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Original poster

To order an Indian takeaway while babysitting?

207 replies

IJustWantATakeaway · 21/10/2025 21:44

I’m babysitting for my SIL and brother next weekend. I love doing it and love seeing their kids, but it always leaves me in a bit of a pickle in terms of getting dinner. I try not to order out because I’m losing weight, but this weekend I just want to treat myself.

I love Indian food but live at home and my dad cannot stand the smell of it. My mum thinks if I order it I’m being very rude and it’ll annoy them, but they always offer to pay for one so I don’t know if it’s a bit unreasonable?! How would you feel if your babysitter ordered Indian?

OP posts:
Themagicfarawaytreeismyfav · 22/10/2025 00:05

I really fancy an Indian takeaway after reading this thread.

aneelli · 21/10/2025 23:58

You’re not cooking the food so the smell won’t linger for long. Ur parents are ridiculous for not allowing you to eat a certain type of food just bc they don’t like the smell! Their bacon n egg smells like sh*t but they’ll scoff that down

nomas · 21/10/2025 23:50

IJustWantATakeaway · 21/10/2025 21:53

My mum just thinks because it smells, it’s rude to do because I don’t know if they’re happy with their house smelling!

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I'm sure some of the stuff she eats stinks out her house.

Tell her not to be so offensive.

Vodkamartini3olives · 21/10/2025 23:49

If I came home to my house smelling of Indian food my only thought would be I really hope there's some left. I would actively encourage a babysitter to order take out & I'd pay for it.

RubyMentor · 21/10/2025 23:46

Your brother should be paying for your takeaway

PickledElectricity · 21/10/2025 23:45

Sorry, how old are you? Why are your parents so involved with what you eat?

Just ask your brother if it's ok!

Notonthestairs · 21/10/2025 23:43

The only problem I could foresee if our babysitter wanted a curry is that I would want to join them.

I wouldn’t expect them to ask permission- maybe just a heads up that they were ordering in.

OptiMumm · 21/10/2025 23:42

ChiliFiend · 21/10/2025 23:37

Why don't you just ask him if he minds?

I...just...yes...nope...absolutely speechless! 🤣

Why in the name of all that's holy, would someone ask the internet instead of their own brother and SIL?

I mean I wouldn't ask anyway, I'd just eat it and scrape the leftovers into the outside bin.

But if I was going to ask anyone, it'd be the homeowners, not Mumsnet! 🤦‍♀️

Dogaredabomb · 21/10/2025 23:39

I don't like any lingering food smells in the house be it chips or curry. But, someone doing me such a kindness would be welcome to order a curry (I'd happily pay for it too).

ChiliFiend · 21/10/2025 23:37

Why don't you just ask him if he minds?

Firsttimemum292 · 21/10/2025 23:37

I’ve clicked you are being unreasonable because you are.. tell your brother you’re ordering an Indian takeaway don’t ask. get the takeaway and enjoy every single mouthful!!

rainbowunicorn · 21/10/2025 23:36

chaptersandchatter · 21/10/2025 23:27

Indian here and this whole thread makes me feel uncomfortable. Just wanted some light Mumsnet browsing before bed - not casual racism about how the food of my culture ‘stinks’ and how family members refuse to have it in the house like it’s going to contaminate your house and linger until the end of time. Anyway back to doom scrolling! Enjoy the curry OP! Don’t forget to pack the air freshener 🙃

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I agree, there are some horrible comments on this thread. All food smells to some extent.

sandyhappypeople · 21/10/2025 23:36

IJustWantATakeaway · 21/10/2025 22:35

I don’t ask permission for anything I do.

I just wanted to check I wasn’t being an arsehole.

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But you should ask permission, that's the point, it's not your house, so if you are doing something there different to what you normally do it is polite to check it's okay first.

no one can answer the question of whether your brother and SIL would mind you having a curry there except them, so why not just ask them if they mind?

