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Original poster

Offended by friend’s comments about party food

807 replies

LinsMum22 · 28/04/2025 20:45

We hosted my friend, her husband and three kids yesterday afternoon. Our sons are in the same football team and we said we’d put some food on at ours after and watch the Liverpool match who they both support. My friend agreed to party style food being the best option as everyone could pick at it as and when.

Amongst other things, there was - Indian selection, tempura prawns, sausage rolls, mini pizza’s, mini sausages, chips, breaded chicken. So a good mix all from Iceland where we’ve had positive comments on the food before.

I could tell my friends’ youngest looked unimpressed when they tried one of the items, and pulled a face to my friend. She made no
attempt to get them to try another item and basically said ‘I know’. I noticed five minutes later she had barely ate anything herself either.

15/20 minutes later, the youngest moaned again and this time my friend said ‘don’t worry, we will stop at McDonald’s on the way back as I’m hungry too.’

I text her after they left to say sorry if they didn’t enjoy the food. She replied to say they didn’t realise it would be that sort of food and that they’d have got something else before coming round if they realised!!

AIBU to find this really snobby and ungrateful? The fact she then took the kids to get a McDonald’s makes no sense!!

OP posts:
TweetingHurricane · 29/04/2025 12:52

PrincessofWells · 29/04/2025 11:29

I wouldn't touch food from Iceland because I HAVE good taste 🙄

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Snobby as hell… Princess is a good name for you 😂

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 29/04/2025 12:48

You won't touch carbs? So that rules out brown rice, quinoa, all pulses, all fruit (because of the sugar content), all milk and dairy products (ditto), bread made from stoneground wholemeal flour/rye, oatmeal, barley, all potatoes and other root vegetables, honey? Must be very restrictive.

Bbq1 · 29/04/2025 12:47

soupyspoon · 28/04/2025 21:20

Love the way samosas and tempura prawns are slagged off as boring beige food. Tell that to whole continents.

Agreed! I think Iceland party food is really decent and as good as any other supermarket. To the posters wanting crusty bread, fruit and veg sticks, it wasn't a full buffet just a few kindly prepared snacks to watch during the football. What a rude obnoxious woman and child. I would be very offended.

PrincessofWells · 29/04/2025 12:45

ruethewhirl · 29/04/2025 11:43

Yet you’d consider it in ‘good taste’ to turn your nose up at the food?

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No not at all. As I said up thread, I wouldn't touch it but it would be very rude to say anything. I'd just say I'm not hungry, had a late breakfast/lunch or something along those lines.

It's not about being snobby, I eat only fresh food, I won't touch upf or carbs. I certainly wouldn't touch meat if I don't know where it's from.

Emilysmum90 · 29/04/2025 12:44

Calliopespa · 29/04/2025 12:30

It’s fine not to like Iceland frozen food. That doesn’t actually make you snobby.

Its just not fine to make it obvious when you are a guest of someone serving it.

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Yeah this 100% tbh. It isn't that difficult to just take a few bits of food, push it around your plate somewhat but not actually eat much. You don't actively comment that you don't like the food, wtf is wrong with people?
Your friend is a nasty rude twat.

We laid on a nice range of buffet food for DC's birthday party, and one set of guests decided to go out for a 3 course meal down the road from our house beforehand, which they then talked about in great detail whilst ignoring all the party food. I was really surprised how much that upset me. Some people have no manners, awareness or usually both.

InWalksBarberalla · 29/04/2025 12:41

IwasDueANameChange · 29/04/2025 06:52

Along my mates people would actually cook/prepare fresh food, it would not be the norm to host & offer up trays of oven baked beige.

It would be:

  • charcuterie/cheese/fresh bread, lots of salad, fruit etc
  • freshly cooked barbecued meat, side dishes
  • freshly cooked good quality pizzas for children
  • pulled pork rolls and salad
-Veg sticks & hummus definitely

There would always be fresh veg/salad/fruit and sides made from scratch etc

And you are doing all that between the end of the kids footy game and the game you are watching on TV? Guessing you aren't joining everyone watching the match.

PrincessofWells · 29/04/2025 12:41

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 29/04/2025 11:33

And you would communicate this to your host how, exactly?

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I wouldn't, that would be rude.

Calliopespa · 29/04/2025 12:40

ImFineItsAllFine · 29/04/2025 12:37

It’s fine not to like Iceland frozen food. That doesn’t actually make you snobby

It does make you a bit snobby if you've never actually tried it.

Though in fairness I think they did try it because that was what occasioned the comments they made.

But I agree: people who just don’t like the idea of the brand are snobby.

MonsteraDelicious · 29/04/2025 12:40

Macaroni46 · 28/04/2025 20:54

But surely, even if you were expecting different food, you'd have the manners not to say anything and to teach your DC to do the same!

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100%.

Bad manners from friend and kids.

No leg to stand on with MacDonald's as preferable alternative 😆

ImFineItsAllFine · 29/04/2025 12:37

It’s fine not to like Iceland frozen food. That doesn’t actually make you snobby

It does make you a bit snobby if you've never actually tried it.

PinkPonyPugClub · 29/04/2025 12:32

I find the Iceland snobbery hilarious. They are brilliant for loads of things, not just chicken nuggets. They made the best frozen sofrito mix, then took it away from me.

And frozen party foods are often less processed than fresh ones because they don't need preservatives to extend their shelf life.

