Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Self imposed etiquette?

69 replies

BuzzBeeEmoticon · 30/01/2023 07:47

I rarely accept drinks at peoples houses because I don’t want to impose and I don’t really like drinks (soft drinks or any drinks!) so I’d rather just not have one and I usually take a bottle of water with me. But multiple people have told me they find it strange!

Someone noticed that I wasn’t sitting back in the chair and mentioned it, but that’s another “rule” I have for visiting people, don’t get too comfy in the chairs, don’t put feet up etc because I think it’s rude/impolite. I asked my parents and they don’t have these ideas so I don’t know where it came from! The funny thing is if someone did that at my house I wouldn’t think it was rude or I probably wouldn’t even notice?

Does anyone else have anything like this?

OP posts:
Joyfuljolly · 30/01/2023 09:07

BuzzBeeEmoticon · 30/01/2023 08:59

I’m not scared of it, it just tastes horrible to me?

But yes I am generally anxious anyway, which I’m sure is clear from my posts!

on the water you didn’t say I don’t like tap water, you commented on the chlorine levels as a reason you shouldn’t drink it. Which indicates a level of anxiety over it.

Are you getting any help for your anxiety, as I think thsts you’re root cause.

it reads to me like you went to this persons house and are anxious you behaved oddly , so are now seeking opinion on what people would think of you and if they spotted you behaved unusually compared to the others.

i suspect you were just anxious about rhe social situation and didn’t know how to behave.

Sparklingbrook · 30/01/2023 09:08

bullgoggy · 30/01/2023 09:05

In my head, I’m failing as a mother if I give my kids a shop bought birthday cake which I’ve done exactly once. I absolutely don’t hold other people to these standards and love a slice of Colin.

Grin I'd be failing as a Mother if I gave mine one I had made myself.

WednesdaysNameIsFullOfWoe · 30/01/2023 09:10

BuzzBeeEmoticon · 30/01/2023 08:21

I would say the same about them though in that situation. It’s self absorbed to assume everyone behaves in the same way and are weird if they don’t. Expecting me to take a drink to make someone else feel comfortable is also self absorbed, surely?

But no-one’s saying you should. Saying “no thank you” when offered a drink is fine.

Saying that but bringing your own is insulting your host.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Whatwhatwhatnow · 30/01/2023 09:15

I don't think I'd notice the chair thing.

I would notice the water thing but I'd assume you were like my mother who has only one very specific thing that she drinks, so she always brings her own. Mind you, I'm family - not sure what she does at random people's houses. If you explained, I would respect that and not offer in future. Or offer biscuits or something instead.

Kennykenkencat · 30/01/2023 09:21

BuzzBeeEmoticon · 30/01/2023 08:54

Thank you for this! I do see what you mean, but also yes if I have a guest their comfort does come above mine? So if I put guests comfort above mine, and then hosts comfort above mine, where’s the compromise or fairness? 😅

But you are not putting the hosts comfort first if you are sat perched on your chair and refusing their hospitality. It comes across like you don’t want to be there and refusing a glass of water because you don’t like tap water is quite arrogant.
Do you believe you are the only person that has bottled water

Redglitter · 30/01/2023 09:22

I always offer visitors a drink but if they don't want one that's fine. I'd find it very odd though if they said no then produced one out their bag.

That combined with the perching on the edge of the soda would make me think you really didn't want to be there & I probably wouldn't rush to invite you back

ChilliBandit · 30/01/2023 09:31

You asked but have decided you are not rude. So what’s the point of asking? If a friend was like this at my house I wouldn’t invite them round very often.

I get the tap water thing, the water where we live is very hard and chlorinated. Do you not drink anything else like fruit juice? For me, it’s the combination of sitting upright at the edge of the sofa sipping on your own water bottle. If more than one person has noticed it it’s odd.

Rinkydinkydoodle · 30/01/2023 09:33

Hi again OP,

You’ve raised a point I’ve never thought about. I’m tempted to say ‘well because sometimes that’s just how life works, isn’t it?’ But that’s not a great answer, I can see that. At a basic level I suppose it’s just an unspoken social contract. We seem to have established this morning that there is a simple set of rules to do with visiting and being a visitor. Some people do as they please and disregard those rules in both scenarios which can lead to slight awkwardness, hurt feelings, and in extremis, a breakdown in relations. There are lots of posts on here with both guests and visitors asking ‘is this rude’ which suggests two things: broadly speaking, some societal consensus, and also that manners have some sociological importance.

