If you had good friends visiting you for the weekend

[DisappointedOne]

and then your parents arranged a family lunch, would you bring the frIends along (they wouldn't know anyone else there) for the meal or would you just decline the invitation and do what you'd already planned? WIBU?

[FannyFifer]

Decline the invite if I had friends visiting of course..

[putcustardonit]

Decline definitely.

[BolshierAryaStark]

I'd decline.

[AnnaMarlowe]

I'd decline. Very uncomfortable for the guests otherwise.

[pilates]

Decline the invitation from your parents. You can go to your parents for a family lunch anytime surely?

[VimFuego101]

If they hadn't met before I would just decline the family lunch.

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

Decline the lunch

[patterkiller]

Decline the lunch

[AlmaMartyr]

Decline the lunch

[girlywhirly]

The friends visit would be your priority as it was arranged before the parents lunch, you will already have meals planned. Give apologies to your parents, I'm sure they'll understand. Perhaps they will contact you earlier next time to make sure you are available.

[Junosmum]

Decline

[sky1010]

Depends on the friends.

If it was an old friend who I could trust to give an honest 'nah mate I came to see you' or an upbeat 'why not?'- I'd ask them.

Otherwise, I'd decline the lunch.

[Bunbaker]

Just tell them that you already have prior arrangements. Simple really.

[Gatehouse77]

Decline unless you think they'll all get along?

[DisappointedOne]

Thanks. Slight reverse. We happen to be in DH's hometown this weekend for another reason (it's 260 miles away from where we live). Enquired with PIL whether they were around for a cuppa on Sunday (weeks ago). They've suggested going for a meal and invited the rest of the family. BIL and family have friends staying and instead of declining have said they'll bring their friends too. So quick cuppa before we set off for home has become a last minute hunt for a table for 20.

[scarlets]

If the friends are gregarious people, it'll probably be fun.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Well maybe if they haven't seen you for ages they didn't want to decline?

[ifonly4]

You could say to BIL you want to make their friends welcome, so perhaps he would like to choose and book somewhere they'll like!

[DisappointedOne]

That would involve a drive 50 miles in the wrong direction.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

What would?

[DisappointedOne]

Letting BIL choose the location.

[Wombatinabathhat]

Why not just ask the question instead of bothering with the reverse?

[FunkyPeacock]

I would decline unless the friends knew my parents (eg. old school friends) in which case I would ask the friends if they didn't mind if we all went for lunch together

[DisappointedOne]

They don't know any of the family.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Let the pil chose, or you chose if you have a journey afterwards.

I'm not sure why you have a sad face in your post.