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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Taking fridge food: sensible or rude?

45 replies

RevoltingPeasant · 27/05/2011 09:04

We are going to DPILs' house this weekend and staying for a week with them and my DM (they live close together).

We get a veggie box every week mid-week. I cancelled it for next week when we will be away but not this week - so we now still have most of a box of veggies in the fridge which will be wilted and bad by the time we get back.

So I thought I'd pack them all into a coolbox and take them to DPILs': after all, they are fresh organic veg, seasonal, etc, and they will otherwise go to waste. It's kind of like a contribution to the food we will eat and also, why not?

But when I mentioned this to a colleague she pulled a face and said, 'So basically you're dumping your old leftovers on them? What, do you expect them to start cooking your stuff when you get there?'

She seemd to think I was really skanky to do this. I thought it was sensible . Who is right? Would you be offended if guests did this??

OP posts:

JuicyLips · 27/05/2011 09:06

No i'd think it was fine, if it was visably rotten that would be a different matter, but fresh veg would be fine and a good idea. Imo.

Grumpla · 27/05/2011 09:08

I'd be pleased.

mrspnut · 27/05/2011 09:11

I always take the things that need eating from my fridge when we go to my MIL's or my parents.

As a family we tend to eat quite a lot of food and it can be expensive feeding all of us (as my weekly shopping bill shows) so it helps.
It also means we get to eat food that we like instead of the measly stuff my mIL buys.

beesimo · 27/05/2011 09:13

I'd be vexed about it as when we have company we provide for them.

If you don't want to waste food give veg ect to neighbours

kreecherlivesupstairs · 27/05/2011 09:15

Why would anyone consider that to be unreasonable. My parents drove to Belgium to visit us two weeks ago. We were the lucky recipients of carrots, parsnips, swede and spuds. Better to eat them than they go off.

FruStefanLindman · 27/05/2011 09:16

Your colleague is a loon.

Presumably your DPILs know that you have an organic veggie box anyway, so why on earth would they be offended if you bring it with you. Although you could phone them and tell them what vegs you're bringing with you so they don't duplicate when they're shopping.

And, no, I wouldn't be offended if guests did this.

tyler80 · 27/05/2011 09:16

I think it's perfectly normal, rational and sensible, even more so as it's family.

WincyEtNightie · 27/05/2011 09:18

I wouldn't be offended at all. My Mum and I do this all the time. Half packets of cheese, fruit etc. Why wouldn't you?

Weta · 27/05/2011 09:19

I'd definitely do it, and have many times before. And I'm always pleased to get food from people who come to visit - they don't need to bring food, but why would anyone be upset to receive some?! I would be far more upset to think someone had thrown good food away... what a waste that would be.

NormanTheForeman · 27/05/2011 09:20

I am a complete and utter planner, so if anyone was visiting me, I would have stocked up thoroughly before they visited. If they then turned up with quite a lot of fresh stuff (which would need to be eaten fairly soon), I would be in a bit of a quandary, as I would then have too much fresh stuff, and I would either have to let some of the stuff I bought go off, or some of the stuff they brought with them go off.

However, if they let me know beforehand they were bringing veg etc, and let me know what it was, I would be absolutely delighted, and would then plan my own shopping accordingly.

Original poster

RevoltingPeasant · 27/05/2011 09:21

Thanks all :) It is a relief to know I am not violating some Secret Houseguest Etiquette!!

And no it isn't rotting or anything - it's fresh asparagus, bags of rocket and cress, a punnet of mushrooms etc - that was only delivered Weds pm.

OP posts:

Original poster

RevoltingPeasant · 27/05/2011 09:22

Good point Norman, will text DMIL!

OP posts:

beesimo · 27/05/2011 09:23

NormanThe Foreman

As one 'control freak' to another I salute you!

Laquitar · 27/05/2011 09:23

In my family (parents and IL's) it would be normal thing to do but i don't know your IL.

You could give them a ring and mention it?

Mind you you can keep them and freeze them.

bleedingstill · 27/05/2011 09:23

Id also take some sweets and wine! just to balance things up

BelleEnd · 27/05/2011 09:24

You can come and stay here if you want :o

FabbyChic · 27/05/2011 09:24

Its a a great idea!

NormanTheForeman · 27/05/2011 09:24

Sounds lovely, and I would not be offended at all for someone to bring those sort of items, so long as we didn't end up with too much that would go off.

One family who visited us once brought with them a lovely home-made chocolate cake - that went down very well!

niceday · 27/05/2011 09:25

Perfectly sensible imo

Original poster

RevoltingPeasant · 27/05/2011 09:26

BelleEnd You know I would, just for the name

OP posts:

cwtch4967 · 27/05/2011 09:26

I can't understand how anyone would think it odd. Standard practice in our family is to take it with you unless going to a hotel or abroad in which case things are passed on to friends or neighbours. I hate waste!

IgnoringTheChildren · 27/05/2011 09:28

What's your relationship with your DPIL like? If you think they'd be offended then don't do it, but the fact you intended to do it before your colleague got all sniffy about it suggested you shouldn't makes me think it wouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't take the veg if staying with my DPIL for a couple of days as my MIL carefully plans out every meal we'll be having and buys everything she'll need for it, however I'd certainly do it if staying with them (or anyone) for the week - it's not like you're going to get all huffy if they don't use the veg!

ChairOfTheBored · 27/05/2011 09:31

It is beyond me to wonder why someone would think this is odd or rude.

It's a contribution, and even if it doesn't get eater it's hardly a massive chore to bung it in soup if they fancy it next week?

That said I hate going anywhere empty handed, or wasting food and have been known to turn up with the random things from the veg patch that were ready for eating. Courgette and runner bean omelet anyone?!

IgnoringTheChildren · 27/05/2011 09:31

x-posted with lots of people due to having to sort the baby out! RevoltingPeasant - your veg box sound just like the one I got on Wed!

Original poster

RevoltingPeasant · 27/05/2011 09:32

Exactly Ignoring! My DMIL is lovely (hence the 'D'!) and is a super cook. Her fridge is always full of odds and ends. Plus if it's really a problem I'll just take it to my DM's, as we're also seeing her.

It was more like my colleague thought the idea of bringing something 'old' as opposed to something you had bought specially for the person was weird/ yucky.

OP posts:

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