Weirdest parties / dinners / social events you’ve been to

NoImRenlea · 2023-11-19T19:45:11+00:00

As Christmas is approaching I have been thinking about this really weird Christmas we went to a few years ago. One of DH’s aunties insisted on hosting a family thing a few weeks before. We drove the 4 hours or so to get there, saying we’d arrive at 6pm. In the end, we got there about 6.10… to find that everyone had eaten. They’d dished up on the dot of 6 and then wolfed it down. They were very hospitable in serving us the leftovers, so much so that the auntie jumped out her seat and actually waited on us, then once we had a plate of food she left to do the washing up. It was so so weird and I sometimes wonder if something was lost in translation somewhere

hotcandle · 19/11/2023 20:03

Well you were late...

Original poster

NoImRenlea · 19/11/2023 20:07

hotcandle · 19/11/2023 20:03

Well you were late...

Auntie Sue, is that you….?

OP posts:

Ihatethenewlook · 19/11/2023 20:14

hotcandle · 19/11/2023 20:03

Well you were late...

By 10 minutes. Would you not wait 10 minutes for guests you’d invited? Also if I was expecting someone at 6 I wouldn’t be serving dinner at 6 on the dot

HollieHobbie · 19/11/2023 20:22

My mother would demand a phone call as you left home on the way to her for a meal, then start cooking immediately. OK if you were 10 minutes away but for us with a 2 hour drive, she'd cooked, dished up and it was sitting there gone cold and she'd a face like a slapped arse as "you weren't here when it was ready"

I learned to phone her when I was just around the corner to her house. Then she had a face like a slapped arse as she wasn't ready.

Just couldn't win with her.

VikingLady · 19/11/2023 20:33

We used to phone my granny when we got to the second nearest village so she could get the kettle on and be just pouring out as we walked in 😁

She was fab.

The weirdest visits were to PIL. No flushing the loo at night, no going downstairs in the morning before they did, even for a glass of water (none allowed upstairs), not allowed to win at board games.... a dining room I never saw used, and DH thought it had last seen use 20 years before. But the table was still clear, ready to be set.

TravellingT · 19/11/2023 20:51

We stayed at a friend's childhood home, and they also had rooms left unused (dining room, former office and playroom, utility room) all freshly decorated and renovated, just not used. Couldn't go in either.

The parents had wine with dinner, and we had water. I was told I couldn't have dessert because I'd left some of my dinner. Couldn't get up from the table without permission. Told off for sitting in the dad's seat in the living room full of 3 identical sofas. Friend was asked to prove she'd brushed her teeth before bed. We weren't allowed to leave our room until they'd rang the breakfast bell. Breakfast was made and plated up for us (we didn't get asked what we wanted)

DH and I had been married for 3 years at this point, friend married for nearly 10.

Mediumboiledeggs · 19/11/2023 20:59

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Previously banned poster.

LeggyLegsEleven · 19/11/2023 21:02

My BIL/SIL bought a big house and then became obsessed with hosting parities. Except they never provided ANY food and drink. Weird the first time but they kept doing it. I remember they invited 40/50 people and had bought a frozen pizza for themselves to eat mid way through.
They wanted to be the kind of people who held a big New Years bash but again no food/drink. They were also furious if people had to leave early because of taxi issues because it was new year! My BIL actually said the classic ‘well I don’t have a problem getting home’ BECAUSE YOU ARE HOME. They would offer people to stay over and then offer them the floor!
People just stopped going. We always refused.

SandyWaves · 20/11/2023 12:09

TravellingT · 19/11/2023 20:51

We stayed at a friend's childhood home, and they also had rooms left unused (dining room, former office and playroom, utility room) all freshly decorated and renovated, just not used. Couldn't go in either.

The parents had wine with dinner, and we had water. I was told I couldn't have dessert because I'd left some of my dinner. Couldn't get up from the table without permission. Told off for sitting in the dad's seat in the living room full of 3 identical sofas. Friend was asked to prove she'd brushed her teeth before bed. We weren't allowed to leave our room until they'd rang the breakfast bell. Breakfast was made and plated up for us (we didn't get asked what we wanted)

DH and I had been married for 3 years at this point, friend married for nearly 10.

This cannot be true!!!!!