If they usually offer to buy you one then you already know the answer surely?

xxxwd · 21/10/2025 23:36

I would suspect the people who object might be Zoflora and Mrs Hinch fans.

shampop · 21/10/2025 23:30

chaptersandchatter · 21/10/2025 23:27

Indian here and this whole thread makes me feel uncomfortable. Just wanted some light Mumsnet browsing before bed - not casual racism about how the food of my culture ‘stinks’ and how family members refuse to have it in the house like it’s going to contaminate your house and linger until the end of time. Anyway back to doom scrolling! Enjoy the curry OP! Don’t forget to pack the air freshener 🙃

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This. Mumsnet is really weird about a lot of things though. Can’t believe PP saying she would be ‘livid’ if curry entered her home 🤣 Whaaat.

Ghht · 21/10/2025 23:30

The whole food smells in the house thing is your mother’s issue. It’s not really a typical issue people have, I wouldn’t even think of it. Also, Indian food smells delicious.

chaptersandchatter · 21/10/2025 23:27

leftorrightnow · 21/10/2025 22:55

Hope no actual Indian people on this thread, the level of rudeness about something a simple as non European cuisine lol. My neighbors are Indian and when we they cook the whole hallway knows, and I’m just sad they don’t invite me over for dinner more often!

Indian here and this whole thread makes me feel uncomfortable. Just wanted some light Mumsnet browsing before bed - not casual racism about how the food of my culture ‘stinks’ and how family members refuse to have it in the house like it’s going to contaminate your house and linger until the end of time. Anyway back to doom scrolling! Enjoy the curry OP! Don’t forget to pack the air freshener 🙃

pizzaHeart · 21/10/2025 23:20

Hall84 · 21/10/2025 22:15

If anyone was looking after DD for free they could order what they liked and help themselves to anything in the cupboards. If I didn't like the smell I'd open the windows the next day (after I'd eaten the leftovers)

Edited

This ^
I don’t like strong smells of food in the house, I keep door closed to contain the smell to one room and open windows after. It might be not ideal for you if you need room door opened to hear kids.
I would txt your brother and ask if it’s ok, just to be polite. Make it clear that you are asking about the smell otherwise he might think you are asking for money.
By the way if my sister was looking after DD for free she could fry smoked haddock for her dinner and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

youalright · 21/10/2025 23:05

Miceloveme · 21/10/2025 23:04

Learnt something new tonight Indian take away stink out your house.
I never knew this my house don't stink of the Indian take once all the containers have gone.

Same straight in the outside bin. Plates washed up. I don't see the issue.

prelovedusername · 21/10/2025 23:05

I would check first just out of courtesy because curries do have a lingering smell and it sounds like you’d be eating in their living room in front of the telly.

I’d be really surprised if they minded though.

Miceloveme · 21/10/2025 23:04

Learnt something new tonight Indian take away stink out your house.
I never knew this my house don't stink of the Indian take once all the containers have gone.

Franpie · 21/10/2025 22:59

If I was your brother, I’d be paying for your Indian! Takeaway smells are gone by the morning. It’s cooking Indian food that stinks the house out for a couple of days. But even then, I’d accept my house smelling of Indian food in exchange for free babysitting!

leftorrightnow · 21/10/2025 22:56

HedwigEliza · 21/10/2025 22:36

I’d be furious if someone ordered that to my house, even my siblings. I put a lot of effort into keeping the house smelling nice - my idea of nice - so I’d be livid if someone ordered in hot food I hadn’t agreed to. I certainly wouldn’t do it if I were the one babysitting. It’s not my house, I shouldn’t treat it as such.

What’s your idea of a nice smell? Do you only eat perfumed foods? No spices in your cooking? Sadness.

leftorrightnow · 21/10/2025 22:55

Hope no actual Indian people on this thread, the level of rudeness about something a simple as non European cuisine lol. My neighbors are Indian and when we they cook the whole hallway knows, and I’m just sad they don’t invite me over for dinner more often!

Itsnaptime · 21/10/2025 22:47

If in doubt ask them "oh, I was thinking of ordering an Indian takeaway as I've not eaten much today, would you like me to order you guys anything for when your back?"
If they're unhappy that's their cue to say they'd rather you didn't order one