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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:
WestSouthWest · 24/07/2024 06:52

You are being ungrateful. The meal you were served sounds lovely for a light summer dinner. It’s been quite warm and muggy for the last few days and most people don’t want anything too heavy for pudding, especially after having a meal. Strawberries and cream is actually a perfect choice for this time of year and strawberries are in season.

MattSmithsBowTie · 24/07/2024 06:50

I’d be delighted with strawberries and cream, very traditional around this time of year. I’m not sure I’d be impressed with sausages and a tomato salad though 🤷‍♀️

ContentSolitude · 24/07/2024 06:49

It sounds like a low effort but perfectly fine meal. Maybe that was all she could manage for whatever reason. I wouldn't worry about it. Did you travel to go and visit her and spend time in her company, or to get a fancy dinner? I go to visit people and don't care what I get fed. That's not the important part.

Vettrianofan · 24/07/2024 06:49

You're right OP, how disappointing 😞

It should have been strawberries and ice cream.

Maraa · 24/07/2024 06:48

Ahhh you just reminded me of how nice strawberries and cream is! That’s me sorted later!

TheRakesTale · 24/07/2024 06:46

Freakwave897 · 24/07/2024 06:43

Wow. So much entitlement about.

I am always happy to see my friends.
And they have busy lives so I don’t expect three course extravaganzas.

If someone has gone to the trouble of fixing a date, and inviting me in to their home, then I am grateful.

And if there is the added bonus that they have cleared a space at their table, bought and prepped food for me, then I am happy.

What’s wrong with seasonal fresh fruit? Nothing better imho, a classic summer pudding. Unless you’ve been watching too many episodes of Masterchef?

And as pp have said, you could have always brought some special biscuits or something with you if you wanted to be sure of eating fancy food,

Bloody hell, I would be ecstatic if someone served me artic roll!

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Nothing entitled about being invited to dinner and expecting dinner
I am sure you and your friends are very happy. Good on you

Perfect28 · 24/07/2024 06:46

You are rude and ungrateful.

PurBal · 24/07/2024 06:45

Strawberries and cream is a great dessert, although I prefer clotted cream.
Strawberries from the Strawberry Line in Somerset: heavenly and bloody expensive.

hastingsmax · 24/07/2024 06:44

Did you turn up arms aswinging?

piscofrisco · 24/07/2024 06:43

Wowzer.

Freakwave897 · 24/07/2024 06:43

TheRakesTale · 24/07/2024 06:12

No, the OP is not. They expected an adult meal, not a kid's lunch

Show quote history

Wow. So much entitlement about.

I am always happy to see my friends.
And they have busy lives so I don’t expect three course extravaganzas.

If someone has gone to the trouble of fixing a date, and inviting me in to their home, then I am grateful.

And if there is the added bonus that they have cleared a space at their table, bought and prepped food for me, then I am happy.

What’s wrong with seasonal fresh fruit? Nothing better imho, a classic summer pudding. Unless you’ve been watching too many episodes of Masterchef?

And as pp have said, you could have always brought some special biscuits or something with you if you wanted to be sure of eating fancy food,

Bloody hell, I would be ecstatic if someone served me artic roll!

ForGreyKoala · 24/07/2024 06:42

spikeandbuffy · 24/07/2024 02:10

I live alone and cook every bloody meal. Would be grateful if someone made me toast at this point Grin
I would even settle for a cup of tea I didn't have to make
An entire meal made for me would be undying gratitude

Same here!

SpareHeirOverThere · 24/07/2024 06:41

I think you've missed the point of friendship.

GnomeDePlume · 24/07/2024 06:40

Were they her own strawberries? Picked herself? If so that is a lot of effort!

RosesAndHellebores · 24/07/2024 06:40

There's nothing wrong with strawberries and cream. I might have served the strawberries with good quality vanilla ice cream and a flake.

The sausages and salad would have irked me more but because I don't care for sausages.

Perhaps your friend doesn't have lots of spare cash and isn't a confident cook.

A dear friend of mine who entertains generously is not a cook and generally does a selection of bought bits (quiche, ham, bread, salad, olives, cheeseboard and a bought pudding). It matters not a jot.

Hobbesmanc · 24/07/2024 06:38

If the sausages were really good quality grilled on bbq and the salads were lovely potato salads and coleslaws etc then this would be a great light summer lunch. Fresh berries and cream is a hugely underrated dessert. I'd like maybe a shortbread with it mind you.

ForGreyKoala · 24/07/2024 06:38

I would be delighted to be offered strawberries and cream in summer.

What an ungrateful post. I hope the day never comes when I criticize anyone who invites me for a meal. I visit friends mainly to enjoy their company - any food is a bonus.

Droolylabradors · 24/07/2024 06:37

rosyvalentine · 24/07/2024 01:01

I'd be delighted with that dessert. I love strawberries and cream. Much better than some sugary or processed rubbish! And perfect for summer. But I'm not a big fan of sweet desserts to be fair.

This! I went somewhere for dinner last year where pudding was 3 very sweet roulades (from the shop) plus a cheeseboard.

I managed some Stilton and handful of grapes. I'd never choose an overly sweet pudding even in a restaurant, even Michelin starred.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 24/07/2024 06:37

spikeandbuffy · 24/07/2024 02:10

I live alone and cook every bloody meal. Would be grateful if someone made me toast at this point Grin
I would even settle for a cup of tea I didn't have to make
An entire meal made for me would be undying gratitude

I long for beans on toast ( or anything ) if someone else would make it!

babyproblems · 24/07/2024 06:34

Curious to know what meal suggestions those who are outraged would find appropriate to offer to a friend coming for dinner!!!

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 24/07/2024 06:34

YapYapMeow · 24/07/2024 01:41

'Over an hour' on a train. that's hardly a long journey.

My friends are travelling for about 20 hours to visit me in a few weeks. I wonder what they're expecting to eat. 🤣

For Gods sake don’t buy strawberries

DGPP · 24/07/2024 06:34

i hope my friends aren’t all like you, her meal sounds nice

MagneticSquirrel · 24/07/2024 06:34

This can’t be a real post!

“Over an hour by train” so just over an hour that isn’t a long journey at all! That’s less than many people’s commutes to work!

I would be grateful been fed at all, strawberries with optional cream is a nice healthy dessert, even if it’s had been 3hrs on the train one way!

Did you take wine, flowers, a gift for the host or offer to bring anything for dinner before you visit?

As PP said it’s the company not the food

Cinocino · 24/07/2024 06:34

Tourmalines · 24/07/2024 06:29

This

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

paradisecircus · 24/07/2024 06:34

OMG you travelled OVER AN HOUR to get to your friend's house and were only given sausages and strawberries.
What a lot of effort you made OP, and what a lazy friend they are.
Hope that's what you wanted to hear?
YABU.