Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DP just invited four people to dinner tonight and assumed I'd cook

465 replies

Anthologist · 29/08/2024 16:39

AIBU? DP has a flaky but well-meaning (ADHD) friend who on Tuesday invited DP over to supper at Flaky Friend's house tonight. So today I thought that as I'd be here alone this evening I'd just have leftovers and instead of doing the big shop I normally do on a Thursday, I'd shop tomorrow.

FF invited DP over because FF's rather nice posh French girlfriend was due to be away and they planned to watch some rubbish bloke film they both enjoy. Half an hour ago FF contacts DP and says that FF's girlfriend hasn't gone away as planned so their TV date is off — but tell you what, FF and lovely girlfriend will both come to dinner here instead because FF doesn't want to disappoint DP who was expecting an evening with FF. (FF has a different way of seeing things than most people) DP agrees to this in in my hearing, with me yelling SAY NO at him from the hall. He ends the call and then asks what I've got for dinner tonight...

Now FF's partner is a fantastic cook. She cooked for us a couple of weeks ago and it was special. I'm not a bad cook but I want some notice (and some decent fresh ingredients) before cooking for her. So I say no, no way, cancel, cancel, cancel, terrible mistake — and a few choice suggestions for what DP can go and do to himself. He's shouted back about me being a fun sponge and inflexible and how I'm never happy having people round on an impromptu basis and he'll invite whoever he wants to visit in his own home...

We've only had shouting matches like this three or four times in our 14-year relationship, so this is major and I feel very shaken. I take a cup of tea out to the garden to get away from him for ten minutes. Meanwhile OP is in full huff mode and announces when I come back in that he's organised two other people, one of whom can't eat anything with tomatoes in it and one who's a vegan, to join him, FF and FF's partner for this impromptu dinner. I'm invited, too, if I want to be involved.

I've said I'm not cooking, so DP (who probably cooks three times a month, usually sausages or a burger) has found an online recipe for which we have the ingredients and is now preparing butter bean stew with chilli and peanut butter on rice. Stodge of the highest, brownest, vegan order. I feel really embarrassed in case FF's lovely girlfriend thinks this is something I've planned. I'm always the one who cooks for guests since the day early in our relationship when DP served guests slices of toast with ketchup and cheese on top and insisted it was pizza.

DP says I'm being VU. Am I or do other understand where I'm coming from? Off now to freshen up the cloakroom and bathroom. DP says no need, no one will care — but I do and I imagine FF's lovely French girlfriend will...

OP posts:
justbeingasmartarse · 29/08/2024 17:05

I think maybe you need to give FF’s French girlfriend less headspace.

kindlyensure · 29/08/2024 17:04

Oh gosh it all sounds very stressful.

But.... people need the convivial hosts and they need the loo cleaners. Sounds like you make a great team!

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 29/08/2024 17:04

Natty13 · 29/08/2024 16:46

Sorry I missed it, where is the friend's girlfriend from again?

🤣🤣🤣

OneTooFree · 29/08/2024 17:04

Of course you're not being unreasonable.
Personally, I would have left him a takeaway menu then gone out for the evening with a friend.

1apenny2apenny · 29/08/2024 17:03

He's waiting/expecting you to step in, he thinks you won't be able to cope with him doing it.
I would leave the house now and not come back until they are due to arrive. I would then make lots of comments about how great it is for DH to cook and host!

Maddy70 · 29/08/2024 17:03

Chinese takeaway...
Its really no massive deal

nutroastie · 29/08/2024 17:03

Anthologist · 29/08/2024 17:03

It's the end of the week. Because we live a 25-minute drive from a decent shopping area/ supermarket I tend to shop just once a week and top up where I can — if out and about. The relatives at the weekend ate us out of snacks and 'goodies' and there's no salad or 'potato things' left after the weekend. No potatoes at all, actually, we had baked potatoes last night.

and you did all that prep

and presumably they stayed the night? or taxis?

NiceCutRoundDomeDormice · 29/08/2024 17:03

Natty13 · 29/08/2024 16:46

Sorry I missed it, where is the friend's girlfriend from again?

That’s the friend’s LOVELY girlfriend to you.

Sunnysundayicecream · 29/08/2024 17:03

Just tell him that you have been invited to your friend/family's house for an impromptu meal, what a coincidence!
Ring friend, order takeaway and off you pop!
I would definitely be leaving my husband on his own for this one!

S0CKPUPPET · 29/08/2024 17:03

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 29/08/2024 16:42

Go out for tea, leave him to it.

Apologise to FF, LFG, the vegan one and no-tomato-Jo and say that, as you were expecting DP to be out, you had made plans.

Take a book. Go to the cinema. Have a lovely evening!

This, go out and leave him to it.

Xiaoxiong · 29/08/2024 17:03

I feel really embarrassed in case FF's lovely girlfriend thinks this is something I've planned

This is the crux of it - you need to stop caring what anyone else thinks, it will be obvious that it's not you that planned or cooked this. Just sit at the table like one of the guests and let DP do it all (or do whatever he does when you are the cook).

