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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:
Boreoffwithyournakedpics · 24/07/2024 07:17

I would love to be handed that meal. They were probably upset at the unhealthy crap you served them.

MadameMassiveSalad · 24/07/2024 07:15

SquidgeyB · 24/07/2024 00:59

Well I had friends over at the weekend and made sausages with salads and strawberries and cream.....feeling quite hurt at this post!!

🙊

MumonabikeE5 · 24/07/2024 07:14

I’d be pretty embarrassed to write this on a public forum.
and think your friendship is dead.

was it nice to see your friend?
where they warm and enthusiastic to see you?
if so I think that was the main point of the visit.

Leanmeansmitingmachine · 24/07/2024 07:14

I wouldn’t invite you again.

Tourmalines · 24/07/2024 07:14

Cinocino · 24/07/2024 06:34

I’m sure you won’t be invited, don’t worry.

Edited
Show quote history

I’m not worried .

Werweisswohin · 24/07/2024 07:14

Is there something else going on here @Carefreebie?
The food sounds perfectly fine.

ThePoshUns · 24/07/2024 07:13

Was it a big MN salad?

I think the Op is a wind up with @TheRakesTale stirring the pot.

Tolkienista · 24/07/2024 07:13

For me visiting friends it's all about the company, I'm happy with a cuppa & a slice of cake. 🍰
Cooking stresses me out, so you definitely wouldn't be impressed by my offerings.

dayswithaY · 24/07/2024 07:12

Were you expecting a Vienetta, is that the issue?

Deathraystare · 24/07/2024 07:12

I would be happy someone else made a meal for me! Strawberries and cream is fine by me! Have you had her food before?

Why are you banging on about an hour's journey? That's nothing!

InSpainTheRain · 24/07/2024 07:11

I visit a friend to see them, spend time with them and chat (or do what we've planned). Not assess what a great cook they are! YABVU about strawberries!

FineFettler · 24/07/2024 07:10

You've just given me an idea for tonight's post-barbecue dessert, thanks!

CarterBeatsTheDevil · 24/07/2024 07:09

Personally, I would have brought dessert 😇

Peonies12 · 24/07/2024 07:09

YABU. Your poor friend. I couldn’t care less what the food is - it’s about the company. Sounds like you went way OTT when she visited you.

SlebBB · 24/07/2024 07:07

I have a very varied palate, but the two things I can’t abide are tomatoes and strawberries. So for that reason I agree,

Sandpitnotmoshpit · 24/07/2024 07:01

I had people round the other day and we had a BBQ and then... Strawberries and cream! It was low effort as I didn't have much time that day. However, if I had had time to make a pudding it would just have been a pavlova - strawberries are the star of the show at this time of year. We had a discussion whilst eating them about how much we all love fruit at this time of year and how cooked pudding isn't really necessary because fruit is so delicious. Maybe they were all lying....

Moonshiners · 24/07/2024 07:01

BobbyBiscuits · 24/07/2024 01:35

Even if it was a BBQ, I'd hope for burgers, chicken etc as well as sausages and salad? Desserts don't bother me much and I love having fruit salad at someone's house, but usually a few fruit chopped up so a bit more effort.

But strawberries in season are lovely, and some people hate making puddings. If I was like that I'd ask guests to bring dessert. But overall it does sound somewhat low effort food wise.

They could've served cheeses if the pudding (ahem..and main) were modest?
Even from lidls, nothing fancy if there are fiscal issues on their side. That's no effort but still tasty.

Was there enough booze? Was it fun overall, good convo? Was the food you did have tasty and plentiful? Did they have good music? Were the hosts very present, and did everyone feel included? Was their home pleasant?

If yes to most of those I'd let them off. But just know to eat before I go round theirs next time!

I go and see my friends to see them not their "pleasant house" or worry about cheeses "even from Lidl" which are still pricey.

hopeishere · 24/07/2024 07:01

Sausages and salad is a weird main imho.

Strawberries and cream is fine.

This has to be a wind up.

Exactlab · 24/07/2024 07:01

Not everyone eats the way you eat, or prepares food the way you prepare food.

The meal she served you might have been a special meal in her household and something they don’t get to do often.

I bought cream the other day and it was so expensive!!

Your friend made the effort and your behaviour posting this to mumsnet is utterly deplorable.

Imagine if she were reading this!!

ZenNudist · 24/07/2024 06:59

The dessert is fine

An hour isn't a long journey

rwalker · 24/07/2024 06:58

You went to see a friend you weren’t on come dine with me

Shineabrightlight · 24/07/2024 06:57

Well I've had to stop reading this thread because my mouth is just watering at the thought of the lovely bowl of strawberries and cream!

TheSeagullsSquawk · 24/07/2024 06:57

I think you are right - unexciting. I'd expect a bit more effort as I enjoy making something that people appreciate - that is part of the fun of having people over for me. I guess it's a bit show offy in a way. So presented with strawberries and cream I would clock it like you as no effort but I wouldn't think anything of it beyond 'people are different'.

DrJump · 24/07/2024 06:53

Best not come visit me. I often don't serve dessert even for guest!
I prefer a messy hospitality. I am as I am and will make you feel welcome as I can. Depending on my energy and time you may get anything from home grown and home made three course meal to ready cooked chicken and salad.

CoffeeCantata · 24/07/2024 06:52

OP, I have the opposite problem.

I always make one or more puddings when I have people over and I get sick of the performative 'Oh, gosh - I can't fit in another scrap!' or 'We never eat puddings' or 'Oh that looks stodgy/unhealthy!' 'I'll have to skip food tomorrow!' script.

I'm a very healthy eater, but when I have people over for a meal, I make a pudding. That's pretty much the only time WE eat them! But I always have just fruit as well, mainly to shut up the people who feel they have to recite all the virtue-signalling phrases above. And then, there'd better be plain yoghurt too or they'll lecture me about the cream!!