Enjoy going to her place next time OP. Demand caviar.

Americano75 · 29/04/2025 12:31

Unbelievably rude, and I wouldn't invite her again.

Calliopespa · 29/04/2025 12:30

76s · 29/04/2025 12:27

Your ‘fiend’ is really fucking rude op. So are the snobby people on here ‘not like Iceland food’.
if anyone in life prepares you food whether a piece of toast, a banquet, a buffet- even if not to your taste, you are (or act) grateful ffs. It’s basic manners. I’m angry on your behalf. I would be very grateful x

It’s fine not to like Iceland frozen food. That doesn’t actually make you snobby.

Its just not fine to make it obvious when you are a guest of someone serving it.

Cherrytree86 · 29/04/2025 12:29

Trovindia · 29/04/2025 12:23

Have you made it today's mission to shit on people for no reason? My kids know how to budget and I'll always ensure they have sufficient funds to eat properly, bless your heart.

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@Trovindia

what about when they’re 54? Will you subsidise them to make sure they can have a whole array of out of season fruit and veg to hand at all times?

p.s relax, I’m not shitting on you - it’s mumsnet, it’s really not that deep!

PrettyPuss · 29/04/2025 12:28

None of this really adds up and I would have to wonder if her son is a fussy eater and she is embarrassed by it. They are obviously not that particular if they were going to stop for a MacDonalds on the way home.

76s · 29/04/2025 12:28

Friend

Cherrytree86 · 29/04/2025 12:27

derxa · 29/04/2025 10:39

These MN scenarios are beyond belief. Do people really have these conversations? The main purpose of the afternoon was to enjoy the football.

Exactly!! People can be so food focused, it’s ridiculous! The key thing in that situation was watching the football and being social . The food was an aside that Op was kind enough to spend her money on

76s · 29/04/2025 12:27

Your ‘fiend’ is really fucking rude op. So are the snobby people on here ‘not like Iceland food’.
if anyone in life prepares you food whether a piece of toast, a banquet, a buffet- even if not to your taste, you are (or act) grateful ffs. It’s basic manners. I’m angry on your behalf. I would be very grateful x

BoogieBoogieWoogie · 29/04/2025 12:26

Nina1013 · 29/04/2025 10:04

Those mini frozen pizzas do not taste like a ‘normal’ pizza, sorry! They’re pretty vile. They don’t even taste like normal frozen pizzas.

Again, just my opinion, and I would have been tactful, but I wouldn’t and couldn’t have eaten this food and I don’t think it’s fair to force feed a child something they genuinely don’t like.

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She had told her in advance what she was serving! 🙄

Trovindia · 29/04/2025 12:25

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 29/04/2025 09:29

No worries about food miles, then. Out of season strawberries and blueberries have to be flown in from hot countries thousands of miles away.

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We do plenty for the environment in other ways, so I'll consider it offset. But do feel free to share your locally sourced, plant based diet and UK-based holiday plans, plus your sustainable transport options and no-buy lifestyle details as I'm sure we would all love to learn from you.

Trovindia · 29/04/2025 12:23

Cherrytree86 · 29/04/2025 09:25

@Trovindia

ahh, it’s gonna be a rude awakening for your kids when they go to uni and learn how expensive it is to buy so much fruit and veg, not to mention the effort it takes to buy it all in fresh all the time! I bet they’ll see a sandwich as lunch then!

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Have you made it today's mission to shit on people for no reason? My kids know how to budget and I'll always ensure they have sufficient funds to eat properly, bless your heart.

Cherrytree86 · 29/04/2025 12:17

BoogieBoogieWoogie · 29/04/2025 12:06

OP had spent the morning watching her kid play football. She may have wanted to watch football on the TV too afterwards. Where's the time to cook from scratch??

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@JudithOnHolidayAgain

Live a little! There really is no need to cook from scratch for every single occasion! Free up a bit of time for ‘me time’ for yourself -
You matter too!

Cherrytree86 · 29/04/2025 12:15

aCatCalledFawkes · 29/04/2025 09:11

I have turned up to countless parties/BBQs where food like this is being served and just got on with it best I could. With some friends I might turn up with dips and crudites as I know they won't of thought about them but would call it a contribution along with a bottle of something.
But I would never in a million years makes comments about food "like that", it's rude and not cool at all.
Also I think your friend is bonkers for making a fuss, going to mcdonald's and then suggesting you bought M&S party food. We had M&S picky bits for my sons birthday last night as M&S is easier to get to in my work lunch break and it's not exactly fat free or healthy.

Edited

@aCatCalledFawkes

you are so brave

BoogieBoogieWoogie · 29/04/2025 12:06

JudithOnHolidayAgain · 29/04/2025 07:41

Each to their own.....but I cook from scratch and wouldn't eat or serve frozen processed food.

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OP had spent the morning watching her kid play football. She may have wanted to watch football on the TV too afterwards. Where's the time to cook from scratch??

SunnySideUK77 · 29/04/2025 11:55

HellDorado · 29/04/2025 11:19

I think something you’re missing because you’re offended though, is that some people cannot choke down something they don’t like to be polite (I’m one of them. I couldn’t eat what you served if my life depended on it).

The drama of it all! “I just couldn’t choke it down…” 🙄🙄

If your life really depended on it, you’d be pushing old grannies out of their zimmers to get to those Iceland samosas before they did.

What a way to fall of this mortal coil.