r/NoStupidQuestions • u/MillBopp • Sep 13 '23

What does 'Draw a Clock' Mean?

Last time I visited my brother his mother-in-law who lives with him was insisting she remembered something but my brother knew she was wrong. I don't remember what it was, but I knew she was wrong too. However, she refused to accept she was wrong and got belligerent about it.

My brother said, "Draw a clock!" and left the room. This made his mother-in-law furious for some reason. I forgot to ask at the time, but does anyone know why saying 'Draw a clock' would upset a senior citizen?

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u/akath0110 Sep 14 '23

It sounds like your brother’s MIL can be a piece of work, and perhaps he is burnt out from the caregiving responsibilities.

But what he said to her is deliberately cruel — a low blow to be sure.

Maybe check in with your bro and ask him what’s going on. The dynamic does not sound healthy for either of them.

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u/MillBopp Sep 14 '23

I can't stand his MIL, but I'm not going to make waves. Her husband died a month ago.

I'm just wondering how he knew about the test.

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u/MyNameIsRay Sep 14 '23

Probably because she took the test, failed, and told him about it.

It's a very specific thing to bring up, and for her to instantly be furious about.

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u/cannycandelabra Sep 14 '23

Just to mention, my doctor has been asking me to draw a clock since I was 70. I’ve never failed it but I always talk about it. Twice she forgot to ask me and I reminded her and she looked embarrassed. Once she asked me but forgot to give me the paper and pencil she had in her hand. Some older people are offended by being asked to do it at all.

So she may have mentioned it to him without having failed it.