Ball and chain-Vent

Another generalization.

It's not "older couples" who do this.

A select few from every generation will. Because all ages have assaholas.

Ignore them. Cause if you let them get to you, they have succeeded.

So no, it's not funny. People say all kinds of stupid things.

I have had people tell me "Don't get married. Just keep living together like you are." I tell them it's not what I want. Then leave it at that. Don't let them get to you, they just think they are being funny.

Yeah same thing happened to FH, he's a police officer and all the guys in his station are at least 10 years older and married. He told me that every single one of them told him not to get married and there's still time to get out of it, etc. It pissed me off.

People are stupid that's why. Smh. They weren't raised to realize some stuff you just don't say. Ignore them or say "Shame you feel that way about your marriage" That will shut them up. LOL

I think it is annoying too. I had two co-workers say something to me about getting married. One was a guy about my age (26) said "you know marriage is forever? You sure you want to be stuck with the same guy forever?" The other co-worker, much older then me went "another comrade captured."

So it is all ages that can do it. People I think just follow what society has always done. Which in no means makes it right but it happens and it needs to stop because it is annoying!

There are bitter disillusioned people everywhere- and misery loves company.

Everyone getting married hears it- it's icky and unflattering- just disregard and move on. let people be happy for you and the unhappy people will stay unhappy.

Sorry for all the duplicate posts that are popping up on me.

I was standing with the groom, waiting for the bride to come down the aisle, and the groom's father said to him, "You still have time to run!"

Boy, did I give him the stink-eye!

Easy peasy. Learn not to let what other people say, push your buttons. I guarantee we all say things that irritate other people.

Lol! My FH calls me his old lady sometimes especially when we talk about future plans. I don't find that offensive at all. It makes me feel giddy that he sees us growing old together

I hate that too! My mom calls me that because we do everything together. It's irritating but I get past it.

I was more frustrated with the sheer number of people screaming "Dont get married" on my bachelorette nights. My MA party wasn't as bad but I had multiple guys just try to get me to go with them to "show what I'd be missing". My Philly bachelorette people were yelling at me as I was walking down the street.

I have learned a dramatic eye roll and sigh will communicate how much you hate the sentiment.

I think maybe most people are trying to be funny? Not sure, I just really do not worry so much about other people's opinions. If they aren't paying my bills, they are just talk talk talk.

I guess, just make sure they don't get an invite due to the fact they think it is such an terrible idea.

As for the ball and chain. I think it is just a saying and really not meaningful.

The ball and chain comments are part of a wider cultural thing that depict marriage as a moment when men give up something to be tied down. Most people don't really mean anything by it, it's just in the cultural lexicon. Many things people joke about when it comes to marriage are just because marriage is hard, and there are a whole lot of people who get married not appreciating that fact. Perhaps it's a humorous way to acknowledge something true.

What does bother me are the wedding pictures I see staged so it looks like the groom is trying to escape and WP or bride is trying to pull him back. In no way would I go along with such ridiculousness.

ETA: There's a literal ball and chain out in the open as an exhibit at my wedding venue (it's from slavery). I'm hoping I can request that it gets moved out of the room; I just know some of FH's family would make cringe-worthy jokes about it.

I hate the T-Shirt with the bride and groom that says game over. I keep thinking if any of my FH's friends get that for him, I'm going to ask him to give it away. The game isn't over, it's just beginning a new level! It's just people who are unhappy about their current situation trying to rain on your parade. Just ignore and focus on your excitement and connection with your FH!

@AQuixoticBride, "A ball and chain" is literally equating marriage to prison. Prisoners used to have a extremely heavy iron ball chained to their leg so they couldn't run if they tried to escape. Not exactly the type of imagery appropriate for married life unless you're miserable being married. And I've, personally, never heard anyone who is happily married use the phrase.

I work in a nursing home and the missy common reaction I get regarding my upcoming wedding from both residents and nurses is "why on earth would you get married?"

Well, Cornelia, just because your marriage crashed and burned doesn't mean mine will.

My FH calls me ball and chain sometime but he says it applies to him not me

It makes me really sad to hear and see the way people view marriage sometimes.... I feel so bad for them that they have such a negative view of marriage... marriage can be wonderful if you work for it and choose to love the person you vowed to spend the rest of your life with, Right? I mean, isn't that what for better or for worse, means???

I hate it; I hate the 'cute' "last chance to run" signs, the cake toppers with brides dragging grooms, kicking and screaming across the top, and comments like what you wrote.

I find a deadpan, half eyelid stare, straight in the face, is the most effective comeback

People are just stupid sometimes.

DH took a lot of flack from his friends prior to our wedding. He is the first of his friends to get married. I ignored it. It definitely bothered DH way more than it bothered me.

Every generation has it's fair share of idiots and rude/thoughtless people.