Justanothermanicfunday · 20/11/2023 12:24

Not quite a party or celebration but we would be invited around Friends (couple) House for Lunch, and when we arrived the curtains were always drawn, no lights on and TV off, no music.. We would be offered a drink on arrival but never anything to eat / nibbles. It was always so quiet and awkward. Eventually we started to bring snacks and nibbles with us but they would always just put them straight in their cupboards - as if they were like gifts! Love them to pieces but honestly they have no idea how to host!
We only ever meet them now in pubs, restaurants or at our House

MirandaGreenwood · 20/11/2023 12:27

I went to a party where the host served us Pom Bears.

I think it might've been retaliation for a dinner party we hosted where we served tinned soup.

Riverlee · 20/11/2023 12:56

Went to a dogs first birthday party once. To be fair, it’s first year of life was quite traumatic.

A pink chihuahua turned up! It was a surreal party to say the least.

BarborousBarbra · 20/11/2023 13:06

Riverlee · 20/11/2023 12:56

Went to a dogs first birthday party once. To be fair, it’s first year of life was quite traumatic.

A pink chihuahua turned up! It was a surreal party to say the least.

Now this is my kind of party.

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 20/11/2023 13:46

Years ago I gardened for an elderly woman who was unsociable, stubborn and cantankerous. She had worked in publishing and became a director at a time when that was rare for a woman and she developed a deep contempt for anyone who, in her eyes, treated her in a sexist or condescending way. She told me right from the start to never, ever address her as 'love' for example and she'd stopped talking to a neighbour who had unthinkingly done that. She had some carers for a while but fired them for being, as she said, 'complete sluts'. Nonetheless, we got on okay and I found her interesting and very knowledgeable, if sometimes a little prickly.

As time went on she became ill and it turned out that she was seriously anaemic, so she was given a couple of blood transfusions and put on steroids. This resulted in a marked change in her personality and she became quite lively, friendly and very energetic. After some months of this, she was found dead in bed by a neighbour, having died of pneumonia. On her bedside table was a list titled 'Party' and there were notes on what foods she'd prepare, where coats were to be left and so on. This was to be her first party for about 40 years, perhaps ever.

She had already arranged for a friend, a professor of death studies no less, to organise the funeral. It was to be a woodland burial, no bought flowers, no minister or anyone to do the main talking. The professor went through her address book and latest correspondence and invited everyone he could find, which amounted to some 20 people. We all chose a dish from the party food list to prepare and then met up in her house a few hours before the funeral, where we used her heating and drank her wine and fruit juice, and had her party for her before heading off to bury her. It was a pretty good party, the crowd was composed of a few neighbours, one distant relative and some frequent customers to her academic second hand bookshop, quite a mixed group. We got to know each other and took turns to tell our stories to the room, so by the time we got to the burial ground we were all familiar with each other to some extent.

The whole thing was utterly surreal and very much felt like being part of an Art House film. And it rained too.

MirandaGreenwood · 20/11/2023 13:54

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 20/11/2023 13:46

Years ago I gardened for an elderly woman who was unsociable, stubborn and cantankerous. She had worked in publishing and became a director at a time when that was rare for a woman and she developed a deep contempt for anyone who, in her eyes, treated her in a sexist or condescending way. She told me right from the start to never, ever address her as 'love' for example and she'd stopped talking to a neighbour who had unthinkingly done that. She had some carers for a while but fired them for being, as she said, 'complete sluts'. Nonetheless, we got on okay and I found her interesting and very knowledgeable, if sometimes a little prickly.

As time went on she became ill and it turned out that she was seriously anaemic, so she was given a couple of blood transfusions and put on steroids. This resulted in a marked change in her personality and she became quite lively, friendly and very energetic. After some months of this, she was found dead in bed by a neighbour, having died of pneumonia. On her bedside table was a list titled 'Party' and there were notes on what foods she'd prepare, where coats were to be left and so on. This was to be her first party for about 40 years, perhaps ever.

