To think you should eat outside in summer

I will not eat or drink outside under any circumstances due to insects. I also absolutely hate hot weather so do my best to avoid sitting outside in the summer for any length of time, I certainly don't think I'm missing out. I'm outside lots in lovely autumn and winter, that's my time!

I hate eating outside I hate flies and wasps and they make eating dinner stressful rather than enjoyable. I used to hate it as a kid when my parents made us eat outside when the summer is nice. It always sounds like a lovely idea in theory but the whole meal is spent swatting flies or running from wasps. I dont think there is anything wrong with letting them eat indoors and they can join you outside again after when their meal is finished

If youre insistent on eating together, eat inside.

As PP said, there is no 'should'.

I hate eating outside. I never do it. Flies, wasps, heat, sun in my eyes despite sunglasses. Nope nope nope. Everyone has their preferences

Nope. I'm indoors eating all my meals. I don't want to be interrupted by neighbours or flies or wasps or getting too damn hot to eat. Or my salad wilting and the mayo going all warm and bleurgh.

Give me until the middle of next month when it's darker much earlier and cooler, you'll find me sat in the garden with some crackers and cheese watching the bats whizz about.

Horses for courses!

Im with your husband, who wants to eat their food with flies and wasps .

Listening isn't a strong point, is it? It wouldn't be nice if someone hates having flies buzzing around them, no. Personally I would be outside. But that isn't for everyone, I don't feel the need for others to agree with me, and I cetianly wouldn't be trying out manipulative "wouldn't it be nice..." statements to get people to agree with me when they don't.

YANBU

I love nature and having large garden back home, we ate outside only when there were guests ...not sure why

Here is a flat in central city, no balcony. I'll adopt a bench and eat next to a tramp

This

then go inside.

Yes, I think it's a shame to always sit indoors when there are many more months of autumn and winter than there is summer. I also think it's a shame that your DH can't compromise and eat lunch with you sometimes. But I think the biggest shame is your DD eating in a dark room watching TV when there's glorious sunshine and a pool outside.

You keep saying ‘it would be nice’, but clearly it wouldn’t be nice for them because that’s not what they’re choosing to do. Nice for you is not automatically nice for someone else. Insects around food are a common, valid reason to not want to eat outside.

If you want to eat together, go with the majority vote. More of you want to eat inside, so if being together is important, inside is where you should be.

It is often too bright to sit eating outside, so I generally prefer inside.

But it would be better if you said you prefer to eat outside. Trying to make out like they’re wrong and should basically do as you say is never going to go well.

You have your preferences and they have theirs. Why do they have to do their least preferred option just to please you? Why is their preference less important? Why are they and their comfort less important than you and your comfort? It’s their holiday too.

Nope. Hate bugs

I'm in the UK and we've had a fabulous summer where I am ... we've spent most of our evenings eating in the garden. I love it, and so does DH thankfully. Not sure what I'd do in your situation tbh. Eat on my own I suppose with a book. I really haven't seen many wasps or flies.

Summer is short here and we'll soon be back to dark evenings and rain so I'm making the most of it.

I think this thread just shows it’s all about personal preference.

I think I’d mostly be with you, but I can see that I might get tired of doing that every day, and some days it might be nice to relax in front of the tv as they are.

Sunset at the beach also sounds lovely!

But then again, if someone said “oh well we should be at the beach at sunrise, it’s the best part of the day, it’s a shame to stay in bed” etc, I’d swat them with my fly swatter, acquired for all those BBQs!

You're both unreasonable. Eating outside can be unfun for multiple reasons. Wasps and flies. Changes in temperature meaning having to continually dress and undress. Wind blowing away things on the table.

Watching TV whilst eating is unsociable.

I'd compromise on indoors with the TV off.

I spend a lot of time outside. I garden, walk, etc If abroad, I am at the beach in the morning and the afternoon, often after dinner for a potter.

However, I detest eating outside. I want to be inside, in the cool, away from weather and insects. I want to sit at a proper table to eat. I also hate BBQ's. You do you, allow others their preferences.

It is a total faff though

Cleaning off the table
Traipsing everything out, traipsing everything back in
Swatting away bugs
Trips back inside because you forgot something
Refrigerated food (like mayo or cheese) getting a bit gross in the sun
Gusts of wind or the sun is too hot

I'm team eat inside, then go out and enjoy the sun

Seems like the majority of your family prefer to eat inside, free of flies and wasps, so if you want to eat together - sit inside with them!

The idea of eating outside is better than the reality. Mainly because of wasps.

We always eat outside in the summer,love it.

That sounds lovely but your family don't seem to agree. When you eat together inside do you chat, laugh and enjoy each others company? Or is this more about wishing you had that vibe the other families are experiencing? Could you not eat together inside and then head out for a walk?