What do you call this type of meal?

[tectonicplates]

I had never heard the term "picky tea" before joining MN.

I'm talking about the kind of meal where you have some slices of bread, a selection of vegetables and dips, cheese, and often some leftovers and things so it turns out a bit random. You put all the food in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves.

What do you call this meal in your family?

@ThatBitch We also call it 'Ifits' in our house. For the same reason as you.

We call it a picky tea but we came up with it ourselves, I hadn't heard it elsewhere so not a regional thing here as far as I know. It just describes the situation pick and choose/picking away at various bits etc so made sense

Iffits.

As in, "If it's there, we'll eat it."

Usually the day before a shop, cleaning out the last bits in the fridge.

Picky tea / bits. It's been called that forever, I'm in my mid 50s, Northern. A picky tea was usually served by grandmother with a houseful. Which could have been 10 adults and as many kids wandering through the back kitchen with a plate. Heavy on the bread, finished with tinned fruit in evap.

Now, with Southern DH, it's a nicpic, cos we can't say a cold collation without giggling.

Dippy shit

We call it a snack supper. Usually have it on Boxing Day night or the night of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Putting a few bits out.

OP I know! I have a Party Tea about once a week! I'd be distraught only to have it at Christmas.

(Although Christmas buffers are special)

It's a fuddle where I'm from

A Bitza.

(Bitza This and Bitza That...)

Snacks 💁🏻‍♀️

Plate dinner. Lots of things on a plate! I know that applies to any meal but we specifically mean bits and pieces like cheese grapes cucumber bit of pasta etc.

Bits and pieces here. I might adopt 'picky tea' though. It didn't even occur to me that other people did this - I thought it was just pure laziness on my part. Although here in Germany I suppose Abendbrot (evening bread) is this sort of thing, I've just never called it that.

Cold spread: cold meat, cheese, quiche, salad, bread and butter, pickles, slaw, salad , cake. Then it comes out for lunch for a couple of days or goes into packed lunches.

I'm Northern and never heard picky tea before MN!

We call it a buffet or a spread. Although we normally also have crisps, cakes, pies, pastries, meringues etc. with it too, so it's more of a party thing.

If we just got out bread/buns/baguette, mayo, butter, cold meats, salad and put it on the table for people to help themselves, that would just be lunch

Picky dinner!

Just as a side entry my mother in law used to call any dinner without chips an 'ordinary' dinner so that her three chip loving sons would be forewarned!

I’m in Yorkshire and call it a buffet. If it’s the type where everyone has brought a dish, it’s a “faith supper/lunch”

Freezer tapas!

Call it a mezze in my family. Mum calls it a buffet

I’m another one for bits and pieces.
My daughter went to her mother-in-laws for a buffet, and was very disappointed. She said “mum, they had sandwiches and crisps, not like when you do bits and pieces!”

'Funny lunch/tea'
Usually had when there isn't much in. Ham, cheese, salad, breads - now also includes salamis, humous etc

MIL calls it "something to pick at" which I think is a vile expression.

We call it a buffet, but it HAS to be pronounced phonetically 'buff-et'

@OhTheRoses, @MarieQueenofScots - the buffets you’re describing - that’s not what we’re talking about. That’s a deliberate selection of several dishes to choose from, made on purpose, not picky bits. Picky bits/picky tea is random bits of whatever’s in the fridge already. It’s not planned for, no dishes are deliberately made for it. I make a lot of buffets when entertaining and they’re a whole different ball game

The expression 'a few bits' makes me imagine a load of penises and vulvas on a platter