She had already arranged for a friend, a professor of death studies no less, to organise the funeral. It was to be a woodland burial, no bought flowers, no minister or anyone to do the main talking. The professor went through her address book and latest correspondence and invited everyone he could find, which amounted to some 20 people. We all chose a dish from the party food list to prepare and then met up in her house a few hours before the funeral, where we used her heating and drank her wine and fruit juice, and had her party for her before heading off to bury her. It was a pretty good party, the crowd was composed of a few neighbours, one distant relative and some frequent customers to her academic second hand bookshop, quite a mixed group. We got to know each other and took turns to tell our stories to the room, so by the time we got to the burial ground we were all familiar with each other to some extent.

The whole thing was utterly surreal and very much felt like being part of an Art House film. And it rained too.

Wow. That sounds intense and lovely. I would totally watch that film.

DilemmaDelilah · 20/11/2023 13:55

As a teenager, it was being invited to a friends house for tea (meal) and only being offered tea to drink with my meal. It's not odd, I know now, but it isn't something I had ever come across before, I had always had water to drink with my meals.
As an adult, probably being invited to a friends house for a barbecue. I'm autistic so I always check all the details, and had asked what would happen if it rained. I was assured it would still take place, so I turned up on a drizzly day only to find nobody at home. Very embarassed!

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 20/11/2023 14:03

MirandaGreenwood · 20/11/2023 13:54

Wow. That sounds intense and lovely. I would totally watch that film.

Show quote history

It was very intense and lovely! I'd watch the film too as there are a lot of details I left out but they'd fit very well in that sort of film.

VaddaABeetch · 20/11/2023 14:03

A friend moved into a new house. She invited about 10 people over to paint, put up shelves, clear the garden etc. after a few hours she rang for pizza…then asked everyone for a contribution which was well in excess of the cost. She told me gleefully afterward that she ‘made’ €50 on this. She’s very well off.

Santaiswashinghissleigh · 20/11/2023 14:05

Once went to a neighbour's NYE party as the relatively new family to the street. The dh declared if he took me into the garage I wouldn't be going home with my dh. We left well before midnight. Wasn't risking getting stuck with him in any kind of nye clinch... His poor dw was mortified.. Creepy fucker..

SandyWaves · 20/11/2023 14:06

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 20/11/2023 13:46

Years ago I gardened for an elderly woman who was unsociable, stubborn and cantankerous. She had worked in publishing and became a director at a time when that was rare for a woman and she developed a deep contempt for anyone who, in her eyes, treated her in a sexist or condescending way. She told me right from the start to never, ever address her as 'love' for example and she'd stopped talking to a neighbour who had unthinkingly done that. She had some carers for a while but fired them for being, as she said, 'complete sluts'. Nonetheless, we got on okay and I found her interesting and very knowledgeable, if sometimes a little prickly.

As time went on she became ill and it turned out that she was seriously anaemic, so she was given a couple of blood transfusions and put on steroids. This resulted in a marked change in her personality and she became quite lively, friendly and very energetic. After some months of this, she was found dead in bed by a neighbour, having died of pneumonia. On her bedside table was a list titled 'Party' and there were notes on what foods she'd prepare, where coats were to be left and so on. This was to be her first party for about 40 years, perhaps ever.

She had already arranged for a friend, a professor of death studies no less, to organise the funeral. It was to be a woodland burial, no bought flowers, no minister or anyone to do the main talking. The professor went through her address book and latest correspondence and invited everyone he could find, which amounted to some 20 people. We all chose a dish from the party food list to prepare and then met up in her house a few hours before the funeral, where we used her heating and drank her wine and fruit juice, and had her party for her before heading off to bury her. It was a pretty good party, the crowd was composed of a few neighbours, one distant relative and some frequent customers to her academic second hand bookshop, quite a mixed group. We got to know each other and took turns to tell our stories to the room, so by the time we got to the burial ground we were all familiar with each other to some extent.

The whole thing was utterly surreal and very much felt like being part of an Art House film. And it rained too.

Thank you for this, it was lovely to read.

You must be a writer of some sort.

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 20/11/2023 14:12

SandyWaves · 20/11/2023 14:06

Thank you for this, it was lovely to read.

You must be a writer of some sort.