The cost of hosting his family and drinking 14 bottles of your wine(!?!) is another conversation entirely and probably not one to have tonight. I'm a bit prone to this and when we were younger DH had to have a few conversations with me that in the UK it was ok to split the bill or even accept other people paying for us, we couldn't afford to host every time. I was brought up with the culture where you fight tooth and nail over paying and sneak away to the toilets to pay the whole bill secretly so it was very difficult for me to accept this!

ThatTealViewer · 29/08/2024 17:03

nutroastie · 29/08/2024 16:58

* DP, wonderful generous, convivial host he is, just loves it all. He's not the one cleaning the loos and putting out clean hand towels.*

well he also doesn’t do any of the cooking it would appear

I’m glad I’m not the only one questioning this dynamic.

Anthologist · 29/08/2024 17:03

PvH · 29/08/2024 16:56

Chill. If they come last minute they may be happy there's something to eat. Let him make the food. Ask if you can help with the beans.
My ex's sister and husband once came over. He asked her if she could help me with the food. Of course! She cooks fabulous meals. She's Indonesian. He and her husband were busy with the bbq. She asks me: What can I do? Ehm throw this ready to eat bag of salad in this bowl while I put the potato things in the fryer. She had to laugh so hard.

It's the end of the week. Because we live a 25-minute drive from a decent shopping area/ supermarket I tend to shop just once a week and top up where I can — if out and about. The relatives at the weekend ate us out of snacks and 'goodies' and there's no salad or 'potato things' left after the weekend. No potatoes at all, actually, we had baked potatoes last night.

OP posts:
StolenChanel · 29/08/2024 17:02

YANBU at all. I felt stressed just reading this! The thought of cooking for 4 people would stress me out anyway, let alone last minute AND with dietary requirements. But since you’re not cooking, you can relax, enjoy your DH’s bean stew or pizza toast (😂) tonight and enjoy some company.

AmandaHoldensLips · 29/08/2024 17:02

Join in with the dinner party like the other guests.

"Hello! Welcome! Yes! DH decided to make an impromptu dinner party and I'm fascinated to see what he's cooking for us all! Complete surprise for me too! Would anybody like another MASSIVE gin/wine?"

Then hand over all hosting, cooking and clearing duties to The Man Of The House, sit back, and enjoy.

ThatTealViewer · 29/08/2024 17:02

Anthologist · 29/08/2024 16:50

We live semi-rurally. Chance would be a fine thing. Ditto a takeaway or pizza or Deliveroo. And anyway, we spent £400 at the weekend hosting some of DP's family. They drank 14 bottles of our wine and we picked up a bill of nearly £200 for Sunday lunch. I'm still reeling from that. DP, wonderful generous, convivial host he is, just loves it all. He's not the one cleaning the loos and putting out clean hand towels.

He's not the one cleaning the loos and putting out clean hand towels.

Why?

Honestly, you’ve been massively disrespected here. If I were you, I’d be going out before anyone turns up. Let DH think up an excuse.

Eviebeans · 29/08/2024 17:01

I’m still getting over spending £400 hosting guests at the weekend and still having spare cash to entertain again so quickly

Dweetfidilove · 29/08/2024 17:01

I can't see that it needed to be a big argument that's left you shaken. Sounds a bit mountain out of a molehill.

'That's fine, DP. You can cook for them'. He's already found a recipe he can use which is great.

If this is an otherwise supportive relationship and if the house is not ready, you can both whip round getting it tidy while the meal is cooking.

StopStartStop · 29/08/2024 17:01

DP orders from nearest fancy Indian takeaway.
It will cost him near £1000.
He'll remember not to do this again.
While he's waiting for delivery, he can clean the loos.

NiceCutRoundDomeDormice · 29/08/2024 17:00

Stodge of the highest, brownest, vegan order.

I was totally with you until I read this childish description.

Calamitousness · 29/08/2024 17:00

I’d just order in. Pick your favourite take out and order a variety. Chinese food would be easy. Rices/noodles and a vegan main as well as a non tomato main and a variety for sharing. Easy.

heinzseight · 29/08/2024 16:59

Dear God, go out! I'd be right out of there and down the pub for dinner!

nutroastie · 29/08/2024 16:58

* DP, wonderful generous, convivial host he is, just loves it all. He's not the one cleaning the loos and putting out clean hand towels.*

well he also doesn’t do any of the cooking it would appear

Tiswa · 29/08/2024 16:57

So basically friends girlfriend doesn’t want the hassle so you have been given it

just leave him too it

nutroastie · 29/08/2024 16:57

Anthologist · 29/08/2024 16:50

We live semi-rurally. Chance would be a fine thing. Ditto a takeaway or pizza or Deliveroo. And anyway, we spent £400 at the weekend hosting some of DP's family. They drank 14 bottles of our wine and we picked up a bill of nearly £200 for Sunday lunch. I'm still reeling from that. DP, wonderful generous, convivial host he is, just loves it all. He's not the one cleaning the loos and putting out clean hand towels.

did you eat out for for sunday lunch?