To think you should eat outside in summer

Some people simply attract more flying insects, get bitten more and react more unpleasantly to their bites. Body chemistry and all that. Don't assume that just because your own perception is that there aren't many bugs about (and if there are, they are no big deal) lines up with your relatives' experience!

It’s not a matter of ‘should’, it’s down to individual preference. I like eating outside, but I’ll avoid it if there are insects around especially wasps/flies, seagulls or pigeons, or if it’s windy. Especially now at the end of summer when there seems to be more wasps around. They are a total fucking nuisance, you turn away for a second and one could crawl in your drink. Surely you are spending plenty of time outside together not eating?

Even of every single.perspn who responded on here agreed with you, it still wouldn't mean he had to do it.

Yes, it would be nice.

I camp for most of my holidays because I love being outside, cooking outside, eating outside. It's the only way I feel truly rested from the rest of life.

But other people would disagree because we all like different things.

my garden is full of fennel and I still get wasps, although for me, the bigger issue is mosquitos. I react badly to bites and I seem to be the one who gets singled out to be bitten

on what planet?

why if she doesn't want to?

Some people like eating outside. Some people don’t. It’s really not that deep.

Then go inside. They both clearly have a preference. If you want to eat together, do it inside if it’s important to you.

It's lovely to sit outside and eat, I'm amazed they want to go in. Whenever we go to the continent people sit outside at restaurants and pretty much no one sits inside unless there's no other space. I think it's just England where people are paranoid about wasps and insects.

All you have to do to avoid wasps is to avoid sugary drinks. They're much more interested in coke or lemonade then they are in meat and veg!

I detest eating outside because of insects etc, tho I would come outside with just a coffee and sit with you.

We have a lovely garden and patio to sit at but we rarely eat there. Too many wasps in particular this summer. We do sometimes have lunch out there, especially on days I wfh but honestly it’s just a bit of a faff. And our patio comes straight off our kitchen but still it’s easier to eat inside.
We also end up eating quite late most evenings, 8:30-9:30 is not uncommon for us, and it’s usually chilly by then and now it’s definitely getting dark or actually dark so not really an option for evening means anyway!

For wasps, one way to stop them bothering you is to plant fennel. My fennel plants are covered in wasps, who seem to leave me alone.

I like to eat outside … sometimes. But sometimes I don’t feel like it, partly because moving all the lunch stuff outside is more of a faff than leaving it in the kitchen. Then afterwards it’s a faff to bring the stuff back inside.

If the expectation is that we should always eat outside in summer then it becomes a bit like we should have a roast every Sunday, we should be outside whenever it is moderately sunny.

There's no "should" about it. People are allowed their own preferences. I personally like eating outside in the summer (as long as it's not too hot) but it's not something I feel I must do by any means. If your husband and your daughter prefer eating inside then it's not a shame that they're not doing something they don't want to do.

Eat outside if you want. Let them eat inside if they want. If you want to do something together, pick something you all want to do.

I don't think it's a shame. It's his Choice, a basic human right! YABU he doesn't need to justify what he prefers to do

deathly allergic to bees and wasps, swell stupidly with mozzies but not a massive issue. We live in the Caribbean , so still , eat indoors if it is just the two of us, have a massive bug zap light on the wall on patio, so if we have guests and are outside, that is on. Food attracts the stingy fuckers. Happy to sit out in the evening watching tv (relax, no neighbors close enough to hear it) under the ceiling fans on the patio, have a glass of wine, and chat. But put a bit of food on the dining table out there.. yup stingy fuckers.

I really don't enjoy eating outside. Flies, wasps, insects in general. Just makes me feel really yucky.

The wasps have other ideas. It’s not relaxing batting those stripes feckers away every few seconds.

The wasps have other ideas. It’s not relaxing batting those stripes feckers away every few seconds.

I get it Op. DH and I love eating outside together.

Sorry, but I don’t feel relaxed eating outside either. It’s not as comfortable as inside; the table and/or chair is usually wonky or the table is planked so things fall down the gaps or are uneven; the chairs aren’t comfy and/or are the wrong height; there’s always some annoying bloody fly, if not wasp, buzzing in your face, trying to land on your food, or drowning itself in your wine.

Perhaps compromise? See if your DH will sit outside with a drink and nibbles, then go indoors for his main course, or come out for dessert and coffee, or maybe have a simple breakfast or lunch outside. Your DD might be persuaded by not having the TV on when she eats indoors and having a special cushion/glass/treat food outside.

But - YABU not to understand that some people don’t find eating outside as nice as you do.

I hate eating outside. I dislike the bugs not just those that bite but ants too
I dont care for eating seated in hard or over soft chairs and often a table that doesnt suit the height of the chairs.

I will happily sit with a drink(that I have a cover on)

I do at times eat out if others prefers it but no I dont think it is "nice"

Compromise is the key here

Not for him, no.

The IDEA of doing many things out of doors is usually way better than the reality! Eating outside is one, as is making love in a sandy dune ( the bloody sand gets in all your nooks and crannies) or a mossy glade in a forest (ants everywhere) a walk across a planted field (think Flake advert) and those sharp stalks get everywhere too). There's a reason outdoor activities are not too popular!

Don't mind sitting outside but eating is a no no, would much rather sit indoors.

The only time I would eat outside is if I am out somewhere (work) having my packed lunch sandwiches.

You call it the best part

I call it a nightmare.

Some of us are legitimately much more sensitive to bug bites/sun