Show quote history

Thank you! I come from a family of arty types and story tellers and stories were the main entertainment growing up 😀

scoopoftheday · 20/11/2023 14:17

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 20/11/2023 13:46

Years ago I gardened for an elderly woman who was unsociable, stubborn and cantankerous. She had worked in publishing and became a director at a time when that was rare for a woman and she developed a deep contempt for anyone who, in her eyes, treated her in a sexist or condescending way. She told me right from the start to never, ever address her as 'love' for example and she'd stopped talking to a neighbour who had unthinkingly done that. She had some carers for a while but fired them for being, as she said, 'complete sluts'. Nonetheless, we got on okay and I found her interesting and very knowledgeable, if sometimes a little prickly.

As time went on she became ill and it turned out that she was seriously anaemic, so she was given a couple of blood transfusions and put on steroids. This resulted in a marked change in her personality and she became quite lively, friendly and very energetic. After some months of this, she was found dead in bed by a neighbour, having died of pneumonia. On her bedside table was a list titled 'Party' and there were notes on what foods she'd prepare, where coats were to be left and so on. This was to be her first party for about 40 years, perhaps ever.

She had already arranged for a friend, a professor of death studies no less, to organise the funeral. It was to be a woodland burial, no bought flowers, no minister or anyone to do the main talking. The professor went through her address book and latest correspondence and invited everyone he could find, which amounted to some 20 people. We all chose a dish from the party food list to prepare and then met up in her house a few hours before the funeral, where we used her heating and drank her wine and fruit juice, and had her party for her before heading off to bury her. It was a pretty good party, the crowd was composed of a few neighbours, one distant relative and some frequent customers to her academic second hand bookshop, quite a mixed group. We got to know each other and took turns to tell our stories to the room, so by the time we got to the burial ground we were all familiar with each other to some extent.

The whole thing was utterly surreal and very much felt like being part of an Art House film. And it rained too.

How beautiful 💐

Joonio · 20/11/2023 14:20

Customer invited us to his house for dinner. Turned out they were very religious so no welcoming drink to relax before we all sat and looked at each other,their teen son included.
They told us about all the meetings they attended and how lucky they were to live beside the gospel Hall. We appeared to have absolutely nothing in common and the wife seemed as if her only life was to cook ,clean and revere the men.
Eventually she served a basic meal which we ate in silence and the whole evening was so awkward.

Original poster

NoImRenlea · 20/11/2023 14:28

Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 20/11/2023 13:46

Years ago I gardened for an elderly woman who was unsociable, stubborn and cantankerous. She had worked in publishing and became a director at a time when that was rare for a woman and she developed a deep contempt for anyone who, in her eyes, treated her in a sexist or condescending way. She told me right from the start to never, ever address her as 'love' for example and she'd stopped talking to a neighbour who had unthinkingly done that. She had some carers for a while but fired them for being, as she said, 'complete sluts'. Nonetheless, we got on okay and I found her interesting and very knowledgeable, if sometimes a little prickly.

As time went on she became ill and it turned out that she was seriously anaemic, so she was given a couple of blood transfusions and put on steroids. This resulted in a marked change in her personality and she became quite lively, friendly and very energetic. After some months of this, she was found dead in bed by a neighbour, having died of pneumonia. On her bedside table was a list titled 'Party' and there were notes on what foods she'd prepare, where coats were to be left and so on. This was to be her first party for about 40 years, perhaps ever.

She had already arranged for a friend, a professor of death studies no less, to organise the funeral. It was to be a woodland burial, no bought flowers, no minister or anyone to do the main talking. The professor went through her address book and latest correspondence and invited everyone he could find, which amounted to some 20 people. We all chose a dish from the party food list to prepare and then met up in her house a few hours before the funeral, where we used her heating and drank her wine and fruit juice, and had her party for her before heading off to bury her. It was a pretty good party, the crowd was composed of a few neighbours, one distant relative and some frequent customers to her academic second hand bookshop, quite a mixed group. We got to know each other and took turns to tell our stories to the room, so by the time we got to the burial ground we were all familiar with each other to some extent.

The whole thing was utterly surreal and very much felt like being part of an Art House film. And it rained too.

This is such a lovely tale

OP posts:

Joonio · 20/11/2023 14:30

When newly married we invited husbands team mate and wife for supper after the game. At home we often had macaroni cheese for tea and I thought it would be a nice easy dish.
They pushed it warily round the plate and he asked what was it. When I told him macaroni he had never heard of it and left it on the plate.