Has someone knowingly (different if it’s not their intention) made you feel discomfort as a guest in your home? If so, I can empathise, I’ve got a FIL who does that precise thing, with him it’s a big-balls power move. If yes, that means you know how it feels, and presumably, since you’ve posted here,
you don’t want to make others feel the same way?

If fairness matters to you, could we agree that the manners discussed today are a collective good, by which I mean, they’re about fairness and reciprocity from each of us to the world at large, rather than to you, or me, or anyone, as one individual? But I take your point, and I suppose if we all take manners as putting others at ease, another good conclusion from today’s discussion is that we shouldn’t judge someone adversely when they behave unconventionally. A lot of people here have said they wouldn’t care, or judge anyone to their standards (birthday cake poster is a good example of someone setting higher standards for themselves than others) and that’s open-minded and socially desirable too. The slight difference is that you’ve said people are commenting critically on your demeanour, and maybe that’s where the social contract idea comes in? Agree that if the people commenting on you behaving strangely also behave strangely in your house then you’re quite legitimately wondering where they get off. Not sure that changes the over-arching conclusion, though.

MrsMikeDrop · 30/01/2023 09:34

I don't get some of these weird comments. If I liked you enough to invite you to my home, I wouldn't be bothered if you didn't want a drink. I would have invited you for your company and assume you are coming for mine. Sometimes I will go to someone's house and might not feel like anything either ... although more often than not I will partake in a few wines!

gemstonesandals · 30/01/2023 09:41

BuzzBeeEmoticon · 30/01/2023 08:54

Thank you for this! I do see what you mean, but also yes if I have a guest their comfort does come above mine? So if I put guests comfort above mine, and then hosts comfort above mine, where’s the compromise or fairness? 😅

The truth is that the guest and the host both have a responsibility to make the other feel welcome and at ease.

As a host, I want to ensure that my guest feels comfortable and happy.

As a guest, I also want to ensure that my host feels I am enjoying myself and am comfortable (i.e. that they are being a good host).

Both directions are important and you also have to give something as a guest. Clutching your own water and sitting on the edge of the sofa is likely to make your host feel uncomfortable.

Bimbleberries · 30/01/2023 09:41

It's not that people are saying that you must have a drink or sit back or whatever becase you have to conform, and that they're putting their comfort about yours. It's more than it will just (possibly subconsciously) appear to them that you don't want to be there, and the situation will be uncomfortable and they're not that likely to invite you back. It might not be a deliberate thought, even, that they think you're rude or whatever. It's just going to be an overall impression/feeling that they get from you of discomfort, you don't want to be there, you don't like them, or whatever. But nobody will make you have a drink or sit back or anything, and simply doing those things won't necessarily mean you aren't giving off 'uncomfortable' vibes, either!! It's not accepting a drink that will change things; it's that accepting a drink in a relaxed way that shows you're happy to be there will make the situation more comfortable - or refusing the drink in a polite way that again shows you're happy to be there. The behaviours just are outward signs of what you're feeling, so if you don't want to come across as standoffish, then finding ways to signal that are good (whether it's that you do want to be there but are a bit nervous, or whether you hate being there but don't want to show it, or whatever!). Of course if you do want to send subtle messages, then you have the tools to do so now that you know how the behaviour might be perceived. But no-one is forcing you to do any particular behaviour - it's your choice, knowing how it could be seen. And the more people know you, the better they will get at perceiving your specific behaviours, so if it's clear in other ways that you like spending time with them, then they will be less likely to subconsciously see you perched on the edge of your chair as a signal you don't like being around them!

Maybe you can also change your mindset to thinking that other people often do enjoy catering for someone or making them comfortable as part of hosting, so honestly don't mind being 'put to the trouble' of making a cup or tea or whatever, or letting you sit in their chairs. It might be relief for them too if you show that you're happy to be informal and easy-going. The more you can remind yourself of that, the easier it gets.

