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Original poster

How to politely decline food that has been sneezed on?

38 replies

greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:10

If you are invited somewhere, the host hands you your plate and they, or one of the guests, accidentally sneezes on the plate. What would you do?

OP posts:
Lysianthus · 06/06/2023 16:13

I'd very much hope that the sneezer would take the lead, apologise, and quickly replace the plate.
However if they are exceptionally impolite, I would have no qualms about politely declining, no explanation needed. Or take the plate if you'd rather not make a fuss, put it near the kitchen/clearing away area, and start again.

skippy67 · 06/06/2023 16:16

I'd say, no thanks. Obviously.

BlameItOnTheGoose · 06/06/2023 16:17

I would say something like "Oh my goodness my whole plate has been sneezed on!! As much as I love you, Sneezer, I'm going to have to give this a swerve. Are there any more crisps?!"

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Original poster
greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:18

What if it was one of the guests, and the host kept insisting they hadn't sneezed on your plate. And then angrily grabbed the plate back and insinuated you were rude?

I'm the guest and I felt really bad, but I couldn't eat that

OP posts:
Original poster
greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:18

BlameItOnTheGoose · 06/06/2023 16:17

I would say something like "Oh my goodness my whole plate has been sneezed on!! As much as I love you, Sneezer, I'm going to have to give this a swerve. Are there any more crisps?!"

Taking notes for next time something like this might happen. Thank you!

OP posts:
FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 06/06/2023 16:22

I need more details on what actually happened.

BreviloquentBastard · 06/06/2023 16:23

If the host was snotty with me about it (hur hur) I'd tell them I might be rude, but they're an absolute grot if they expect me to eat snot salad. Blergh.

Also who other than a toddler sneezes without covering their mouth and nose?! Especially when food is being served!?

TidyDancer · 06/06/2023 16:23

Maybe the host was embarrassed? Or could you have been wrong?

Original poster
greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:28

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 06/06/2023 16:22

I need more details on what actually happened.

So my DH and I were invited to my ILs for dinner. MIL served us our plate and BIL, had a cold, sniffling and then sneezed onto my plate as it was being handed to me.

She told me to dig in and I said "Sorry mum, but my plate was sneezed on, don't worry I'll just grab something else later"

BIL: I didn't sneeze on your plate

MIL: Yes, he didn't sneeze on your plate, don't worry come on have it or remove the top bit

Me: Sorry I can't, it was all over unfortunately, but don't worry about it, I'll have the salad and the pudding

MIL angrily grabs the plate, empties it and fills it with more food, saying it would have been lunch for tomorrow, despite me saying I was fine and didn't need a refill and to save it.

OP posts:
Original poster
greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:29

BreviloquentBastard · 06/06/2023 16:23

If the host was snotty with me about it (hur hur) I'd tell them I might be rude, but they're an absolute grot if they expect me to eat snot salad. Blergh.

Also who other than a toddler sneezes without covering their mouth and nose?! Especially when food is being served!?

He sneezed repeatedly but on a tissue or his arm to be fair, he had a sneezing fit so he couldn't control that one

OP posts:
Original poster
greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:30

TidyDancer · 06/06/2023 16:23

Maybe the host was embarrassed? Or could you have been wrong?

No I saw the saliva reach my food
I tried not to embarrass her but didn't know how to go about it

OP posts:
Pixiedust1234 · 06/06/2023 16:31

So she didn't even give you a clean plate? 😯

cushioncovers · 06/06/2023 16:33

Don't feel embarrassed op. A person sneezed all over your food with a cold. That's completely unacceptable and not your fault at all. I would have done exactly the same as you. Why didn't mil swap and give you her plate of food instead if she's not bothered about saliva over her food.

howlismoving · 06/06/2023 16:33

She could have eaten the sneezed on food the next day if she really believed it was fine 😂

mymeatballsmymeatballs · 06/06/2023 16:35

That is so grim🤢I would've died a thousand deaths during that whole exchange due to the sheer awkwardness but I wouldn't have eaten it either. I can't imagine anyone would.

Boating123 · 06/06/2023 16:35

I think I would have said (if he hadn't already started eating - BIL any chance we can swap plates? I think you sneezed over this one.

noenergy · 06/06/2023 16:37

If she was insisting it wasn't sneezed on she should have had it herself or kept it for her lunch tomorrow.

mcmooberry · 06/06/2023 16:41

Ha ha yes she could

mcmooberry · 06/06/2023 16:41

Meant to quote that she could have eaten the sneezed on food the next day!

WhenImSixtyFour · 06/06/2023 16:46

Please tell me she gave you a clean plate!
I hate waste, I really do, but if I’d been host I’d have automatically got you different food, on a clean plate.

LakeTiticaca · 06/06/2023 16:48

I absolutely wouldn't eat this. Shame BIL didn't stay away from the dinner rather than spreading it around everyone else.
I agree if MIL didn't think it was sneezed on, she should have eaten it herself

TomatoSandwiches · 06/06/2023 16:51

I would take some food round to replace and then calmky but firmly tell her to never gaslight you again.

CreamTeaThievery · 06/06/2023 16:54

I agree, if it wasn't sneezed on why didn't she save that one for her lunch the next day and do you a clean plate or fresh food!

RedGreenBlueSky · 06/06/2023 16:55

greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:29

He sneezed repeatedly but on a tissue or his arm to be fair, he had a sneezing fit so he couldn't control that one

Show quote history

So the plate was passing as he sneezed in to his arm / tissue? I'd have been ok with that tbh but I'm obviously in the minority!

Original poster
greenduckling · 06/06/2023 16:56

RedGreenBlueSky · 06/06/2023 16:55

So the plate was passing as he sneezed in to his arm / tissue? I'd have been ok with that tbh but I'm obviously in the minority!

Show quote history

No I meant he was having a sneezing fit and he used his arms and tissues at first but then he couldn't control it and sneezed on my plate

OP posts: