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AIBU?

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Original poster

Travelled to friend's house for dinner, just strawberries for desert - AIBU to think it's low effort?

660 replies

Carefreebie · 24/07/2024 00:44

On the weekend my partner and I travelled to a friend's house for dinner. The journey was over an hour by train.

The main course was sausages with nice sides (potato salad, tomato salad, another salad). That was nice.

But desert was just strawberries with some pouring cream.

We had a nice time, but AIBU to feel that the desert was very low effort and unexciting, and should have been more exciting than strawberries given the journey?

When my friend came to mine, I did a 3-course meal, feeling I should make a big effort because of her long journey.

OP posts:
YOYOK · 24/07/2024 09:16

llamajohn · 24/07/2024 08:13

OP would hate me... We last had friends a week ago, we just did sausages, hot dog roll, onions and cheese and for after we all had a Magnum 😂

Honestly, that sounds perfect. I hope you had a white magnum though cause they’re the best!

Isitovernow123 · 24/07/2024 09:13

Carefreebie · 24/07/2024 00:54

I'm not meaning to say I ever hope for super impressive food. I just find a bowl of strawberries very unexciting.

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So, rather than being a friend problem, it’s a you problem?

FeralSpoonie · 24/07/2024 09:13

YABU. First because in-season strawberries and cream is one of the most delicious creations ever placed upon this earth, and just because something isn’t complicated to make doesn’t mean it isn’t thoughtful and appropriate.

And secondly because you’re a moaning ingrate for having been given a lovely meal and good company with friends and to find something so dull and silly to complain about. Hard to imagine a person could have a home cooked meal with friends and instead of feeling filled up with joy and camaraderie feel sulky that there wasn’t a cooked pudding, but it clearly takes all sorts.

Noshowlomo · 24/07/2024 09:12

Just strawberries- bit basic

strawberries and cream - yum!

Respectisnotoptional · 24/07/2024 09:12

The strawberries sound fine, but who eats sausages and salad!!

IdLikeToBeAFraser · 24/07/2024 09:11

Op and others on thus thread turning their nose up at this menu.... have you never watched a posh cooking show?! Simple ingredients, seasonal, prepared well are the holy grail of posh dinner parties. I cannot believe there are complaints about a simple, beautiful, seasonal dessert.

Cinocino · 24/07/2024 09:10

Do you ever just think most people are sane, reasonable people and then you see a thread like this where multiple people rage because a friend dared to serve them strawberries as a dessert and you just think what the fuck is wrong with the world?

betterangels · 24/07/2024 09:10

CocoPlum · 24/07/2024 09:09

Haha no it was sarcasm!! I'm always so happy to see my friends I don't care what we ate 🤣

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Ah. Sorry. It's difficult to know on here sometimes!

CocoPlum · 24/07/2024 09:09

betterangels · 24/07/2024 09:05

Why? Did you not like her? People on here are so incredibly strange about friendships. And food to be fair.

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Haha no it was sarcasm!! I'm always so happy to see my friends I don't care what we ate 🤣

Jk987 · 24/07/2024 09:08

HoorahhoorahTheyaregoingaway · 24/07/2024 09:04

I would think it was rather kind that my friend cooked for me I wouldn't expect a dessert.

Me too! What's up with some people?

Jk987 · 24/07/2024 09:06

Just when I think I can't be shocked anymore at mumsnet posts, here is another one.

So ungrateful! sounds like a delicious meal and healthy tasty dessert too. An hour is not a long way and surely you're going to spend time with good friends not for the cuisine!

betterangels · 24/07/2024 09:05

CocoPlum · 24/07/2024 08:52

I drove for 3 hours to my friend's house and we got a takeaway, she didn't even cook. Ghosted.

Why? Did you not like her? People on here are so incredibly strange about friendships. And food to be fair.

mitogoshi · 24/07/2024 09:05

Strawberries and cream are a nice seasonal dessert, can't see the problem. Sausages unless unusual ones seem a weird thing to serve with salad though

HoorahhoorahTheyaregoingaway · 24/07/2024 09:04

I would think it was rather kind that my friend cooked for me I wouldn't expect a dessert.

2Blackbirds · 24/07/2024 09:03

Fresh British in season strawberries , delicious !

Good enough for people to eat at Wimbledon Tennis at extravagant prices.

Nor good enough for dinner ?

Ginmonkeyagain · 24/07/2024 09:02

One of our very favourite restaurants to go to on holiday is a seafront place that serves simple fresh grilled fish, skewers of meat and spiced sausages and massive fresh salads with sides of crusty bread. It is always rammed and it is perfect food for warm summer evenings.

Dotto · 24/07/2024 09:00

There's more to life than performative cooking. Why would you be unimpressed with a good friend's offering? Be fucking grateful.

Delatron · 24/07/2024 09:00

Honestly I think when people go to loads of trouble - 3 courses, homemade pudding - it puts pressure on people to reciprocate to that level.

I’s be happy with low level or even a takeaway. I just want to see my friends.

I tend to make an effort for the main course and do nice nibbles but I can’t bake so my desserts tend to be crap. Something like shop bought merangue with berries and a sauce. Or some chocolate or a cheese board. Nobody seems to mind (I hope).

TheShiningCarpet · 24/07/2024 08:58

This is a you problem

janeintheframe · 24/07/2024 08:57

soupfiend · 24/07/2024 08:49

Im finding this a massive eye opener about how odd people are about food

All this talk about 'low effort'.

We regularly eat in good restaurants abroad and food is simply presented, hams, cheeses, olives, nothing done to them because nothing needs doing to them

Bread with some olive oil and tomato

Same with strawberries and cream

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I think for some folks like the op it’s all about the food and what they are getting. It’s not about company or friendship, it’s about what food they are getting.

janeintheframe · 24/07/2024 08:56

WingSluts · 24/07/2024 08:56

Sad and quite bizarre to lose a friendship over something so trivial.

I really hope when I’ve done a low effort meal for friends because I’ve had stuff going on and not been up to it, or more focussed on actually spending time together, they’ve not been thinking of ditching me.

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The poster was clearly taking the piss.

WingSluts · 24/07/2024 08:56

CocoPlum · 24/07/2024 08:52

I drove for 3 hours to my friend's house and we got a takeaway, she didn't even cook. Ghosted.

Sad and quite bizarre to lose a friendship over something so trivial.

I really hope when I’ve done a low effort meal for friends because I’ve had stuff going on and not been up to it, or more focussed on actually spending time together, they’ve not been thinking of ditching me.

Wideskye · 24/07/2024 08:56

I was planning on going to the local pick your own for strawberries and raspberries for our guest tonight.
I am obviously lazy.

janeintheframe · 24/07/2024 08:55

Good grief, it never fails to surprise me how low level horrible folks can be. These people invited you to their home. They think you’re their friend, clearly wrongly, and instead of you thinking it was an evening of good company with your friends and food, you’re complaining the dessert wasn’t good enough??

do her a favour, instead of bad mouthing her behind her back, break contact

AngelusBell · 24/07/2024 08:53

lifesrichpageant · 24/07/2024 05:31

I get quite anxious when "entertaining" and one of the reasons is because of attitudes like this. So many of us are not skilled in the kitchen or have limited budgets. As someone who serves strawberries and cream often as a dessert, this post makes me feel a bit sad.

I’d love to be offered strawberries and cream and would appreciate them.