission to see her lose. Below, you’ll find all of the drama that was posted on Reddit, as well as some of the replies that amused readers shared.
One woman claimed that she wanted to win a vacation for her son and his wife at an auction
image credits: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels (not the actual photo)
But when other bidders realized that she was lying, they decided to do anything they could to make her lose
Image credits: TheFlyingPigSquadron
Readers were appalled by the mother's behavior, and many applauded the author for her efforts
Later, the author shared an update on the situation
Image credits: cottonbro studio/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: TheFlyingPigSquadron
The author also responded to several replies from readers
Readers were thrilled that the mother's plan to win the trip failed
Finally, the author returned with one last update
Image credits: Masood Aslami/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Image credits: TheFlyingPigSquadron
There's important etiquette to follow when participating in an auction
Image credits: Towfiqu barbhuiya/Pexels (not the actual photo)
If you’ve never attended an auction before, it would be understandable if you had absolutely no idea what you were doing. It can be stressful trying to get your bids in fast enough without spending more than you’d like to. So when it comes to auction etiquette, Clive Clemson says timing is everything.
Being in a convenient position where you can hear and see everything is important, and it’s wise to be aware of any fees that may come up too. You may need to put down a deposit on the item immediately if your bid is successful, as well as an administrative fee and potential taxes.
But perhaps the most crucial thing to keep in mind is making sure you know your limits. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in the moment and overbid. Then you may have major regrets later, especially if additional items come up later in the evening that you’re more interested in, after you’ve already spent your entire budget.
If you get outbid, don’t be disheartened. You have to go into the auction knowing that that’s a possibility and accept defeat when it happens. As frustrating as it may be, that item was never yours in the first place, so you’re not entitled to it.
Now, in this particular story, the author was involved in a silent auction. These may seem much less chaotic, as there’s no speed-talking involved, but they can still become overwhelming if bidders are extremely competitive.
Bidders shouldn’t ever intimidate others or pressure others to let them win during any auction, but there are often more opportunities for this during a silent auction. Bidders are walking around and socializing during the auction, so there’s a chance that participants won’t be on their best behavior.
Many people have a difficult time getting along with their spouse's mother
Image credits: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels (not the actual photo)
Unfortunately, this behavior can be even worse if the person is already an entitled, overbearing mother-in-law. It’s no secret that many people struggle to get along with their spouse’s mother, but thankfully, ChoosingTherapy has some advice for how to make the relationship more amicable.
First, they recommend setting necessary boundaries. She’s not entitled to all of your time or energy, regardless of what she says, so you have the right to set strict boundaries about when and where you’ll see her.
It might also be helpful to examine the reasons behind an overbearing mother-in-law’s behavior. If you can understand where it’s coming from, you might start to empathize with her a bit more. And you might even be able to predict or prevent bad behavior.
Regardless of how poorly your mother-in-law behaves, remember to maintain your own self-respect. You don’t need to sink down to her level, even if you’re tempted to.
As difficult as it may be, the better option is to simply accept her for who she is. You may want to keep your distance and keep interactions short, but if you accept that you can’t change her, a weight might be lifted off your shoulders.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this situation in the comments below, pandas. Were you happy to hear that the mother-in-law didn’t win the trip to Cancun? Feel free to weigh in, and then, you can find another Bored Panda article featuring mother-in-law drama right here.
Again, readers couldn't believe the audacity of the mother