Another things to keep in mind is that just because you were brought up a certain way, it doesn't mean you can't change! I had a friend who really seemed to struggle with this, particularly around etiquette type issues. Whenever there was something different that people do - some people think one way is the right way to do something or vice versa, she would always have a "well I was brought up that you always do xxx" or "I was brought up thinking that xxx" or "in my background, xxx is polite" statement, and she couldn't seem to break away from that, despite seeing the evidence around her that everyone doesn't operate that way, that she could change if she wanted to, that as an adult, it's her decision. Even when she could see that it would be easier to change, or maybe even that as an adult, she could see that it wasn't necessarily more rude or polite to do one way, she just couldn't let go of that childhood influence. It was kind of like she was using it as a way of getting out of 'owning' an opinion or decision, somehow - overtly she could say that she could see two sides to something, but "this is how I was brought up thinking" always won out, so that she didn't have to own that she was making that decision or that it might not be the only choice, if you see what I mean. It really started to hold her back in social relationships, I think, because she seemed inflexible and seemed like she was judging other people (when I know she really wasn't) because of this constant "I was brought up to..". Her inability to ever move away from this past came across like she was somehow convinced deep down that her ideas of etiquette were really the only polite way, and other people ended up feeling judged as a result.

Bimbleberries · 30/01/2023 09:41

sorry, that ended up longer than I expected!

siroodlesofnoodles · 30/01/2023 09:44

My mum does this.

It's awful. She subjects me to couch perching 4x a week.

Whereas my dad flops down and gets stuck into the biscuits.

Littlewhitecat · 30/01/2023 10:30

I had a relative who used to bring her own water in a screw top plastic cup. We could not get her to explain why she did this other than she got very defensive and says she just liked to. I found the fact she thought we shouldn't mention her bringing her own water really odd and very passive aggressive. It made me feel like she didn't like the way we hosted her. I only ever put my foot down when she ate with us at celebrations and wanted the grotty plastic cup on my beautifully laid table next to my lovely glassware. To resolve this she decanted her water into a glass. I have no problems with someone not wanting a drink but expecting people to ignore you bringing your own is a bit unreasonable.

DingDonkey · 30/01/2023 10:55

I think it conjours up images in peoples minds of a very stiff and awkward person sat on your sofa so to break the ice and have something to do you offer them a drink, but then they say no so you go back to sitting awkwardly!

ArtVandalay · 30/01/2023 11:00

You sound incredibly uptight OP. Part of being a good guest is accepting hospitality and being relaxed in company.

It wouldn’t kill you to accept a glass of water and to not perch awkwardly in a chair. I’d hate to have guests that didn’t get stuck in and enjoy themselves.

bussteward · 30/01/2023 11:16

siroodlesofnoodles · 30/01/2023 09:44

My mum does this.

It's awful. She subjects me to couch perching 4x a week.

Whereas my dad flops down and gets stuck into the biscuits.

My MIL is criminal for it. Won’t even take her coat off; perches with her handbag on her knees. It’s like she’s ready to bolt any second; but she’ll be there for hours. It’s so stressful!

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 30/01/2023 12:39

Well yes I am aware that it makes me look like this but on the flip side, forcing me to take a drink when I don’t want one isn’t welcoming either is it? So not really sure I understand the logic.

I do kind of get this. They want you to feel welcome, so do what’s expected and offer a drink - but continuing to push when you’ve said no and acting like you’re odd for not wanting one isn’t about you feeling welcome or comfortable. It’s more about them wanting to feel they’ve done their duty and been a good host.

Reading this thread reminded me of a time when I was little and had a friend over for a sleepover. My mom suddenly noticed my friend was eating cereal without milk and practically had a fit of the vapours. “Oh my goodness, didn’t you see the milk? I’m so sorry, let me get you some straight away”. My friend said no, this was how she liked her cereal. That really should have been that, but it was “Oh no, you can’t eat dry cereal. There’s plenty of milk, it’s fine; I’ll get you some”. My friend said no, really, I like it dry. “Are you suuuuuure?” My mother sat with an aghast face all through breakfast while I cringed. She was so horrified at the thought of serving a guest dry cereal that she lost sight of the fact that it was exactly what her guest had wanted.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 02/02/2023 19:22

OP, it's fine to relax in your chair in someone's house. It's a compliment to them. Or do you mean at the table? Best not to slump at the table! You mention putting feet up - no, you're right about that .
Re the drinks, say "Oh no, I'm fine, thanks. I've just had one."

New posts on this thread. Refresh page