Offended by friend’s comments about party food

Ha so true.

I am in my 50s and we entertain quite a lot. I have never tried to ‘shine as a hostess’! Hyacinth Bucket with a dash of the seventies on this thread.

When you go somewhere to eat, you try and eat what is offered and you smile politely and say thank you. That’s it.

And I am also allergic to the phrase ‘picky bits’. Ugh!

Seriously?! You’ve really never seen samosas at a party?!

Exactly! You want things you can snack on and eat with your hands; you don’t want to be browsing an extensive buffet when you’re trying to watch the game. What if you miss a goal while you’re deliberating over dip?

Plus, if you run out halfway, half time is just long enough to cook another couple of trays’ worth without missing any action.

Too exotic! There were mini pizzas, breaded chicken (which I take to be nuggets or goujons or similar), cocktail sausages, chips and mini pizzas. How is any of that exotic? As for the samosas, onion bhajis etc, you do know that the number one favourite dish in the UK for a long time now has been chicken tikka masala?

Yeah I think they will be earning their own money by then, don't you? But anyway, of course I'll be there for then if they need me, age doesn't change that.

Tbh I wouldn't have liked any of that either. Party food is salad bits, sandwiches, crisps, cocktail sausages, scotch eggs etc. Not Indian food

There was nothing at all unprocessed, fresh, healthy or colourful.

OP is neither a dietitian or an illustrator for children’s books.

I wouldn’t particularly want that either but she agreed to party food so would have eaten some to be polite and had something later … although McDonalds is just as cheap and nasty, so … 🤷🏻‍♀️
Just don’t bother to invite again.

Yeah as if! Why didn't she say to her kid she was going to pop into M & S and get some stuff from there instead of McDonalds. As if that's any better? I wouldn't put out M & S stuff for a party with a load of people coming round to watch football. I agree. its not cheap and you get about 4 pieces of everything in each pack If she wanted M & S she should have bought it herself! And told her kid to not be so rude. There wouldnt be a next time if it was me!

There were sausage rolls...

Lots of people don't watch sports, hardly unusual

Incredibly rude entitled people. They sound like need to learn some manners. I wouldn't bother inviting them round again as they sound awful.

But she said she'd go to M&S, which is definitely seen as fancier.

This is not about your hospitality and food it's a about the complete lack of manners and tact of your 'friend'. You know the answer. Invite someone else .next time

People are reading this wrong. The friend wasn't complaining because it wasn't fancy enough, she was complaining because it was too exotic.

In any case it doesn't matter what it is, you act like an adult, eat what people offer and thank them for it!

Just tell her to go fuck herself and hopefully she will read between the lines.

Ok - I personally wouldn’t be a fan of a biege buffet . However I was raised with manners and would never disrespect a hosts food or allow my children to . It’s not my house so not my choice - everyone can find something to eat in that spread. I would have eaten and thanked you for providing hospitality.

What you served is almost irrelevant; the issue is the rudeness with which your guests behaved.

It sounds like they rocked up ready to be fed - nothing wrong with that if that’s what was offered and agreed. But when someone else does the work and provides the food, you don’t make or allow rude comments about it. I’m very particular about what I eat because I have to be, for boring and complicated reasons. I’d have had a couple of bits if there was anything suitable, and had words with my children if they’d dared be rude.

They didn't need to be rude. They could communicate in a very polite manner that they're not fond of that food and if the host has any cheese, ham, greens would be perfect. Crisps. Whatever else.
I am a feeder and when I see someone not eating I ask if they would like something else and I tell them what alternatives I can offer if I have any, I usually have something in the fridge that agrees with anyone. Even a piece of fruit or an ice cream.

The OP was hosting some friends with children for a football match, not an exquisite dinner party. Who says she wanted to “shine as a hostess”? (That phrase is vomit-worthy, honestly)

Who has the time for all that. Much quicker to buy ready made. This isn't a wedding

We went to a family event. It was an Iceland buffet. There had obviously been some lack of communication between the lady and her partner. He put the food on the table and called everyone to eat. The food was straight from the freezer. No one said though, everyone waiting for someone else to. She did not know, one of her own kids told her later why no one ate the food😂

So there was all the beige food you could find. I do think she was rude but I also think you could have put a bit more effort in if you had specifically invited them. There was nothing at all unprocessed, fresh, healthy or colourful. I'd have been very dissatisfied with that offering but woukd have kept my thoughts to myself. Carrot, Cucumber and Pepper sticks with dips. Chicken drumsticks. Cheese and crackers with chutney. Salad and coleslaw, potato salad. None of this is difficult and is much nicer that cheap frozen boxed stuff.

I have just done a buffet and a lot was from guess where.....Iceland 😃 People are odd, not sure what they expect for "party food" ?!

Your friend was very rude. Don’t invite them again.